Greensboro Daily Photo

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Today is a day many Mexican Americans celebrate their Mexican heritage in the United States. It is not Mexican Independence Day, nor is is really celebrated outside of Puebla, Mexico, where the Mexican army won a battle over the French.

The above photo is a display of Mexican popsicles, known as paletas. These aren't your ordinary commercial popsicles. They are handmade, frozen treats with just about any flavor- especially fruit- imaginable. Chile mango, lime, and cherries and cream are a few examples. If you haven't yet, you owe it to yourself to try an authentic, Mexican paleta. Cinco de Mayo is the perfect day to do so.

One place in Greensboro to purchase paletas is at La Super Michoacana at 3821 West Gate City Boulevard (where this photo was taken). We don't know if Lucha Libre Ice Cream and Churros at 4925 West Market Street sells paletas, but they do sell Mexican ice cream desserts that are out of this world. Whatever you try, be adventurous. Mango Chile is just the right blend of tart, spicy, and sweet. So let Cinco de Mayo be a day you expand your flavor palate. Almost 8% of Greensboro's population is of Hispanic origin. While that encompass many different ethnicities, not just those found in Mexico, the Hispanic demographic accounts for almost 25% of Greensboro's population growth over the last decade.*  Take today to celebrate the many good things Mexicans and other Hispanics have brought to Greensboro - paletas being just one small example.

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

* reference HERE.

 

People of Greensboro: Kevin Rutan

Kevin Rutan, today's featured guest, is seen standing among pieces of artwork sold at his recent studio show. Kevin is the ever talented, nationally-known, decorative artist and owner of "Fe Fi Faux, Inc." When not faux finishing walls for clients in the USA and abroad, Kevin can be found in his studio expressing his creativity on canvas. All of his artwork is original- no prints. He is especially known for faces of women, one of which was featured on the January 2021  O. Henry magazine cover. Kevin balances painting canvases with faux finishing which he learned in the Institute Guégan in Brittany, France, developing great expertise in faux bois and faux marble finishes. Kevin has lived in Greensboro for the past fifty years.

Twice a year, Kevin holds art shows in his College Hill studio, located behind his Joyner Street house. His house was once owned by William Raymond Taylor who was on staff at UNCG from 1921-1961. During his time in the house, William Taylor made theatre curtains in the above studio and the Rutans lived next door. When the Taylor family sold this great property, they offered it to their neighbors, the Rutans. Kevin has kept the legacy of creativity alive in this house that turns 100 this year. If you like modern art that balances creativity with technique, keep an eye out for Kevins paintings. See examples of Kevin's paintings at his recently created website. He has paintings at all price points, starting at only $45. Happy Tuesday!

Tulip Poplar Time in Greensboro

Those who are pollen sensitive know that trees are just about completely leafed out in Greensboro. The above photo is of a blossom that dropped from a tulip poplar tree. The tulip poplars get their name from the green/orange flowers the tree produces. It is actually more closely related to the magnolia tree than either a tulip or a poplar* It is the state tree of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana; however, it grows well in Greensboro. The tree itself is pretty because it tends to grow straight and it is one of the tallest hardwoods.

If you have one in your yard, or you see one, let us know. This one was seen on a property in northeast Greensboro. Bees are known to make honey from the nectar in these flowers. Happy Monday!

* Reference and more information, here.

Casa Belen Ebenezer

Casa Belen Ebenezer is an Apostolic Church located at 401 Norwalk Street , right at the corner with Pomona Drive. The pastors are Ivan and Azucena Morales Boitano. They offer Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday services in Spanish at 7pm. Also, there is a Sunday school at 10:00 and a service at 10:45. 

Yesterday, the building really stood out with the orange ramp against that bright, blue, cloudless sky. Also, there was someone on property doing yardwork. As quiet as it was here yesterday afternoon, it will be busy today. As Greensboro's population diversifies, more and more religions are offering services in other languages and not all of the buildings look like traditional houses of worship. It is not the facility itself, but the people, that makes a house of worship feel like a home.

We hope you have a great Sunday and that you have found a place to nourish your spirit... that feels like home. Happy Sunday!

609 South Mendenhall Street

Happy May Day! Today is the day of an ancient festival of spring. The property at 609 South Mendenhall Street is about as joyful and springlike as a yard gets. Yesterday, we happened to stop by the "Little Free Library" box at the edge of this yard and the beauty of the flowers drew us in. We noticed the owner, Jane, watering the hanging baskets on the porch and struck up a good-old-fashioned conversation. The house is located in the heart of College Hill, Greensboro's first neighborhood and the first to receive an "historic district" designation 

Jane and her family have lived at the house for two years and, while it looks like it has been there for a century, the house was actually built recently on an empty lot that was previously owned by the College Hill Neighborhood.  It was sold under the condition that the house would be owner-occupied and that the new construction be in line with the architecture of the neighborhood. Jane said the best compliment she gets is when someone tells her what a good job they did "renovating" the home. Today's photo doesn't begin to capture its beauty. The purples are much more dominant and the porch is so inviting, Hopefully, Jane has time to swap out a book in the "Little Free Library" and read it on that porch swing under the paint blue ceiling.

Styrofoam Recycling Part Two

In January, we featured the styrofoam recycling boxes on East Gate City Boulevard. Well, the program has been so successful that they've doubled capacity. The area is hard to photograph, especially when the sun is harsh, but what you see in the photo is just one side of the enclosure. The other side also has another big, blue box and three giant plastic bins. As you can see, they were full when we were dropping off styrofoam recently. It is located behind the Tiny House Community Development building. A nice feature of these boxes is that they are always available. They accept styrofoam #6 and foam egg cartons, foam plates, take out boxes, bowls, and cups as long as they are clean and dry. Also, they can't have labels and tape on them. It is really important to adhere to the rules so that the program continues without glitches.

The really exciting part of this styrofoam recycling in Greensboro is that the materials are densified into ingots which, in turn, are manufactured into useful products like picture frames, molding and other building materials. Here is the link for more information and the process at the facility at 1310 West Gate City Boulevard. West Gate City from the intersection of Josephine Boyd near UNCG and Elm Street is transforming before our eyes and the Tiny House/styrofoam recycling center is a big part of this transformation. Happy Friday! It is a beautiful time to be in Greensboro.

Elizabeth Hawks Herring Garden

Today's photo features one of the main views at the Elizabeth Hawks Herring Garden. It is located on the northeast side of campus at UNCG. Dr. William B. Herring, MD funded the garden in memory of his wife who was a great lover of music and gardening. So, the garden is perfect in its location beside the school of music. If you read about it (here), The design of the garden takes into consideration the sounds and movement of music. There are also areas conducive to practicing music, and we shared one such example last week. For over 20 years, the garden has delighted students, and the public.

The rock to the left of the birdbath has the following inscription, "No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings." - William Blake. This birdbath is dedicated in the loving memory of Elizabeth Hawks Herring by her many devoted friends and fellow members of the UNCG Musical Arts Guild. September 19, 2004." What a special place. Thank you, Dr. Herring  for this great garden.

5207 W. Friendly Avenue

This house at 5207 West Friendly Avenue, built in 1939, has so much charm. It sold on April 1st and the new owners must be delighting in those azalea bushes, some of which are 10 feet high. This .5 acre property is located at the westernmost edge of Hamilton Lakes, right across from Guilford College. This Friendly Avenue house was built back when this this end of the county was rather rural.

In 1939, there was no Quaker Village; Hamilton Lakes had not yet been annexed into the City of Greensboro (1957); the town of Guilford College had not yet been annexed (1972). Still, if you drive past this property, you may not notice the house as the landscaping wraps around the property, buffering the house from the road. Drive on the Cannon Road side of the property and it will feel like you stepped back in time. It feels so peaceful and rural you may wonder if it is 1939 again. May the new owners enjoy their little house of tranquility. Happy Wednesday!