Carolina On My Mind

Clay Aiken, Celebrity Apprentice Cast Promote Show

2012-01-08T14:48:00.005-05:00

Clay Aiken joins 2012 Celebrity Apprentice cast.

Clay, Cast on Promo Trail

Celeb Apprentice Debuts Feb. 19

From the moment Donald Trump officially presented the new Celebrity Apprentice cast on Wednesday's Today Show, the 18 candidates have whirled through a continuous, sometimes crazy, merry-go-round of multimedia promos.

Through individual videos, NBC provided a brief intro to each candidate. Mashable Entertainment picked up the videos and tabbed the line-up as the Most Connected Cast Yet.

To stay connected to Clay and read the latest about Celebrity Apprentice from his perspective, follow the singer at Twitter and Facebook.

The series, which debuts on NBC on Feb. 19, is also being advertised through interviews on every show and site imaginable. The screen cap below links to a TV Guide interview of Clay Aiken and Lisa Lampanelli.

Clay Aiken, Lisa Lampanelli in TV Guide interview.
Click on screen cap to link to video.

Just Jared provided individual photos of the 18 Celebrity Apprentice candidates. Follow the link to read the complete story:

Clay Aiken, Aubrey O’Day, George Takei, and Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice will be vying for the title while competing for each of their charities.

"Being in front of [Donald] Trump is more intimidating than [being in front of Simon Cowell]. That’s because you realize his success is real outside of TV. Whereas with Cowell, I don’t deny him his value – but singing is not his expertise," Clay, who once was runner-up on American Idol, told Today.

2012 Celebrity Apprentice Cast
How many can you name?

For a quick reference, here are the 18 cast members and the charities for which they are playing as listed in The Hollywood Reporter:

Former American Idol Clay Aiken, National Inclusion Project
Retired race car driver Michael Andretti, Racing for Cancer
Talk show host Adam Carolla, Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters
Actor/bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno, Muscular Dystrophy Association
Actor/TV personality Arsenio Hall, Magic Johnson Foundation
Magician/TV personality Penn Jillette, Opportunity Village
Former Twisted Sister singer Dee Snider, March of Dimes/Bikers for Babies
Star Trek’s George Takei, Japanese American National Museum
American Chopper’s Paul Teutul Sr., Make-A-Wish Foundation

Actress Tia Carrere, After-School All-Stars
Singer Debbie Gibson, Children International
Real Housewives of New Jersey’s Teresa Giudice, The NephCure Foundation
Growing Up Gotti’s Victoria Gotti, Association to Benefit Children
Comedian Lisa Lampanelli, Gay Men’s Health Crisis
Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza, Latino Commission on AIDS
Singer/actress/model Aubrey O’Day, Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
Model/actress Cheryl Tiegs, The Farrah Fawcett Foundation
Model/actress Patricia Velasquez, Wayuu Taya Foundation

Clickable Celebrity Apprentice graphic by Fountaindawg.

An excellent introductory story running in the International Business Times answers the question Who Are Clay Aiken, Teresa Giudice and the Other Contestants? Brief bios of the 2012 line-up are included.

Not to be missed is The Dead Bolt interview: Adam Carolla Surprised by Clay Aiken. The Inclusion Project received excellent publicity in the CBS story: Clay Aiken's National Inclusion Project To Benefit from His Celebrity Apprentice Appearance.

For Clay Aiken fans, the most appealing paragraph in Friday's Astrochicks story is -- appropriately -- the second:

... the rumor is Clay Aiken is the one to watch this season. Hollyscoop talked to several cast members Wednesday, and it seems everybody is raving about Aiken.

Clay Aiken: New Facebook photo

The photo above links to the Root Music Player on Clay's Facebook page. Once there, you can listen to "Unchained Melody," "Bring Back My Love," "Suspicious Minds," "Misty," "The Way," and "Invisible."

Here is one for the Clay Nation from Highlight Hollywood:

When Highlight Hollywood reported last week that handsome and talented singer Clay Aiken would be on Donald Trump's "Celebrity Apprentice," which airs on NBC, we had no idea there would be such a magnificent reaction. [snip]

We try to focus on everyone, who has something positive going on in their lives, and we also hit hard news. [snip] But it is very rare that a celebrity has such a huge following, and yet their fans are so genuinely gracious, kind and supportive, generous in spirit and all around awesome! Clay Aiken has such fans.

His fans embraced his decision to appear on "Celebrity Apprentice" and they all believe as we do, that he’ll be the winner of the competition. Donald Trump is a great showman. [snip]

But it’s great when he picks someone as charismatic, talented and genuinely kind as Clay Aiken to appear as a contestant on his highly-rated series "Celebrity Apprentice," which thanks to Clay’s wonderful fans will be even higher rated than any previous season.

Thanks, Aiken fans, for showing Highlight Hollywood and the world, that you back the right guy, and that you all have as much class he Clay does! You do him proud!

Set your Tivo and other recording devices for 9 pm ET Feb. 19-May 27. If this week's publicity, Twitter and Facebook social networking activities are any indication, the Clay Nation and the National Inclusion Project are in for one heckuva ride this spring.

Hold onto your hat, and have an awesome week, all!

Caro

Clay Aiken Fans Celebrate Dawn of 2012

2012-01-01T13:00:00.007-05:00

The ebb and flow of tides are like time as the outgoing merges with the incoming, the old with the new, the past with the future.

As events of 2011 wound down on New Year's Eve, the strains of "Auld Lang Syne" gave way to the heralding of the infant 2012 with traditional New Year greetings by the media, online websites, friends, relatives, and associates.

Similarly, Clay Aiken fans are at once in retrospective mode while greatly anticipating the singer's 2012 agenda. Two events circled on Clay Nation calendars around the globe are slated for February:

Feb. 12 - May 20: Celebrity Apprentice, NBC-TV, 9 pm ET
Feb. 20 - Reflections of Life - Distinguished Concerts International, Carnegie Hall, 7 pm ET

Clay's new single, "Bring Back My Love," a bestseller on Amazon and iTunes, will be sent to AC radio stations around the nation. In his blog today, Clay hinted that a 2012 tour is in the offing. He also suggested that fans watch the Today Show on Wednesday. Donald Trump will guest on Tuesday, so most are planning to watch both days.

For the inevitable rewinds on Clay Cyberspace, click on the retrospective graphics by Clayscience (2011) and Fountaindawg (2003 - 2011). Both are expandable.

The New Year's wish below links to a special Jacquie Lawson greeting for Carolina On My Mind readers. Quoting from Fountaindawg's graphic:

2012 -- Bring it!

Happy 2012, Clay Nation!

Signature by Linda

Clay Aiken Serenades Christmas Greetings

2011-12-25T14:00:00.002-05:00

Graphic by Cotton

Wishing all a joyous Christmas!
Recommended Playlist: 'Merry Christmas With Love' by Clay Aiken

Merry Christmas to all who may dwell here
Merry Christmas if even just one
May the joy of the season surround you
Merry Christmas with love!

MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE: Clay Aiken sings MCWL during the 2005 Joyful Noise Concert in Denver. View video by Scarlett full screen at YouTube.

If "Merry Christmas With Love" is not filling your holiday airwaves, the solution is a click away with mp3 downloads at Amazon and other online outlets. Fan club members can link to Clay's musical holiday greeting here.

MCWL Playlist

Merry Christmas With Love
Mary, Did You Know
Hark the Herald Angels Sing/O Come All Ye Faithful
O, Holy Night
Don't Save It All for Christmas Day
Joy to the World
Sleigh Ride
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Silent Night
The Christmas Song
Winter Wonderland
What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?

The clickable graphics below are by Fountaindawg, 1, 3; Cotton, 2; Lindylo, 4, and AmazingCA, 5. Photographers include Curtis Brown, 1, 3; zippy888, 4, and toni7babe, 5.

A special thank you to all who visit the Carolina blog throughout the year. I always enjoy hearing from you and appreciate your props for the talented visual artists featured here.

With visuals and music from Jacquie Lawson, I wish you and yours peace, love, and all the wonder of the holiday season in this Shining Star card! Note there's a puzzle option when your day winds down. *g*

Christmas signature by Linda

Clay Aiken Fans Celebrate Season with New Single

2011-12-19T17:45:00.012-05:00

Clay Aiken to release BBML single at midnight.
Double clickable graphic by Fountaindawg, photo by Curtis Brown.

Bring Back My Love

Fans Count Down to New Single

Only a few more hours to Clay Aiken's much-anticipated new single!

"Bring Back My Love," will be released for digital download at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday on Amazon, iTunes, and CD Universe. And fans cannot wait!

iTunes Hot New Singles Banner

As the zero hour ticked closer, many fans played the song non-stop on the the Mediabase Player on the Music Info Systems site. You may be prompted to download a plug-in for your browser. These links should help: Firefox and Mediabase Settings.

BBML cap links to Mediabase Player.

Bring Back My Love - Clay Aiken (lyrics)

When I was young
Love was a lonely lullaby
Then there was you
I saw my future in your eyes
And I threw you away
I was wrong
When all is said and done,
Then I'm gonna bring back my love to you
Gonna show you what love can do
Believe me, just give me time
Cause I'm gonna to bring back my love to you
And we'll lay down like lovers do
Oh, my darling, say you'll be mine

Spending my time building my castles in the sand
I was a fool letting you fall right through my hands
Tonight, please let me hold you in my arms
And lie here safe from harm
Cause I'm gonna bring back my love to you
Gonna show you what love can do
Oh, my darling, say you'll be mine

All that I ever wanted
All that I ever needed
Was your love
Cause your love carries me

Cause I'm gonna bring back my love to you
Gonna show you what love can do
Oh, believe me, just give me time
Cause I'm gonna bring back my love to you
And we'll lay down like lovers do
Oh, my darling, say you'll be mine
Oh, my darling, say you'll be mine

Always with the voice at the forefront, the song starts with piano alone, proceeds to vocals and piano. Strings, horns, and percussion are added at various points.

Double clickable Christmas graphic by Fountaindawg.

Champions Gala 'Stays in Raleigh'

While I was playing oboe in Jamestown United Methodist Church Lessons and Carols Christmas Cantata rehearsals/performances on Dec. 10-11, many Clay Aiken fans converged on Raleigh for the National Inclusion Project's annual Champions Gala.

Most of the events -- VIP reception; silent and Dutch auctions; luncheon; Clay's special performance of pop hits, holiday music, and the premiere of BBML -- were off limits to cameras this year.

Honorees included Walgreens (corporate), Kevin Connolly, 24, photographer and professional skier born without legs; and Chris Burke, whose Down Syndrome has not impaired his acting career. Read the bios/credentials of these champions of inclusion at the Foundation's website.

Clack of Sunday morning's NIP Volunteer Round Table discussion can be viewed at the Ginger Scarlett Channel on YouTube. Videos 1, 2, and 3 cover the mission and scope of the NIP's inclusive programs and fundraisers; Let's All PLAY camps; proactive, creative ways to organize benefits.

Special thanks to Scarlett for providing video of these sessions.

Recaps of the weekend have been devoured throughout Clay Cyberspace, and those in attendance are still talking about the 2011 event. I especially like this Not.Just.Us quote shared by claysgalsal:

I had the pleasure of seeing you at the foundation fundraiser hosted by Clay Aiken last weekend. I went kicking and screaming, but I gotta admit ... the dude can sing.

I have never seen fans like that in my life. They remind me of small crowd versions of the Beatles and Elvis. I was told that lunch with Clay Aiken went for $58,000. Clearly I should not have ducked chorus in high school.

P.S. Luncheon a Very Special Treat

For me, a very special highlight of Gala Weekend was the luncheon six of us shared in Greensboro Sunday afternoon.

Five participants traveled from Raleigh while I packed up my oboe to meet them at Mimi's Restaurant in the Friendly Shopping Center. The hour wait was no problem as some of us were meeting for the first time.

What a treat to finally meet Aspiegirl and her roommate Maria, both of whom I have known online for years. I also met for the first time Triad neighbors georgiesmybaby and FearofH2O.

Being with Scarlett is always special. After the Ohioans departed for their 11-hour return trip and the Triad folks headed home, Scarlett and I visited, picked up some sushi for her, and eventually rented a car for her return to Raleigh and very early flight the next morning.

It's been quite a week!

Double clickable cap of Christie Cookie site to enlarge.

Christie Cookie Site Features NIP

The National Inclusion Project has been the featured charity in Christie Cookies' 'Chippin' in for Kids' program for November and December 2011. Scroll on the left sidebar or the Charity of the Month.

Each time a cookie tin is purchased, Christie Cookies donates 22% of the price back to the charity. At the same time, the cookie site is spreading the word about inclusion:

Inclusion is giving people their rightful opportunity to participate. Since the National Inclusion Project began, they have made a real impace by ensuring that children nationwide can experience all of life."

Read more information at National Inclusion Project.org.

Piano, Violin Students Perform

No doubt, last week was one of the busiest of the year as my violin and piano students also performed holiday music/semester literature at Wesleyan Christian Academy on Thursday afternoon. No wonder the Carolina blog has sat so long without an update!

Hats off to Erica Freeman, Kayla Davidson, and Haley Pierce, pianists; and violinists Jenni Harrell, Raegan Isenhour, Sara Beth Bulla, and Tatum Davis for their solos, duets, and ensembles during the first performance.

Double duty in a church Nativity scene rearranged the second program, so the string ensemble performed the opening four numbers with Tatum present and closed the program with one violinist dancing in King Herod's court elsewhere.

'King Herod' Claims Violinist

The violin ensemble at the second recital included Ora Fulp, Erica Justice, Sara Beth, and Tatum. A fifth member was home sick with the flu.

Pianists Miranda Rivera, Mitch Rivera, Jeremy Fulp, and Caleb Hernandez presented a varied program. In addition to the holiday selections, Caleb performed three new compositions whose current "working titles" are "Irish," "Winter," and "Old."

The importance of the holiday goody bags was never more pronounced as this year. Between performances, Tatum and her mom microwaved her bag's popcorn to sustain them through the Nativity gig.

Hopefully, all my students are still sharing their holiday music, as well as the goodies!

Christmastime is Here when Clay sings carols.
Double clickable graphic by Fountaindawg, photos by NickiKiwi.

Clay Synonymous with Christmas

No one sings Christmas music like Clay Aiken, and Claymatron provided just the post to describe what I mean. Here is her story:

I just returned from doing some Christmas shopping, and my first stop was the Hallmark card shop in our local mall. I was perusing some cards when I suddenly realized the Christmas carol I heard was being sung by Clay. I turned around and loudly declared, "OMG, that's Clay Aiken! Is that the radio?"

The ladies behind the counter looked at each other, smiled, and said, "Nope, it's our own CD; he's our favorite!" I told them I am a fan, and they told me they play it every day throughout the holidays. And they always get the nicest compliments from their customers when they do.

I'm not surprised. I stayed and bought three more cards than I intended and then browsed the entire shop until I heard "What Are You Doing New Years Eve?" It's the first time I've felt "Christmasy" this year!

NIP Lends NHHS Band a Hand

If you read my message board/Facebook posts, you know the Inclusion Project is helping the New Hanover High School Band, my Alma mater, and several other charities during the December Pepsi Refresh.

After receiving an urgent email from my brother Chuck one week into the campaign, our NIP crew started advising NHHS and other novice groups with what we have learned in past Pepsi drives.

Two weeks later, they are novices no more. Now we are taking notes from these energetic, creative gals -- Dana Ward (NHHHS Band, #9 in $25k), Crys Worley (AL Skate. #6 in $50k), Jennifer Rice (Ravenna Parks/Recreation, #14 in $50k), and on and on!

Many thnx to all who are utilizing the NIP Voting Widget links in this blog's sidebar. Even my music students are committed to daily texts as we support these groups for the next 10 days.

Wishing you and yours a very special holiday season!

Signature by Linda

Clay Aiken's Pipes Shine, Portray Benefit Message

2011-12-08T19:09:00.004-05:00

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS - Clay Aiken performed "My Grown Up Christmas List" during the True Colors benefit concert Sunday. View video by bigappleforclay full screen at YouTube.

Pipes, Calendar Peaks, Pepsi P.S.

'MGUCL' Defines Benefit Purpose

Clay Aiken's incredible pipes, a simple keyboard accompaniment, and the sublimely relevant "My Grown Up Christmas List" epitomized the purpose of Sunday's benefit concert for LGBT homeless youth in the New York City's Beacon Theatre.

For many, the North Carolinian's exquisitely nuanced vocals were the performance highlight of the Cyndi Lauper & Friends Home for the Holidays Concert last weekend.

Clay was accompanied by pianist-arranger Ben Cohn.

Double clickable graphic by Fountaindawg. Photos by Scarlett.

The evening also featured musical and comedy routines by the host, Norah Jones, Amy Lee, Cassandra Wilson, Rosie O'Donnell, Wanda Sykes, Jon Secada, Carson Kressley, Chely Wright, Skylar Grey, Vanessa Carlton, Angelique Kidjo, Harvey Fierstein, Deluka, Debbie Harry, Alan Cumming, and Randy Fenol.

Below are two clickable photos by Scarlett from Sunday's concert and the widescreen graphic by Fountaindawg. View the photographer's True Colors Home for the Holidays collection here.

2012 Calendars Top Past Record

A total of 129 Clay Aiken Calendars (58 desk and 71 wall) were ordered by fans this season, breaking previous sales records. Proceeds from the calendars, which have been shipped, will be donated to the National Inclusion Project.

Produced annually by Rosaratana with photos by toni7babe, the 2012 calendar features images predominately from the 2011 Tried & True Tour and is again being published in desk and wall versions.

Hippoga, also part of the 2012 team, helped select the photos and coordinated the inclusion of 20 calendars in the silent auction for the Champions Gala, this weekend's annual event of the National Inclusion Project in Raleigh, NC.

Below are clickables of the wall and desk calendar covers:

Printed on premium glossy card stock, the calendars can still be ordered through Rosaratana with delivery after Christmas. Costs are $12 for the desk size (8.27" x 3.74") and $25 for the wall version (11" x 8.5").

To place calendar orders, Paypal or email Rosa at rosash@comcast.net. Checks are accepted, and she will email you the address. Process time between orders received to calendars printed and shipped is approximately 3-4 weeks.

"I’m thankful to everyone for the support they have given to the NIP every year," said Rosaratana, coordinator of the annual project.

The 2011 calendar project generated a foundation donation of $965.62 through sales plus an additional $650 in Gala auctions.

New Hanover High School Band on Parade.

Pepsi Campaign Still in Progress

About 15 minutes before I left to teach Monday's lineup of music lessons, I received an email from my brother Chuck in Wilmington: "Yo! How about another Pepsi Refresh?"

Turns out our Alma mater, the New Hanover High School Band, is in the running for a $25,000 grant.

Having applied for the competition since June 2010, the band finally gained entry into the December 2011 campaign. A quick glance at the NHHS Pepsi Page and the band website on Monday and I knew these folks were in dire need of a crash course.

NIP Team To the Rescue

In four days, countless NIP supporters and charities with whom the foundation has partnered have come back from a long-awaited "Pepsi-less" existence and not only educated the NHHS coordinator, Dana Ward, and her troops but also introduced the novice team to possible causes for forming reciprocal alliances.

This is a sharp team, now fully functioning thanks to Royalle, who literally compiled a Pepsi Syllabus Monday afternoon. Countless NIP supporters and previous NIP partners are also helping the fledgling group.

On Monday, the NHHS Band was ranked in the 40's for the $25k grant. At "press time," they had marched to #20 with a Top 15 goal set for midnight Dec. 31. Please revive your voting techniques, use the Thank You/NC Widget in the sidebar, and help this group and the other causes listed.

Maximize: Vote 5 Charities 3 Ways

Most people reading the Carolina blog can't help but know the drill: Vote 3 ways for five charities daily: via a Pepsi ID (register if you haven't already), a Facebook ID, and a daily text of 110575 to 73774 (PEPSI).

Voting instructions and suggested comments are in the VOTE panel of the sidebar widget.

Next Time: Gala, Holiday Concerts

Almost every Clay Aiken fan I know is headed to Raleigh for this weekend's National Inclusion Project Champions Gala. I'll be playing oboe at Jamestown United Methodist Church Saturday/Sunday and planning student holiday concerts ... but more on all that next time!

Have a wonderful weekend, Clay Nation! Thank you for joining the NHHS Band and other NIP partners still vying for Pepsi funds!

Caro

Clay Aiken Fans Applaud Broadway Benefit, Pepsi Win

2011-12-04T11:55:00.002-05:00

HAPPY HOLIDAYS - Clay Aiken will join a huge cast performing in a holiday benefit at New York City's Beacon Theatre Sunday night. Double clickable graphic by Fountaindawg with photo by Curtis Brown.

NIP Votes for Pepsi Partners

Fans Celebrate Holiday Concert

Clay Aiken returns to Broadway Sunday evening for a special performance in the Cyndi Lauper & Friends: Home for the Holidays Concert at the Beacon Theatre.

Presented by Cyndi Lauper's True Colors Fund, the 8 p.m. benefit will help raise awareness for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered youth homelessness. Tickets are priced $35 - $500. For more information, visit the Beacon Theatre website.

"When I first learned that up to 40 percent of all homeless youth in this country identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, I was shocked and saddened," said Lauper, co-founder of the True Colors Fund.

"For far too long homeless youth have not received the attention, resources and funding necessary to bring an end to this epidemic. My hope is that through this inspiring evening of music and comedy we can raise awareness and much needed funds to help these young people."

In addition to Clay, the Beacon Theatre benefit concert will feature the talents of Lauper, Norah Jones, Lou Reed, Rosie O'Donnell, Carson Kressley, Amy Lee, Chely, Wright, Skylar Grey, Vanessa Carlton, Angelique Kidjo, Harvey Fierstein, Deluka, Debbie Harry, Alan Cumming, and Cassandra Wilson.

Cyndi Lauper's True Colors Fund is sponsoring the benefit concert.

NIP Celebrates $50k Grant Win

After securing a $50k Pepsi Refresh grant last month, National Inclusion Project supporters are voting for December participants who supported the foundation in November's successful drive.

Links and text numbers for the supporting charities, along with several causes from North Carolina, are located on the ABC panels of the above widget and the vertical version situated in the Carolina sidebar. Both were created by Scarlett.

The VOTE panel contains two sample comments to post on the charity's Pepsi page following your daily ballot.

Below are double clickables of Fountaindawg's opening graphic. The second is a widescreen version.

Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!

Caro

Fans Celebrate Clay Aiken's Birthday with $50k Grant

2011-11-30T09:52:00.006-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! - The Clay Nation hopes to deliver a $50,000 Pepsi Refresh grant for the National Inclusion Project as a gift for Clay Aiken, the foundation's co-founder. Graphic by Fountaindawg.

#2 NIP in Line for $50k Grant

CA Fans Mark Birthday by Voting

Two important events headline the network of Clay Aiken message boards -- a continuous Cyber celebration of the singer's 33rd birthday and the final push to provide his foundation, the National Inclusion Project, a $50,000 Pepsi Refresh grant.

The latter would be one of the best birthday gifts fans could give Clay, whose commitment to connecting children with special needs to all life has to offer was his focus as a special education major prior to the American Idol step into fame.

UPDATE: It's official! The National Inclusion Project will be awarded a $50,000 Pepsi Refesh grant from November's competition. The banner replica links to the NIP's finalist page at the Pepsi site:

In July 2003, during the American Idol 2 Tour, Clay and Diane Bubel of Charlotte co-founded the Bubel/Aiken Foundation, renamed the National Inclusion Project in 2009.

Amid the Clay Cyber cavalcade of birthday greetings with accompanying art work are reminders to pull out all the stops, vote with every available account, and recruit new supporters in the final hours of the grant campaign, which ironically ends at midnight on the singer's 32nd birthday.

Vote 3 ways to expand inclusive programs for all children.

New participants need to register at the Pepsi Refresh site (bottom left corner) and vote three ways: US-based email, Facebook, and by sending a mobile phone text: 109857 to 73774 (Pepsi).

The NIP Voting Widget in the sidebar includes links and text numbers for the Inclusion Project, as well as partner charities that have supported the foundation this past month.

National Inclusion Project supporters hope to mark the midnight hour of Clay's birthday with the close of a successful campaign for a $50k Pepsi grant for inclusion!

To help celebrate the day, here are clickable birthday wallpapers by graphic artists Fountaindawg, 1, 3, and AmazingCA, 2.

'In My Life' a Tribute to Teachers

As a music instructor from a long line of educators, I especially was touched that Clay performed John Lennon's "In My Life" as a tribute to the teachers in his life during the 2010 Tried & True Live! PBS Special.

On such an important day in his life, I think it appropriate that Clay sign off this blog entry with that exquisite rendition.

In My Life from Clay Aiken: Tried & True ~ LIVE!
View video full screen at YouTube.

Happy Birthday, Clay! Have a wonderfully productive day, Clay Nation!

Caro

Clay Aiken Fans Recruit Thanksgiving Voters

2011-11-23T15:26:00.001-05:00

MERRY THANKSGIVOWEEN: Seasonal celebrations collide.
Cartoon by Mike Thompson of the Detroit Free Press.

Group Texts Before Turkey Dinner!

Holiday Commemorations Merge

Due to their proximity on the calendar and the influence of commercial activity, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas celebrations have so effectively merged that the appropriate seasonal greeting could easily be "Merry Thanksgivoween!"

The spooks of Halloween have come and gone, families are gathering for Thanksgiving Day festivities, while from radio stations from Schenectady to Spokane, Pensacola to Phoenix have begun broadcasting the third stanza of "Merry Thanksgivoween" with Clay Aiken Christmas carols.

Among the CA vocals decking the airwaves with a joyful noise are "O Holy Night," "The First Noel," "Don't Save It All for Christmas Day," "Merry Christmas with Love," and "Winter Wonderland."

Thanksgiving graphic links to 'All Is Well' montage by SueReu.

The Thanksgiving graphic by A Beautiful Mind links to SueReu's montage of "All Is Well," celebrating the second and third stanzas of the "Merry Thanksgivoween" triology.

Holidays Provide Pepsi Alternatives

Creative voting is the key in the National Inclusion Project's $50k grant campaign while visiting family and friends this Thanksgiving weekend. Daily votes for the NIP, partners, and allies via the Pepsi site, Facebook, and mobile phone are a must for regulars if the foundation is to remain in the Top 10.

Thanksgiving Weekend provides supporters with new voting recruits. Hold daily group texts --109857 to 73774 (Pepsi) -- with all who gather for holiday meals, games, and other weekend festivities.

Make sure all eligible (US citizens 13 and older) guests who can access an email account vote for the NIP during the holidays. Use the voting widget in the Carolina sidebar for ease in voting. Print and pass out these Thanksgiving fliers to garner new text votes.

Double clickable/printable NIP Pepsi fliers.

B/W double clickable/printable fliers.

Facebook Poll Offers More Ideas

Earlier this week, Scarlett posted this survey on her Facebook wall. The points in her poll provide excellent suggestions for garnering additional votes this holiday weekend.

If you are a site member, drop by her corner and take the poll. You can also share additional ideas in the comment section of this blog.

How will you increase Pepsi Refresh votes for the NIP during Thanksgiving Week?

1. Don't serve Thanksgiving turkey until everyone texts.
2. Vote early in the morning before the bedlam begins.
3. Vote at halftime, grab the remote and hold it hostage until people text, too.
4. Ask a friend to take care of your votes.
5. Vote before starting the car to drive anywhere, all passengers included.
6. Print out the NIP Pepsi Refresh fliers and hand them out wherever you go.
7. Register ID's of hosts/visitors so they can vote at the Pepsi site.
8. Vote late at night when the house is quiet again.
9. Add your suggestion.

For Clay Aiken fans who have followed tweets and photo trickles throughout the taping of a certain TV show in New York City, below are double clickable graphics by Fountaindawg -- for which we can be thankful. The second is wide screen.

Merry Thanksgivoween, Clay Nation and all you hold dear!

Thanksgiving design by Linda/ABM

Happy Thanksgiving e-cards in four styles to all who drop by the Carolina/OFC blogs throughout the year!

Thanksgiving with a Beat

Simple Gifts

Glorious Thanksgiving

Turkey Day Hoedown

Clay Aiken Fans Add Nifty Fliers to Pepsi Campaign

2011-11-13T14:57:00.010-05:00

INCLUSION FOR ALL CHILDREN - Inclusion is giving people their rightful opportunity to participate. Through after-school programs and summer camps, the NIP seeks to ensure that no child sits on the sidelines.

For $50k Pepsi Grant

Info Fliers Boost NIP Voting Pool

With the aid of dedicated supporters and reciprocating charities, the National Inclusion Project continues to hold the #2 slot for a November Pepsi Refresh $50k grant.

A tour of Clay Aiken message boards, Facebook, and Twitter yields constant reminders to vote and expand the voting pool for the charity co-founded by the singer in 2003. After today, readers of this blog can add fliers to their list of tools.

In the three-pronged daily Pepsi Refresh voting process, the quickest methods are by Facebook and text. The Pepsi site requires more time and patience, but dedicated followers persevere in rendering five votes per registered ID -- one each for the National Inclusion Project plus four reciprocating causes.

Links/text numbers for the NIP's partners and allies are included on the voting widget in the Carolina sidebar. A crash course in the voting procedure with a suggested comment to leave at partner sites is provided in the VOTE panel.

Like the widget, the fliers were designed and produced by Scarlett.

Double clickable/printable NIP Pepsi fliers.

Fan Garners Votes with Fliers

One of the most creative supporters in spreading the Pepsi fliers throughout her community is queenmama247. The minute these were posted on message boards her printer went into overdrive.

The single fliers can be inserted or attached to emails to family, friends, and associates. Below are some of queenmama's uses for the fliers. Post yours in the comment section and I will add them to the blog proper.

1. Leave fliers at your hair salon, and ask if one can be posted in the window.
2. Take fliers to your local hardware store, paint store, flower shop, library, laundromat, and hospital cafeteria.

The big stores aren't too receptive, but the small neighborhood stores are so kind. Most of them will put the fliers by the register. - queenmama

3. If you are attending a wedding, baby shower, or other social gathering, have the guests text a vote together. Keep the volume turned up, and the return replies will be amazing!

During last summer's Pepsi Refresh drive, queenmama secured 200 text votes at her niece's wedding reception.

B/W double clickable/printable fliers.

4. Enlist the aid of a high school student. In many schools, assisting with this project counts toward community service credit, a high school graduation requirement.

My high school neighbor plans to see how many people he can get to text at football games and other sports events. He likes challenges. With permission, he posted a flier on the high school bulletin board. - queenmama

5. Pass the fliers out at church on Sundays and Wednesdays.

Don't forget to share the ways these fliers are helping you spread the word about the National Inclusion Project's Pepsi Refresh campaign.

Clay Aiken in New York City. - Clickable photo enhanced by Sally.

Those who are following the taping of a certain TV show in New York City will recognize the above photo of Clay as one that ran at Reality Aired on Nov. 11.

In a matter of minutes, CA fans cropped the singer and produced a profile that spread to the far reaches of Clay Cyberspace. The double clickable enhanced today by Sally is one you just might want to right-click and save.

Have an awesome week, Clay Nation!

Caro

For more information about the Inclusion Project's participation in the Pepsi Refresh, see the 11/4 blog: Clay Aiken Fans Champion Charities.

The 11/4 entry also contains previews and order info for the 2012 Clay Aiken Calendars. Order deadline is 11/22, so link to the 11/4 blog ... SOON!

Clay Aiken Fans Champion Charities

2011-11-04T13:08:00.004-05:00

National Inclusion Project - Inclusion is giving people their rightful opportunity to participate. The NIP works every day to ensure no child sits on the sidelines.

For Pepsi Refresh Challenge

Inclusion Project Sets $50K Goal

National Inclusion Project supporters stormed out of the gate the first of November and claimed the #2 position of this month's Pepsi Refresh campaign for a $50,000 grant for the charity.

The foundation, co-founded by singer Clay Aiken and Diane Bubel in July 2003, must finish in the top 10 to win a November grant.

Through a variety of programs, including the Let's All Play Camps, the National Inclusion Project seeks to ensure that no child sits on the sidelines. Read more about the NIP at the foundation's website.

Register for a daily voting reminder at the NIP website. If the Inclusion Project wins a November grant, your name will be in a raffle drawing for an Apple iPad2. The daily email is excellent for forwarding to friends, relatives, and associates who will help the charity attain its goal.

Vote 3 ways to expand inclusive programs for all children.

The rules have changed since friends of the foundation successfully secured a Pepsi grant in December 2010.

* The Inclusion Project must win in November as there is no rollover from month to month.

* Advocates can vote 3 ways: via a registered Pepsi account, Facebook, and a daily text of #109857 to Pepsi (73774).

* Supporters have 5 votes for each avenue everyday, but only one NIP vote per method. Distribute the other four votes to charities supporting the foundation. These are listed in the NIP Voting Widget in this blog's sidebar.

* After each Pepsi/Facebook vote for the foundation's partners and allies, click on the Back to the Idea Page tab (upper left corner) to leave a comment. Reciprocating charities will return votes to the NIP accordingly.

* Best of all, there are no Pepsi power codes in this month's competition.

On Nov. 30, there will be 10 winners in the $50k category, now the highest award possible. Longtime supporters know the early momentum must be maintained in order to secure the grant.

Widget Makes Voting a Snap

A tremendous tool for Project supporters is the voting widget created by Scarlett with reciprocal info gathered by Royalle.

Jerry Aiken, executive director of the National Inclusion Project, not only approved the widget but also asked that supporters be reminded to vote all three ways. "We lose much-needed votes when people take the easiest route and text vote only."

Fresh off the press, the voting widget below links you directly to causes supporting the NIP.

Create your own comment, but be sure to include the NIP Pepsi page address and text number. Here is a sample:

The National Inclusion Project just voted for you. Thank you for your return votes! http://www.refresheverything.com/includingchildren and Text 109857.

The widget will be available here and in the Carolina sidebar throughout November.

2012 Clay Aiken Calendars - Order by Nov. 22!
Tried & True wall calendar cover is clickable.

2012 Calendar Deadline Approaches

The 2012 Clay Aiken Calendars are going back to the Gala as auction items. But before that, fans of the singer can order Tried & True wall or desk versions through the project's coordinator.

Produced annually by Rosaratana with photos by toni7babe, the 2012 calendar features images predominately from the 2011 Tried & True Tour and is again being published in desk and wall versions.

Hippoga, also part of the 2012 team, helped select the photos and coordinated the inclusion of 20 calendars in the silent auction for the Dec. 9-10 Champions Gala, annual event of the National Inclusion Project in Raleigh, NC.

Sample of monthly desk calendars. Double click to enlarge.

To place calendar orders, Paypal or email Rosa at rosash@comcast.net by Nov. 22. Checks are accepted, and she will email you the address. Process time between orders received to calendars printed and shipped is approximately 3-4 weeks.

As in the past six years, all proceeds after costs will be donated to the National Inclusion Project. Thought not an official NIP fundraiser, this project is sponsored annually by the Together for Inclusion Alpha Chapter of Aiken 4Clay.

The 2011 calendars generated a foundation donation of $965.62 through sales plus an additional $650 in Gala auctions.

Completed orders will be mailed by the first week of December.

Clickables by dancerdad.

Celebrity Apprentice Sneak Peeks

If you are following Clay Aiken message boards, tweets, or Facebook posts, you are no doubt aware that our guy is involved in another NIP fundraiser through Celebrity Apprentice.

The clickable photos above by dancerdad were taken during filming of a Celebrity Apprentice task for the show's 2012 telecast. Thursday's sale of New York City guidebooks by the men's team was well-documented by dancerdad and other Big Apple residents.

Have an awesome weekend, Clay Nation!

Caro

Clay Aiken Set for Celebrity Apprentice Boardroom

2011-10-14T18:30:00.009-05:00

Expandable graphic by Ashes, photos by Ethan Miller.

With Well-Rounded Resume

Clay Aiken Heads to Apprentice

You're Hired! Clay Aiken Joins Celebrity Apprentice

Clay Aiken will be joining Season 5 of Celebrity Apprentice, reports People. The American Idol Season 2 runner-up will join Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice, funny man Arsenio Hall, and ‘80s sensation Debbie Gibson.

The leader of Clay Nation will no doubt put up a tough fight in the boardroom. As a top-selling recording artist, proud dad, and one of the only contestants with a college degree, Clay’s resume is the most well-rounded of the bunch.

Don’t let the sun go down on Clay, Donald Trump!

A facsimile of the WetPaint story headlines hundreds of sites, including People, TV Examiner, Access Atlanta, Playbill, and Entertainment Weekly. EW puts Clay's chances of winning at 2-1 while TV Line projects 4-1 odds.

In the process, the Carolina singer will raise awareness as well as funds for the National Inclusion Project, the charity he co-founded with Diane Bubel in 2003 to promote inclusion of children with special needs in activities with their non-disabled peers.

Whole segments of the population are about to learn what the Clay Nation has known for years. The Aiken is intelligent, witty, talented, personable, snarky, and very dedicated to his cause. Coming in second is not on his radar.

The show, which begins taping Monday, will be televised in 2012.

Carolina Site Changes Pace

To complete a fall project, I recently pushed the pause button on the Carolina's every- three-days-no-matter-what blogging routine and, to my surprise, I liked it!

Since July 2005 when my friend Sally talked me into writing a blog at the OFC and then a year later when the articles were also re-coded for the Carolina On My Mind site, I have spent much of my free time gathering info, editing art, and penning these installments.

But I have learned there are other things I want and need to do during my day. In addition to teaching 16 music students weekly, I look forward to reading again. In November, I am finally purchasing a Kindle like everyone else.

I began reporting for the Wilmington Star-News papers when I was 16 and have worked on several newspaper staffs since. Writing is an important part of me, so I will still blog -- just not on such a rigid schedule.

Expandable graphic by Fountaindawg, photo by Curtis Brown.

Carolina Blog Topics Inclusive

Since its inception, the Carolina blog has embraced a number of my passions -- family, music, Clay Aiken, the National Inclusion Project, Tar Heel basketball, movies, recipes. Now I look forward to adding reading to that list.

For five years, I have appreciated the response from readers all over the world. At last count, you represent 170 countries. I especially thank those who stop by and leave comments not only for the writer but also for the visual artists featured.

Among the graphic artists spotlighted during the five-year Blogspot run are Sally, Fountaindawg, AmazingCA, cindilu2, A Beautiful Mind, claystruck, and Ashes.

The site has spotlighted videos and montages by countless CA fans, some of whom are Scarlett, Aspiegirl, SueReu, LovesClaysVoice, and Hope.

Countless fan photographers are represented in the Carolina editions. You can always search for visual artists and topics in the rectangle next to the orange B at the top of the blog.

The original OFC blog in 2005 was short and sweet:

Hello, Clay Nation!

It's opening night, and the curtain is going up. Just this much feels like a four-movement symphony. Much more to come as I study the score ... I mean the blog tutorials.

Have a great day, all!

Caro

First Post Parallels 'Real Rebels'

A year later, the initial Blogspot entry outlined the personal and professional parallels of Sonny James and Clay Aiken: The Real Rebels of Country and Pop Music.

The headline was inspired by my husband's declaration following an early road trip as Sonny's drummer in the 1970's. The real rebel of country music, he said, was the "southern gentleman," not the Nashville rabble-rousers in the newspapers.

Thank you for stopping by through six years of 600+ blogs. I hope you will continue to do so as the discussion explores an array of topics on a slightly different schedule.

Have an awesome weekend!

Caro

Clay Aiken Photos, Montages Jazz Up Fan Sites

2011-09-25T17:35:00.006-05:00

Clay Aiken - New photo from Curtis Brown shoot.
Expandable image edited by Sally.

Clay Nation Celebrates Designs

'Aiken' for a New Screen Saver?

Last week Clay Aiken changed his profile photo at Facebook and inspired a flurry of artistic activity throughout the fandom.

The photo leads countless message boards across Clay Cyberspace, while fans easily may have set a record for photo reposts at the social networking site.

You have to look closely to detect the minute alterations by Sally. One step removed the contact lens circle in the singer's eyes. Can you locate another slight edit?

Fountaindawg created widescreen/regular graphics of the photo, and longstanding computer screen savers were promptly changed. Both thumbnails of the Curtis Brown photo are clickable:

Anyone for a new screen saver?

DWTS Couples Waltz to Aiken Favorite

It was a very good week for Clay Aiken montages, too.

Dancing With the Stars fans can always count on LovesClaysVoice for exquisite montages of the current season's contestants accompanied by a variety of Clay Aiken songs.

The one below features three Season 13 couples waltzing to the singer's rendition of "She Said Yes."

Dancing With the Stars: 'She Said Yes' by Clay Aiken.
View montage by LovesClaysVoice full screen at YouTube.

Season 13 dancers in the above montage include Chynna Phillips and Tony Dovolani, David Arquette and Kym Johnson, and Hope Solo and Maksim Chmerkovskiy.

To view LCV's montages from past DWTS seasons, check out her YouTube Channel. Among Clay Aiken songs featured are "Suspicious Minds," "Those Magic Moments, "Unchained Melody," "Everything I Have," "Touch," "When You Say You Love Me," and "Sacrificial Love."

UNICEF - 'It's In Every One of Us' by Clay Aiken.
View SueReu's montage full screen at YouTube.

Montage, Song Speak to Human Race

Appropriately, David Pomeranz's "love song to the human race" backs SueReu's montage about UNICEF's "Believe in Zero" campaign. Clay, a UNICEF Ambassador since 2004 and one of many artists who have recorded the inspirational song, included the track on his On My Way Here CD.

In just half a century, child mortality rates have been cut by 60%. However, there are still 21,000 children who die every day due to preventable causes.

With innovative programs focusing on nutrition, education, immunization, health care, clean water and protection from exploitation, UNICEF is leading the way to cutting that number to zero.

In 150 countries around the world, UNICEF is on the ground, working daily to meet the needs of children.

Translated into numerous languages and recorded by a long list of artists, It's in Every One of Us has been heard around the globe through recordings, concerts, churches, synagogues, school choirs, hospitals, charities, corporate/personal growth seminars, the Olympics, you name it.

Have an awesome week, Clay Nation!

Caro

To order a Clay Aiken Calendar, see 2012 Clay Aiken Calendar Set for Gala Return.

For information RE the I AM NORM Pepsi campaign, scroll to Clay Aiken, Inclusion Fans Plan September Rally. Vote via the I Am NORM Widget in the sidebar.

2012 Clay Aiken Calendars Set for Gala Return

2011-09-22T15:33:00.003-05:00

2012 Clay Aiken Calendars - Order by Nov. 22!
Tried & True wall calendar cover is clickable.

Wall, Desk Versions in Auction

Aiken Calendars Headed to Gala

The 2012 Clay Aiken Calendars are going back to the Gala as auction items. But before that, fans of the singer can order Tried & True wall or desk versions through the project's coordinator.

Produced annually by Rosaratana with photos by toni7babe, the 2012 calendar features images predominately from the 2011 Tried & True Tour and is again being published in desk and wall versions.

Hippoga, also part of the 2012 team, helped select the photos and coordinated the inclusion of 20 calendars in the silent auction for the Dec. 9-10 Champions Gala, annual event of the National Inclusion Project in Raleigh, NC.

Sample of monthly desk calendars. Double click to enlarge.

The calendars, printed on premium glossy card stock, can be ordered through Rosaratana between now and Nov. 22. Costs include $12 for the desk size (8.27" x 3.74") and $25 for the wall version (11" x 8.5").

As in the past six years, all proceeds after costs will be donated to the National Inclusion Project. Thought not an official NIP fundraiser, this project is sponsored annually by the Together for Inclusion Alpha Chapter of Aiken 4Clay. The 2011 calendars generated a foundation donation of $965.62 through sales plus an addition $650 more in the Gala auction.

To place calendar orders, Paypal or email Rosa at rosash@comcast.net by Nov. 22. Checks are accepted, and she will email you the address. Process time between orders received to calendars printed and shipped is approximately 3-4 weeks.

Sample of wall calendar months. Double click to enlarge.

The 2012 calendars are being shipped as orders arrive. Below is fan mail from a happy customer:

The calendars came yesterday, and you did a wonderful job as usual. After seeing it, I'm thinking of buying another one for my mom. She's still a Clay fan at 91, and I think she'd enjoy looking at those photos every month. I will send another check off to you this week.

GoodSearch/GoodShop Support Charities

With your assistance, the National Inclusion Project could win an additional $1,000 donation in September's GoodSearch Registration Contest!

The charity with the most new registrations by September 30 will claim this prize. You can help the Inclusion Project win by spreading the word to friends, family and colleagues via Facebook, Twitter, and an email at this link.

Remember that every time you go through the GoodSearch and GoodShop sites for Internet searches and purchases, you add revenue for the Inclusion Project. To date, that total is $16,449.48 -- a penny or two at a time as supporters search and shop through these sites.

Pennies Become Dollars with GoodSearch

GoodSearch is a Yahoo-powered search engine that donates 50% of its revenue, about a penny per search, to listed American charities and schools designated by its users. The money donated comes from the site's advertisers.

More than 96,000 non-profits are participating in the program. GoodSearch was founded in November 2005 by siblings Ken and JJ Ramberg.

In September 2007, the GoodShop online shopping mall was launched. A percentage of each purchase is donated to the user's designated charity. GoodShop is affiliated with more than 1,300 online retailers including Amazon, Target, Staples, eBay, Best Buy, and Apple.

A toolbar is available for Internet Explorer and Firefox browsers. Read more about the GoodSearch/GoodShop sites here.

Have a wonderful weekend, Clay Nation!

Caro

Happy Birthday #4 to Grandson Kai!

2011-09-17T12:01:00.007-05:00

Kai marked 2010 birthday by mowing apartment courtyard.

Fond Memories Replayed

Kai Celebrates Fourth Birthday

Four years ago today grandson Kai entered the world 21 days early wailing at the top of his lungs.

In no time at all, he had charmed not only his immediate and long-distance families but also the hospital's preemie nursing staff and countless "aunties" around the world in the Clay Aiken fandom.

Adept at programming the family's DVR, Kai is reading, counting, and playing games on the Leapster from Grandma Caro. Both he and his sister Lia are learning about the 50 states and countries of the world via the Leap Frog maps lining their walls.

Kai learns while playing with his Leapster.

In his four years, Kai has traveled to North Carolina and to Hawaii, logging more frequent flyer miles than his grandmother. Events from his short life have been shared in various Carolina blogs; and, at times, I think he has his own fan club. All thumbnails in this overview are clickable.

Like most boys, Kai loves anything with wheels; he parks his beloved cars and trucks nightly in a special bookcase in his bedroom. I understand he was awake at 3 a.m. playing with his trucks and is now taking an afternoon nap.

Kai's favorite toy during a month-long visit in Hawaii was a play lawn mower, which made his grandmother's third birthday gift a no-brainer. The lawn mower arrived two days early, and the apartment complex courtyard was promptly sharper.

The smartest thing this long-distance grandmother did in September 2007 was order a good camera for Kai's mother. With the assistance of his artistic aunties -- AmazingCA, Ashes, A Beautiful Mind, Aspiegirl, Sally -- my grandson's first four years have been well-documented throughout the Carolina journal.

In the beginning, an overwhelmed household had no time for photos. Poppy, Kai's grandfather, even sent a roll of pictures to prove it -- dirty dishes in the sink, an unkempt living room, overflowing laundry room.

The stream of pixel-packed photos picked up dramatically once Sally created the "Hurricane Kai" collage of those images.

With a brand new camera and lots of tips from Sally, the new mother became a pretty good photographer, and the graphic artists often enhanced the images as fast as they arrived.

No activity went unnoticed by the artful aunties -- naps, reading a book, holidays, even the initial donning of a Tar Heel jersey sent to Kai by "Auntie" Sandy from Canada. Below are a few you may remember:

Grandson Solves Climbing Hurdle

Our grandson has always loved to climb, and he is constantly seeking paths to the pinnacle of tables, cabinets, sinks, you name it. After the adults leaned the dining room chairs in a manner meant to discourage his "hobby," Kai determined a solution, got down on his hands and knees, straightened an upended chair, and pushed it to the desired location.

Very early in the spring of 2008, the target was the dividing shelf between the kitchen and the dining room. Poppy was still asleep, but Kai knew the phone locator button would blast him wide awake. It did, and another adventurous day was soon underway.

After that, the dining room chairs were flipped upside down when not in use.

Kai Charms Carolina Clan

In May 2008, Kai and his mother flew to North Carolina where he met a whole different set of relatives. Arriving just after the rush of spring recital time, he and his grandmother had a blast getting to know each other, routinely watching kiddie programs like "Mickey Mouse" on TV and penning the Carolina blog together.

During the month-long visit, Kai learned to crawl, pull himself up to a standing position, and was beginning to talk before flying home with his mother.

Some of his favorite times were spent playing with twin cousins five years his elder. He loved swinging, going to the their t-ball games, and splashing in the pool while the they took swimming lessons. The lush, green grass and tall trees of this state fascinated him.

On 5/25/08, Kai "blogged" about meeting the Carolina relatives in Kai Joins Clay Aiken Fan Club, sharing some of his daily rituals: pulling out a few books from the bottom shelf of a music cabinet as he crawled by every morning; beating out a rhythm on the washing machine and dryer before entering the den and watching a full lineup of kiddie shows with his NC grandmother.

Not a day went by that we didn't check to see if the "Monkey Mail" had come. The grand piano was another favorite in his daily routine. At all times, Kai schemed for access to the keys and buttons on my laptop, telephone, and remote control

Back home three months later, Kai celebrated his first birthday; and, again, his artful "aunties" had a field day with the photos.

Kai 'Helps' Mom in Kitchen

With the 5/13/09 birth of baby sister Lia, Kai spent many hours hanging with his grandfather. A favorite haunt became the hardware store where he delighted in spinning wheels incessantly.

His propensity for buttons, snaps, openings and closures of all varieties continued; and Kai also enjoyed "helping" his mother in the kitchen. She created a cabinet shelf for him to routinely rearrange and eventually turned over the dishwasher to him, too.

Drums Add Beat to Birthday #2

Kai celebrated his second birthday with an impromptu jam session on Poppy's drum equipment, normally kept under lock and key.

Curious, clever, and extremely mobile, Kai knew his grandfather's bedroom was filled with a wonderful array of electronic treasures and percussion instruments.

Poppy, who had left the apartment early to visit his mother, called home the instant he remembered he had forgotten to lock the door.

Too late! Cagey Kai had already made his move and was scampering out of the bedroom with a pair of drumsticks under one arm and a practice pad under the other.

He set up his "drum" on a marble table and alternated between practicing and watching TV. Thankfully, his mother grabbed her camera for a video that the Carolina clan has thoroughly enjoyed.

Additional photos and videos are stored in his mother's Mata808 Photobucket account.

First Lap in the Barber Chair

A first barbershop haircut was a major milestone for two-year-old Kai. Below are clickable memories of his maiden voyage in the barber chair.

Besides the all-important lollipop, Kai was anxious to learn just
how the clippers worked. That settled, it was back to his sucker.

Next time ... maybe a
shave and a lollipop!

A Fun Day in the Park

With little sister Lia and Poppy taking an afternoon snooze, Kai and his mother slipped away for some sliding and swinging in a nearby park. Fortunately, Mom took along her camera, too.

PARK FUN -- Anyone knows you can't steer without proper sound effects.

SOUND CHECK - Kai investigates slide's nooks and crannies.

LONG WAY DOWN - Even a dare devil scopes out his slide
before diving into a maiden voyage.

SWINGIN' FUN -- Kai tried out several swing positions that afternoon.

Grandma's on the Radar

Being a long-distance grandmother can be difficult at times; but there are some high moments, too. In 2010, Kai and I began conversing via telephone. Since his sister copies everything he does, Lia is bound to be next.

Once he gets started, my grandson delights in providing a running commentary of all that's happening ("The dogs are getting ready to go out ... Lia is taking a nap"), as well as walking around the room pointing out items ("This is our TV; here's Lia's high chair; and this is my dump truck full of Cheerios") which the person on the other end of the line can only imagine.

"Grandmother" has become the voice on the phone so much so that when his mother was talking with a friend in Hawaii, Kai yelled from across the room, "Hello, Grandma!"

I look forward to the time when "across the room" is literally just that.

LOTS OF WATER: Kai and Lia enjoy beach in Hawaii.

Family Spends Month in Hawaii

Having lived and worked in Hawaii for five years, my daughter has many wonderful friends there; and in August 2010, she and the children flew 12,000+ miles round trip for a visit.

Kai and Lia experienced many "firsts," with visits to an aquarium, a zoo, and a natural history display, as well as seeing more water than ever in their short lives. They loved the exotic fruit and cool lagoons of the islands.

BIRTHDAY PARTY ON WHEELS: With Mom's special van decorations,
Kai and sister Lia have celebrated 9/17 all over town. (Clickable)

Here's to a very special fourth birthday, grandson!

Love,
Grandma Caro

Voting information for I AM NORM/National Inclusion Project is located in the 9/15 Carolina blog.

Happy Weekend, Clay Nation!

Caro

Clay Aiken, Inclusion Fans Plan September Rally

2011-09-15T12:49:00.002-05:00

I Am NORM initiative seeks Pepsi grant for inclusion.

Secretariat-Style Finish

I Am NORM Sets $50k Grant Goal

Entering the second half of September's Pepsi Refresh at #41, I Am NORM, youth initiative of the National Inclusion Project, is in position for a Secretariat-like finish in this month's campaign for a $50,000 grant.

Just as the legendary thoroughbred thrived on coming from behind, I Am NORM must follow suit. NORM doesn't have to be #1 to win, but the organization must finish in the top 10 charities of the $50k category for a grant.

To accomplish this, all supporters of inclusion -- fans of singer Clay Aiken, co-founder of the National Inclusion Project; followers of I Am NORM; persons and organizations who have benefited from programs, Let's ALL Play Camps, and funding from the Inclusion Project -- need to mount a no-holds-barred effort.

1. Engage the aid of friends, family, and associates in collecting as many Pepsi/Diet Pepsi power codes as you can locate in your area.

The 10-character codes from the yellow caps or canned carton tops immediately convert single votes from 5 - 100 points. The more power votes the quicker this campaign becomes a horse race with I Am NORM closing in on Sept. 30 celebration.

2. Vote for I Am NORM three ways in the Pepsi Refresh, and encourage others to do the same.

(a) At the Pepsi site
(b) Via Facebook
(c) By texting 109076 to 73774 (PEPSI) daily.

The above link takes you to NORM's Pepsi page, but you can also use the widget at the top of the Carolina sidebar.

Other charities on the widget are partners who are casting reciprocal votes with NORM. Be sure to leave a comment so the groups know to return a vote for I Am NORM. A sample comment is on the "How To Vote" panel.

In a statement during Labor Day Weekend, Jerry Aiken, executive director of the National Inclusion Project, urged inclusion supporters to participate in this campaign:

WE are I AM Norm. This is a program within National Inclusion. We work in conjunction with other funders and are focusing on youth movement to build awareness about inclusion. National Inclusion receives the funds and manages the program.

Power Codes Prove Pepsi X-Factor

No matter how you slice it, the key to being in the winner's circle of the Pepsi competition lies with power codes. Here are a few suggestions for gathering the magical caps.

1. Contact all your Pepsi-drinking friends for assistance in obtaining these codes.

2. Befriend your cleaning lady and ask her to keep watch for the power code caps with other clients. Do the same with cafeteria workers at work/school.

3. A friend or contact working at a bottle recycling plant might agree to gather the yellow caps for you.

4. If your school, daycare, or sports team is having an event, offer to provide drinks. Solicit assistance from other fans to help record the power codes.

5. Ask acquaintances to report the availability/sales of Pepsi products with yellow power caps in your area.

6. Accept donations from supporters who live in (a) other countries or (b) areas where yellow caps are depleted and purchase the Pepsi products for them.

7. Hold an online Power Vote Party in a message board thread, Facebook Chat, OFC Chat, etc. Serve "refreshments" and provide entertainment/clack while participants vote the codes. Post party totals on Facebook and in NORM threads.

8. Host a challenge for "the most interesting picture of clack" (t-shirts, pins, anything) with a backdrop of Pepsi power caps.

9. Host an all-night online clack party that requires Pepsi so participants can stay awake watching.

10. Make this list grow with your suggestions in the comments below.

POWER OF YOUTH - The bold beginning for I Am NORM, a youth-led movement of inclusion throughout the US. View more videos at the I Am NORM YouTube Channel.

NORM Promotes Inclusion of Youth

Designed to promote the acceptance, respect, and full inclusion of all youth, I Am NORM was formed on a wintry January 2010 weekend in Washington, DC, by 20 young people with and without disabilities from diverse backgrounds and places throughout the United States.

These paragraphs from NORM's website outline the bold mission of these young people:

We are united in our commitment to a world where people of various abilities have equal opportunities. We believe that diversity makes us stronger and that discrimination breaks us down.

We know that hatred is a learned behavior and that we can all strive to rise above fear and prejudice. We understand firsthand what we gain when everyone is included in our schools and our communities and how much we lose when anyone is left out.

The organization's work is driven by a Youth Inclusion Task Force and supported by a coalition of youth-serving partner organizations.

If successful in the Pepsi drive, the charity will utilize the $50k grant for hosting the 2012 Youth Summit, presenting the I Am NORM program at other youth conferences, and advertising the cause to the youth demographic.

Read more about the cause at the I Am NORM Pepsi Page and at the I am NORM Share It website.

There is much more information about 1973 Triple Crown winner here. View the movie Secretariat on Starz and Neflix. Be sure Pepsi products are served for refreshments.

Have an awesome rest of the week, Clay Nation. Let's win this horse race!

Caro

Clay Aiken Montage Reflects 9-11 Anniversary

2011-09-08T12:17:00.009-05:00

9-11-01 Tribute Montage by Yollie950
'Grace of God' and 'It's in Everyone of Us' by Clay Aiken.

The 10-Year Anniversary

America Remembers 9/11/01

In memory of the senseless devastation and tragic loss of lives in America 10 years ago today.

To the survivors of loved ones lost in the 9/11/01 terrorist invasion, know that America remembers. This country also pays tribute to the brave men and women whose heroic actions saved lives in New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC.

"Grace of God" and "It's in Everyone of Us" by Clay Aiken are featured in the 9-11-01 Tribute Montage, which also can be viewed at YouTube.

One of final photos by the late Bill Biggart.

Photographer Leaves 9-11 Legacy

Professional photographer Bill Biggart died taking pictures when the second tower fell. In the aftermath, some of Biggart's digital photos were recovered from his camera's memory card.

You can read the story at Bill Biggart's Final Exposures. View a slide show of his amazing photos from Seeing the Horror. Expandable, the first is printed below.

God Bless America - Remembrance Flag is expandable.

In 2001, I wasn't in the habit of turning on the TV that early; but, for some reason, I was watching the TODAY Show that fateful morning. I remember with horror and disbelief as I watched the terrorists' planes fly into the twin towers and the terrible aftermath we witnessed in real time the rest of that day.

According to those who commented in the 9/11/2009 blog, Canada and other flew flags at half mast that fateful day in 2001. Jannet Moranz posted this reflection:

It was a day that no American living on this planet at the time will ever forget. Sometimes I measure my life in terms of before and after.

Anniversary Design Depicts Then, Now

Commissioned to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9-11, the drawing by EKTIMIS depicts through symbolism the New York city skyline and its reflection in the adjacent Hudson river.

The skyline illustrates the current city skyline, while the reflection in the river illustrates the same skyline prior to 9-11 with the World Trade Center standing.

One of three specially-commissioned artworks by EKTIMIS, the high grade 24" x 32" wall poster can be ordered at 9/11 Tenth Year. The sample below is clickable.

Poster commemorates 10th anniversary of 9/11.

The four eagles soaring in the top left corner of the drawing depict the four divisions of the U.S. armed forces that were dispatched abroad to protect the country, soon after the events on 9-11 - the U.S. Air Force, the Army, the Marines, and the Navy.

The two eagles hovering above the water (separated from the four above) represent the two divisions of the U.S. armed forces that stayed behind promptly after 9-11 to protect the U.S. homeland - the National Guard and the U.S. Coast Guard / Border Patrol.

The stems of red roses held tightly within the claws of one of the hovering eagles represent and memorialize the lives lost since 9-11. The falling red petals from the roses leave a visible trail in the water back to the image of the World Trade Center twin towers, further depicting the connection of the lives lost with the towers.

Gander, NF, hosted stranded travelers in 2001.- Clickable.

Canadian Town Honored at 9/11 Event

In her blog comment this week, Sandy Hall wrote about a little known part Canada played during the week of 9/11/01:

Our paper has been running articles all week. One story that touched my heart was about the friendships that were formed in Gander, Newfoundland, when the town became home to thousands of stranded travelers and welcomed these complete strangers into their homes.

The tiny town of Gander, Newfoundland, hosted passengers from 38 planes that were forced to land in Canada after the US was attacked. The town was honored for its help in a ceremony in Washington, DC, on Thursday. Read the complete story at the CBC News site.

Countless Remembering 9/11 galleries are featured at Life Magazine online. Also, see Revisiting 9/11, unplublished photos by James Nachtwey at Time.

Where were you on 9/11 10 years ago? Share your reflections and personal experiences in the comments below. Staying vigilant and united, we will never forget September 11, 2001.

God bless America!

Caro

See previous Carolina entry for I AM NORM/National Inclusion Project progress/voting links in the Pepsi Refresh campaign for a $50,000 grant.

The 2010 9/11 entry paid tribute to the 343 fallen firefighters who gave their lives saving others at Ground Zero: Iron and Steel Brigades Honor 9/11 Fallen.

Thank you for sharing your 9/11 experiences in the blog comments. To leave a remark, scroll to the bottom of that section, click on the "Post a Comment" link, and write in the box provided.

Dragon*Con Honors Inclusion Project of Clay Aiken

2011-09-01T17:49:00.012-05:00

Clay Aiken - Photo by Curtis Brown is expandable.

Labor Day Convention in Atlanta

Dragon*Con Spotlights Inclusion

Atlanta, the city where singer Clay Aiken began his sojourn on American Idol and subsequently launched a successful career as an entertainer, will always and forever be special to his fans. This Labor Day Weekend, there will be yet another connection.

Dragon*Con, the largest multimedia, pop culture sci-fi fantasy convention on the planet, celebrates its 10th anniversary at the Hilton Atlanta Sept. 2-5 with the National Inclusion Project as its designated charity.

Link to Dragon*Con website with this image.

Aficionados of science fiction, fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, art, music, and film will gather at the Hilton Atlanta Hotel for the annual event. Link to the Dragon*Con website for links, apps, and tracks galore!

In addition to tax deductible donations, Dragon*Con is accepting submissions for the 2011 Charity Auction. Various programs of the National Inclusion Project are outlined on the Dragon*Con website, providing an excellent intro to the charity co-founded by Clay and Diane Bubel in 2003.

The National Inclusion Project has worked with hundreds of programs, trained numerous staff members and leaders, and provided inclusive opportunities for over 20,000 children.

A donation to the National Inclusion Project provides maximum impact in communities as they move to being fully inclusive.

* $25 allows a child with disability to go swimming with his peers for the first time.

* $100 provides a field trip for children to experience their community together.

* $1000 provides curriculum, training, and supplies to implement inclusive service learning.

* $5000 opens the door for five children with a disability to spend a week at camp with their friends.

I Am NORM initiative seeks Pepsi grant for inclusion.

I Am NORM Opens $50k Grant Drive

The National Inclusion Project's race for a miracle finish in the August Pepsi Refresh was running on all cylinders right up until midnight Wednesday. Time will tell if supporters were successful in voting enough power codes to move the charity into the Top 10.

Meanwhile, I Am NORM, sister charity of the Inclusion Project, is competing in the $50k category of September's Pepsi Refresh giveaway.

An initiative designed by young people to promote the acceptance, respect, and full inclusion of youth with disabilities in schools and communities, I Am NORM was formed on a wintry January 2010 weekend in Washington, DC, by 20 young people, with and without disabilities, from throughout the United States.

You can vote for I Am NORM at the Pepsi site, via Facebook, and by texting 109076 to 73774 (PEPSI) daily. Read more about the cause at its Pepsi page and at the I am NORM Share It website.

If successful, the organization will utilize the $50k grant for hosting the 2012 Youth Summit, presenting the I Am NORM program at other youth conferences, and advertising the cause to the youth demographic.

Power Codes Prove Pepsi X-Factor

Under the new guidelines, power codes have become the x-factor in the Pepsi Refresh competition. The 10-character code from the yellow caps or canned carton tops can increase a single vote from 5 - 100 points. Erica, an 8th grade violin student, brought the month's first yellow cap to her Thursday lesson.

Royalle has compiled a list of partner/reciprocating charities for Scarlett to create an I Am NORM Voting Widget. Updated daily, this handy device will appear at the top of Carolina blog sidebar throughout September.

When voting for other Pepsi Refresh charities, be sure to leave a comment so they will reciprocate with I Am NORM. This sample appears in the widget's "How To Vote" panel:

Votes from I Am NORM / National Inclusion Project of Raleigh, NC. Thank you for your reciprocal support. http://www.refresheverything.com/iamnorm ... Text 109076.

Special thanks to all who voted/provided power codes for the National Inclusion Project in August. On a personal note, my daughter Jennifer; Maria, a friend from Ohio; and the Fulp and Justice families among my music students/parents were especially helpful.

Have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend, Clay Nation -- in Atlanta or wishing you were there, too!

Caro

Clay Aiken Sings 'Both Sides Now,' Spurs Campaign

2011-08-28T14:39:00.012-05:00

BOTH SIDES NOW - Singer Clay Aiken and signer Debra Leisey perform beautiful duet that describes the purpose and programs of the National Inclusion Project. View 2010 Gala video by Scarlett full screen at YouTube.

Aiken's BSN Defines Inclusion

Song Inspires $50k Grant Drive

Throughout August, this blog has outlined the mission and importance of the programs of the National Inclusion Project so that everyone who can will support the Raleigh, NC, charity in its campaign to obtain a $50,000 Pepsi Refresh grant.

All along, no words, photos, or voting links were needed. Just co-founder Clay Aiken performing the Joni Mitchell song "Both Sides Now" with Debra Leisey signing the inclusive lyrics.

Enjoy their performance from the 2010 Champions of Change Gala, annual meet when honorees are recognized for achievements opening doors for young people with disabilities.

In 2003, singer Clay Aiken and Diane Bubel of Charlotte co-founded the National Inclusion Project, formerly the Bubel/Aiken Foundation. to expand inclusive programs for all children.

One Pepsi Power Code a Day!

After watching the video, please make it your goal to purchase one -- or more -- Pepsi/Diet Pepsi products with a yellow cap each of the final four August days.

Email, text, or PM an NIP supporter the 10-character power codes by 6 p.m. ET Aug. 31. The codes will be voted before the contest ends at midnight ET Wednesday.

Clickables show much-needed power code caps.

In one swoop, the "powerful" codes increase a single vote from 5 - 100 points. The National Inclusion Project must be in the Top 10 to land a grant, and we definitely need your help.

The Pepsi site linked above is complicated for casual voters. However, everyone can easily follow this simplified routine for four days:

1. Text a daily vote: 108169 to 73774.
2. Vote for the NIP daily via Facebook.
3. Gather 4 power codes from Pepsi products and email/PM them via Facebook to an Inclusion Project supporter.

The National Inclusion Project has four days to secure the Pepsi grant. Thank you to all who join in this final power code effort!

Power caps are at a premium this final week. If you have trouble locating them at grocery stores, check the coolers at Best Buy, the Dollar Store, and other establishments.

BOTH SIDES NOW

Bows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air,
And feathered canyons everywhere,
I've looked at clouds that way,
But now they only block the sun.
They rain and they snow on everyone.
So many things I would have done,
But clouds got in the way.

I've looked at clouds from both sides now,
From up and down, and still somehow,
It's clouds illusions I recall.
I really don't know clouds ... at all.

Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels,
The dizzy dancing way that you feel
As every fairy tale comes real,
I've looked at love that way.
But now it's just another show.
And you leave 'em laughing when you go
And if you care, don't let them know,
Don't give yourself away.

I've looked at love from both sides now,
From give and take, and still somehow
It's love's illusions I recall.
I really don't know love at all.

Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say "I love you" right out loud,
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds,
I've looked at life that way.
But now old friends, they're acting strange
They shake their heads and tell me that I've changed.
Something's lost and something's gained from living everyday.

I've looked at life from both sides now,
From win and lose, and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall.
I really don't know life.

I've looked at life from both sides now,
From up and down, and still somehow
It's life's illusions that I recall.
I really don't know life ... at all.

MAKING INCLUSION A REALITY: Inclusion is giving people their rightful opportunity to participate. The National Inclusion Project works every day to make full inclusion a reality. Montage by SueReu features Clay singing "These Open Arms."

While coming home from camp, my son asked if I knew that everyone's brain was different. He explained that some kids at camp are different from other kids because they have certain disabilities.

When asked what he thought about that, he replied, "It's all good, Mom. We're all special and unique in our own way." -- Profound statement by a 7-year-old participant in a Let's ALL Play Camp.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE - The National Inclusion Project provides opportunities for all children to participate through nationwide Let's ALL Play Camps and other programs throughout the year.

Have an awesome week, and thank you for joining the cause of inclusion for all!

Caro

Clay Aiken Montage 'Refreshes' Pepsi Grant Drive

2011-08-23T12:16:00.007-05:00

Clay Aiken: 'Where Do I Begin' from Tried & True Tour.
View montage by SueReu at YouTube.
Download video with this Sendspace file.

Fans Ferret Out Power Codes

Montage Replays Tour Opener

While coming home from camp, my son asked if I knew that everyone's brain was different. He explained that some kids at camp are different from other kids because they have certain disabilities.

When asked what he thought about that, he replied, "It's all good, Mom. We're all special and unique in our own way." - Profound statement from a 7-year-old participant in a Let's ALL Play Camp.

Fans of Clay Aiken, co-founder of the National Inclusion Project charity that provides camps and a variety of activities for children with and without disabilities, are competing for a $50,000 Pepsi Refresh grant to fund more "special and unique" experiences.

What better way to open this blog than with the extraordinary new montage by SueRue of the singer performing "Where Do I Begin" (Theme from "Love Story") along the 2011 Tried & True Tour trail.

The montage should be inspiration for all inclusion supporters to seek new avenues for adding votes and the all-important power codes required to secure the Pepsi funds.

The video features footage by MBlovesClay, Scarlett, goldarngirl, dlh7777, and Thankful4Clay.

Below are three clickables SueReu provided from the montage.

Fan Successfully Dives for Codes

Less than a week ago, Shamrock took her own advice and attended a local minor league baseball game in search of yellow power caps. She and her sister located 32 yellow caps that night, yielding 500 points in the National Inclusion Project's August campaign for the $50k Pepsi Refresh grant.

Following lunch on the 20th, she and her sister had planned to drop by their state fair where Pepsi was the official drink. While driving to the fair, her car was struck by an inattentive driver and totaled.

Between them, the sisters have a cracked rib and a sore neck, and their power code mission was halted long enough for them to be checked at the emergency room.

Shamrock dives for power codes.

By Sunday, the sister duo was back dumpster diving at the ball field. Here is Shamrock's story in her own words:

Well, I did it. I went dumpster diving today, and my sister helped me. I went back to the ball field to ask someone in authority if I could look in their recycle bins. The gentleman in the ticket office gave me the name of someone to call, but I couldn’t reach him.

As we were driving away, we passed the recycle bin. All the little bins had been emptied into a dumpster. The bags were clear plastic, and we could see some yellow caps. We decided to open a few. We were able to find 111 caps before we had to stop.

Tomorrow I’m calling to get permission to continue. So far we were able to vote 60 caps by my mom, husband, sisters, and a friend. The first 60 caps were worth 700 votes.

Checking the bags in the recycle dumpster wasn't very messy. There were lots of yellow caps since the ball park only sells Pepsi products, beer, and water.

We couldn’t reach all the bags because we were not prepared. We needed a step stool, a pole with a hook, old clothes, and rubber gloves. Tomorrow we’ll be ready if I get the okay!

If you are reading this blog and drink Pepsi/Diet Pepsi or have a way to collect the power codes from yellow bottle caps or the carton tops of cans, send or take them to an Inclusion Project supporter via Facebook PM, Direct Message on Twitter, or some other means.

The NIP is in a real battle for a Pepsi grant position in the top 10. Power codes are the wild card in this competition, and efforts have been stepped up to locate them.

Online Power Vote Party Nets 965!

At 11:35 p.m. Sunday, Scarlett and I were chatting on Facebook and decided to enter as many codes from her stash as we could before midnight. Neither of us has seen the elusive "100," but we both hit an occasional "50." In 25 minutes, we cast 850 votes!

About five minutes before midnight, we started receiving messages asking if we were sure we wanted to continue as the day's deadline was approaching. Pepsi didn't realize how quickly we were moving.

I cast all my votes except one, which I saved for a few minutes into Monday. Just to be safe, I went back through and checked my list of codes to make sure they had all been used. Sure enough, there were five that I had skipped.

The early Monday votes amounted to 115 points, so in 30 minutes we logged a total of 965 votes. When you see supporters asking for you help in locating power codes, remember how many votes this 30-minute spree produced!

How Everyone Can Help

In a nutshell, here are ways fans, as well as friends, family, and associates, can help the National Inclusion Project continue funding programs for all children:

1. Text 108169 to 73774 daily.

2. Log into the Pepsi Refresh site and cast a vote for the National Inclusion Project through your Facebook account. See "sign in" at bottom left corner of the Pepsi page.

3. Email, PM, or deliver Pepsi/Diet Pepsi power codes to a Clay Aiken fan/NIP supporter.

4. Register all of your email ID's with the Pepsi Refresh site (bottom left corner again) and vote daily.

5. Scroll back through the August Carolina blogs for a variety of creative ideas shared by supporters.

The campaign is heading into the final week. Be creative and bold in gathering power codes. Please share your successes, as well as businesses conducting Pepsi sales this week, and I will be add the information to this entry.

Have a powerful week, Clay Nation!

Caro

Clay Aiken Fans Pursue Pepsi Power Codes, Votes

2011-08-20T12:07:00.008-05:00

Vote THREE ways to fund inclusive programs for all children.

Supporters Enlist New Voters

Power Codes Prove Wild Card

The National Inclusion Project serves to bridge the gap that exists between young people with disabilities and the world around them.

Supporters of the National Inclusion Project are prowling for power codes and a greatly expanded voting force in the charity's quest for a $50,000 grant during the final days of the August Pepsi Refresh Challenge.

Fans of singer Clay Aiken, Inclusion Project co-founder, are casting votes for the NIP and a host of reciprocating charities. Having dropped to #13 Friday, foundation supporters hope to enlist an army of new voters this weekend.

Throughout the year, Pepsi gives away millions to fund charity ideas that refresh the world. No longer is there a month-to-month rollover, so supporters must complete the goal by midnight Aug. 31 and obtain as much mileage as possible from each day's allotment of votes at the Pepsi site, Facebook, and cell phone texting.

The wild card in this season's competition is the power code, which can be obtained from specially-marked Pepsi products inside yellow bottle caps and under the tops of appropriately marked cartons of canned drinks.

In addition to the normal 5 votes allowed (1 NIP + 4 Reciprocals), 10 power code votes can be cast for the Inclusion Project with each registered ID at the Pepsi site. Codes can expand a single vote by 5, 10, 15, 25, 50, or 100 points.

Fans Share Power Code Finds

Below are some of the ways supporters are rounding up more votes. Hopefully, these discussions will spark an idea that works for you. Share suggestions in the comments, and I will add them to the list.

scorpionlady45: My co-worker, who buys 2-liter Pepsi bottles to keep at the office, returned from lunch. I saw him with a bag and asked, "Did you get Pepsi with yellow caps?" He answered in the affirmative and said he had one at his desk that he could give me now.

I also sent out a text to six people and told them they have a mission to complete (text voting). Got three texts back so far with "mission complete."

all4luv: The best place to "shop" for Pepsi caps is a baseball game! Anyone going to a professional game, just stay afterwards and help clean up the park, so to speak. You can fill a bag with caps in no time at all! I'm hoping to go to an Indians game next week and see how many caps I can gather.

Shamrock: I went to our local minor league baseball team play tonight. The stadium sells Pepsi products, so I kept my eyes open for power caps. Most people were drinking beer or water, but my sister and I managed to find 32 caps.

I’m sure I would have found more if I could have opened the recycling bins. I did see one in the trash, and - YIKES! - I reached in for it.

Our 32 caps were worth 500 extra votes. The NIP is still in 13th place, so the charities above us must have lots of voters and lots of caps. I wish I could think of other ways to find yellow caps. The baseball team plays at home for the next 4 or 5 days, so I plan to attend another game.

Clayscience21: Word of caution. Pepsi Max has zero calories but double the caffeine of regular Diet Pepsi. I'll be up all night. But it did taste good, and the liter bottle did have a power code!

Desertrose: Just think of the energy it will give you to clean your house now that we know the wonders of Pepsi in all kinds of cleaning operations.

It is a win-win situation. We support the National Inclusion Project with bonus points, and we get the bonus of extra energy from all that caffeine to clean our houses. Not to mention all the ways Pepsi can be used to clean and repair. [See 51-item related list below].

CTLover1: We stopped at Sam's for a few minutes on our way home. They have a big recycling bin at the bottom of the parking lot and what did I see? A woman "diving"!!! She'd even brought her own ladder! My first thought was, "Wonder if she's looking for yellow Pepsi caps?!?!?!?"

MagicalMusic: If everyone purchased 5 bottles of Pepsi, that would be a minimum of 25 additional votes per person. As was mentioned before, CVS has 2 liter bottles for 88 cents. I bought 5 yesterday and will use the codes tonight. [NOTE: Some stores are running low on the power cap bottles, so call ahead!]

Vickie: Check your local Walgreen's this week. Starting Sunday, the ones around here will have 12-packs, six for $13.

SueReu: I dropped by the bottle return area at the store near my work and found three codes. I'll keep checking!

Thankful4Clay: A friend on Facebook just sent me seven codes. One was for 50 votes, and two were 25's!

morganette: Perhaps some of our Canadian members who live in the border cities will be in the U.S. during the next 12 days (for shopping, visiting, business, etc.) and they could help by picking up some bottles of Pepsi and PM the codes to US message board friends to vote.

I went to the Dollar Store again last night less than 10 minutes away and bought 10 bottles for $1 each. The first one I opened was 50 votes! I've only opened 3 so far. Hope there are some more 50's. Still waiting for a 100!

dancermom2: Wonder if any of our Canadian friends would like to sponsor buying Pepsi for those in the States who can vote?

goldarngirl: I'm in! Just let me know how you want to do this. It's cheaper than my driving across the border to buy 10 bottles.

Jerry Aiken: Power votes are "powerful!" Ask your convenience store about discarded cartons and bottle tops. Sports events have bottle tops being tossed away. CVS has Pepsi bottles on sale and a special for 2 six packs. Let's MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Scarlett: This weekend hold an online Power Voting Party with entertainment, food, and all the extras. Bring clack, but mainly bring power votes.

Hopefully, the energy and excitement of the online party will generate ideas for obtaining more power caps. The whole group can contribute and have fun while doing so!

The NIP ensures that children nationwide can experience all that life has to offer.

Group Texts, Circles of Friends Help

Have you posted a request for assistance from church, school, workplace? A concise message in a daily/weekly communique or posted on bulletin boards could make a difference.

If you have access to a large gathering (club/faculty/business meeting, church group, wedding reception, etc.), conduct a GROUP TEXT. Have everyone take out a cell phone and text 108169 to 73774 with the volume turned up. The mass "thank you" replies from Pepsi will be resounding!

The Pepsi site is complicated for casual voters. However, everyone can easily follow this simplified version:

1. Text a daily vote: 108169 to 73774.
2. Vote for the NIP daily via Facebook.
3. Gather power codes from Pepsi products.

For friends, family, and associates willing to register and vote through Pepsi, point them to the link in the bottom left corner to cast ballots daily for the Inclusion Project. When voting for the reciprocal charities on the NIP Voting Widget, please leave a comment with this info:

The National Inclusion Project is voting for you. We really need your help as we must place in the Top 10 for a $50k grant. Thank you for all your return votes! http://www.refresheverything.com/inclusionproject ... Text 108169.

From the National Inclusion Project website: Need an email you can edit, modify, or use as is to enlist the aid of those in your circle. Click here to download a letter to family and friends to ask for their help.

Alternative Pepsi Uses Yield Codes

So what if Pepsi is not your preferred drink, how can you help gather the all-important power codes? The list below is from a 2008 WiseBread blog entry by Paul Michael: Living Large on a Budget.

51 Uses for Coca-Cola (But Use Pepsi Instead!)

1. Remove grease stains from clothing and fabric.
2. Remove rust; methods include using fabric dipped in Coke, a sponge or even aluminum foil.
3. Remove blood stains from clothing and fabric.
4. Make gooey Coke funnel cakes .
5. Clean oil stains from a garage floor; let the stain soak, hose off.
6. Loosen a rusty bolt; pour on some Coke and wait for the magic to happen.
7. Kill slugs and snails; a small bowl of Coke will attract them, and the acid will kill them.
8. Help a lawn become lush and green.
9. Prevent an asthma attack! Apparently, the caffeine in two 12oz cans can prevent the onset of an attack.
10. Defrost a frozen windshield. Apply liberally and wait.
11. Clean burnt pans; let the pan soak in the Coke, then rinse.
12. Descale a kettle using the same method in #11.
13. Neutralize a jellyfish sting.
14. Clean car battery terminals by pouring a small amount of Coke over each one.
15. Cure nausea; let a can of Coke go flat then take a teaspoon of Coke every hour.
16. Also, flat coke can help relieve an upset stomach (aka "the runs").
17. Make a Mentos & Coke exploding fountain. This one takes a 2-liter bottle of Coke.
18. Get rid of hiccups; gargle with a big mouthful of ice-cold Coke.
19. Shake up a can and pour it over your windshield to remove bugs and other crud. [Diet Pepsi works best for this!]
20. Use the method in 19 for your car bumpers, too.
21. Clean your engine; Coke distributors have been using this technique for decades.
22. Relieve congestion; boil a can of Coke and drink while hot to clear you up.
23. Make a sweet BBQ sauce. Mix a can of Coke with ketchup, and brush over ribs or chicken.
24. Baste a ham roast with Coke as it cooks. The sugars will caramelize; the ham will be moist.
25. Add a can of coke to your pot roast to tenderize it and add extra flavor.
26. Make pretty pennies; soaking old pennies in Coke will remove the tarnish.
27. Make your hair curly; pour flat Coke onto long hair, leave for a few minutes then rinse.
28. Age documents and photos; for that antique look, apply Coke, pat with paper, leave to dry.
29. Clean tile grout: pour onto kitchen floor, leave for a few minutes, and wipe up.
30. Mix a can of Coke with a packet of Italian seasoning; cook a tough steak in it.
31. Make better compost; Coke increases the acidity, adds sugars and feeds microorganisms.
32. Dissolve a tooth in it. Use a sealed container, this takes ages. Why would you want to though, unless you’re Hannibal Lector?
33. Remove gum from hair; dip into a small bowl of Coke, leave a few minutes. Gum will wipe off.
34. Get silky skin; mix a spoonful of Coke with regular lotion and apply liberally.
35. Make low-fat brownies .
36. Pour a little in a cup and set it out an hour before a picnic, away from your site; it will attract wasps and bees so they’re not bugging you and your grub.
37. Remove stains from vitreous china.
38. Got a dirty pool? Add two 2-liter bottles of Coke to clear up the water (it acts as rust remover).
39. Add Coke to your laundry to remove bad smells, especially fish.
40. Remove (or fade) dye from hair by pouring Diet Coke over it.
41. Mop a floor with Coke to make it sticky. It’s a movie industry trick to stop actors slipping.
42. Remove marker stains from carpet. Apply Coke, scrub, then clean with soapy water.
43. Clean a toilet; pour around bowl, leave for a while, flush clean. [Also great for cleaning drains!]
44. Apply to skin for a deep tan (although this seems like a recipe for skin cancer to me).
45. Supposedly, drinking an 8oz can of Coke every day can prevent kidney stones.
46. Add it to a Sloppy Joe mix
47. Perk up your azaleas or gardenias.
48. Coke and aluminum foil will bring chrome to a high shine.
49. Strip paint off metal furniture; soak a towel in Coke, sit it on the surface for days. Make sure you keep adding Coke to keep the towel wet.
50. Add it to vodka, rum, or bourbon.
51. Drink it straight from the can, if you can (too sweet for me)

Let's make August a huge fund-raising success for the National Inclusion Project so that children nationwide can experience all that life has to offer!

Have an wonderfully productive weekend, Clay Nation!

Caro

Montage Spotlights Clay Aiken's Signature Song

2011-08-15T23:53:00.007-05:00

Clay Aiken - Unchained Melody 2011
View montage by SueReu full screen at YouTube.
Download the video with this Sendspace.

NIP Swings from #8 to #11

Video Frames 'Unchained Melody'

This blog was supposed to be about the signature version of my favorite Clay Aiken song, "Unchained Melody," which SueRue this week fashioned into a beautiful new montage.

Since she uploaded the video a couple of days ago, links for the montage zipped through Clay Cyberspace and social networking sites faster than the speed of light. Video credits include ClayIzzaQT, MBlovesClay, dlh7777, Scarlett, canfly172, and goldarngirl.

If you are part of the minority who have not yet seen this montage, enjoy. If you have already played and downloaded it a zillion times, enjoy again. Included are five clickable screen caps SueReu created from the video.

NIP Supporters Set $50k Goal

With Monday evening's drop to #11, supporters of the National Inclusion Project scrrambled for new avenues to add to the foundation's total votes in the August drive for a $50,000 Pepsi Refresh grant.

For days the NIP has held onto the 10th position, the lowest a charity can be to win a grant in the $50k division. Renewed efforts paid off, and the foundation moved up to slots 8 and 9, slightly safer waters, before slipping back to #11.

What's your latest creative move to round up additional votes? Several of my music students and their parents are texting daily. Some have promised to bring power codes from yellow Pepsi/Diet Pepsi bottle caps.

Remember the wedding queenmama247 attended this past weekend? Here is her report:

The wedding went off without a hitch. There were 210 guests. The DJ was so sweet when he asked everyone to take out their cellphones. He kept saying, "It's for kids."

We counted approximately 180 votes texted. Some people were having a hard time getting through, but it was a thrill to hear all the phones going off when the thank you messages started coming back!

Power Voting Can Be a Blast

Sunday afternoon Scarlett and I enjoyed a Power Voting Party via Facebook Chat with codes from several 20-ounce Pepsi bottles she had purchased at a 99-cent store. Our grand total was 445 extra votes for the NIP and was it ever fun!!!

My friend doesn't drink Pepsi, but she used the liquid remains as a type of Draino in her sinks. This morning she said her tub was a mite bit sticky. I have located at least three "Pepsi suppliers," so I hope to contribute additional codes soon.

One of the NIP's new voting partners, Nerdy Science, seeks to foster an early love for the science through multi-week, hands on programs.

Check out Exploding Soda in the Nerdy Baby blog. The Pepsi geysers provide an excellent science experiment for young children and provide an alternative way to utilize power code bottles for those who don't drink soda.

This week CVS has 2-liter Pepsi bottles on sale for 88 cents. Just be sure the caps are of the yellow power code variety!

See the previous entry, Clay Aiken Fans Pull Out Stops for Inclusion, for detailed voting instructions. Partner links and text numbers are in the NIP Voting Widget now situated in the Carolina sidebar.

Please share your successes for enlisting more voters and gathering power codes in the comments.

Dr. Phil and Clay AikenTake on Bullying.
View 2005 video full screen at YouTube.

Bullying Headlines Google Search

Somewhere there's a workshop ... or teachers are making lesson plans ... or students already have a school assignment related to preventing or stopping bulling.

During an eight-hour period Monday, Feedjit, the tracking tool associated with the Carolina blog, registered visitors who arrived by googling the phrase Clay Aiken End Bullying. The hits came from all corners of the US, as well as Aruba in the Caribbean and the Republic of Mauritius, an island nation off the southeast coast of Africa.

It's heartening to think that individuals from 27 cities wound up at the October 2010 entry: Clay Aiken Shares Insight on Bullying. Even then, the blog was pointing out the relevancy of remarks the singer had made five years earlier on the Dr. Phil Show.

Recent suicides by young people who reached the breaking point from constant bullying, hatred, and harassment have spurred nationwide efforts to bring an end to this epidemic.

On Oct. 28, 2009, President Barack Obama signed into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, giving the Department of Justice the authority to prosecute hate crimes, including attacks based on sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and disability.

Paralleling the new legislation, more and more citizens have begun recognizing the epidemic of hate and are choosing to go proactive, becoming informed and getting involved. Too many, however, remain silent.

The information trail continued into the evening. For whatever reason, surfers in these cities were on the Net exploring the topic of bullying: Birmingham, AL; Bessemer, AL; Phoenix, AZ; San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; Santa Rosa, CA; Denver, CO; Seymour, CT; Millsboro, DE; Miami, FL; Orlando, FL; Hephzibah, GA; Round Lake, IL; Wichita, KS;

Also Arnold, MD; Baltimore, MD; Genesco, NY; Cleveland, OH; Lebanon, OR; Malvern, PA; Addison, TX; Chatfield, TX; Woodway, TX; Bothell, WA; Ellensburg, WA; Oranjestad, Aruba, and Curepipe, Plaines Wilheme, Mauritus.

And they were still coming when I uploaded this blog. Hopefully, we are witnessing a nationwide -- maybe worldwide -- movement to end bullying forever!

Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!

Caro

Clay Aiken Fans Pull Out Stops for Inclusion Grant

2011-08-11T15:19:00.014-05:00

Vote 3 ways to expand inclusive programs for all children.

NIP at #10 in $50k Drive

Widget Makes Pepsi Voting a Snap

Clay Aiken fans are pulling out all the stops to keep the National Inclusion Project, charity co-founded by the singer, in the top 10 of the Pepsi Refresh Challenge in order to successfully secure a $50,000 grant for the foundation in August.

There is no roll-over from month to month, so supporters must complete the goal during August and get as much mileage as possible from each day's allotment of votes at the Pepsi site, via Facebook, and cell phone texting.

A tremendous tool for Project supporters is the voting widget created by Scarlett with reciprocal info gathered by Royalle.

Jerry Aiken, executive director of the National Inclusion Project, not only approved the widget but also asked that supporters be reminded to vote all three ways and to make use of power codes. "We lose much-needed votes when people take the easiest route and text vote only."

With the one-month setup, little has been said about reciprocal votes this time around, but there are charities supporting the Inclusion Project and vice-versa. Fresh off the press, the voting widget below provides lists of causes supporting the NIP.

Daily, cast your 5 allotted Pepsi and five Facebook votes using two of the five groups (1 NIP + 4 reciprocals) on the widget. Be sure to leave a comment on the reciprocating charity's page. After you vote, look for the link at the upper left corner that takes you back to the "idea page."

Create your own comment, but be sure to include the NIP Pepsi page address and text number. Here is a sample:

The National Inclusion Project just voted for you. Thank you for your return votes! http://www.refresheverything.com/inclusionproject and Text 108169.

The widget will be available in the Carolina sidebar throughout August.

Power Votes Multiply Quickly

The rules have changed since friends of the foundation successfully secured a Pepsi grant in 2010, the biggest being the use of power codes. Below is an outline of the process:

* Advocates can vote 3 ways: Via the Inclusion Project Pepsi Page, a Facebook account, and a daily text of #108169 to 73774 (PEPSI).

* Supporters have 5 votes for each avenue everyday, but only one NIP vote per method (not counting Power Voting). Distribute the other four votes to charities supporting the foundation. They are posting in the comment section on the NIP Pepsi page.

* POWER VOTES: The biggest change in the Pepsi Challenge is the use of power codes found in the specified bottle caps and carton boxtops of canned drinks. The codes will convert a single Pepsi vote into between 5 and 100 power votes.

Locate the power codes on specially-marked Pepsi products listed below. When you enter the Pepsi Refresh site, click on "power votes," enter a code, and you will be shown your total.

All of your power votes can be voted for a single idea. You can "cash in" as many as 10 power vote codes daily. After entering the power code in the white area, hit "activate." Just below the number of additional votes the code added (5-100) are two links.

Click on the one marked return to your last idea, and you will be taken back to the NIP voting page to enter additional power codes. Up to 10 daily!

Even if you have cast your ID's 5-vote allotment, you can continue with up to 10 power codes via the Activate Power Voting link at the bottom of any Pepsi page (see yellow cap). If the NIP was not your previous vote, search for the charity's page and then proceed with the power codes. After that, simply click on the "last idea" link.

PEPSI PRODUCTS WITH POWER CODES

10 oz bottle Pepsi, Diet Pepsi (bottle cap)
2 liter bottle Pepsi, Diet Pepsi (bottle cap)
12-can package Pepsi, Diet Pepsi (carton top)
20-can package Pepsi, Diet Pepsi (carton top)
24-can package Pepsi, Diet Pepsi (carton top)

Fans Share Recruitment Tactics

The 8/5 Carolina entry outlined several successful tactics Clay Aiken fans are using to locate power codes and recruit others to vote for the NIP.

Here are some more. If you have suggestions, please post them in the comments; and I will add them to this segment.

queenmama247: My niece is getting married Saturday, and I have been helping. Yesterday we were putting together the wedding favors, and I noticed there was an orange ribbon pin. The groom-to-be has a niece with leukemia, and they are very involved in supporting that charity. They just completed a motorcycle ride for his niece. Besides the pin in the favors, there will be a card with info for donating to the cancer society.

When we were getting ready to leave I had to hurry and text in my NIP vote. The groom inquired about the Inclusion Project, and I was off and running.

Bottom line is at the reception he is going to have the DJ have everyone take out their cell phones and do a group text for the NIP! That will be over 200 people! He said this is in return for my helping them. Dang I am excited!!!

cameocat: I found 20 oz. Pepsi and Diet Pepsi bottles at the Dollar Store today with power vote caps. I got three of them - 50, 10, and 15 power votes! Cheaper than the liter bottles I bought on sale the other day!

I took my own advice and emailed family, friends, music parents/students asking for daily text votes and power codes. Nothing works as well as one-on-one, however. All week I have talked with students and parents about texting and gathering yellow power code caps/canned carton tops.

First thing we did at Jessicca's 1 p.m. piano lesson today was take out her cell phone and text a vote for the NIP. A few minutes later we heard Pepsi's reply loud and clear! The student also promised to have her parents do the same and to continue throughout the month.

Turns out this family drinks lots of Pepsi, and she will be gathering power codes for the NIP the rest of August!

Erica, an eighth grade violinist, and her mother Julie are texting/voting daily. In last year's NIP Pepsi campaign, Erica set a reminder on her cell phone so she wouldn't miss a day of text voting.

Let's move the National Inclusion Project into single digits! Have an awesome weekend, Clay Nation!

Caro

Clay Aiken Fans Honor Parker with UNICEF Donations

2011-08-08T17:03:00.013-05:00

Children in the Horn of Africa struggle to survive.
Video is accompanied by Clay Aiken singing "Grace of God."
View montage by SueReu full screen at YouTube.

Donate To Save Children

Fans Celebrate Parker's Birthday

No doubt today's third birthday celebration for Parker Foster Aiken is a joyous occasion for him, his parents Clay Aiken and Jaymes Foster, extended family, and friends.

Fans of the little tyke's famous father, who is also a Celebrity Ambassador for UNICEF, have chosen to honor the 8/8/08 anniversary by making donations to in his name for children at risk in the Horn of Africa.

A $10 donation will feed a child for 10 days, immunize over 30 children, and literally make a difference between life and death.

SueReu's montage, set to the singer's "Grace of God" track, displays the catastrophic need for the two million children at risk in the Horn of Africa -- Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Somalia.

The montage by LovesClaysVoice features earliest images of Parker with his dad singing "In My Life," a Tried & True favorite.

Happy Birthday, Parker Foster Aiken!
Video is accompanied by Dad singing 'In My Life.'
View montage by LovesClaysVoice full screen at YouTube.

Africa's worst drought in 60 years is compounded by rising food prices and a refugee crisis, creating a true children’s emergency in the area. UNICEF urgently requires additional funds to maintain critical lifesaving services for children who face malnutrition, disease and death.

Read more about the Horn of Africa crisis on this UNICEF page. You can make a donation here. If you use Paypal, you can also leave a message.There are no totals; but according to preliminary message board accounts, little Parker has helped lots of children in the Horn of Africa today.

If you would like, download the montages with these Sendspace links: Grace of God and In My Life.

Happy Birthday Week to Parker! Have an awesome August, Clay Nation!

Caro

Vote 3 ways daily for the National Inclusion Project in August's Pepsi Refresh Challenge:

1. First, vote at the Pepsi Refresh site. See much more info on power codes in the previous Carolina blog entry.
2. Sign out and back into the Pepsi site to cast your Facebook vote.
3. Text 108169 to 73774 (PEPSI).
4. Recruit others to do the same.
5. Goal: $50k grant for inclusion!

Clay Aiken Fans Champion Inclusion in Pepsi Challenge

2011-08-05T16:07:00.008-05:00

National Inclusion Project - Inclusion is giving people their rightful opportunity to participate. The NIP works every day to ensure no child sits on the sidelines.

For Pepsi Refresh Challenge

Inclusion Project Sets $50K Goal

Supporters of the National Inclusion Project are making an all-out effort to win a $50,000 grant for the charity in the Pepsi Refresh Challenge during the month of August.

Co-founded by singer Clay Aiken and Diane Bubel in July 2003, the National Inclusion Project seeks through a variety of programs, including the Let's All Play Camps, to ensure that no child sits on the sidelines. Read more about the NIP at the foundation's website.

The rules have changed since friends of the foundation successfully secured a Pepsi grant in 2010.

* The Inclusion Project must win in August as there is no rollover from month to month.

* Advocates can vote 3 ways: Via the Inclusion Project Pepsi Page, a Facebook account, and a daily text of #108169 to Pepsi 73774.

* Supporters have 5 votes for each avenue everyday, but only one NIP vote per method (not counting Power Voting). Distribute the other four votes to charities supporting the foundation. They are posting in the comment section on the NIP Pepsi page.

* POWER VOTES: The biggest change in the Pepsi Challenge is the use of power codes found in the specified bottle caps and carton boxtops of canned drinks. The codes will convert a single Pepsi vote into between 5 and 100 power votes.

Locate the power codes on specially-marked Pepsi products listed below. When you enter the Pepsi Refresh site, click on "power votes," enter the codes, and you will be shown your total.

All of the power votes can be voted for a single idea. You can "cash in" 10 power vote codes daily. The number of power votes you win may be as few as 5 or could be 100 or more.

Click on the yellow Power Vote tab, enter the power code in the white area, and hit "activate." Just below the number of additional votes (5-100) are two links.

Click on the one marked return to your last idea, and you will be taken back to the NIP voting page to enter additional power codes -- up to 10 daily!

By the end of August, there will be 10 winners in the $50k category, now the highest award possible.

Currently #10, the National Inclusion Project has been in positions 9-11 this first week of the competition. As more supporters put voting into their daily routine, the foundation's prospects should grow exponentially.

The image below links to the NIP Pepsi page:

Fans Share Power Vote Possibilities

What if you are not a Pepsi connoisseur or avoid soft drinks altogether? According to several creative supporters, there are many ways to gather the all-important power codes.

all4luv of Clayversity posted these suggestions:

1. Do you know anyone having a graduation party, barbecue, etc.? Check for power codes in the Pepsi 12-packs?

2. Locate them at sporting events. My son used to gather caps from Pepsi bottles at baseball games until the ushers finally kicked us out of the ballpark. He'd often get over a hundred, then come home, and enter all the codes to win free computer games!

3. In the workplace, there are Pepsi machines everywhere. Leave a note about the cause and a shoebox, and people will be happy to throw their caps your way!

PEPSI PRODUCTS WITH POWER CODES

10 oz bottle Pepsi, Diet Pepsi (bottle cap)
2 liter bottle Pepsi, Diet Pepsi (bottle cap)
12-can package Pepsi, Diet Pepsi (carton top)
20-can package Pepsi, Diet Pepsi (carton top)
24-can package Pepsi, Diet Pepsi (carton top)

Ask Friends, Family To Help

SICLAYFAN: My daughter's best friend is not only voting in this challenge, but she's also posting about it on Facebook and asking her teacher friends to do so, too.

TNMTMAMA: I just got in 208 votes! My family has been collecting caps for me, so I used 10 power codes, one regular, one text, and one FB. I had a 100, 50, 15, 10 and six 5's in my power votes -- 205 pv on top of the three normal votes!

MUMM_FUMS: I scavenged six more lids from the recycle bins in our break rooms today plus the ones friends give me.

This weekend I plan to contact family, friends, and music parents asking that:

(a) Texters send a daily text vote to Pepsi -- 108169 to 73774 -- for the NIP. Last time around I was working with an ancient cell phone. This mode of voting is a snap with an updated mobile phone.

(b) People in my circle to email or gather Pepsi bottle caps/carton tops with power codes throughout the month of August.

What is your grand plan? Please post your ideas in the comments below, and I'll bring them into the blog. The National Inclusion Project needs to generate as many votes as possible in August!

Have an awesome weekend -- and vote, vote, vote for the NIP!

Caro

Clay Aiken Fans Mark Phineas & Ferb Anniversary

2011-08-01T14:48:00.004-05:00

Clay Aiken, Chaka Khan sing 'I Believe We Can.'
View Phineas and Ferb song full screen at YouTube.

Video Chat on for Tonight

Fans Celebrate 'I Believe We Can'

One year ago (8/2/2010), recording artists Clay Aiken and Chaka Khan guest starred on the celebrated Phineas & Ferb episode Summer Belongs to You by singing the inspirational duet, "I Believe We Can."

My grandchildren, Kai and Lia, are really into Disney and other kiddie channels; so this blog was written as I looked up links for them. However, you are welcome to come along for the ride and celebrate the episode's one-year anniversary with the four videos below.

The one-hour Summer Belongs to You episode premiered on DisneyXD on Aug. 2, 2010, and was telecast four days later on the Disney Channel. The catchy duet was released on iTunes and other online outlets as part of a digital album of music from the Phineas & Ferb series.

Phineas and Ferb: Summer Belongs to You, Part 1.
View full screen at Disney Replays Channel on YouTube.

Phineas and Ferb: Summer Belongs to You, Part 2.
View full screen at Disney Replays Channel on YouTube.

Phineas and Ferb: Summer Belongs to You, Part 3.
View full screen at Disney Replays Channel on YouTube.

Phineas and Ferb: Summer Belongs to You, Part 4.
View full screen at Disney Replays Channel on YouTube.

Perpetually on summer vacation, Phineas & Ferb centers around two stepbrothers always embarking on some grand project. Their sister Candace angrily watches them, never able to get their mother to catch the duo in the act.

The two also have a platypus named Perry, a secret agent for an all-animal government organization that primarily takes on Dr. Heinz Doofenschmirtz, an evil scientist.

Wacky by adult standards, but it works!

Below are clickable screen caps from animated Clay's performance of "I believe We Can."

As if anyone in the Clay Nation needs a reminder, the singer will hold a live video chat with Official Fan Club members at 8:30 pm ET tonight.

The "bleachers" are already filling up. See you there!

Have an awesome week, Clay Nation!

Caro

Clay Aiken's Somalia Appeal Makes Headlines

2011-07-29T13:28:00.004-05:00

Clay Aiken visited Somalia in 2008. - Clickable graphic by claystruck.

Happy Birthday, NIP and Sally!

Singer Urges Support for Somalia

When Clay Aiken writes a blog, it's front page news!

His article -- Support Somalia (Because Mother Nature Ain't) -- is a featured post on the Huffington Post and AOL websites.

In the blog, the UNICEF Ambassador outlines the famine and water crisis in Somalia and across the Horn of Africa.

More than 2.3 million children are acutely malnourished, including half a million at immediate risk of death. Thousands of families are crossing the border from Somalia as emergency therapeutic feeding centers are being set up by UNICEF and other humanitarian agencies in neighboring countries. [SNIP]

UNICEF is using every means possible to reach these children. Their unrivaled expertise in responding to the unique needs of children affected by emergencies of all sorts is precisely why they have saved the lives of more children across the globe than any other humanitarian organization.

But they are entirely dependent on donations. They urgently need more than $300 million over the next six months alone to meet the basic needs and save the lives of countless children. [SNIP]

The average family spends about $100 a month on watering their yard in the spring and summer months. That $100 dollars can feed a child for 100 days! Three months!

I challenge us all to consider reallocating our watering allowance to a cause so much more important than fescue.

I'm sure we can all agree that we would rather our grass die than a child.

Rise Up from the Ashes - UNICEF
Montage by SueReu can be viewed full screen at YouTube.

To lend your assistance, text "FOOD" to UNICEF (864233 to give $10, which can feed a child for 10 days, or visit Help Save Children in the Horn of Africa at the UNICEF site.

Canadians donating for Somalia should do so through UNICEF Canada as donations through that site are being matched dollar for dollar by the Canadian government.

A Week for Special Birthdays

The National Inclusion Project celebrated its eighth birthday Thursday. Today we not only commemorate the Inclusion Project's anniversary, but also the birthday of Sally -- friend, CA fan, photographer, graphic artist, and mentor for many whose designs are published in this blog throughout the year.

For me, Sally is a sister-friend. To my grandchildren, she has become a "fairy godmother," spearheading an online baby shower and celebrating Kai and Lia through creative graphics and photo edits.

Sally's party continues below the fold with five of her classic Clay Aiken graphics.

Clay Aiken and Diane Bubel, Inclusion Project co-founders.

Aiken, Bubel Form Foundation

The National Inclusion Project, originally The Bubel/Aiken Foundation, grew out of the relationship between Clay, Diane Bubel, and her then 13-year-old son Mike, who had been diagnosed with autism.

While pursuing a career in special education at the University of North Carolina - Charlotte, Clay met the Bubels with whom he shared a vision of a world where children like Mike could be fully immersed in society.

Having witnessed children with disabilities repeatedly turned away from activities open to others, they believed that with the right support system, doors could be opened to these youngsters and an organized effort would facilitate community inclusion and empowerment of individuals with disabilities.

Diane Bubel and son Mike in 2003

The goal became a reality when Clay and Diane co-founded TBAF. The official announcement was made on July 28, 2003, in New York City. For a timeline and much more, see TBAF Events at the Clay Aiken Kids site. Below is a clickable wallpaper by Fountaindawg commemorating the foundation's beginning.

The Inclusion Project serves to bridge the gap that exists between young people with special needs and the world around them, supporting communities with inclusive programs and helping to create awareness about the possibilities that inclusion can bring.

We are, as they say, the product of the choices we make. I challenge each of you to make the choice that leads to full access, celebrating the human rights we all deserve. When you see a child in a wheelchair, will you choose to see the child? Or the chair?

When you stand in the presence of someone who cannot speak, will you choose to hear only silence? Or will you choose the tapestry that is found in the language without words?

When you’re facing parenting or teaching a child with a disability, will you choose to be overwhelmed by the challenges? Or will you choose to recognize a different kind of hero who brings you one of life’s most precious gifts – hope? -- Clay Aiken

In the past eight years, the NIP and its supporters have participated in a variety of fundraising and volunteer projects to insure a world of inclusion for all children.

Currently, you can register, login, and vote five times daily at TWBE The Best Charities Ever to help the Inclusion Project earn funds.

In previous years, Sally shared her talent for graphics and photography in an OFC blog. On occasion, she included instructional entries about how she obtained certain effects.

A couple of years ago we surprised her with a birthday bash in her journal. I "picked the lock," and several graphic artists supplied the decorations. The above birthday banner was created by ABeautifulMind.

Sally also started the Paint Shop Pro Forum at Clayversity in which her step-by-step lessons for various aspects of photo editing and creating designs provided excellent references for many novice graphic artists.

Students Make Teacher Proud

A teacher, I understand how proud Sally is of her "students." In some instances, she opened an AIM account just to guide novices through the initial steps of graphic design. She proudly admits that some long ago surpassed their teacher.

In other entries, the Carolina blog has featured examples of Sally's floral and landscape photographs. Today I thought it would be an exceptional treat to let her bring her own party decorations.

The five graphics below represent earlier Clay Aiken tours and performances -- Jukebox, Joyful Noise, and Singerman's "confetti moment" at the AI5 Finale. In addition to screen caps, photographers represented include Tasapio, 1, and Invisible926, 3.

Thank you, Sally, for being such a special friend. Everyone, enjoy the party!

Happy Birthday to Sally and the National Inclusion Project! Have an awesome weekend, Clay Nation!

Caro

Today's entry is #600 for the Carolina On My Mind blog, which began with The Real Rebels of Music to July 13, 2006. A year later, ClustrMap and Feedjit were added to note visitor locations.

To date, you have come to this corner from 169 countries. Thank you for your visits, comments, and support of this blog.

'Good Guy' Clay Aiken Plays Shady Character on Diva

2011-07-25T12:38:00.007-05:00

Clay Aiken joins Drop Dead Diva cast members for 'Prom' episode. Pictured from left are April Bowlby, Margaret Cho, Clay, and Ben Feldman. Photo by Bob Mahoney.

Singer Urges Somalian Support

Clay Debuts as Bad Guy on Diva

After weeks of media promotion, Clay Aiken joined the cast of Drop Dead Diva Sunday in a villainous role that is the direct opposite of his "good guy" persona.

US residents who missed the telecast can view the show on the Lifetime Network at Drop Dead Diva Episode 5: Prom. Canadians are streaming the episode at Free TV Online. You can purchase a high-def download of the show at iTunes for $2.99.

In the course of an hour, the program incorporated several storylines, the main being the real life incident of Mississippi teen Constance McMillen, who sued her high school after the school board barred her from going to the prom with her girlfriend.

Even though his "bad guy" role had nothing to do with the McMillen story, Clay spoke with Pop Culture Passionistas about appearing on this Diva episode with a cause.

" ... the storyline is something that resonated with me. Being a part of this episode was exciting for me."

In addition Aiken said he believes that beyond this episode, the show is truly unique to television. "The message of the show is different than anything that's on TV. It really tells a story that resonates with so many people.

It talks about the importance of how image should not be as important as often times we make it in society. And it does that while being really funny, so it's not preachy at all. It gives a really positive message without preaching, and that’s really hard to find on TV."

In addition to Clay, guest stars included Wanda Sykes, Amanda Bearse, and Lance Bass. Read the complete article at Pop Culture Passionistas. You can also link to the episode and post a comment at DDD's Facebook link.

The episode made Monday's AOL Top 5 TV Shows.

UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken visited Somalia in 2008. Expandable graphic by AmazingCA.

Singer Uses Voice for Somalia

Clay is helping to spread the word about the drastic need for funds for children affected by the famine in Africa. Everywhere you look, there are stories like the one below touting the dire need for assistance.

Clay Aiken Uses His Powerful Voice to Speak Out About Somalian Crisis for UNICEF

When he's not busy belting out tunes, Clay Aiken is using his voice to speak on behalf of The United Nations Children's Fund as an ambassador for the organization.

The American Idol alumnus-turned-activist is particularly passionate about the humanitarian crisis in Somalia.

The singer spoke at length with AOL Music in a Q&A about the African country in the midst of a two-decade ongoing civil war.

Clickable Map: Horn of Africa

Clay also shared new PSA videos describing the crisis and how others can help with donations for ready-to-use therapeutic foods. See additional videos at the UNICEF USA YouTube Channel.

Ten dollars can feed a child for 10 days. Text FOOD to UNICEF (864233) to donate $10, or donate through the UNICEF website.

Read more about the disaster in this UNICEF press release: Horn of Africa is a Crisis for Child Survival.

Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!

Caro

Clay Aiken Fans Celebrate 'Drop Dead Diva' Weekend

2011-07-22T12:11:00.014-05:00

Clay Aiken guest stars in Sunday's DDD episode.
Photo by Bob Mahoney links to preview video on Lifetime Network.

Singer Guests on Sunday's Episode

DDD Parties Set for Clay Cyber

It's Drop Dead Diva Weekend in Clay Cyberspace, and preliminaries for the parties accompanying Clay Aiken's guest starring role in Sunday's Lifetime Network show (9 p.m. ET) are well underway.

DVR's have long been programmed and online viewing threads bookmarked, while an assortment of snacks are being assembled for virtual as well as "real life" fan gatherings.

Read all about this Sunday's show, including the Constance McMillen's story on which the episode is based at 'Drop Dead Diva' Does Prom and Asks Lance Bass and Clay Aiken to Attend. The photo below is from the site.

Hot off the press and not to be missed is Jamie Steinberg's in-depth interview with Clay at the Starry Constellation Magazine site: Clay Aiken - Drop Dead Diva.

Clay on the stand in DDD episode. Photos by Bob Mahoney.

Among those featured in Sunday's DDD cast are April Bowlby, Margaret Cho, Clay Aiken, and Ben Feldman. Both photos are clickable.

'Stay Tuned' Showcases DDD Creator

In Wednesday's "Stay Tuned" column, Angela Henderson-Bentley shared an extensive interview with Drop Dead Diva creator/executive producer Josh Berman.

Read the complete piece -- Drop Dead Diva Creator: A Real Roller Coaster Ride Is On the Horizon -- at the author's Herald-Dispatch corner. Below are selected portions:

The hour is chock full of guest stars including Clay Aiken, who becomes a surprising part of the mail order storyline.

I talked to Berman about the episode, all of the show’s great guest stars and what’s ahead for this season. [snip]

"One of the things I like about this season is that you have these guest stars who are playing against types. You had LeAnn Rimes in the season premiere and Clay Aiken in this episode playing characters they’ve never had the chance to play before.

"Absolutely and we talk to the actors beforehand and we really want to write them a role they can just sink their teeth into and have fun with.

"Clay Aiken, I just got on the phone with him and I said I really want you in this episode, here’s a character I’m considering, and we kind of crafted his character together.

"Through the process we have become friends. He’s actually flying to LA for the Outfest panel for the episode on Sunday.

"It’s amazing. You have a show like this that’s very empowering to women, empowering to humanity, it gets people excited. And that’s a unique experience for me."

Monday Clay appeared on "The Talk" to promote this weekend's DDD episode. Below are videos his chat in two parts.

Clay talks about fatherhood. - The Talk, Part 1. (CBS)

American Idol, retirement Part 2 topics. - The Talk (CBS)

Fountaindawg created the wallpaper below with screen caps from Clay's appearance on The Talk.

Click to expand graphic by Fountaindawg.

Have an awesome weekend, all! See you in a Diva thread somewhere!

Caro

With this week's Curtis Brown photo shoot in Raleigh, the retirement question and resulting hoopla appear to be distant thoughts. Below is a clickable picture tweeted and posted by the Raleigh photographer.

Clay with photographer Curtis Brown.

This entry is also posted at the OFC. Thank you for your comments at both sites. To leave a remark in the Carolina blog, click on the "comments" link below.

Clay Aiken Participates in DDD Panel Discussion

2011-07-18T11:34:00.002-05:00

OUTFEST 2011 PANEL - Clay Aiken, Ben Feldman, and Josh Berman, and others connected with Drop Dead Diva participated in a panel discussion following the screening of next Sunday's show. Click on the YouTube button to view video by Scarlett full screen, or download it at this Google Docs link.

Fans Recap Outfest

Aiken Contributes to DDD Events

LOS ANGELES - Clay Aiken and others associated with the July 24 episode of Drop Dead Diva were joined by fans Sunday for a preview screening and panel discussion that proved a lively, informative addition to Outfest 2011.

In this age of technology, CA fans attending Outfest 2011 were quick to share recaps of the session with friends via computer.

Featured above is the video Scarlett made of the panel discussion. Among the other participants were Josh Berman, DDD creator and director; Jamie Babbit, co-executive producer; and Ben Feldman, the actor on Clay's left.

Initial reports on CA message boards were that DDD was "drop dead delicious." During the screening, Clay sat on the second row surrounded by some of his fans.

CA Fans Share DDD Impressions

Impressions from gareem were transmitted by yaknelle to members of the Clayversity message board. In no time flat, they had been copied to at least three fan sites.

Clay as given the cameo role because Berman personally called and asked him to be a part of the show. The panel was outstanding. The show was outstanding. All actors seemed to have really bonded.

Babbit, the co-executive producer, said, "Clay had one of the most fun parts. I was so happily impressed working with him. He is a natural actor. He is very talented and very good."

Below are three clickable screen caps from Scarlett's video.

As she was dashing out to attend today's taping of The Talk (Clay promos DDD at 2 pm ET on CBS), I asked Scarlett to sum up Sunday and her birthday excursion to the Los Angeles Outfest in a couple of sentences. Here is her comment:

I keep wishing everyone "Happy Birthday" by hoping it would be their "best ever." Some of it must have bounced back on me because I literally had my BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!!!

Well, it sort of helped that my birthday fell smack in the middle of monsoon in Southeast Asia, lol!

If you missed Sunday's DDD episode, stream it online at Lifetime. Set your DVR now for the 7/24 episode featuring Clay.

Thank you again for your birthday greetings to all of us 7/17 celebrants! Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!

Caro

Clay Aiken Connects with Outfest 2011 Festivities

2011-07-17T12:29:00.003-05:00

Clay Aiken at Outfest 2011 Saturday. Photo by Kevan Brooks.

Outfest, Birthday All in One!

Aiken To Participate in DDD Event

LOS ANGELES - Clay Aiken activities at Outfest 2011 are in full swing, and, as usual, his own special a cheering section is on the scene.

At the center of the Clay Nation contingent is clack goddess Scarlett, who decided a trip to LA on "Carmageddon Weekend" was the perfect way to celebrate her birthday. With that, Clay Cyberspace is rejoicing because fans know, if possible, there will be clack!

Despite the predicted horrific traffic problems, the clack goddess will be in the midst of Sunday-Monday festivities. And just in the nick of time, it's now "Carmaheaven" and the 405 Freeway is set to reopen between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. PT Sunday several hours ahead of schedule.

'Funny or Die' with Clay Aiken cameo. - ENews video

Saturday night Clay was on hand for the screening of Tori Spelling's Funny or Die video, the previews for which are shown in the E! promo above.

The clickable graphic by Fountaindawg incorporates Newscom and Wenn photos from the session.

Expandable FOD photo by Kevan Brooks.

Drop Dead Diva's screening of the July 24 episode, panel discussion, and reception are set to begin at 1 p.m. PT today. Note the various links within this informative site.

Clay will promote next weekend's DDD episode on Monday's edition of The Talk on CBS (2 pm ET). Click on this link for a preview.

It is awesome sharing a birthday with such a special friend as Scarlett. Many thnx from both of us for your kind greetings here, at Facebook, and throughout Clay Cyberspace.

Because her experiences gathering and rendering clack are legend in this fandom, I wrote a blog about my co-birthday friend last year: Clay Aiken Fans Honor Scarlett.

One of the sweetest greetings I received this morning was a text from grandson Kai:

Ghnbvvvvvbdccxx cfgggvcfcccdfcc vcvhgvhhtr

As always, thank you for your comments in the Carolina/OFC blogs. Have a wonderful weekend, Clay Nation!

Caro

Clay Aiken a Celebrity Who Helps People in Need

2011-07-14T19:24:00.004-05:00

Click to expand Tried & True Tour graphic by Fountaindawg.
Photos by toni7babe and farouche.

Countdown to Outfest 2011

Clay To Appear on DDD, The Talk

Countdowns to Sunday's Drop Dead Diva screening (7/24 episode) and panel discussion with Clay Aiken are flourishing on Internet message boards dedicated to the singer.

Numerous fans plan to attend the festivities in Los Angeles July 17-18. On Monday, Clay will appear as a guest on The Talk promoting the DDD episode. For an overview of the weekend events, see the previous blog entry: Clay Aiken Joins DDD Cast, Panel for Outfest 2011.

Earlier this week, an InfoBarrel entry -- Millionaires Who Help People in Need -- definitely caught the attention of CA fans, as indicated by the spike in the site's views.

In the blog, the author, jcmayer777, spotlighted some of the rich and famous doing good things with their money. In addition to singers and musicians, the blog includes charitable work of famous athletes, actors and actresses, as well as politicians.

Prior to National Inclusion Project, Clay worked with children
at YMCA camps. This photo is from Camp Gonzo.

Singers and Musicians

Clay Aiken: Aiken co-founded the National Inclusion Project in 2003. It is designed to help close the gap of those with special needs, so they can live in the world around them. This is a really great organization that offers help to people that are truly in need.

Other musicians and their charities highlighted include Alicia Keys, Keep a Child Alive; Jon Bon Jovi, The National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.; and Sting, The Rainforest Foundation US.

Mayer, a full time jail guard in Wisconsin, has been writing online for about a year. Click on the blog link and give him a hit. You can also sign in and leave a comment.

Children participating in the NIP's Let's All Play Camps today.

TWWMAD Promotes Inclusion Project

Since the Summer Tour of 2004, the organization The Way We Make a Difference has been connecting community groups with donated tickets to Clay Aiken tour concerts.

Currently, the organization is on a mission to increase awareness about the National Inclusion Project among educators and persons who work with social service agencies.

By raising funds and donating tickets, TWWMAD hopes that representatives of these organizations can attend the Champions Gala Oct. 21-22 and see first hand the impact the Inclusion Project has on thousands of children as well as their efforts to raise the national consciousness about the need for and benefits of inclusion.

We know that many cannot afford to attend the Gala themselves, but we also know that there are those who might want to donate to such an effort in order to spread the National Inclusion Project’s message.

And of course we have seen how small donations can add up when we come together to make a difference.

If anyone is interested in making a donation of any amount to send these individuals to the Gala, visit TWWMAD website. You can assist with this project by making a donation.

An Afternoon in the Park

A favorite lazy summer pastime with grandchildren Kai, almost 4, and Lia, 2, is visiting the local park. Below are three photos from a recent romp at the playground. All the pictures are clickable.

All boy, Kai is very much into trucks of all kinds. He even has a bookcase where they are stored. Following their daily runaround in the backyard, the trucks are carefully washed, dried, and returned to their special "garage."

Lia, who also enjoys her brother's truck collection, delights in being a mommy to two special dolls.

The week's countdown is a few minutes closer to Clay's Outfest 2011 events. Thank you for your comments in the Carolina blog and its counterpart at the OFC.

Have an awesome weekend, Clay Nation!

Caro

Clay Aiken Joins DDD Cast, Panel for Outfest 2011

2011-07-10T18:09:00.012-05:00

Clay Aiken - Expandable graphic by Ashes

Fans Set DVRs for The Talk, DDD

Clay To Appear on Drop Dead Diva

Throughout the Clay Aiken Cyberspace, fans are marking calendars, setting recording devices, and making plans to participate in person or via cell stream next weekend's 2011 Outfest Festival.

Outfest, the Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing, showcasing, and protecting lesbian, gay, and transgender (LGBT) media, is in the midst of an outstanding July 7-17 lineup for 2011.

In addition to the 163 films (67 features and 96 shorts) from 25 countries, Outfest is hosting more than a dozen panels and special events at seven venues throughout the Los Angeles area, including Hollywood, West Hollywood, Santa Monica and downtown LA.

Clickable CA graphic by Fountaindawg, photos by toni7babe

The outstanding cast of actors starring in this year's movies include Kathleen Turner, Jason Ritter, Emily Deschanel and Richard Chamberlain ("The Perfect Family"), Dolly Parton ("The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" and "Hollywood to Dollywood"), Margaret Cho ("Cho Dependent" and "Drop Dead Dive"), Julia Ormond, Cheyenne Jackson and Illeana Douglas ("The Green"), John Waters, Jennifer Coolidge, Heather Matarazzo and Leslie Jordan ("Mangus!"), Esai Morales and Judy Reyes ("Gun Hill Road").

Also Clay Aiken and Lance Bass ("Drop Dead Diva"), Chloe Sevigny ("All Flowers in Time"); and documentary subjects Carol Channing ("Carol Channing: Larger Than Life"), Chely Wright ("Wish Me Away"), Patty Schemel and Courtney Love ("Hit So Hard"), Chaz Bono ("Becoming Chaz"), and Bruce LaBruce ("The Advocate for Fagdom").

"This year's line-up is one of the strongest in Outfest history and we're excited to be showcasing work that is both exploring and expanding the possibilities of LGBT themes and challenging our audiences through their storytelling," said Director of Programming Kim Yutani. [SNIP]

Margaret Cho, Lance Bass, Clay Aiken, series creator Josh Berman and director Jamie Babbit will take part in a panel of Lifetime's "Drop Dead Diva."

The discussion follows a sneak preview of an upcoming episode inspired by the headline-making true story of Mississippi teen Constance McMillan who was denied access to her high school prom because she wanted to attend with her girlfriend.

Read more about the events at Outfest 2011.

Expandable July Retro graphic by Fountaindawg

Mark Your Outfest Calendar

Sunday, July 17 (2:30 - 4 pm PT): Drop Dead Diva Screening/Panel Post Reception - HBTV Designers Lounge @ the Directors Guild of America Theater Complex (DGA). All ticket holders and badge holders. Featuring Margaret Cho, Clay Aiken, and Lance Bishop.

The screening will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A with series creator/executive producer Josh Berman, director/co-executive producer Jamie Babbit, star Margaret Cho, guest stars Lance Bass and Clay Aiken, and Adam Waters (GSA Advisor of the Year). Moderator will be Ari Karpel.

Monday, July 18, 2 pm ET: Clay will be on The Talk (CBS) to promote his appearance on DDD.

Sunday, July 24, 9 pm ET: Drop Dead Diva episode co-starring Clay will air at on Lifetime at 9 pm ET Sunday, July 24.

This summer, Lifetime's popular dramedy/fantasy series is back for its third season and we have a sneak peek at a special episode.

Inspired by the headline-making true story of Mississippi teen Constance McMillan who was denied access to her high school prom because she wanted to attend with her girlfriend, the episode guest stars Wanda Sykes, Amanda Bearse, Clay Aiken, Lance Bass and Constance herself in a cameo.

Expandable graphic by Fountaindawg, photos by Cotton

Scriptwriter Excited About Episode

Scriptwriter Sarah McLaughlin has posted an entry in the TVscriptdoctor's blog, My episode is premiering at OUTFEST!

My episode of DDD is premiering at outfest this sunday, 17th of July. It’s going to be awesome. They’ll show the episode, then there will be a Q&A with the director, showrunner and some members of the cast and guest cast… Including Clay Aiken!

Clay will be participating with Margaret Cho, Lance Bass, Josh Berman, and Jamie Babbit on a panel about the Lifetime’s show. The panel discussion will follow a preview of an upcoming episode of the show.

I’m so excited to be a part of this incredible opportunity and have been honored to have been a part of this episode. Hope to see you all there!

Tune into the latest news at the DDD site on Lifetime where you can also stream or view previous episodes.

You can also follow DDD at Facebook and Twitter. For further updates, see the left sidebar of Clay Aiken News & Articles at the Ideal Idol and the current Clay Aiken News Network blog.

Clickable map of LA detours.

Those attending Outfest should be aware of altered traffic conditions on July 16-17. According to CA fan Ann Stephens, on these days of Outtfest Weekend, Caltrans will close 10 miles of freeway from the 10 to the 101 in LA, taking in the Valley to the Westside. Attendees should program GPS devices according to map and info provided by ABC7.

July is going to be fun. Have an awesome two weeks, Clay Nation!

Caro

Clay Aiken, Movies Make Wednesday 'Mini' Special

2011-07-06T17:14:00.017-05:00

As Long As We're Here - Clay Aiken
View montage by gerwhisp full screen at YouTube.

Time for Reflection, Relaxation

Mid-Week 'Mini' Provides Choices

For me, Tuesdays are wall-to-wall music lessons at Wesleyan Christian Academy, fortunately followed by lazy Wednesdays during which I catch up with friends and family online and off, listen to Clay Aiken music, and watch movies.

Somewhere along the way, my friend Scarlett tagged this mid-week day off a "mini," often wishing she had one, too. Of course, a "mini" only lasts one day; and then it's back to teaching lessons on Thursday.

In checking through email saved for just such a Wednesday, I discovered a thoughtful piece shared a couple of weeks ago by Marlyne. See what you think.

Something To Think About

1] Prayer is not a spare wheel that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a STEERING WHEEL that directs the right path throughout.

2] So why is a car's WINDSHIELD so large and the rear view mirror so small? Because our PAST is not as important as our FUTURE. So, look ahead and move on.

3] Friendship is like a BOOK. It takes few seconds to burn, but it takes years to write.

4] All things in life are temporary. If going well, enjoy it; they will not last forever. If going wrong, don't worry; they can't last long either.

5] Old Friends are Gold! New Friends are Diamond! If you get a Diamond, don't forget the Gold! Because to hold a Diamond, you always need a Base of Gold!

6] Often when we lose hope and think this is the end, GOD smiles from above and says, "Relax, sweetheart; it's just a bend, not the end!"

7] When GOD solves your problems, you have faith in HIS abilities. When GOD doesn't solve your problems HE has faith in your abilities.

8] A blind person asked St. Anthony: "Can there be anything worse than losing eye sight?" He replied, "Yes, losing your vision!"

9] When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them. Sometimes when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has prayed for you.

10] WORRYING does not take away tomorrow's TROUBLES; it takes away today's PEACE.

ALAWH Describes Aiken's Advocacy

"As Long As We're Here," the On My Way Here song from gerwhisp's opening Clay Aiken montage, beautifully reflects the singer's humanitarian philosophy.

A UNICEF Ambassador since 2004 and co-founder of the National Inclusion Project the year before, the singer is well known as an advocate for children the world over. His goal of helping others has inspired many of his fans to take up his causes.

Inspired by Clay's UNICEF projects, these graphics were designed by AmazingCA, 1, 2; cindlu2, 3; Clayquebec1, 4, with photo by Invisible926; and claystruck, 5. All but the animation are clickable.

Going to the Movies Miles Apart

Somehow I made it through the past three decades watching only a few movies here and there. I didn't subscribe to premium channels until a couple of years ago when I signed up for DIRECTV. Later came U-Verse, augmented by Netflix.

My friend Sally gave my film repertoire a real boost the Christmas she sent me a box of 50+ carefully recorded movies she knew I would like. In no time at all, I was hooked! She frequently recommends movies that immediately go on the list.

I can't tell you how enjoyable it is to watch a movie simultaneously with a friend 1,125 miles away. Scarlett and I coordinate our film adventures through chat on Facebook. Typical opening of a show is little more than, "I'm paused at MGM. Say GO!"

And then we are off to the races watching just about every genre in the book! Ironically, each has introduced the other to several movies.

Some our recent movies are A Single Man, Bonneville, Cookie's Fortune, Date Night, It's Complicated, Death at a Funenal (British), Life Is Beautiful, Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont, My Cousin Vinny, Music Within, October Sky, Secretariat, Searching for Bobby Fischer, The Blind Side, The Great Debaters, The King's Speech, The Paper, The Dream Team, The Reader, Unstoppable, With Honors, and Wooly Boys.

Could SFF Be in My Future?

The lady is is doing her best to turn me into a Sci-Fi Fantasy fan, but she's got a ways to go. I did view Inception twice, but she had to explain a zillion times about participating in and extracting information from another person's dreams. *g*

Ever the techno goddess, Scarlett maintains an up-to-date, color-coded spreadsheet document entitled "Ultimate Movie List" with dates movies are viewed, where the film is available (DVR, purchased DVD, Netflix, Amazon, etc.), the date last watched, even the IMdb viewer rating.

Our running dialogue during the movies is frequently hilarious. The multi-tasker is almost always rendering clack on a neighboring machine. With so many choices, the biggest question on movie nights is ... where do we begin.

Where Do I Begin - Clay Aiken on Tried & True Tour
View montage by molino79 full screen at YouTube.
Video footage by Scarlett and farouche; photos by Invisible926.

Tonight's movie fare is The Shawshank Redemption from Netflix and Amazon. I have seen the film several times, but this highly-rated movie will be brand new to my cohort. Upcoming features include The Cure, The Next Three Days, August Rush, The Town, and Calendar Girls.

Hope you're having a wonderful week and maybe even a mini! Seen any good movies lately?

Caro

Clay Aiken Rewinds Set Tone for July 4 Festivities

2011-07-03T13:23:00.004-05:00

CAPITOL 4th REWIND - Montage by Yollie950 replays a medley of Clay Aiken's 2004 PBS performance, including the Star-Spangled Banner, Measure of a Man, and God Bless the USA. The video can also be viewed at YouTube.

US Celebrates Independence Day

Concert Replays Honor July 4

As Canada and the USA celebrate national birthdays this weekend, Clay Aiken fans may also include a rewind to Independence Days past when the singer performed for Capitol 4th (2004) and launched a 20-city Summer Symphony Tour at Freedom Fest in Frisco, TX (2007).

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

In Philadelphia on July 4, 1776, the United States of America On was born as the Second Continental Congress adopted the final draft of the Declaration of Independence.

President John Adams said the Fourth of July should be celebrated with, among other events, "pomp, parade, games, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other.

Taking President Adams at his word, link to Fireworks Pop by clicking on the photo below where you can create your own "illuminations" in the sky above Lady Liberty with your mouse.

Click on this show to create your own fireworks!

Fans Recall 2007 Frisco Festivities

For CA fans, Independence Day will forevermore be associated with the 2007 Freedom Fest in Frisco, TX, opening performance of the summer tour also known as Soft Rock Hard Place. The festivities included food, fun, fireworks and a "hawt" Clay Aiken Concert.

Anniversaries of events from Clay's singing career are marked in various fashions. In 2008, xxx4clay reminisced about July 4, 2007, and then posed the question to her online friends: Where were you a year ago today?

A host of memories were shared not only by those who endured every degree of the humid, 90-plus temps in the Frisco soccer stadium, but also those who listened via cellstream in air-conditioned comfort. Beginning with xxx4clay, here are a some of the Independence Day 2007 recollections:

Prior to this concert, we knew very little about what Clay would sing although the speculators amongst us had run amok with their possible scenarios.

That afternoon someone had listened to the rehearsal and some of that info had drifted back to us but still, the lack of knowledge just added to the excitement.

Finally, finally, finally, Clay entered the stage singing “Here You Come Again.” There really are no words to describe what I felt at that moment.

It was beyond exciting. Beyond mesmerizing. And he was soooo close. That crowd let loose with a collective squeal that I can still hear to this day.

All those heat related miseries just disappeared when Clay showed his face and I never gave it another minute's thought until the concert was over.

There’s just something about the first concert of the tour and not knowing everything that’s gonna happen that makes it very, very special.

FREEDOM FEST - Graphic by Amazing_CA, photos by Farouche.

These responses represent a cross-section of the many who gathered in Texas or listened from afar on Independence Day 2007:

IRISHBOOKGAL: Right here with my headphones on listening to a beautiful voice that gives me goose bumps.

SMARTYPANTSSUZ: Glued to my computer drinking in every morsel I could through the cellstream and recaps. What a night!

JCLAY: Basking in the afterglow of my very first Meet & Greet. It was the first of the "sit down with all of you and talk for 1/2 hour" variety.

WINDSTAR2: I was also in Frisco right in the middle of the screaming teenagers. What a great night that was to be with fellow Clay friends, to see Clay again live in concert and in TEXAS!

ANAMERIAIKENINTX: I'd bet anything the Frisco temperature was pushing 100 before the humidity was factored in! The weather was terrible. I forgot all about it, too, while Clay was with us.

PLAYBILLER: Deep in the heart of Texas!

PHOTO INTERLUDE: From seasons past, the fandom's visual artists have created clickable patriotic graphics for this weekend's fireworks. Included are designs by A Beautiful Mind, photo by Invisible926, 1; Ashes, 2; Amazing_CA, photos by Farouche, 3; CLAYPERFECT, 4; Fountaindawg, 5; and fivegoldens, 6.

Wishing all a very special July 4 Weekend!

Caro