Greensboro Daily Photo

2306 Lawndale Drive

 

This 1 1/2 story home, at 2306 Lawndale Drive, is located at the western edge of Kirkwood and just north of all the Irving Park shops. The house was built in 1947 and the neighborhood was a lot more suburban/rural 74 years ago when it was built. The house last sold eleven years ago and we're betting it is owner-occupied. The people who live in this house like their holiday decorating. At the moment, they have these dog-snowmen that look great with or without snow around them. If we get any bad weather over the next week, these doggies will be there to add a little fun to your day.

We hope you have a fun Friday and that you get out to explore the people and places of Greensboro this weekend. 

Winter in Greensboro

This is what winter in Greensboro looks like: A silhouette of deciduous treen and pines. The lacy reach of tree branches against an art of light to dark color at the horizon. Tonight, sunset will be at 5:41 and days are slowly, but noticeably, getting longer. We usually let the camera guide us to lots of bright color; however, there is something about the blue and black of a winter evening that has its own magic. Today's temperature will range from 19°-49°. January is traditionally one of Greensboro's coldest months, so this is not unexpected.

On another note,  January is a big month for magnet applications for the local public schools. The magnet school application window is open in the Guilford County Schools. There are 66 magnet and choice programs across the district. Literally, there is a program for every student's interest. GCS is a leader, nationwide, in schools of choice. Here is a link if you know a school age child. If you do not live in Guilford County, look at this beautiful sunset in northwest Greensboro and consider moving here. Happy Thursday!

Artistic Motion Dance School of Arts and Preparatory Academy

Today, we conclude the photo shoot at Prescott Street with the rear view of the building where Artistic Motion Dance School of Arts and Preparatory Academy is housed. While the address is 800 West Smith Street, the building is right across the street from the house we featured yesterday and next door to the office building featured on Monday. The decoration of the back of the building is brilliant advertising. Smith Street is one way and if you take the street into town, you cannot possibly miss this building. If you notice, the sheet between the slivers of windows is made from giant vinyl banners. The part at the end of the building and between buildings is paint that matches the colors of the banner perfectly. The lines for the parking spaces accentuate the geometry of the building. 

Artistic Motion was founded in 2000. According to their website, they have an internationally acclaimed faculty with dancers from Russia, Georgia (the country), The Dominican Republic, England, and from many prestigious dance programs throughout the United States. They offer classes from ages 3-adulthood. The studio is conveniently located and there is plenty of parking. Perhaps the greatest news about Artistic Motion is that it is currently in partnership with Triad International Ballet, a new professional ballet company set to begin their first season in 2022! If you have ever seen a performance from dancers at Artistic Motion, you know the talent and precision of the dancers.

 Happy Wednesday! May we all find the beauty in the people and places of Greensboro. May we all have the positive outlook and commitment to perfection of artists in motion!

Little Cottage at 510 Prescott Street

On our walk along Prescott Street this weekend, we were smitten with the house at 510. It looks like a cottage straight out of an enchanted forest. It is on the northwest edge of downtown in the Bellemeade neighborhood. It is also only a mile from Grimsley High School and on the edge of the greenway. It was built in 1925 when this part of town was a more defined neighborhood. Walking around this property, you see more great stonework, especially the back fireplace. To the right is West Smith Street and to the left are construction trucks, and across the street is the Artistic Motion School of Arts & Preparatory Academy. While business and industry has encroached upon the neighborhood and made it an oasis in an urban setting, in this specific frame, we see a cozy little home. 

Next time you are on this part of the greenway, take a little detour and explore Prescott Street. Have a nice Tuesday!

1007 Battleground Avenue Between Prescott and Hill Streets

For those of you who used to eat at the Mexico Restaurant at 1007 Battleground Avenue between Prescott and Hill Street, this is the building that has replaced it. As you can see, this building will be office space, available this summer. It is conveniently located at the Downtown Greenway. The people who work here will be able to bike on their lunch breaks, head to Cycles D'Oro to get new bike gear or plan rides over lunch. For the active person, this office building  is a great location!  This building represents the trend for the north and north western end of downtown to attract new, multi-floor structures. 

It is always fun to see buildings in process and this one is very colorful now. Over the next few weeks, it will look very different. We would like to suggest that the offices in this building all get together and have weekly Taco Tuesdays in memory of all the great tacos served on site in the previous couple of decades. They could even have a "Spanish-only" lunch chat; at least one such group had their conversation group meet here.  Change can be really good for a city; but, it is also nice to keep a record of what preceded the change. For our readers who like our urban walking suggestions, if you get a chance, go walk Prescott Street (between Smith and Battleground), you will see everything from a dance studio, to construction materials, to personal residences, and now, this brand new office building. The other side of the building is closer to Hill Street. This photo was taken from the Prescott Street side.

Happy Monday!

A Little Snow... A Lot of Beauty

This is what Greensboro woke up to Saturday morning. Temperatures were in the teens and while there wasn't a lot of snow, There was enough to blanket years, streets, and windshields. The  bright sunshine helped roads melt quickly. In the above photo, taken in northwest Greensboro, just look at the beautiful shadows the morning rays of sun were casting on the hill and snow covered driveway.

Yesterday's weather conditions were such that many in-person church services are canceled or reduced today- with online options. As an example, the First Presbyterian church of Greensboro will have one service at 11:00 in person am today and live-streaming. There will be no Church School. West Market Street UMC will have a similar arrangement. Nothing beats in-person fellowship; however, it is nice to have the option for virtual fellowship or simply having some quiet time to reflect and be thankful. We are so conditioned to go, go, go; however, sometimes, staying home and admiring the beauty of the natural world around is spiritual in its own right. Even if all of the roads are clear, if there was any remaining water on the roads, there could be black ice conditions.  The low today is 21 degrees while the high may be 46°.  

Happy Sunday; may we all appreciate and enjoy our beautiful city.

Under Construction: Parking Deck on Davie St

Cloudy, gray days beget gray photos; however, there can be beauty in gray. The above photo features the giant construction project downtown at the corner of Market and Davie Streets. It is part of the $37 million 720 space parking structure. While open to the public, it will also be part of the new Westin Hotel.* If you are out driving downtown this weekend, drive down Davie Street and have a look at the construction. Having the the JP/Lincoln Financial Group building in the background adds to the interest of this location. Greensboro's iconic building serves as an anchor to help one orient the location in a photo. Just across Davie Street from this construction site is the now-dormant News & Record building.

If you have small children in your lives, or friends who are fascinated by construction vehicles, there are some mighty big ones at this site- perhaps the biggest we have ever seen downtown. Regardless of what you end up doing today, have a happy Saturday, possibly exploring Greensboro.. The photo was taken yesterday, early evening- precisely at 5:11 as the LFG clock reveals, way before the snow started. If you go out today, be careful as it might be a little slippery. But, there might be an even prettier photo waiting for us...

 

*Reference and additional information here.

Gilley Small Engine Service

Giley Small Engine Service is a small business off of the northern end of Guilford County and Southern end of Rockingham County. Their address is specifically listed as Stokesdale. If you drive up 220 north, just south of Highway 158 on Spotswood Circle, just east of Highway 73. If you are out driving around, it is fun to seek out these old-time mom and pop businesses. Gilley is one of those places where the owner does most of the work. If you need your chainsaw or lawnmower repaired, chipper shredder or pressure washer, this would be a good place to take your small engine . It is getting harder and harder to find places that make repairs. Sometimes, it is almost easier to buy something new than to repair.

If the weather holds out this weekend, it is fun to drive around town, but it is also fun to drive 10-15 miles in any direction of the city and explore a little. We hope the weather holds out so we can can get out and explore some more places this weekend. Happy Friday and stay warm!