Greensboro Daily Photo

Skenes Chapel Holiness Church

The East Gate City Boulevard view of Skenes Chapel Holiness Church is spectacular. It exudes strength and presence. Unfortunately, the front of the church is showing a lot of age. The giant white columns could use a paint job, and the porthole windows need to be replaced. The front of the church is located at 350 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive in Old Asheboro, just down from Southside.  The building was built in 1915 and currently takes up most of the .45 acre on which it is built. It is one of the first churches in the nation to have an ordained female pastor. It would be so nice to see community organizations rally and help restore this church to its original glory. 

According to the sign out front, Sunday school is at 10:00 a.m. and the Sunday worship service is at 11:00 a.m., with Bishop Lawrence S. Tate leading the service. We stopped by yesterday but the church was locked up and there was no way to see past the small ante-room that leads to the sanctuary. Someday, we'd love to get inside. Here is a photo of the church we took 14 years ago.

Happy Sunday!

Winter Jasmine

This afternoon, we were out urban walking on Highland Avenue, off of Gate City Boulevard. When we saw these flowers, we knew they were too small to be forsythia. But, they are the same color and a similar shape. Using our iNaturalist and Seek apps, we saw that this is winter jasmine. Winter jasmine is a deciduous, perennial shrub. Originally from Tibet and Central China, it is a member of the olive family.  It reminded us that Greensboro plants in Greensboro are about to start blooming. We like to refer to this bloom calendar for North Carolina (see HERE). 

You know we will be out walking and seeing what is in bloom, where, in Greensboro. Up next in February is Columbine; and then a lot will look in March. Try those apps. It is so much fun to increase expertise on plants around us, not only their names, but their origina.

Happy Saturday!

Friday Is Get Out and See Art Day

For us, Friday is get out and see art day. Sometimes visual arts; sometimes performing art. Above was last Friday's venture to the Weatherspoon where we saw this giant pair of hands. What a lot to ponder. The artwork, oil on canvas with metal leaf, is called "Sore Models III." It was painted in 1994 by American Artist Jane Hammond.  In the work, you see lots of complex imagery related to the human body: the heart, eyes, brain, hand-within-a-hand, and child in utero, There is a sun, moon, and a star.  "Sore Models Two" (not featured here) is a pair of feet, equally complex in imagery. Artists don't always like to be compared to other artists, but , to us, her artwork is reminiscent of a little bit like outsider artist Henry Darger and a little bit Mexican lotería cards.

That we can see such thought provoking art right here in Greensboro, and for free, is so special. If you are looking for something to do on Valentine's Day, with a friend, a significant other, or your special self, art galleries, venues with live music, and  book stores are great options. If it has been a difficult week, you may want to head to a trampoline park and bounce away. For something hands-on, Reconsidered Goods is holding a workshop on how to mend clothes, tomorrow from 11-2pm. That could be a whole new hobby for you and that special someone, even if that someone is your very special self. . Hope to see you out and about.

Happy Friday; Happy Valentine's Day!

Night Street Scene Around Town

Greensboro readers, if we didn't tell you where this photo was taken, would you know? If you know.... you know.

We love this night scene, the way the tree, that we never notice, is dormant, just waiting to leaf out. The fence adds a rural look. The TEXAS road house would look like a house, were it not for the neon. Such is the view for those in the drive-thru at Cook-out, on the right side of the building, near Maxie Bs. We only noticed it because we were waiting for our milkshake. We cropped the photo because to the right is a mattress store which diminishes the allusion of happening upon this place driving around rural Texas. 

The first TEXAS road house dates to 1993 in Indiana. The above location of the chain opened about 12 years ago. It is hard to believe it has been open that long. It is hard to believe how much Battleground Avenue has changed. To be sure, there are plenty of food options in this part of town. 

Happy Thursday... some say it is the new Friday.

Big Beautiful Night Sky

February has been quite the month for fabulous sky views.  With the cold, clear nights, extended hours of darkness, trees still without leaves, and the planetary alignments, Greensboro has had some spectacular views this month. The above photo was taken a couple of nights ago. The moon wasn't quite full, but it was highly visible. The vapor trails from air planes coming and going from PTI Airport crossed the moon at just the point to make it look like the trails were moon beams. 

According to the sunrise-sunset calendars, Friday, February 14th, Valentines Day, is the last time until November that the sun will set before 6:00 p.m. in Greensboro. Our city is beautiful in every season, and winter is the time to see snow; however, this has been the winter of the big, beautiful, night sky. Find your special, low-light-pollution area to star gaze and have a blast.

Happy Wednesday!

Valentines Day in a Few More Days

 

It is three more sleeps before Valentines Day. Do you celebrate? Are you ready? We were downtown this past weekend at Chandler's (formerly the Green Bean) and the place was really busy. It is nice to see downtown businesses doing well. Alexa was mixing specialty drinks almost as fast as people were ordering them. Lots of chocolate and some spirits were mixed, and the drinks all had cute names with a nod to love and chocolate. Espresso martinis were a big hit, as were the love and lattes.  There is lots oa artwork for sale and/or to look at. This area near the front window is so cozy and inviting

Chandler's hours may vary today depending on the weather. However, if they are open and you need a place to sit, have a great cup of coffee, and get some work done, this coffee shop is a great option.  Everybody needs a third space or two. Where are yours in Greensboro? Stay warm, and, as always, thank you for reading. We just love those arched windows on the Elm Street side of Chandler's. 

Happy Tuesday!

February = Heart Health Month + a Day Dedicated to LOVE

February is the month to show love on Valentines Day, which leads to the entire month being dedicated to heart health. The above photo features The Blood Connection- mobile in the parking lot of the Wal-Mart on North Battleground Avenue. Yes, it was possible to donate blood before and after shopping. A rewards card of a $40 value came with the process.

Every month is a good month to donate blood. The Greensboro American Red Cross office is located at 1501 Yanceyville Street. If you want to give blood or organize a blood drive through your work, school, or house of worship. they are always ready to help you organize.  I-800-RED-CROSS is a pretty east number to remember. Red Cross was established in 1881 by Clara Barton and others in Washington, D.C. It is hard to believe they have been around for 144 years!

Happy Monday!

Christ Covenant Church

Christ Covenant Church is one of those churches that looks deceptively small from the street view and extremely large when you drive around back. It is located at the corner of Friendly Avenue at 811 Jefferson Road; near Friendly Avenue Baptist Church and Formation of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church. Christ Covenant  was established in 1981 and is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America. On Sunday's, morning worship is at 11:00 am and evening worship is at 5:30.

This dynamic church has high visibility in the location and is usually a great place to stop and purchase Girl Scout cookies.  In addition to the Presbyterian congregation, a smaller church also holds services there. Based on photos online, the sanctuary appears to have an A-frame roof and lots of wood. We're betting the acoustics are lovely. The church absolutely glows at twilight with the vibrant blue sky as a backdrop.

Happy Sunday!