There is seldom a dull day when you visit CANN.  It seems there are many fun things to talk about!

Before we continue with new information, I would like to thank Anne Cotton once more for the wonderful pictures she shared with us of the BBQ on Sunday.  If you missed the mid-Monday blog, go to the second page and see it.  You won’t be sorry!!

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On Monday afternoon, there was an interesting message on Facebook.

Michele Jones
1 hr near Richmond, VA 
Look who came in to the restaurant! Clay Aiken:). He’s a really good sport and super handsome in person!

And then, what should appear but an interesting tweet followed by an article from CBS 6 – Richmond, Virginia:

TWEET:

 CBS 6 WTVR Richmond ‏@CBS6 5m
Congressional candidate and celebrity Clay Aiken dines at Pasture http://link.wtvr.com/1h1OYFX #RVADine

ARTICLE:

CBS 6 – Congressional candidate and celebrity Clay Aiken dines at Pasture

RICHMOND, Va. – Celebrity Clay Aiken was spotted dining downtown at Pasture, one of Richmond’s well-known restaurants Monday evening.

Aiken, an internationally known recording artist who is currently running as a Democrat for North Carolina’s 2nd Congressional District, ventured up to Richmond to visit friends.

That is what he told Pasture co-owner and Manager Michele Jones.

Jones said she recognized Aiken and discreetly approached him to confirm her hunch.

“When he said yes, I told him I thought he looked like Clay Aiken only much handsomer,” Jones said. “Which is true.”

“He was very nice and a good sport to put up with me,” Jones added.

Aiken is running against incumbent Congresswoman Renee Ellmers. The district is heavily Republican, giving Mitt Romney a large victory over President Barack Obama in 2012.

Aiken, a North Carolina native, is emphasizing his past experience as a special education teacher, in addition to his working class roots.

“For most Americans, there are no golden tickets,” Clay, 35, said in a YouTube video when he announced his Congressional run. “At least not like the kind you see on TV. More families are struggling today than at any time in our history. And here in North Carolina, we’ve suffered more than our share of pain.”

“I’m not a politician—I don’t ever want to be one,” Clay continued in the video. “But I do want to help bring back, at least to my corner of North Carolina, the idea that someone can go to Washington to represent all the people, whether they voted for you or not. And maybe we can play a small part in igniting that change across the rest of our country. This is why I’m running for Congress. And in the weeks and months ahead, I’ll need your help. We can all be like that friend who took my mother and me in, a friend who shelters those in their time of need, and who helps open a door to a new life and a renewed country for all of our people.”

I love that a short visit to a nice restaurant gives Clay a headline.  CBS used the same “selfie” that was on Facebook.  You can visit the site of this article at CBS6

Have any of you eaten at Pasture?  

A Southern small plates restaurant located in historic downtown Richmond, Pasture opened at the end of November. Chef Jason Alley’s (who also owns Comfort) Potlikker Noodles with Mustard Greens have already been featured in Bon Appetit, and diners on Yelp are raving about his brussel sprouts, Virginia Ham Plate and cheeseburger.
* Originally posted as Bon Appetite’s top 50 list.

Why am I suddenly hungry?

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Here are a few more pictures from the Sunday BBQ from Anne Cotton

Please don’t forget the rules for these pictures!!

As always, I will post the news as quickly as I can so be sure and check in for updates!!