ASHLAND — I’ve been dealing with another round of the “bad belly” lately and found myself last week with a serious lunchtime craving for something with some actual flavor that would not send me home for the rest of the day.

I couldn’t have found a better place to go than the Olive Tree Cafe inside the Pendleton Arts Center at 1537 Winchester Ave. in Ashland. Owner Kathy Keelin consulted with her staff to determine what they had that would be good, but easy on a tummy with a temper and they quickly assembled one of the most delicious turkey wraps I’ve ever had the pleasure of eating.

I think it was a simplified version of something they have on their menu, and included crunchy noodles for texture in addition to a creamy (poppy seed?) sauce. Accompanied by a few chips and a big glass of water, it satisfied my flavor craving and didn’t cause any major “flare up.”

Perhaps the best part of the lunch, however, was simply sitting in the arts center with my hands behind my head, eyes closed and relaxing for a minute or two. My phone didn’t ring, there was no television blaring “end of the world” news, and I struck up a quite interesting conversation with someone at a neighboring table. It really was a “pause that refreshes” situation.

I’ll admit I was unaware of what a diverse menu The Olive Tree Cafe has to offer, and have already picked out a few future lunches. Considering the quality of service and food, as well as the arts center atmosphere, I was a little shocked to realize the most expensive thing on The Olive Tree Cafe’s menu is $6.99. According to literally everyone I know who’s tried them, Keelin also makes one of the best brownies to be found anywhere.

For more information, including hours of operation and catering options, call (606) 615-2998.

Three new downtown!

I was dragging myself around downtown early last week trying to shake the limbs for some local news and realized I apparently haven’t been hitting the beat often enough.

I’m always thrilled to find a new small business in the process of being opened, and I actually stumbled across three welcome new additions to the local business scene Monday. I barely got to trade a few cards and scratch down some numbers, so I’ll pass more details along as I get them.

The first of this week’s batch was Gary Allen, who was found on the sidewalk outside at his new shop on the corner of 16th Street and Winchester Avenue in the former Olive Tree location. Once the place is ready to go (the interior paint renovation alone is worth dropping by to check out) he’ll open Gary Allen Design. For more information e-mail garyallendesigns@yahoo.com or call (606) 325-0027.

Not far away I saw a couple of people working at 207 16th St. and enjoyed a bit of conversation with the folks at the new Proflections Janitorial Solutions shop. I can’t claim a great knowledge of janitorial products, but I believe they have some of the best stuff you’ll find for the job, and they promise personal attention. The shop also appeared to be almost ready for full-time business. For more information visit proflections.net or call (606) 324-5693.

Rounding the next corner I noticed another new sign and briefly spoke to a busy-busy fellow from the new Tranco Industrial Services office at 215 15th St. The company specializes in rail construction and maintenance. For more information visit trancoindustrial.com or call (606) 325-0096.

Dueling pizza signs

I’ve admitted to being “easily amused” in the past, and was guilty of it again last week while driving along 13th Street. I generally have a rule about not including national franchises in this space, but I’ll make an exception this week.

The thing that got me tickled was two guys on opposite sides of the street, both waving signs at traffic to encourage any in a suggestible mood to buy either a Little Caesar’s or a Domino’s pizza. The Little Caesar’s guy was right in front of his place of employment, but the Domino’s guy had abandoned his nearby corner and taken a position directly across the road from his competitor. It was possibly the most unusual competition I had seen in a while, and both guys were doing a good job at getting the attention of passing motorists despite the mind-melting heat of the day.

It was funny

A couple of the fine ladies in our office recently passed along their endorsement of Porky’s Barbecue & Pancake Palace along U.S. 52 in South Point at the K-Mart Plaza.

The food, as well as the barbecue sauce selection, is said to be outstanding and the menu includes a few unusual items including 14-inch pancakes.

The funny part came when one of the ladies handed me a note about the place while I was without my “old man reading glasses.” Holding the slip of paper at arm’s length I attempted to read it aloud and said something like, “Porky’s Barbecue & Pentecostal Palace?” I further misunderstood the part about the gigantic pancakes and wasn’t smart enough to keep my mouth shut as I tried to read that note.

Something tells me the gals downstairs aren’t going to let me live that down for a while.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2651.