December 2014

Cynthia Raxter, Storyteller
   

Tuesday December 2 - Storytelling

The Village Storytellers
Sola's Coffee Cafe
Lead Mine Road
7-9pm - Raleigh

Thursday December 4 - Standup

Open Mic

Corner Tavern and Grill

Maynard Road 

8pm - Cary

Saturday December 6 - Standup

Family Friendly Open Mic 

Goodnights Comedy Club

West Morgan Street

1pm - Raleigh

https://www.facebook.com/events/791612777568518/

Saturday  December 6 - Storytelling

The Big LOL ("Lighting Of Leg"} - An Evening Of Holiday Joy And Merriment!

Cackalacky's Where House

Chatham Mills

480 Hillsboro Street

6-10pm - Pittsboro

Monday December 8 - Standup 

Cure for the Mondays' 

Tir Na Nog Irish Pub

S. Blount Street

8:30pm - Raleigh

Tuesday December 9 - Workshop

Bynum Comedy Writers Workshop

Bynum General Store

950 Bynum Road

6-9pm - Bynum

Thurdsday December 11 - Standup

Neptunes Comedy Open Mic End of the Year Holiday Blowout

Kings 

Morgan Street 

8:00pm - Raleigh

Saturday December 13 - Standup

Family Friendly Open Mic

Goodnights Comedy Club

Morgan Street 

1:00pm - Raleigh

Monday December 15 - Standup

Comedy Smashatron Open Mic

Linda's Bar and Grill

East Franklin Street

8:30pm - Chapel Hill 

Tuesday December 16 - Standup

Open Mic

Caroling in Bynum on December 21!

Goodnights Comedy Club

Morgan Street 

8:00pm - Raleigh

Wednesday December 17 - Standup 

Family Friendly Open Mic

Pittsboro Roadhouse

West Street

6:30-8:30pm - Pittsboro

Wednesday December 17 - Standup

Open Mic

The City Tap

Salisbury Street

8:30-11pm - Pittsboro

Friday December 19 - Interview

The Wacqueline Stern Radio Show

Livestream at http://wcomfm.org/ on Friday, December 19th at 6pm.

Listen on the radio WCOM 103.5 FM on Friday, December 19th at 6pm. 

Or watch the Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/user1658330/videos

Or get podcast online at: http://feeds.feedburner.com/wcomfm/WEROA

The show is also broadcast on 
The Peoples' Channel on Tuesday at 11am

Durham Community Media on Wednesday at 4pm
http://thepeopleschannel.org/tvschedule

   

                    Happy Christmas!

  

Pinterest:CynthiaRaxter

Email:cynthiaraxter@gmail.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cynthiaraxter

Twitter: @cynthiaraxter

Listen: http://www.soundcloud.com/cynthia-raxter

Watch: http://cynthiaraxter.blogspot.com

November 2014

Cynthia Raxter, Storyteller

"Storyteller Cynthia Raxter gets wound up at ClydeFEST"
- Raleigh News and Observer

Saturday November 8 - Storytelling

Durham Farmers Market
Foster Street 
9am-12noon - Durham

Sunday November 9 - Storytelling
Mouth of the South Storytelling Show
Legends Night Club
West Hargett Street
7pm - Raleigh

Monday November 10 - Standup 
Cure for the Mondays' 
Tir Na Nog Irish Pub
S. Blount Street
8:30pm - Raleigh

August 2014

Cynthia Raxter
Storyteller and Comedian 

Monday August 4 - Standup 
Cure for the Mondays Comedy
Tir Na Nog

Blount Street

9pm - Raleigh


Saturday August 9 - Storytelling

Durham Farmers Market
Foster Street
9am-12pm - Durham

Tuesday August 12 - Workshop

Bynum Comedy Writers Workshop

Bynum General Store

950 Bynum Road

6-9pm - Bynum

Thursday August 14 - Standup 

Neptune's Comedy Open Mic

Neptune's Lounge

14 West Martin Street 

8:30pm - Raleigh

"Storyteller Cynthia Raxter gets wound up at ClydeFEST"
- Raleigh News and Observer

Great Aunt Louise's Cheesecake and Strawberry Sauce

Cynthia Raxter
Storyteller and Comedian

As I munch on cucumbers from the Chatham Mills Farmers Market - here is a recipe worthy of this year's luscious strawberries! I think the berries this year are the best I've ever tasted. Maybe the slow spring gave them plenty of time to ripen gradually? I don't know! They are divine!!

Great Aunt Louise's Cheesecake and Strawberry Sauce

Crust

Pat of butter (for pan)

1 1/2 packages of Graham Crackers-crushed (abt. 2 cups crumbs)

1/3 cup dark brown sugar, packed

1 teaspoon cinnamon

pinch of salt

1 stick unsalted butter, melted

Heavily butter 10" springform pan. Mix dry ingredients and pour melted butter over top. Mix. I use a small measuring cup to help press it evenly into pan.

Filling
16 ounces small curd cottage cheese (Do not use non-fat. There are too many additives and salt)

16 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 cup white sugar

4 large eggs

1/4 cup corn starch

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 stick unsalted butter, melted

16 ounces sour cream

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

21 Tips for 21 Pounds!

Here are 21 tips to mark the 21 pounds I have lost since February. Folks are beginning to notice (me too!) and are asking what I'm doing to lose weight. It's not as much dieting as making lifestyle changes. Here's the list so far. I can't wait until I can add to it! 

~~~~~

Life choices tip #1: These days if I want something fizzy I'm drinking sparkling water instead of diet soda. The brain reads artificial sweetener as real sugar. This triggers an insulin response --which prompts the body to store fat. 

Life choices tip #2: I'm substituting sweet potatoes for white potatoes. Microwave for about 5 minutes, split open and add one tablespoon of real cow butter. Sweet potatoes are low glycemic and have more fiber, minerals and vitamins than white potatoes. 

Life choices tip #3: More fiber = more full. 

• I'm switching out white bread and flour tortillas for whole wheat. 
• I'm adding extra lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers to sandwiches. 
• I'm eating lots of salads, vegetables and fresh fruit.
• For spaghetti sauce or taco filling, I mix 1/4 cup oat bran and 2-3 finely chopped carrots with the meat while sauteing. The carrots adds a sweetness, and the bits blend in by the time the sauce is cooked.

December 2013

December 2013 

Sunday December 1 - Storytelling
Pittsboro's 1st Sunday!  

Pittsboro Toys
44-B Hillsboro Street

h

1-4pm - Pittsboro

Sauteed Pork Loin

I told stories at the Eno River Farmers Market in Hillsborough yesterday. I got some lovely red and green mustard from Sweet Pea Farms in Hurdle Mills, NC. You could use any kind of greens in this recipe: collards, spinach, Swiss chard, turnip greens, kale... beet and radish greens too! 

I had pork tenderloin in the fridge - I'd went to the Pittsboro Piggly Wiggly on Friday. ("The Pig" is a great place to buy local meat!) Boneless pork chops would also be good in this recipe. Pork and greens is a "lay down on the floor and waller" combination!

By the way, pork no longer has to be cooked well done (160 degrees). Cook to your taste - medium rare or better is fine (145 degrees or better on a meat thermometer). 

Sauteed Pork Loin - 4-6 servings

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup California raisins

1/2 teaspoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 bunches of greens (I used red and green mustard.) 

1 tablespoon oil

2 pound pork loin

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 onion

2 cloves garlic

1/2 cup of apple juice

1 teaspoon cornstarch

Fresh ground pepper

Put water, California raisins, sugar and salt to a covered Dutch oven and bring to a boil. Rinse greens and cut out about half of the center stem and discard. (Big stems can be stringy.) Fold the leaf over on itself 2-3 times and slice into a 1" wide. strip. Add to pot as you cut. Cover and steam for 10 minutes on medium high. Turn off heat but leave covered. 

While greens cook, heat oil in saute pan over medium-high heat. Slice pork loin 1" thick. Add to a saute pan and sprinkle with salt. Cook on both sides just to brown, about 8 minutes. (Meat will be medium rare - it will finish cooking at the end.)

While meat browns, peel and chop onion and garlic. Remove meat to a bowl with a slotted spoon, and spoon off all but 2-3 tablespoons of drippings. Add onions and garlic to the pan and cook until they are soft - about 5 minutes. 

Toss greens. Add onions and garlic.with slotted spoon and toss again to distribute. Cover and return greens to medium heat. Cook for 5-10 more minutes - until water is almost absorbed and greens are tender. 

In a glass measuring cup measure apple juice and stir in cornstarch until no lumps remain. Pour into skillet. Add the meat juices that have collected. Stir to loosen bits in the bottom of the pan. Cook and stir gently on medium until sauce thickens and becomes translucent. Return pork to pan. Turn to coat. Cook for a few minutes to rewarm and finish pork to desired doneness. Add a few grinds of fresh pepper and serve. (However good please note: floor wallering is optional!)

-----------------

Share your favorite greens recipe with me!!  Leave a comment and let me know what you think! Happy sauteing!! Love, c. 

Read a great article! http://www.chapelhillmagazine.com/articles/veggie-tales/

Listen to Story Samples: http://www.soundcloud.com/cynthia-raxter

LIKE me: www.facebook.com/cynthiaraxter

Email me: cynthiaraxter@gmail.com

Follow me on Twitter: @cynthiaraxter

Read of my adventures: http://cynthiaraxter.blogspot.com

May 2013

Friday May 3 Standup

The Joke Factory

High Point Plaza Hotel

9pm High Point

Saturday May 4 Storytelling 

Eno River Farmers Market

E. Margaret Lane

9am-12noon Hillsborough

Monday May 6 Standup

Tir Na Nog

Blount Street

9pm Raleigh

Wednesday May 8 Storytelling 

Carrboro Farmers Market

Mothers Day card-making w/Kidzu!!

Main Street

3:30-5:45pm Carrboro

Thursday May 9 Storytelling

Southern Village Farmers Market

Strawberry Dreams!!

Market Street

3:30-6:30pm Chapel Hill

Thursday May 9 Standup

The Well

Glenwood Avenue

8:00pm Raleigh 

Friday May 10

Second Friday Art Walk

Franklin Street

6-9pm Chapel Hill

Saturday May 11 Storytelling

Durham Farmers Market

Tomato Seedling Giveaway! 

Foster Street

9am-12noon Durham

Saturday May 11 Standup

Fishmongers

Main Street

9pm Durham

Sunday May 12 Standup

Smokin Grooves Bar and Grill

New Hope Church Rd.

8pm Raleigh

Tuesday May 14 Standup

Blinco Sports Bar and Restaurant

Glenwood Avenue

9pm Raleigh

Thursday May 16 Storytelling 

Pittsboro Toys

44-B Hillsboro Street

3:30-5pm Pittsboro

Thursday May 16 Standup

DSI Comedy Theater

Carr Mill Mall

7:30pm Carrboro

Friday May 17

Third Friday Art Walk

6-9pm Siler City

Saturday May 18 - Nada

A Saturday off? How could this have happened?

Tue May 21 Standup

Bulltown Comedy 

Casbah  

8pm Durham 

Wednesday May 22 Standup

Pittsboro Roadhouse

West Street

6:30-8:30pm Pittsboro

Wednesday May 22 Standup

The City Tap

W. Salisbury Street

8:30-11:30pm Pittsboro

Thursday May 23 Standup

Idiot Box

Elm Street

8pm Greensboro

Friday May 24 Standup

Top This

E. Franklin Street 

9pm Chapel Hill

Saturday May 25 Storytelling

Chatham Mills Farmers Market

Hillsboro Street

9am-12noon Pittsboro

Wednesday May 29 Storytelling

Durham Farmers Market

Foster Street

3:00 - 6:30pm Durham

Wednesday May29 Standup

Papa MoJos Roadhouse

8:00-11pm Durham

Thursday May 30 Storytelling

Cup 22

Haw River Ballroom

7:30-9pm Saxapahaw

Friday May 31 Standup

The Joke Factory

The High Point Plaza

9pm High Point

Darling... I do believe you could do with a free mini-facial!!

Read a great article! http://www.chapelhillmagazine.com/articles/veggie-tales/

Listen to Story Samples at http://www.soundcloud.com/cynthia-raxter

LIKE me on http://www.facebook.com/cynthiaraxter

Email me at cynthiaraxter@gmail.com

Follow me on Twitter @cynthiaraxter

Read of my adventures: http://cynthiaraxter.blogspot.com

Saxapahaw and Other Things

Happy almost end of April! Winter is over and taxes are done! Radishes and peas are coming out of the garden! This is when I say Happy New Year! 

Value Added Material

I always laugh at these kids on Twitter talking about :"Value Added Material" "Content creation" and "Personas"....  Really - seriously - personas!!! Internet movers and shakers have CONFERENCES about how to create fake identities so they can get on INTERNET sites and be the "Disgruntled customer that has been reformed." It makes me realize no one should trust anything they read online without triple checking it!! The posers post like they were really mad at a company for some reason and  the company fixed everything and was super good to them. Now they are 150% all for this company. THEY WORK FOR THAT COMPANY. They create fake Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts to support this fakeness. The people that are really good at this are revered in Twitter-land. It is mind-boggling. It is so pathetic. Where are where are we going to? 

I don't have any fake personas. One persona this big is about all any of us can stand!!! LOL!! But here is my Value Added Material! Kids like to color while they listen to a story. There is also a kid-friendly recipe. Oh yea! I am an Internet mover and shaker!! HA!! These activity sheets are just like me - very corny!! :-) 

Corn Daze Activity Sheet

Corn Daze Coloring Page

And here (FANFARE!!!) is the one of my "corny stories!" to listen to as the kids color! A story my dad told about planting corn!  

Have you been to Saxapahaw? 

The story was recorded live at the Haw River Ballroom in Saxapahaw, NC. If you live in the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill or Greensboro area you owe it to yourself to take a ride out to Sax. 

There is a farmers market and outdoor music every Saturday evening. The Paperhand Puppet Intervention studio is next door. They create GIANT puppets. There are frequent parades and festivals with all manner of creativity busting out all over. They are having a "Tree Huggers Ball" Saturday April 27 at 7PM. 

The cotton mill was converted a few years ago into shops, apartments, restaurants and a music venue. 

In the old cotton mill there is a great restaurant called The Eddy Pub on the third level above the lovely Haw River. Sunsets are stunning. The menu is what can they find fresh that was grown preferably less than 10 miles from there. Picked this morning fresh. Yum. 

A sweet little coffee shop is on level 2 called Cup 22. I get out there once a month or so and the barista remembers me from one visit to the next. "Cappuccino with an extra shot?" Yes ma'am - that is me. She also remembers I love (love) carrot cake. She either offers it or apologizes if they are out. I have never tasted anything bad there - that is a true country compliment by the way - but the carrot cake is awesome good!! 

Biggest and best of all is the music venue on Level 1. OH MY. The Haw River Ballroom has the best acoustics and sound system these ears have ever heard. And the tickets are incredibly affordable! I went to see Gillian Welch last year for $24!! Ricky Scaggs will be there June 21st - $25. Those prices are unheard of!!! One of the funnest nights ever is the NC Revelers BIG BAND DANCE - put on your frilly clothes and ear bobs and head on out!! 

A request

If you haven't yet please go to my Facebook page and click on LIKE. Businesses and festivals hiring me check this page to to see how many FANs I have. I know!! It's just Facebook - but as Richard the Third said, If you only have falling down left - how you fall is important. All I have to prove I can tell a story is how FASCINATING I am on the phone and how many people LIKE me on Facebook. We all know - I am fascinating on the phone - but your LIKES on Facebook are what REALLY COUNT. Here's the link: www.facebook.com/cynthiaraxter THANK YOU!!! 

Upcoming 

Stay tuned for more activity sheets! Strawberry Dreams and Tomato-Rama to come very soon! 

May Calendar will be coming out the first of next week also!! 

I'll be at the Chatham County's PTA Thrift Shop's 30 Birthday Party on Saturday, April 27! In Pittsboro from 10am-12pm and Siler City 1-2pm. 

Goodbye for now! 

I leave you with two pictures of the view from The Eddy Pub in Saxapahaw! The first is mine - taken in January at sunset!! 

And here is a professional photographers take on it. I love the Haw River! 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32008291@N06/6548667573/

Happy river dreams! 

Thank you. Love, c.