Greensboro Daily Photo

Meadowood Street

Here we see a photo of a construction site at the intersection of Meadowood Street and Cox Place-- a stone's throw from Costco. There is no signage indicating who is building what; however, from the looks of the structure in the distance, this will be an apartment complex. We've noticed several construction sites in Greensboro as of late. Seeing new construction is an indication that the local economy is improving. Construction taking place in already developed areas usually causes little controversy. This project seems to be going up almost unnoticed near a block full of single family homes that have been constructed within the last two years.

Greensboro is in the heart of a clay belt. Here you can see the red menace in all of its glory. Imagine being a farmer having to work fields of clay. Imagine being the person who has to try to get clay stains out of work clothes! Clay actually has nutrients that are good for plants. However, it is dense and creates drainage problems. No problem here as, soon, this clay will be sporting a top coat of asphalt. Happy Monday all!

In Their Own Words.......

Last night, Eugene E. Pfaff, Jr. spoke at the local Barnes and Noble about the Civil Rights Movement in Greensboro. He was adamant that Greensboro deserves more credit for its impact and the involvement of its citizens in the movement-at-large. To that end, he assembled and published an oral history of the Greensboro Civil Rights Movement entitled, "Keep on Walking' Keep on Talking' ". Pfaff likens the role of the interviewees in his book to master chefs in the kitchen; the readers to the gourmets at the table; he sees himself as the waiter, merely delivering the feast. 

Pfaff attributes some of the power of Greensboro's civil rights history to the fact that there was significant interaction and cooperation between the black and white communities; interaction between students and adults; there was multi-generational representation; and many well educated, highly accomplished, local African Americans took place in the movement. Pfaff's knowledge of the issues, laws, people, places and events of the movement make him the perfect person to conduct interviews and document our civil rights history. That this retired librarian is the son of a history professor adds to his credibility!

In the above photo, Pfaff is signing a book for one of his former teachers from the Curry School on the campus of the Woman's college of the University of North Carolina.

Taylor Art Gallery at NC A&T, The Student Show

In the above photo: Twas the night before February 1st at the Taylor Art Gallery at Dudley University Galleries on the campus of NC A&T University. Students and staff alike were working diligently to have the Annual Student Art Exhibition ready for viewing the following day. February 1st is an extremely important day on the NC A&T campus.  Yesterday, the three living members of the Greensboro Four* and the son of David Richmond** were on campus for a breakfast and presentation. University students, faculty and staff; public school students; and community members alike had an opportunity to be part of this great event. Given all of the visitors and media attention regarding the remembering of the NC A&T community's contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, it was a day for the campus to look its very best.

Hopefully, visitors on campus, not only yesterday but for the duration of the visit, will have a chance to stop by Taylor Art Gallery.  The student artists put considerable effort into their pieces. Visual art is a window into the mind of an artist; and time will tell, out of this generation, who will become the heroes and what will be the artifacts to be revered in future decades.

*Jibreel Khazan [formerly Ezell Blair, Jr.], Franklin McCain, and Joseph McNeil

**Mr. Richmond died of cancer in 1990.

Swan Song for Winterfest 2012

Piedmont Winterfest 2012 officially closed yesterday. The above ice-skating rink will be drained and, hopefully, like Frosty the Snowman, come to life again next year. The postcard-perfect, Winterfest was a successful, public-private partnership involving many local entities*. It was located in Festival Park on Davie Street near the Greensboro Central Library. We're not sure how the unseasonably warm weather impacted attendance; however, on the days we visited, there were many skaters.  Yesterday, many children were out trying their hardest to master skating. One of the most determined children was a little boy who was out there all afternoon. You can see him in the middle of the rink, next to the girl with blue pants. We're hoping next year's rink can be even bigger.

If you still want to ice skate in Greensboro, you can head to the Ice House off of West Wendover Avenue. They were one of the sponsors of this event and will be more than happy to see you on their home turf...ice. Skating is great exercise. Happy last-Monday-in-January, dear readers.

*read more here.

MLK, Jr. Parade at Southside

Here is the tail end of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade yesterday with the iconic Jefferson Standard/Pilot/Lincoln Financial building in the background. The parade route took us north on MLK Drive, through Ole Asheboro and Southside and then downtown. The air was brisk but it kept everyone energized. Organizations were generous with tossing candy to children; the bands sounded great; and it was a nice way to remember our city's efforts towards equality. From church groups to postal workers to scouts to high school marching bands, to bystanders, a memorable time was had by all. 

These events are so good for community building. It would be nice to find a way to plan for these days with all public school children out and doing something with/for the community.

I, Sears, take thee Whole Foods..........

STOP and take notice! In spite of the closing of several Sears stores nationwide, including the one at Oak Hollow Mall in High Point, the sears in Friendly Center is getting a facelift. With the new signage, the store looks inviting and is highly visible. Here we see a view of the Pembroke Road side from the Qdoba Restaurant parking lot. 

Greensboro is getting a little greener as Sears is leasing 34,000 square feet to Whole Foods. For sure, Whole Foods will add more choice for people who like to eat fresh, nutritious, additive-free food. Both Sears and Whole Foods have loyal shoppers and brand recognition-- a brilliant marriage.  

Sears has considerable history with Greensboro as the 900,000 square ft. Distribution Center at 2,600 Lawndale Drive opened in 1960. While that facility is closed, Sears still has distribution and call centers in Greensboro. Next time you are at Friendly Center, come see the softer side of Sears and the nutritious side-- Whole Foods! Let's hope both stores thrive under the arrangement and stay together for a very long time.

'Tis the Season

Last night's First Friday in downtown Greensboro must have had record crowds. People from all walks of like were out walking and enjoying the gala event. There was so much festivity and the weather was perfect. Music, dancing, artwork, food, and strolling along Elm Street. It really seems as if our city could support this event every Friday in December. The above photo was taken (last year) at Just Be, a place at the corner of McGee and South Elm that sells arts and crafts, some of which are from local artists. 

Remember that today is the Jaycees Holiday Parade (12-2) as well as the Girl Scouts Candlefest. The Moravian Tea is hosted by the First Moravian Church.  Attending a performance, selecting a Christmas tree, attending parties; officially, 'tis the season. Please make the most of it, but pace yourself. Our one wish for the man in the photo is that he not to use his phone at the expense of enjoying the beauty around him.

This photo is to be shared with our friends at Weekend Reflections. It is an old one from our archives but we loved the subtle warmth, color, and reflection.

Ai Church: Preservation in Process

Ai Church, at the corner of Alcorn Road and Highway 68 in Oak Ridge, appears to be on the road to full restoration. Spring 2009, when this church was featured on Greensboro Daily Photo (see here), there was little indication that someone was making an effort to save it. Today, Preservation Oak Ridge is renovating the 1,400 foot structure that was built in the 1800's. Through fundraisers and donations from the local community, the church will be transformed into the gateway to Oak Ridge. Local lore indicates that the cemetery, on the eastern side of the property, came into being at the time of the Revolutionary War.

Estimates indicate that the cost of renovating this church and adding outdoor facilities, including a picnic area and restrooms, will cost at least 200,000. The price tag is hefty for this community, in the northwest quadrant of Guilford County. However, given its proximity to the Old Mill of Guilford, the combined effect of two historic properties will make one's entrance into Oak Ridge from the south truly grand.

Thank you for visiting us on Sacred Sunday when we feature something of a spiritual nature from one of the many religions of Greensboro and the surrounding area. Stop back tomorrow and see a pre-Civil War grave located in the Ai Cemetery. 

Occupy Greensboro

Occupy Greensboro, an offshoot of Occupy Wall Street, held a demonstration march through downtown Greensboro this weekend. Organizers met at different locations including UNCG and Glenwood Coffee and Books. The local event was part of a 1,200+ city effort to raise awareness about the economic situation today. It is estimated that about 700 people marched locally. 

The above photo was taken on Elm Street in front of the International Civil Rights Museum. We like the way you can see the diversity of the two sides of the entrance: to the left, the sleek metal façade; to the right, the ubiquitous red and white striped awning of the F.W. Woolworth Company. The march continued up Elm Street, ending at Festival Park near the YWCA parking lot where supporters camped. Between this event and the 40,000 plus people in town for NC A&T's Homecoming, and President Obama's impending arrival, phone communication came to a virtual stand still on Saturday. Given all the extra activity in Greensboro this weekend, we're betting the police were relieved at how well-mannered people were.

President Obama Comes to Greensboro

President Obama is in Greensboro today. The above 2008 photo shows a student on Tate Street in front of New York Pizza near UNCG's campus and just west of Greensboro College. The student had just come from hearing the then-campaigning Obama deliver a speech downtown, outside, and to our citizens-at-large. Today, President Obama will speak by invitation only at the Jamestown campus of GTCC. We're hoping our recently-featured Dr. Kinard will be in attendance. Not only is his office on the Jamestown campus but, previously, he was a broadcast journalist. If anyone deserves an opportunity to hear the President, it is Dr. Kinard. As a matter of fact, if you click back through to his photo (here), Dr. Kinard is looking rather presidential himself!

The student in the above photo, who was texting his friends about the event, also got to attend President Obama's inauguration. Maybe someday, at Greensboro Daily Photo, we will be fortunate enough to attend some of these events. If only City Daily Photo could generate press credentials! Seriously though, if you get to hear President Obama speak in while he is in North Carolina please let us know.

NC A&T Homecoming 2011

This weekend is homecoming for North Carolina A&T State University and at least 40,000 people are participating in this much-anticipated annual event. North Carolina has eleven historically-black colleges and universities (HCBU) and NC A&T, with over 10,000 students enrolled, is the largest in North Carolina. NC A&T was established in 1891 with the mission of helping African-Americans prepare for careers in science and engineering. In its 120 year history, this institution of higher education has amassed an impressive list of alumni, many of whom are recognized internationally in their respective fields. The University is credited with playing a major role in the Civil Rights Movement. 

This weekend's homecoming activities include: bowling and golf tournaments; a conference and meeting; an alum scholarship game; alumni reunions, dances, dinners, church homecomings, a homecoming parade, tailgating parties, countless student events, and a football game. The above photo, taken on Elm Street early yesterday evening exemplifies the mood of the crowd: upbeat, enthusiastic, personable, and thrilled to be part of this special event.

For a list of HBCU homecoming events around the nation, visit here. To learn more about HBCU's in general visit here. Seeing the reflection of the former Kress Department Store in the windows above makes it possible for us to participate in Weekend Reflection which catapults this photo of Aggie Pride into the international arena! Go Aggies!

VOTE, VOTE, VOTE-- Polls Open Today for Primary Election

Come one, come all, the polls are open for the primary election. Greensboro votes today to see which candidates will earn a spot on the upcoming ballot. Several city council seats available in this municipal election, as is the position for mayor. The above photo shows people en route to vote at the Courthouse on Saturday. Candidate-at-large Marikay Abuzuaiter is the person campaigning on the left. We didn't get the name of the man to the right; however, both seemed personable and sincere. The nice aspect of the municipal elections is that partisanship and the democrat/republican dichotomy is kept to a minimum.

We were one of 1,744 people who voted early this year. If the weather person is correct, Saturday was much nicer weather for voting. However, take the attitude of one NYC post office and tell yourself, "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays [this voter] from the swift completion of [voting] (read more here; loosely derived from Herodotus). Just within the past month, women in Saudia Arabia were given the right to vote. Regardless of whether you are male or female, consider it your civic duty to vote.

To help you make your decision, Greensboro 101 has a list of candidates (here). 

JDRF Walk: Starting at Center City Park

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk was held this weekend with teams registering and starting out at Center City Park. This year's Corporate Walk Chair Steve Frost works at Bank of America. Additionally Grimsley High School helped the Piedmont Triad Chapter with the Greensboro Walk. Our local chapter was funded in 1994 with their first fundraising events held in 1995 on behalf of people with Type-1 diabetes. The goal of the organization is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications (more here). In the USA, over 26 million people are living with the disease.  

We're hoping someone will post the total number of people who registered to walk this year. Teams did a great job of coming up with creative t-shirts for their walkers and supporters. Seeing so many people brave the soggy day to walk for such a good cause was downright heartwarming. Center City Park is truly becoming Downtown Greensboro's favorite spot for fundraisers and community events.

Remembering September 11: The First Ten Years

Today is the ten year anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks or "9/11" as people quickly began calling it-- equating the date to our emergency response three-digit code. The above commemorative plaque, at the base of a flagpole, is on site at the Hanes Lineberry Funeral Home. The funeral home is located on the corner of Vanstory and High Point Roads-- directly across the road from the Hebrew Cemetery. Hanes-Lineberry Funeral Home makes a real effort to bring dignity to the end of the lives of loved ones especially people who were public servants. Today, their website will link to videos related to 9/11. 

Many Greensboro residents have direct ties to 9/11; one of the most direct ones was the loss of Sandra Bradshaw. There is a 9/11 plaque in Greensboro, dedicated to Sandra W. Bradshaw, a flight attendant from Greensboro who died on the United Airlines flight 93. Previously, we featured her memorial plaque here. May we all find time today to reflect on this tragic event and imagine what we can do to ensure something like 9/11 doesn't happen again-- anywhere in the world. 

Lincoln Financial Group

Since Mr. Joseph Bryan was featured yesterday on GDP, we thought a photo of Lincoln Financial Group would be a nice follow up post. Lincoln Financial is housed in the complex that was built as the Jefferson Standard Building in 1923 by Mr. Bryan's father-in-law, Julian Price. The design of the building was modeled after early-20th-century NYC skyscrapers. Its U shape enhanced light and airflow back in the days before air conditioning. The architectural style is known as Beaux-Arts with Romanesque flourishes (reference). The building's façade contains white granite from the Mt. Airy, North Carolina quarry. In the above photo, we see people enjoying the Fourth of July parade on the southwest corner of the building.

As the USA enters this difficult time of deciding how best to manage national debt and spending, may the situation be resolved in a way that is in the best interest of our country. From individual citizens to businesses and financial groups to municipalities on up, we all could benefit from a refresher course in the meaning of fiscal responsibility. Now THAT would make Mr. Bryan proud!

Weatherspoon Art Museum

Run, don't walk to the Weatherspoon Art Museum to see the 70-year anniversary show. From now until May 1st, the museum will feature 100 pieces from their permanent collection. The museum, located on the campus of UNCG,  is a prime example of collaboration between local businesses, benefactors, townspeople, foundations and university faculty. The 42,000 square ft. space is filled with works of art by famous artists like Alex Katz whose painting is in the background above. On Sunday, patrons were captivated by the well-assembled anniversary exhibit. Also, the reception in the downstairs lobby was an enjoyable way to kick-off the exhibit and a place for members and friends to gather and socialize.

From the News and Record, we learned the the Weatherspoon was the first art museum in the UNC system and the second in the state. This is one more thing Greensboro has to be proud of. Best of all, entrance to the Weatherspoon is free. So, even if you only have 20-30 minutes, you can walk through the gallery and have a quick look-- daily. Don't take our word for it, head on over to the museum, if not in person, then virtually. The museum's website about the exhibit is a work of art in itself (see here).

Steelers Fans in Greensboro

Last month, these Pittsburgh Steelers fans were standing around waiting for the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. parade to begin. As seen on the green street sign, they were gathered on Martin Luther King Jr Drive in East Greensboro. It was a gray winter day.  Informal surveys and NFL clothing choices indicated that more citizens of Greensboro were in favor of the Pittsburgh Steelers. So, today is not only a sad day for Pittsburgh but also for Steelers fans in Greensboro and across the nation. The Super Bowl was an exciting game-- determined by the last possession. Congratulations to the Green Bay Packers. Even with injuries, they played a great game. We hope the man in the center of the photo continues to wear his jacket as six Super Bowl wins is something to be proud of. If he has one, can, however, put his terrible towels, away!

Greensboro is a great sports city. We love athletic events of all kinds and are especially excited that the Women's and Men's 2011 ACC Basketball Championships are in Greensboro in March! Check out our old March Madness photos.

ARTMONGERZ

ARTMONGERZ is a collective gallery/studio located at 610 South Elm Street, beside Yew Tree Gallery and across the street from Mellow Mushroom. ARTMONGERZ is a must for your First Friday visit tomorrow. The gallery is very accessible, the art is affordable, and often, they have entertainment and snacks to share with their visitors. The above photo, taken in December, is a view of the gallery from the front door. The gallery is deceptively large as it extends through several viewing spaces from front to back. 

The fish on the left is made by scrap metal artist Frank Russell. ARTMONGERS features many of Mr. Russell's three-dimensional pieces, most of which are thematically related to the sea. Mr. Russell's art has great appeal to children. Last year, he collaborated with nearby Jones Elementary School (read more here) to build an art piece from scraps. Another example showing how accessible Mr. Russell's art is to children is seen in this four-panel, found-object assemblage, Journeys, installed at Carolina Pediatrics. 

Please come out and enjoy this gallery and all the other businesses participating in Downtown Greensboro's First Friday event from 6-9 tomorrow night. Looking is free. Affordable, original artwork will be readily available. Gallery owners and artists will be milling around ready to talk to you about their creative technique. 

"S" is for Skating in Downtown Greensboro

As of last week, we've got our own little Rockefeller Center, or so it seems with a 40x85' skating rink in downtown Greensboro! This photo was taken Saturday afternoon when young and old alike were out having a blast on our temporary rink. The ice rink is set up between Cafe Europa, The Cultural Arts Center, and the amphitheater in Festival Park on Davie Street.  Having opened November 17th, it is the kick off event for Greensboro's Downtown in December and Piedmont Winterfest 2010. The rink will remain in place until January 22nd. If, like us, you are not in Paris or NYC for winter break, please make an effort to visit downtown Greensboro in December. Between First Friday (12/3), the rink, the shops,the performances, the restaurants, etc., the city has made a real effort to provide fun, family friendly activities for December.

Today is ABC Wednesday and "S" is for SKATING, with or without SNOW!!!!

Jamieson Stadium and the Grimsley-Page Rivalry

Robert B. Jamieson Stadium was so named in 1975 after Grimsley High School's Coach/Athletic Director. Coach Jamieson retired after 42 years of service. A Grimsley High School timeline of interesting facts can be found here. This is the week of one of the biggest rivalries in town, Grimsley and Page High Schools.  In the above parking lot in front of Jameson Stadium, there will be tailgate parties and other festivities in anticipation of the big football rivalry. All week at the two schools, students will get to dress in "theme based" clothing : wear school colors, imitate the opposing school's fashion, dress like a twin, look like a superhero, to name a few. While we're at Grimsley, we want to mention that Home Depot and its employees spent a great deal of money and person hours providing a picnic shelter for the Grimsley Athletics Program. Thanks to Home Depot, Grimsley's picnic attendees will have a place to eat, rain or shine.

Today, Page will host a DIG PINK/SIde-Out volleyball game to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. We'll try to get a photo of Page High School while we're at the game! These rivalries are taken seriously by the high school students, but to adults, in most cases, they represent good old-fashioned fun!

 

Chili Judging at the Central Carolina Fair

Perhaps the most famous county fair movies are Charlotte's Web and Babe. Well, it is county fair time in North Carolina. As we've been showing all week, Greensboro is enjoying the Central Carolina Fair at the Coliseum. Locals have the opportunity to make memories with friends and loved ones. Above, we see Mrs. Ivey's assembled cast of chili judges. Everybody judging has some experience with food service or with the Cooperative Extension Agency. For sure, they know their chili. Judges were in the process of judging the hot (spicy) chili. They had already awarded the ribbons to the mild entries. People awaiting results sat on the sidelines, literally, gripping the sides of their chairs in anticipation of the results.

You have through this weekend to enjoy the exhibits, rides, games, and the requisite fried foods. Come one, come all. Step right up. What do you think sets a great bowl of chili apart from the mediocre? a good pickle from a bad one? a blue-ribbon rooster from an honorable mention?

 

"I" is for (4-H, the Fair, and Mrs.) IVEY

At first glance, it is obvious the importance of 4-H to Mrs. Barbara M. Ivey. She is a 4-H volunteer- extraordinaire in a local club sponsored by Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church. Here we see a photo of Mrs. Ivey hard at work last Sunday at the Central Carolina Fair. That notebook, held close to her heart, is filled with all of her notes for the fair. At the time of this photo, her assembled judges had just announced the winning mild chili and were in the process of judging the hot chili entries. When we approached the area and asked how judges were picked, all responses were, "Go ask Mrs. Ivey."  We will see a photo of the judging and learn more about the process tomorrow.

Mrs. Ivey moved to Greensboro with her parents in first grade. Not unlike ivy, she put down roots and is firmly planted in our community. Last year, she and Mr. Ivey celebrated fifty years of marriage. The Iveys are passionate about farming and the efforts of the Cooperative Extension Agency and its outreach through 4-H. Read more about 4-H in North Carolina, here. Do you know what the four H's stand for? Heart, Hands, Head, and Health. A HEARTFELT thanks to Mrs. Ivey for her volunteer contributions at the Central Carolina Fair and to 4-H year-round. May we all contribute as significantly to our community, in our own special way, as Mrs. Ivey has!

Today is ABC Wednesday and "I" is for Ivey!

 

 

Central Carolina Fair 2010

Let the fun begin! This week, Greensboro Daily Photo is broadcasting LIVE from The Central Carolina Fair which is in full swing at the Greensboro Coliseum. This is the 112th year for the fair. It dates back to 1898. We went on Sunday afternoon and the weather was great. It was fairly well attended and the ubiquitous screams came through loud and clear. As you can see in the photo above, the rides are so colorful, fun and inviting-- well worth the $5 entrance fee. And a good money value if you purchase the "unlimited ride" wristband. If you need late summer-early fall photos for your scrapbook, this is the place to go! In the photo above, a family waits patiently for other members of their family to finish riding. The fair is very family oriented.

Most people think of the rides, concessions, games and prizes at the fair; however, equally entertaining is the agricultural, horticultural, garden, and consumer science component where you can see the fruits of our citizens' efforts. The exhibit hall is well worth your time. You've gotta appreciate how hard those 4-H families have worked. Everyone is a blue ribbon winner as far as we're concerned! (See list of categories here). We'll show some shots inside the Pavillion this week. The fair runs through September 19th. With all of the new construction, you have to drive around the side to see the fair. It isn't very visible from High Point Road. 

We found some yellow so we're jumping onto the Mellow Yellow Monday list. As they say over there, "life is better with a splash of yellow."

 

Willie Wonka Day!

All is quiet on the set of Willie Wonka, the Musical at Grimsley High School. However, at 10 am TODAY and various times this weekend, the stage will come alive with oompa loompas, snotty kids, a bed full of grandparents, and one brilliant chocolate factory owner! If you are interested in attending, check here for details. 

This production is a collaborative effort between The Community Theater of Greensboro and The Guilford County Schools. Willy Wonka is played by Brian Kilpatrick who is a parent-volunteer at Peck Elementary. All the students and cast members are affiliated with the Guilford County Schools. The Community Theater of Greensboro provides the leadership, including being directed by CTG's Executive Director Mitchell Sommers. The Tanger and Bryan Foundations are sponsoring this school/community partnership. This is a family-friendly summer activity for all to enjoy!

Hope to see you there!

 

Fireworks at Jamieson Stadium

The evening of July Fourth couldn't have been more perfect in Greensboro. The weather was warm and dry, not a cloud in the sky. The music and fireworks event at  Grimsley High School's Jamieson Stadium was quite an intergenerational event. People of all ages enjoyed the patriotic music, performed by the Greensboro Concert Band. The fireworks display, sponsored by the News & Record and WFMY News, captivated all.

Here you see a star firework exploding over the empty (west) side of Jamieson "Go Whirlie"  Stadium. Onlookers were seated on the east side, in the 'home team' section. Many families watched from nearby areas like Friendly Swimming Pool, the Boy Scouts' Building and various parking lots. We love these events where the public schools, city law enforcement, and local media come together to bring the best of the best to the community.

We picked out this photo of a RED firecracker specially for the RUBY TUESDAY crowd!
 

Tank Farm Explosion

Locals will recall that on June 13th, lightening struck this gas tank in the photo above. It exploded into flames, fueled by a million gallons of oil inside the 50 thousand barrel tank. This tank was one of 72 in the area, owned by Colonial Pipeline of Georgia. With the fast, efficient work of the firefighters, the fire was contained and isolated to this one tank.

We've wanted to get out and photograph the tank farm for a while now. Today, we are using this photo for ABC Wednesday on the dreaded X day. X is for eXXXXXplosion.

 

Summer Solstice Event at Arboretum

The Summer Solstice Celebration in the Greensboro Arboretum takes place tomorrow from 3-9pm. The family friendly celebration will have something for everybody. Some years it rains; some years the sun is brutal; EVERY year everyone has fun. Rain or shine, the more outlandish your outfit-- garland, tulle, flowers, and wands-- the more you will fit in. Consider bringing dad out to hear the good music, get a massage, listen to some ringing bowls, be transported back to his teen years, and watch the fire ceremony at 9pm. Above is a picture from last year and if you click through you will see our post from last year. This free event is an example of why Greensboro is such a great city. Events like this have plenty of great items for purchase; yet, if you are on a tight budget or have downsized, you can come out and feel equally welcome. You can bet we'll be there, camera in hand! Come feel the positive energy!

 

School's Out for the Summer 2010

Well, it is time for our annual "School's Out for the Summer" photo. Today is the last day for students in the Guilford County Schools. If you've been in a school at the end of the school year, you know it is a special time for students and teachers to celebrate their accomplishments and hard work, to clean classrooms, cull items, say good-byes and organize for the next year. Closure and fresh beginnings are a good thing. Ideally, summer is time for families to reconnect. Teachers have a time to rejuvenate and gather fresh ideas. Students have time to mature and learn in an unschooled way (a link worth viewing). If you have children who are home for the summer, we hope you make the most of your time together.

The busses in the photo above belong to the Greensboro Day School on Lake Brandt Road. They are parked in front of a church because the Day School purchased the church to use for special events. Even though Day School students have already finished the school year, we liked the dormant appearance of the busses. Bus lots countywide will look like this..........tonight.

Call us "old school," but we love the idea of the traditional 10-month school calendar! 

 

Canterbury's Phillips Chapel

Here we see a photo of the Gothic-style Phillips Chapel on the campus of Canterbury School at 5400 Old Lake Jeanette Road. The chapel has stunning stained glass windows and seats 600. The Chapel hosts events for the community, hosts religious events as well as services for the K-8 students at the adjacent Canterbury School. Chapel is held three times a week and is rooted in the Episcopalian belief system. The chapel is named for Kermit G. Phillips who was instrumental in the design and building of this chapel. This Sacred Sunday picture was taken on a quiet day on campus. Normally, the campus has many students, parents, and teachers walking between the buildings.

Louis La Vache of San Fransisco Daily Photo has started a new meme, Sunday Bridges. Unless he moos me off the meme island, I'm posting this a a bridge from one building to the next. You can be sure if you comment on Louis' blog, he'll moo back within the half hour!!!
 

OPA! Greek Cuisine & Dining for Hunger

The waiters at OPA Greek Cuisine, located at 200 S. Elm St.,  are dancing for joy to the live band. We ate at this establishment (also known as Taverna OPA!) on Saturday. The live music was peppy and fun, without being loudly distracting. The food was not only visually appealing but tasty. The spanikopita was more spinach and filling than phylo dough-- just the way we like it. Service was attentive without being overbearing. Watching the waiters dance while the kitchen was between orders, was just plain uplifting.

Today is Dining out for Hunger in the Triad and there are one of over 100 participating establishments. By eating out in one of these restaurants today, you will be helping Greensboro's Urban Ministries feed and care for those less fortunate than most of us reading this message. This event only happens once a year. So, hop in your car and EAT OUT today. If you've already eaten, go somewhere and buy dessert. Buy take out to reheat the next day. If you look at our linked list above, surely, you will find SOMETHING to suit your palate. Opa! (horray) for dining out for hunger!

The folks at Ruby Tuesday will love those red sashes!

 

Dog Walk in Price Park on Saturday

If this sweet, obedient dog could talk, he would tell you to come to the dog walk at Price Park in Greensboro this Saturday (Registration Fee [$15], Check in 8-8:30; Prizes 9:30). Get up early, walk your dog on the nature trail, and have a chance to win some GREAT prizes. Local Girl Scout Troop 40172 has worked hard to make this event special for canines and their humans. 

From individual doggie water bowls, to T-shirts, to well marked trails and prizes, no detail has been missed. The trail begins in the parking lot of Kathleen Clay Edwards Branch Library off of Hobbs Road. The event will help the Guilford County Animal Shelter and their Foster Care Program. The following veterinarians' groups have supported this event financially: 

    --Gate City Animal Hospital, 

    --Greensboro Veterinary Hospital, 

    --Guilford-Jamestown Veterinary Hospital, 

    --Happy Tails Emergency Veterinary Clinic, 

    --Lawndale Veterinary Hospital,

    --West Market Veterinary Hospital

For our friends at ABC Wednesday , O is for Obedient!

 

...In with the New.... Newbridge Bank Park

Yesterday, we featured War Memorial Stadium, Greensboro's premiere stadium for 79 years. However, since 2005, Newbridge Bank Park has been Greensboro's destination for baseball. The new stadium has contributed significantly to the rebirth of downtown. From baseball games to fireworks displays to scout camp outs to evenings on the playground just inside the gate, Newbridge Bank Park is fun, fun, fun. 

Take me out to the ball game in the new ballpark; but, find a way to keep our vintage gem, War Memorial. To follow up with questions yesterday, World War Memorial Stadium was so named because it was dedicated on the eighth anniversary of Armistice Day (November 11, 1926). See more pictures here.

For the ABC Wednesday crowd, N is for Newbridge and NEW ball park!

 

War Memorial Stadium

War Memorial Stadium, originally designed for football and with a capacity  of 7,500, opened in 1926. Formerly, the Greensboro Bats played minor league baseball here. Spring 2005, the new baseball stadium downtown replaced War Memorial and the Greensboro Grasshoppers replaced the Bats. This change did not come without controversy and opposition. While most Greensboro residents concede that the new stadium was a good economic choice for our city, considerable debate has taken place about the future of the pre-World War II stadium above. Perhaps War Memorial's most ardent supporter and articulate advocate has been local resident David Hoggard. We highly recommend his latest blog entry on the issue. This stadium has so much character from wooden bleachers to little stand-alone ticket huts.  We wanted to photograph this beauty, located at 510 Yanceyville Street, while it is still unchanged. At least it will be immortalized in the movie Leatherheads.

Thanks to the touch of read on the flags, we're sending this out to Ruby Tuesday.

 

Tails to Trails Dog Walk

 Girl Scout Troop 40172 is hosting "Tail to Trails" May 1 at Price Park in Greensboro as part of a Silver Award project. The event, near Kathleen Clay Edwards Library and Jefferson Elementary School, benefits the Guilford County Animal Shelter. Dog owners may bring their leashed dogs, walk the trails at Price Park, and support a worthy cause.  In addition to walking you dog, you can learn more about foster care for dogs and cats that aren't ready for adoption. These girl scouts have worked hard on this service-learning event and could really use our support!

Check in for the event on Saturday, May 1st is from 8 to 8:30 a.m. Prize drawings will be at 9:30 a.m. Cost is $13 before April 15 and $15 after April 15. Walkers should bring donations such as food, treats, toys, blankets and pillows for the shelter. The first 100 participants will receive a "Tails to Trails" T-shirt, doggy goodie bag and doggy bandana.  For information, to register, or to offer a donation, contact the troop leader: Mary Ann Wettach, (336) 547-8522 or mwettach@bellsouth.net.  

We're sharing this irresistible photo of Greensboro Pomeranian Bijou with our friends at camera critters.  Fortunately Bijou knows nothing about animal foster care; however, we bet she's giving a four-paws endorsement for this event!

 

Jailhouse Rock

Downtown Greensboro is about to get a new jail and detention center. The new complex, funded by a recent bond, is being constructed at the intersection of South Edgeworth and West Sycamore Streets. As you may recall, the jail is the reason the Zenke properties were displaced/relocated. The large cranes to the left were working on the complex as we snapped this photo. While you can't actually see the jail, this photo shows the facility's location relative to downtown. The low, buttery yellow building near the center of the photo is Blandwood Mansion. To the left is a Guilford County Schools' building and the downtown YMCA. If you get a chance, drive by and watch your tax dollars at work.

For ABC Wednesday, if you haven't guessed, "J" is for JAIL! We doubt the new jail will be this much fun but we couldn't resist embedding Elvis Presley's Jailhouse Rock music video here! 

Lyrics | Elvis Presley lyrics - Jailhouse Rock lyrics

Reenactment of the Battle of Guilford Court House

On this day, 229 years ago, in 1781, the Battle of Guilford Courthouse was fought in Greensboro, NC. While the British won the battle under General Cornwalis, the Americans, under General Nathaniel Greene, significantly weakened the British forces. The most famous quote from the battle by Cornwalis was, "I never saw such fighting since God made me. The Americans fought like demons." Great Britain had 93 killed and 413 wounded. The United States had 79 killed and 185 wounded.

This weekend over 400 Revolutionary War reenactors came from all over the country to participate. In addition to the actual reenactments of the battle, they had many interpretive programs teaching onlookers about the ways of life in 18th century America. From cooking to music and dancing and military life, the historical presentations was lively, engaging, and accurate. Reenacters slept in small white tents in the area of Guilford Court House National Military Park. 

When we visited early Sunday morning, we expected to see people who were frustrated and wet from the downpour this weekend. On the contrary, reenacters and interpreters were dressed, sloshing around in the mud, preparing for the day with a smile on their face. Miraculously, their small white tents seemed dry. Above we see the "red coats" preparing to march. If you missed the event this year, book mark it for next year as it is well worth attending-- and free.

 

Girl Scout Cookie Time 2010

Hurray!!! Finally!!!!!! Barring inclement weather, Girl Scouts cookies will be arriving in the Triad today. Word has it they will be selling cookies at the Harris Teeter on N. Elm Street, where this photo was taken (last year). Let us see, thin mints, shortbread, caramel deLites, peanut butter sandwiches, peanut butter patties, lemonades, cinnamon rounds, thanks-a-lot. Oh those memories of childhood. 

Alice always said, "nothing beats staying up watching the Olympics and eating Girl Scout cookies." She also said that her scout troop leader was second only to her mother in guiding and mentoring her in her youth. A teacher friend of ours said that teacher appreciation week is not the same without a box of thanks-a-lots.  So much goodness is tied up in the purchase of a box of Girl Scout cookies, Boy Scout popcorn, Kiwanis Club pancakes. Put on your rain galoshes and find a civic organization to support today!

Visit our friends over at Newton Daily Photo if you like visual reflections!

 

Jesse Jackson & Franklin McCain Together in Greensboro

In this photo, the Reverend Jesse Jackson and Dr. Franklin E. McCain enjoy a few minutes of one-on-one time after the 50th Sit-in Anniversary Breakfast sponsored by N.C. A&T. They are about to take the stage for the ribbon cutting ceremony of the opening of the International Civil Rights Museum & Center. Reverend Jackson's prayer was dynamic as was Dr. McCain's short speech. From National Public Radio to the New York Times, media coverage about the museum's opening has been national. However, we were shocked to learn that out of the Greensboro Four, David Richmond, Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil, and Ezell Blair, Jr. (now Khazan), as of February 1st 2010, only the latter has an individual biography listed on Wikipedia. Hopefully, someone in our new museum will be inspired to add entries for the other three Civil Rights visionaries.

 

50th Anniversary of the Sit-In Movement

By the time you see this post, these seats will have been filled, and the International Civil Rights Center & Museum will be open. The museum has been 15 years in the making and is a realized dream of, among others,  North Carolinians Earl Jones and Skip Alston. If you haven't been following the story, the museum was built in the Woolworth building where, on February 1st, 1960, four 17-year-old NC A&T freshmen entered Woolworth and were denied service at the "whites only" lunch counter. This event sparked a series of sit-ins in throughout the southeast. The original lunch counter is one of many exhibits on site that bring back memories of racial segregation. Young Americans today cannot believe that people were denied service based on the color of their skin. 

We all need to be thankful for the determination of David Richmond, Franklin McCain, Jibreel Khazan (born Ezell Blair, Jr.), and Joseph McNeil. As America becomes increasingly diverse in the 21st century, we need to respect the inherent worth and dignity of each other. The opening of this museum is a step in the right direction. This photo was taken on the stage where McCain is scheduled to speak at the event today. Khazan and McNeil will not speak but will be on stage. Mr Richmond died twenty years ago. If you want to read more, we suggest Ed Cone's blog as well as this article from the New York Times.

 

Art at Harper's Restaurant

Harper's Restaurant in Friendly Center is part of a chain of 10 restaurants all located in the Carolinas. They describe themselves as "polished casual." Has Harper's coined a term or have you heard it before? The diners in the photo above do, indeed, look polished casual! As feasible, Harper's uses regional food and monitors their carbon footprint. In short, the food is great and their recycling efforts encouraging.

We decided to feature this photo today because the artwork at Harper's reminds us so much of Haitian art. Haitian artists love to paint bright, bold "slice of life" scenes. Since 1974, Bill Bollendorf at his Pittsburgh Galerie Macondo has been selling Haitian art, dealing directly with artists in Haiti. Since 1977, Boris and Ruth Kravitz have been going to Haiti to bring great art to the world via their Haitian Art Company in Key West. Peruse both online galleries and you will get an idea of the scenes that will be painted depicting the horrors of The Earthquake of 2010. It is just a matter of time. Haitian artists will tell quite a story with canvas!