Greensboro Daily Photo

Buddha on Elm Street

The larger-than-life Betty Boop figure stood in the window of Glitters Variety Store at the corner of South Elm and Washington Streets for what must have been two decades. Many people used her as a landmark, as dependable as a compass rose. "Meet us at the store with Betty Boop in the window." Well, over the years, there have been three Betty Boops and #3 was purchased at Christmas by a man as a gift for his wife. Since the company that made giant Betty Boops is no longer in business, she was literally irreplaceable. 

Now in the window at Glitters, you can find the above statue of Buddha... also larger than life- in more ways than one.  If you don't know much about this sage, on whose teachings Buddhism was developed, Wikipedia is actually a good place to start your investigation (here).  

As always, we try to present something spiritual on Sundays. As always, we welcome a little reflection on this reflection. 

Waiting for the Train to Pass By On South Elm Street

Greensboro was dubbed Gate City because we were such a hub of train activity. The above photo is of a train passing through town at the 500 block of South Elm Street. Two couples are waiting patiently to get to their destination on the other side of the tracks. While trains are not as prevalent as they used to be, you can be sure that one will pass when you are in a hurry! Fortunately, the trains aren't that long and don't usually last a long time. The above couples had the right idea; to talk to each other and wait patiently for the train to pass.

The above train appeared to be a freight train. However, we still have passenger trains going through downtown, too. Have you ever used Amtrak's services in Greensboro? They offer eight trains daily. Among the places they go are: Raleigh, New York, Charlotte, and New Orleans. A summer train trip sounds like such an adventure. How wonderful it would be if every child could experience a train trip.

Broach and Studio B

The Broach Theater, located at 520 South Elm Street,  was said to be Downtown Greensboro's longest running professional theater.* In January 2013, the News and Record reported that Community Theatre of Greensboro purchased it. In the basement below the theater space, Studio B is a venue where special events, including performing and visual arts, are hosted. It is rented out for receptions, celebrations, meetings, and even for photo shoots. Their motto is, "where business and pleasure meet." 

The entrance to Studio B is between these two brick buildings. Evenings, the string of lights makes the way not only noticeable , but also inviting. Studio B is said to accommodate about 150 people for a seated dinner and many more for just standing. The last time we were there, Gallucci Family was having an art event there. That was over a year ago; so, a return visit is long overdue!

We'll have to share this post with Skywatch Friday. They love to see slices of sky from around the world. Happy Friday, Greensboro.

 

* reference. 

Something New on West Smith Street

This seen was captured recently at the corner of West Smith and Prescott Streets. Formerly, a little gas station was on this location. Now, all we see is red clay. We're not sure what is going in at this prime piece of downtown real estate. It is near the downtown greenway, the baseball stadium, the Greenway Apartments, and the new Deep Roots.  These Deere vehicles are proof positive that construction is happening in our community. We'll follow up with a photo when it becomes clear as to what will be built here. Do you know? If you haven't been downtown, you won't believe all of the changes.

Greensboro builder, Joseph Koury commented that he liked the smell of fresh dirt in front of a bulldozer. Were he alive today, likely, he'd be smiling at the sight of this photo! Stop back and we'll show you soon...

X is for Xenobiotic

Today is ABC Wednesday and X is always the dreaded of all letters. For this round, we're featuring GO GREEN Greensboro, all things related to the environment-  and X is for xenobiotic. Xenobiotics are substances foreign to a biological system* which is what unused prescriptions are when they find their way into the water supply.

While the above photo is not readily identifyable as one from Greensboro (althought it was taken in here), we do want local residents to know that unused drugs should not be flushed down the toilet. Please find a way to dispose of drugs properly. Last fall, Greensboro had a drug take-back day for unused drugs. Sounds like this would be a good community-service event for an organization. Happy ABC Wednesday and thank you for keeping drugs and other unwanted chemicals from finding their way into Greensboro's water supply.

(And thank you to the Grimsley High School environmental science student who helped us with the never-easy X word).

*find the reference and learn more about the term, here.

Summer Solstice 2013

Purple hair is trending and this man got the message! Here are photos from last weekend's Summer Solstice 2013 event at the Greensboro Arboretum- at Lindley Park off of West Market Street. It was packed this year and the weather turned out to be great. Food trucks were well represented, as were face painters and booths with free spirit clothing: tie dye, fairy wings, belly dancing scarves, unicorn horn & tail sets, and other let-your-hair-down fashions. This intergenerational event allows young and old alike to hula-hoop and flutter their gauze wings together. Even dogs dress for the occasion.

If you missed the event this year, put it on your calendar for next year and start planning your outfit now! We're only supposed to upload photo ONE photo as part of the worldwide, city daily photo group. However, every once in a while, we just can't resist adding a couple more. There is just so much to photograph in Greensboro at all of these great, free events! Ahhhhh.... summer!

City Market

If you were wondering about the location of Downtown Greensboro's latest "pop-up" space, here it is, The City Market at The Railyard at South End. This space can be accessed behind Jae-Mar Brass Shop or all the way down at Lewis Street Antiques. It follows the southwest side of the railroad tracks. Every Third Thursday, there is free live music, artisan goods, and fresh foods.  This event was wildly popular last week. Hopefully, future Third Thursdays will be popular, too. They have replaced the Sunday Markets which never seemed to gain momentum last year.

Below, we feature a couple of more photos of the space to help you orient the location. Having the iconic JP/LF building in the background always helps. When the area isn't serving as City Market, it doubles as a parking lot. In the meantime, if you can't wait until July 18th to get out and be with people at City Market,  consider heading to Center City Park tonight from 6-7pm for a little free line dancing session. Greensboro is starting to feel like a giant, family-friendly, playground. So much to do! Things seem to be popping up everywhere!

 

Two more views near the new space. See it to the left of the fence?

 

Food for Thought

This quote is found on the back of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. bust at the corner of South Elm Street and MLK Drive, just south of the railroad tracks. This is our Sunday, spiritual reflection. Food for thought. Live a life of love.

Summer Solstice Event 2013

The summer solstice event comes once a year in Greensboro and it is TODAY! Every year, this fabulous event is held at the Greensboro Arboretum. This family-friendly event is said to attract over 6,000 people. You can spend the day experiencing healing arts, purchase upcycled art and other crafty items while strutting your wildest tie dye clothing. There is so much to see, do, and PHOTOGRAPH at this event. Even the dogs wear fairy wings. The event always closes  at 9pm with a fire finale act. The above photo is one we tood in a previous year. 

Outdoor Classroom

Now that school is out, if you are going through classroom withdrawal, head out East Lee Street to Greensboro's Gateway Gardens and read a poem or short story in this outdoor classroom. Or, improv.... "once upon a time....." Surely, you can make up something fantastic to jump start your summer. After all, today is the summer solstice; officially, the first day of summer.

The above classroom reminds us of the open book at the O. Henry monument on North Elm Street and exemplifies the great creativity that is encouraged in our public spaces. Best of all, the gardens are park are free and open to the public. Happy Friday, dear readers!

Crawfish Boil

This FARM BUREAU bench may be empty now, but it will be full of people this weekend when the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market hosts the Crawfish Boil. The event is sponsored by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture. Crawfish are $6 a pound live and $7 cooked. During growing and harvest seasons, the farmers' market- on Sandy Ridge out by the airport- tries to have themed events or promotions severas weekends a month. 

Do you remember that the NC Commissioner of Agriculture, Steve Troxler, is from Guilford County? Since his department is sponsoring the Crawfish Boil, perhaps he'll be there greeting people. Head on out, have some good cajun fun, and see if you can see Mr. Troxler. He has been in farming his whole life, so, likely, he could tell you some great stories about farming. Hope to see you there!

W is for Water

Water is such a precious natural resourse. Greensboro doesn't have a river, but we do have some great manmade lakes: Townsend, Jeanette, Brandt and Higgins are the largest. We need to do everything we can to keep our lakes clean. Greensboro must be doing something right because in 2008, we were the recipient of the Environmental Protection Agency Region 4 Safe Drinking Water Excellence Award for Large Surface Water Public Water Supply Systems. The above kayaker was enjoying an outing on Lake Higgins in northwest Greensboro. Lake Higgins is great not only for on the water activities, but also for the surrounding nature trails.

Today is ABC Wednesday and, for this round, we're celebrating everything that is green about Greensboro. W is for water, good clean drinking water, full of fish, and just waiting for us to use for recreational purposes. Let's all do our part to keep our water supply clean.

Summer Baseball Fun...

Although the calendar summer is a few days off, the season is well underway with local K-12 students. The above photo features a baseball game on the McBane field Guilford College campus. While the Guilford Quakers practice and play on this field, they must also rent it out to local teams, possibly AAU. AAU baseball is very popular in Greensboro, as is the sport in general. From the Greensboro Grasshoppers to the littlest league, we've got parents and fans out cheering their teams on. The photo captures the intensity of the faceoff between pitcher and batter. Everyone was focused.

This summer, pack your folding chairs, head to one of our city's many baseball fields, and chances are you'll enjoy some baseball playing. Nothing says summer fun like a warm evening of watching baseball. The Greensboro Grasshoppers will be in town from June 24th-30th this month. Consider taking in a Grasshopper game (see schedule here). By the way, they supply comfortable chairs!

Got deer?

Urban and suburban deer have become a problem up and down the east coast. Many communities, including some in North Carolina, allow (restricted) hunting of deer within the city limits. The one above  just looked at us as if to say that humans would have to move first.  Deer have become accustomed to human habitats and, when they forage, they can strip shrubs down to the bark. These herbivores also love fruit, acorns, and nuts. For the last several years, they have eaten the flowers out of our lilies, right before they bloom. 

Do you have deer in your neighborhood? Fed up? Antartica and Austrailia don't have deer. Deer are an example of the delicate balance between man and nature.  As long as you continue to live in Greensboro, likely you'll have to contend with the critters. Happy Monday, dear readers.

Heavenly Sculpture Garden

For this Sunday's spiritual reflection, we take you to Greensboro's Cone Health Cancer Center again. The center's commitment to art is impressive. The diagnosis of any serious illness it physical, emotional, and spiritual.  Art can help lead patients and families to thoughts beyond the immediate situation. The above, rooftop sculpture garden, seen through many of the cancer center's windows, features an array of metal butterflies in motion and a stationery field of flowers. The metal flowers are always in bloom and the butterflies are always in their most glorious, flighted stage.

We hope you are enjoying your Sunday and that you have or know a father to celebrate. Here's to pausing to be thankful for what our fathers have given us- the earthly as well as the heavenly one.

Ghandi

Did you know there was a statue of Mahatma Ghandi in Guilford County. The statue of Ghandi is located, down the road from Greensboro, on the campus of High Point University. The main street through campus is lined with statues of many famous people on benches. Ghandi led India to independence from British rule. It is hard to believe he was born in 1869, a little after the civil war in the USA. He died in 1948, shortly after the end of World War II. His life spanned a very interesting time in world history and Ghandi played a significant part. How interesting to have a statue in our community. If you have not seen these bronze sculptures, it is worth a drive to High Point to see these works of art. If you have young children, seeing these sculptures of famous people is a fabulous way to teach history.

Benjamin Branch Library

As you make your summer plans in Greensboro, don't forget to factor the public library into the equation. We've said it before and we'll reiterate, Greensboro has a fabulous public library system. On their website, the Greensboro library reminds us that they have a 100 year history of service and innovation. There are branch libraries throughout the city and they have media resources, offer programs for adults and children alike, provide meeting space for public events, feature great artwork, and, above all, help foster a lifelong love of learning and reading in the community at large.

The other day, when we were returning books and DVDs to the Benjamin Branch at Price Park, it was wonderful seeing families playing on the grounds outside, people enjoying picnic lunches, and, inside, adults and children reading together. Every computer was in use and just about every corner had someone sitting quietly enjoying the reading materials. We don't know if you can tell from the above photo, but almost every parking space was full. The Greensboro libraries are the most dynamic, quiet space you will find. Hope to see you there soon!

Gateway Gardens

Yesterday's photo was of the visitor center at Gateway Gardens on East Lee Street. Today, we wanted to show you a view of a completed section of the property. With the rainy spring, everything from the oak leaf hydrangea to the hosta to the wildflowers are thriving. The two orange stick-like structures in the middle of the photo are a giant plaster sculpture. To their left is the watermelon seat. There is so much to explore in this public space. With the 64 million dollar Research Park, a joint UNCG/NCA&T venture, just across the street, this little section of Greensboro has been transformed (see this view of the area). As residents and visitors alike come in to Greensboro from I-40 east, they will see a fabulous, multi-use, public space. If teryou are local and have not seen Gateway Gardens and the Visitor Center and Research Park, by all means, find time to schedule it in. 

 

V is for Visitor Center and Volunteers

Greensboro is so lucky. Greensboro Beautiful and the City of Greensboro are building a visitor center at Gateway Gardens on East Lee Street at the entrance to Barber Park. The venue is situated on eleven acres and will cost approximately 8 million dollars. The visitor center, photographed above, will be LEED certified. It sounds like the more funding they receive, the "greener" they can make the facility. It will be surrounded by 1) a wedding & rose garden; 2) a Japanese garden; 3) a white oak forest; and 4) will include the above facility where lots of learning, sharing, and celebrating can take place. 

Greensboro Beautiful is an organization with many volunteers who work to keep Greensboro's public gardens beautiful and scheduled with events.* Please support this worthwhile organization in any way you can. At the very least, give a big thank you to the volunteers manning events when you see them.

Today is ABC Wednesday and we're almost through the alphabet.  For this round of ABC Wednesday, we've committed to the theme of going green. V is for visitor center and volunteer.See A-U GO GREEN Greensboro posts here. 

*The Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden, The Greensboro Arboretum, The Bog Garden at Benjamin Park and Gateway Gardens are all Greensboro Beautiful projects. If you want a copy of Greensboro Beautiful's newsletter, the SEED, go here. Who knows, you just may become their next VOLUNTEER (or VISITOR)!

Monday Mornings

Have you ever driven around Greensboro on a Monday morning? Monday is definitely a day of work and making and keeping appointments. In the course of about two hours yesterday morning, we saw yard workers everywhere, city trash collection taking place, and auto mechanics working on vehicles. Breakfast conversations centered around needing to get more pool chemicals, people going to the doctor to check on aches and pains, people needing to pack for vacation, and someon was heading to the post office to mail payments.

In the above photo, we see two workers trimming grass on Paisley Street-  near Greene and Smith Streets. Sow N Grow, a local lawncare business, seems to keep the whole block mowed. They were working efficiently and doing a great job. Hopefully, they finished before the big downpour arrived yesterday. On Monday, the humidity was high and the rains were intense. At least Greensboro didn't have damaging winds. Hopefully, the rains didn't pound the hydrangeas in the above photo. They were lovely. To make the most of these rainy days, consider driving around town and appreciate how green Greensboro is these days.

On Elm Street... and Beyond!

Here we see a photo of the eastern side of the 300 block of South Elm Street in downtown Greensboro. It is surprising how many businesses are open downtown on Sunday afternoon. Also, traffic is at a minimum, so it is a good day to run, walk, and ride bicycles. Window shopping is fun downtown, as is stopping into the Green Bean, Grey's, the Brewhouse, or Natty Greene's (all featured above). 

If you are still looking for things to do this summer (for you or your children), don't forget about downtown Greensboro. There are arts camps, concerts, street festivals, first Fridays, Pop Up Promenade, performances and so much more. Downtown Greensboro works hard to try to keep us informed about these events (see here). Since 1856, trains have been coming through downtown Greensboro. They come often enough to evoke a sense of prosperity, but not so often that they are too much of an inconvenience.  How often do you get downtown? If you haven't been in a while, you owe it to yourself to schedule it in! Happy Monday, Greensboro!

Starmount Columbarium

Recently, we featured a view of Starmount Presbyterian. Today, we feature a view of the columbarium on the West Market Street side of the church. It is becoming increasingly popular for churches to provide places to store the cremated remains of members and Starmount has a lovely one. 

Columbarium comes from the Latin word "columba,"  meaning dove, and relating to the compartmentalized housing for doves and pigeons. The Chinese and Japanese terms for such a place meaning, "bone receiving place." Cremains and columbariums take up so much less space than caskets and cemeteries. It seems to be an environmentally friendly way to provide a final resting place to our loved ones. St. Pius and First Presbyterian both have a columbarium. The spaces look so peaceful. Where else have you seen one in Greensboro?

 

Moving On...

College towns, by nature, have a lot of moving on. Above, we see people clearning out an apartment on Tate Street getting ready to start a new phase of life. Perhaps the young man, with the hand truck and the dresser, was a student at nearby Greensboro College; possibly UNCG. Tate Street and the College Hill area have a lot of student housing. However, since the area is an historic neighborhood, the old-timey feel of yesteryear exudes from the houses, buildings, yards, old trees, and sidewalks.

We like to look at the scenes, like the one above, as opening new doors and exciting times in the lives of young adults. Students are lucky, as in the case above, when parents are nearby to lend a helping hand and help in these junctures. Parents are lucky to have the health and opportunity to be involved in these transitions. Where is life taking the young man in the photo? Where will he be ten years now? All the best to him and to all recent graduates. We'd like to think he leaves wiser, and armed with a marketable skill. Perhaps, we are lucky and he is just moving across town. When you see these scenes in real life, consider providing words of encouragement to the person armed with furniture going to and from the U-Haul- whether they are in Greensboro or another part of the world!

Happy Saturday, folks!

Time For Summer Fun

School is out for the summer and it is time for summer fun! Children have officially finished their 180 days of rigorous learning and will be looking for things to keep them busy. Soccer has become tremendously popular in North Carolina and the serious athletes find a way to play almost year round. The above photo shows a bunch of happy, young boys playing soccer at the fields behind Spencer Love Tennis Center at Country Park.

Soccer is believed to have begun in China in the 2nd and 3rd centuries BC.* It gained popularity as a sport in the mid-nineteenth century in England. In Greensboro and in North Carolina, soccer is popular with boys and girls alike. If your children complain of being bored because school is out, toss them a soccer ball and tell them, "go dribble."  Of course, a library book would be a great alternative. Regardless of what you decide to do, happy summer everyone- students and teachers alike. 

(If you notice a little blur in the photo, it is because we took it through a chain link fence).

* history of soccer.

Red Hat Ladies on the Promenade

The red hat society ladies love the Parisian Promenade and really seem to enjoy themselves strolling through the park. The above photo was taken last Sunday at the Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden event. The weather was just lovely, as were participants and attendees.

The Red Hat Society is a social organization that was founded in 1998 and is no longer just for women 50 and older, but open to women of all ages. According to Wikipedia, there are over 40,000 chapters of the Red Hat Society in over 30 countries. This social organization all stems from a statement written by Jenny Joseph, "When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple with a red hat that doesn't go and doesn't suit me" and an idea that came to Californian Sue Ellen Cooper. According to this Meetup website, Greensboro just may have a waiting list to become a Red Hat Society member! Wonder just how one detects an imposter....

U is for Urban Horticulture

Urban Horticulture is now a major at Greensboro's NCA&T University. Through this major, students learn techniques for producing horticultural crops in the limited space of urban environments. You learn to plant as much as possible in these often wasted spaces: herbs, flowers, and crops in spaces. Cement and barren patches of dirt become lush and green. The A&T curriculum is geared towards food production; however, the ornamental component of urban horticulture is also addressed.

The above photo was taken at the corner of Wright Avenue and Kensington Road, down the street from UNCG. As you can see, the property owners take advantage of that strip of dirt between the city sidewalk and the road by filling it with greenery. They have been practicing urban horticulture for twenty years or so, long before most people were talking about it, much less practicing it.

Hats off to NCA&T for being trend setters in their Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Systems. Today is ABC Wednesday and for GO GREEN Greensboro, "U" is for Urban Horticulture. It isn't too late to go outside and plant something. Consider requesting permission to plant something in an unused space beside your favorite coffee shop or retail store. The price of a pack of seeds could bring the community great joy.

Helping Hands

To the right of the above photo, you see the sculpture, Helping Hands by Gary Lee Price. It was placed in front of the Cone Health Cancer Center in recognition of the volunteerism by the Wesley Long Hospital Auxilary. At a cancer center, conversations often center around illness, procedures, medication, discomfort, and exorbitant prices. It can be hard to find something less emotional to discuss. Visual art is a brilliant solution to take one's mind off of sadness and worry- even if for a brief moment.  Catch a glance of one of Gary Lee Prices sculptures and you are momentarily transported to a happier place. Mr. Price makes a lot of meaningful sculptures for the purpose of uplifting the human spirit.

If you are any near the Cancer Center on Friendly Avenue, stop by and see this sculpture and maybe volunteer to help in some little way. National Cancer Survivors' Day was celebrated this past Sunday (June 2nd). If you are a survivor, congratulations. If you or a loved one is still fighting the battle, we hope you take a few minutes every day to appreciate the beauty around you. When you least expect it, a helping hand will be there to lift you up.

Greensboro Science Center

The above view shows part of the great expansion of Greensboro's science center on Lawndale Drive, just north of Old Lake Jeanette Road (south of the Greensboro Day School). The Natural Science Center opened in 1957 as the Greensboro Junior Museum. At the time, it seemed remotely located, way out in the country. As seen in the photo above, it has become quite an impressive facility. Under the leadership of Glen Dobrogosz, hired in 2004, it has grown not only in square footage but also in membership and attendance. Millions of dollars in financial support have been made available through private funding and a bond referendum. It has also received accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and now boasts both a zoo and an aquarium.*

Over fifty years ago, Greensboro resident Catherine Block (Laidlaw) was instrumental in the science center's creation. Mrs. Block-Laidlaw passed away this past Thursday at the age of 87. How wonderful that she lived to see one of her projects grow into such a fabulous, regional resource. To be sure she was pleased and happy to see it thriving. Thank you, Mrs. Block-Laidlaw. Thank you, Mr. Dobrogosz. Thank you, Greensboro for believing in this great place!

*see Wikipedia entry here and the science center's website here. Below is a view of of the Lawndale entrance, currently under construction.

THE PENTECOSTALS

THE PENTECOSTALS have their house of worship at the corner of Merritt Drive and I-40. Pentecostalism is a Christian religion in which the converted live a Holy Spirit-filled and empowered life. Empowered followers have the gift of speaking in tongues and divine healing. It is an Apostolic, or full-gospel, faith. The word Pentecost comes from the Greek name for the Jewish Festival of Weeks. It represents the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus Christ's followers- as written in the second chapter of the Book of Acts.  In this Apostolic faith, it is important for one to be born again.

The religion has been growing since its early years in the beginning of the 20th century. There are almost 3 million Pentecostals in the world today. If you want to learn more about the religion, read the reference below*  There are seven Pentecostal churches in Greensboro. We're not sure about congregation size; however, with respect to square footage, this appears to be the largest facility. Today is Sunday and we hope you are enjoying it and that you had a little time for some spirituality.. regardless of what you believe.

 

*Reference.

Shadyside Drive

Greensboro Daily Photo is part of the city daily photo community that started with Paris Daily Photo. The first of every month, there is a theme for our group and June's theme is "the beauty of decay." We're supposed to find something decaying and share it with the participating cities around the world. Our contribution is this old house in rural Guilford County in Summerfield. At one time 7501 Shadyside Drive was a charming old farmhouse. Today, it is a house with discarded furniture on the front porch and a mountain of heaven-knows-what on the back. 

The sign on the front door reads, "We believe in angels." The house next door has a bright yellow hummer in the driveway and a happy guard dog in the back. Maybe their guardian angel already arrived. Perhaps, when they least expect it, someone will come along and transform 7501 Shadyside, returning it to its original splendor. More than likely, the property will be converted to something else. Time will tell; it always does........ Right now, we could sure imagine a glider, a glass of lemonade, and a few friends to sit with us on this decaying porch, tracking lightening bugs as they rise from the earth.