Greensboro Daily Photo

MyStorylog

Austin Goldman was looking for a meaningful hobby after retiring. He decided to start a business making walking sticks. His inspiration to make story logs and inspirational walking sticks came from noticing interesting sticks on his family's tree farm. Mr. Goldman uses a wood-burning tool to write Biblical scripture on many of the sticks. He also creates custom sticks where he writes information about a person's life on the stick. Some customers take their story logs everywhere and others hang them in their house as conversation pieces. Regardless, it is a very novel idea, if you are looking for a gift for the person who has everything. 

Mr. Goldman was selling at the Yanceyville Curb Market's December craft fair this past weekend. He can also be reached at [email protected] . He and his story logs were featured on Fox 8 news. See www.myfox8.com/tag/personal-story-log/ for more information.

If you were to fit details of your life on a walking stick, what would you say? Even if you don't commission a stick, it is a fun exercise. Mr. Goldman is such a nice person who is originally from Virginia, has traveled extensively, had a long career at Syngenta, and is a Christian man of great faith. We know this because we read his walking stick!

A Great Day to Be Outdoors

In Greensboro, today will be a great day to spend out of doors. Perhaps you can do yard work, help a neighbor outside, or enjoy one of our city's many trails or participate in sports. In the above photo, three golfers are on the putting green at the Farm Course of the Greensboro Country Club. The photo was taken on Francisco Drive and shows that Greensboro actually has some change in elevation. Around our lakes, it is a little hilly. If you are on the above golf course, you really experience the hills.

On maps, Greensboro is recorded as being 892 feet above sea level.  The highest point in North Carolina is 6,687 feet at Mount Mitchell; the lowest point is sea level, at the shore; and, the average elevation is 700 feet. So, in Greensboro, we can proudly boast being above average. The standard par for a golf course is 72 and the average golfer shoots 100, in which case, at least in golf, we aspire to be below average. Finally, the average high temperature for March 25th in Greensboro is the mid-60's and today is predicted to be in the 70's. Indeed, it will be a great day to be outside.

You Are What You Ate

The vanity tag on this Prius reminds us to be mindful of what we eat. As we start the new year, many people are reflecting on mind, body, and spirit. You can learn a lot about a person not only by talking to them but also from the back of their car. We know from the above vehicle that the owners belong to First Lutheran Church of Greensboro; they listen to 94.1 KLOVE; they are mindful of energy consumption, (given their driving a Prius); and they feel ageless. Many of you may actually know the owners of this car. That is the fun of vanity-tag watching, knowing that the owners are a part of our community and we could see them at any time.

As we close out 2016, may we be especially mindful of what we drink on this holiday weekend. Here's to a great 2017. Stop back tomorrow, on January 1st, when everyone in the City Daily Photo community will post one memorable photo from their posts during 2016. It is always a hard decision to make and fun to think about the past year in Greensboro.

Air Harbor Airport

The above photo features a small plane at Air Harbor Airport in northwest Greensboro. The Air Harbor Airport, or W88 (its identifier), is located six nautical miles north of downtown Greensboro. It encompasses 36 acres of land at 198 Air Harbor Road. It has 25 feet of an asphalt airstrip and 40 ft. of width of a grass landing strip. Additionally, Air Harbor has several hangars for flight enthusiasts to store their private planes. The airport is open to the public, so, if you are looking for something to do on this warm winter day, the Air Harbor Airport is a fun place to go and get a close up view of aviation.

If you need to get to Atlanta, you will want to fly out of Piedmont Triad International Airport. However, if you want some good, old, Greensboro fun, take a carload of friends or loved ones to Air Harbor and see who is out flying. The people who hang out at the airport love to talk aviation. You will learn a lot!

The Millennium Gate

The above photo is of Greensboro's Millennium Gate located at Governmental Plaza. The sculpture's surface has 106 icons, created by Jim Gallucci and a team of 17 artists. The icons represent important events and people in history over the last 1,000 years. Being in a public space, off of Greene Street, it is always open and a great place to teach your friends and family about history informally. This sculpture is such a fine piece of public art.

If you ever have jury duty, or a need to be at the Greensboro Court House, or do early voting downtown, you should schedule in some time to tour this great work of art. It is equally beautiful by day and by night. Happy Thursday!

White Peacock

This white peacock lives at the Greensboro Science Center. He is simply stunning when you can get him to display his tail feathers. He is one of the few animals at the science center who is not caged or captured, per se. He is free to roam around the zoo part in the back of the facility and seems perfectly content to roam among the other creatures who live there. While, he is not particularly aggressive, guests are asked not to try to chase him or to pet him. He does, however, seem to like having his photo taken. 

The Greensboro Science Center, still located on Lawndale Avenue, is a fabulous place to visit any day of the year. If you have guests in town, and are looking for something to do this week, the Greensboro Science Center is a great option. Every year, the center gets bigger and better; and, the white peacock has been there to oversee it all. Since male peacocks have close to 200 tail feathers, let's say he salutes his home with a full 200-feather salute.

Mad Platter

It is the day after Christmas and Hanukkah is in full swing. If you are looking for something to do out of the house this week, consider the Mad Platter where the family can enjoy time together and you don't have to worry about making a mess. The Mad Platter, located at 2921 Battleground Avenue, offers pottery painting and canvas painting. Both activities are fun for people of all ages! They even have those ceramic Christmas with the lights in them, if you want to start getting ready for next year's holidays. Actually, you could paint the tree blue and white and continue to use it throughout the winter. 

As seen in the above photo, guests are having a lot of fun. The studio has been open for nearly two decades. Before you know it, the children who grew up painting pottery there will be taking their own children. That is a lot of soap dishes, cookie jars, platters, mugs, cereal bowls, and set-abouts. The cereal bowls make especially fun memories.

Green Joe's Coffee Shop

This evening is Christmas Eve and the first day of Hanukkah. The above photo features a view of Green Joe's Coffee Shop on Battleground Avenue, located in the same plaza as Hyalyn Lamps and Salvino's Italian Restaurant. As advertised on the chalkboard, there is live music today, which will, likely, put listeners in a festive mood.

You will also notice a U.S. Marine waiting in line. There is a recruitment center opening soon in the same plaza as Green Joe's. Seeing this young man reminds us that while many are celebrating with family and friends, there will be those who are working this holiday weekend. If you are in a coffee shop and see someone in uniform, may we suggest your thanking them for their service,  verbally, and perhaps by purchasing them the coffee of their choice.

Mitzvah

According to the website of the Greensboro Jewish Federation, the "Federation has been supporting, sustaining and revitalizing Jewish life for nearly a century." They help the 13 million Jews around the world by working with local and oversees partners to see what is needed in the community and for families and individuals. The above photo features their van that drives people around town to complete errands who otherwise would not have transportation. Located at 5509 West Friendly Avenue, the local Jewish Family Services/Greensboro Jewish Federation does so much to help in our community. They have senior services, social services, family programming; they provide Jewish overnight camp grants and scholarships, and more. It doesn't matter if you are an immigrant, new to the United States or someone who has been in Greensboro for a very long time, the notion of mitzvah runs deep.

Mitzvah is a multi-faceted word, related to doing good deeds, is not easily reduced to a short definition. Here is a website that explains the idea of mitzvah, and starts by reminding us that the word is mentioned about 300 times in the five books of Moses. One of the biggest acts of mitzvah that will happen in Greensboro this weekend is that more than 100 Jewish volunteers will staff Moses Cone on Christmas Eve and Day, so that Christian families can enjoy the holiday. This year, that is an especially great act of mitzvah as the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah begins tomorrow, plus tomorrow is the Jewish Sabbath and it is the weekend. The greatest acts of "mitzvah" are deeds that cannot be bought or sold. Honk if you love mitzvah! Better yet, find some good deed to perform.

Tuxedo Trot

If you have some time off between now and the first of the year, and are looking for something to do, the Greensboro Science Center is a great option. The earlier you get there in the day, the more likely you are to see the animals in action. Yesterday, the above colony of penguins got fed at 10:00 am to the delight of the school children who were visiting with their teachers. The two young ladies in the above photo were masterful at making sure that each one of the African penguin got fed. African penguins are an endangered species and the Greensboro Science Center works hard to keep their penguins healthy and multiplying. As a matter of fact, rumor has it, baby penguins are currently in the works.

Here is some general information about the African penguins and how their numbers have declined over the last century. Learning about them may make you want to get involved in the conservation efforts. In May, the science center holds the Tuxedo Trot: A Run for the Penguins. This fundraiser is very popular in Greensboro as so many people here enjoy running as a sport. Finally, watching these flightless birds diving and playing in their tank will make it clear why the movie about emperor penguins is called "Happy Feet." May we all have happy feet at this busy time of year.

X is for the Xtra Ingredient during Xmas

The Extra Ingredient has been a Friendly Center institution since Art and Martha Nading opened it in 1985. The two of them work so hard to keep their store filled with all of the kitchen and tabletop items that you need to make your house a home. We stopped in today and marveled at how hard Art and Martha were working to help customers find just the perfect gifts. 

The above photo features the display of Christmas plates in the front of the store. Santa would be mighty happy to find cookies on one of these fine plates and platters. As always, shoppers had fresh coffee waiting for them, too. Nothing beats a store with a local proprietor on site. This store is so pretty, yet full of functional items for the house. Today is "X" Day on ABC Wednesday and, for our Alphabet Series,  we're saying that "X" is for The X-tra Ingredient, especially at Xmas!

PEACE

Chakras Spa and Salon on South Elm Street is a place for pampering yourself-- from hair styling to full body massages to facials to pedicures, and more. As you head upstairs at Chakras, or slide into one of their "nests," they encourage clients to avoid using cell phones. As seen in the above photo, they also remind us to aspire for peace. Peace is defined as "1) freedom from disturbance; 2) quiet and tranquility; 3) freedom from or the cessation of war or violence."

Greensboro has a long tradition with aspiring for peace. The 1960 sit-ins were non-violent protests. Greensboro actually held a PEACE Festival in September this year. It was an international, interfaith festival downtown, sponsored by The Islamic Center of Greensboro. Then there is Peace United Church of Christ on West Market Street. Finally, UNCG has a Department of Peace and Conflict Studies.

When we hear of heinous crimes like the Russian ambassador to Turkey being assassinated while speaking at a photo exhibit, and then learn that people were purposefully plowed down in a Berlin Christmas market, we may all need to work harder to ensure PEACE on earth. At the end of the day, it is a lot easier to feel an inner peace when we have experienced the gentle touch of human hands. If you are looking for holiday gifts for that person who is anxious, angry, or even hostile, perhaps a good massage from a reputable spa is in order!

South Elm Street at the Railroad Tracks

Today's photo is a scene of South Elm Street at the railroad tracks. Greensboro is known as the Gate City, because with the railway and textile industry in the last century, Greensboro was the gateway to so many places. While the trains continue to come through town, the local economy is not nearly as dependent on the rail industry as it once was. Still, the sights and sounds of the trains link us to our history.

The buildings in the background are actually on Davie Street, behind Natty Greene's. They still have the character and facades of the last century, yet the businesses and apartments inside are modern. Greensboro has done such a nice job of retaining its character while moving gently into the 21st century. As we quickly approach the end of 2016, we find ourselves reflecting on the town's past while wondering the changes Greensboro will see in the next year. Have a great week!

Church Under the Bridge Greensboro

Every Saturday, at 6:00 p.m., people gather to participate in Church Under the Bridge. Part ministry, part food, part fellowship, it is an event that nourishes mind, body, and soul. And to think, they do their great work at 300 Spring Garden Street in the absence of a building. The only protection from the elements is the road that looms above. The service is an outreach for the homeless, yet, all are are welcome. Faith Wesleyan Church runs the event that, on some evenings, attracts over 250 people. 

This is the time of year when warm clothing is much appreciated. This is also the time of year when people are in the spirit of giving. If you are able,  here is the ministry's wish list. They do so much good for the homeless community and they greatly need items like gas cards, batteries and flashlights, non-perishable food, baggies and storage containers and so much more. They can usually use people to help serve food and to distribute items. Always, they need people who like to sing and celebrate getting their soul nourished. If there is a service next Saturday, it will be on Christmas Eve. Imagine the difference you could make by giving of your time to people who are without a home on Christmas Eve, which also happens to be their first day of Hanukkah.

Glenwood Barber Shop

Last time we were in Glenwood on Glenwood Avenue, we stumbled upon the Glenwood Barber Shop. From the looks of the sign on the front, most services are under $10. Since Hanukah and Christmas are just a week away, you might want to schedule your haircut. The above shop takes walk-ins and it could become your permanent hair cutting place. It is nice to have a barber who knows your preferences, to the extent that when you walk in, they already have the right gauge snapped on to the clippers. From the looks of their Facebook page, they have some barbers who do fancy cuts. The barber shop boasts serving all nationalities, all ages, and males and females. It is nice to know that they are so inclusive. Please share a photo with us if you get a haircut there.

Happy Saturday!

Baby It's Cold Outside...

If you are local, you know that it got really cold in Greensboro last night-- dipping into the teens. At our house, the power was out for a good bit of the day yesterday, creating an avalanche of schedule changes, resulting in our having to leave for a Christmas party before the cupcakes were cool enough to add frosting. Undaunted, we headed to the grocery store to pick up some last minute items, fully intending to ice the cupcakes in from the hatchback of the car where we had the supplies. However, we hadn't counted on near freezing temperatures. Since we were near Beansboro coffee, we ducked in to get some coffee and decided to ice the cupcakes while there. We had a place to wash our hands and it was warm and cozy.

The above photo features the results of this effort from our vantage point in one of Greensboro's fabulous, locally-owned coffee shops. While the results may not be Pinterest-worthy, we do believe our little story today captures the spirit of the holidays. Sometimes, we get this notion of how everything needs to be just perfect. At the end of the day, it is the memories we make that stay with us, long after the holiday is over. Baby, it may have been cold last night, but our hearts were warmed and our friends were happy with the cupcakes. You can bet, we will be laughing about our cupcake adventure for a very long time. And, thank goodness the heat is back on at our house.

Let's Ride

The above horse lives in a pasture in northwest Guilford County. The equine industry in Greensboro is thriving and, in North Carolina, it is a 1.9 billion dollar business. Over 53,000 homes in our state own horses. There are over 306,000 equines, with a total of 2.1 million acres of land dedicated to the equine industry. At a count of 10,940, Guilford County's equine inventory is second only to that of Union County.* Locally, N.C. A&T University began an equine program in 2006. They have a judging and riding team and offer a certificate in equine management.

When horses cooperate, they are extremely photogenic. We like the focused gaze of the horse in front, as well as the white one in the back left corner of the photo. It is so peaceful to drive through the county admiring these beautiful creatures. If you like to ride, there are plenty of options around Greensboro. You may want to start by contacting the Equestrian Trails Alliance of Guilford County. Have a great Thursday!

*May, 2009 reference, here. 

W is for Wendover

Those of you who read Greensboro Daily Photo know that we try really hard to support locally-owned businesses. Today took us to West Wendover Avenue which is the super busy land of retail franchises. Wendover is Greensboro's major east/west street, connected to the interstates (I- 40, 73, 85) and main US highways (US220, 29, 421 & 70). It is hard to believe that Wendover was once  a small, sleepy road until it was widened in 1971 and paved in 1973. In 1972, car dealer Dean Green started buying land there for a car dealership, starting the wave of auto dealers who continue to dominate West Wendover today.

The above photo reflects the intensity of a trip down Wendover near the I-40 interchange. Driving defensively and allowing just enough stopping distance to be safe, yet not so much that people zip in front of you, seems to be the secret to having a save trip here. Today is ABC Wednesday, and for our A-Z Alphabet Series, "W" is for Wendover.* What are your thoughts about driving on busy roads with seemingly unlimited access to shopping the big box stores?

* See reference and more information about Wendover Avenue, here.

Memoirs of a Yellow Dog by O. Henry

Today's photo features "Pete" the bronze dog, one of the statues honoring Greensboro writer O. Henry. The trio of statues is located at the corner of Bellemeade and North Elm Street. If you are local, you may know that O. Henry (William Sydney Porter) was born in Greensboro. The above dog is the protagonist in his short story, "Memoirs of a Yellow Dog" The Four Million. The day we visited, someone had placed a bit of holiday greenery on the Pete's head. 

The photo of Pete also reminds us of how much Greensboro residents love their canines. While this story is not as well know as O. Henry's "Gift of the Magi," the 1,977 word tale "Memoirs of a Yellow Dog," can be read and heard, here. Bark if you're having a great Tuesday! Give us a high-paw five if you read the short story and a double high-paw five if you've seen the statue in person.

Greensboro's Christmas Tree Lots

The tree lots were busy this weekend. If you like a live tree, these lots are great fun and many people build annual, family traditions around selecting the tree. You can put on clothes that are good for photos, stop for a hot chocolate, and then heading out to select a tree. Greensboro has many organizations selling trees as a fundraiser. The above photo is the Wagoner lot at the Harris Teeter parking lot at New Garden Road, across from the entrance to Bryan Boulevard west.

The Wagoners have been selling Christmas trees in Greensboro since the 1940's. The above lot is owned by Bryan Wagoner whose father is John and his uncle, his father's twin brother, was Fred. Almost the whole family, including Bryan's brother Bruce, is involved in the business, from manning their lots to caring for the trees the eight years it takes them to mature. Bryan and Bruce's sister Lynn is a cardiologist in Ohio, specializing in heart transplants.* It is so nice to see these Greensboro families carrying the tradition of their parents. Making memories is such an important part of childhood.

*Reference and more information, here.

Florida Street Baptist Church

This week, we have return to Florida Street Baptist Church. We don't usually feature the same spiritual space two weeks in a row, especially since Greensboro has so many, but this view of Glenwood Baptist is so different that we wanted to feature it, too.* You may remember from last week's post that Florida Street Baptist, located at the corner of Florida Street and Aycock Avenue in Glenwood, is a church with declining membership. Fortunately, they have combined with Spring Garden Community Church and are finding a way to keep the house of worship open and welcoming to all.

This view at the front facade was taken standing at the steps at the entrance looking up. You can see the cross at the top of the steeple peeking out. The window glass reflects the clouds and the crisp blue sky and the trinity theme rings through with the three groups of three windows above the symmetrical entrance. We are entering a season with so many holidays, great feasts, gift giving, extra time for spirituality, and extended time with family. Let us remember that, if we are starting to feel overwhelmed, sometimes simply looking up helps reset our direction. Looking up, we cannot help but see the beauty of the universe. Happy Sunday.

*See last week's photo, here.

 

Window Shopping

While window shopping on South Elm Street, we stumbled upon this lovely display at "Thousands O' Prints." The train reminds us on the one that used to circle the ceiling of Ham's Restaurant when there was a location on Friendly Avenue at the end of Madison Avenue. The train at Thousands O'Prints moves around the Christmas village quickly, especially commanding the attention of children who pass by the display. As you are out this weekend, take time to notice the window displays- especially downtown. So many of them are staged by local employees and artists.

Thousands O' Prints has been a Greensboro institution since 1979. If you need a poster or something framed, head downtown and "shop local." If you need pottery and great jewelry, another destination today is the "Just the two of Us Holiday Show" at 2409 Oak Ridge Road this weekend. Whatever you do, whatever your route, do something to shop local. Ride the Greensboro local and keep these great places like Thousand O' Prints in business.  Have a great, LOCAL, happy Saturday!

Shopping at Adelaide's on Spring Garden Street

The blocks on Spring Garden Street by Chapman Street really have some fun destination businesses. The above photo features one of those establishments, Adelaide's Vintage Home and Garden Store. As you can see, Adelaide has decorated for the holidays. If you stop by, you can enjoy the winter wonderland. She offers a wide range of items from vintage, Christmas Golden Books for children to "ugly" Christmas sweaters to soy candles to handmade jewelry to painted furniture. Best of all, you have a proprietor on site who makes the shopping experience seem more like you are visiting a friend's house than in a retail space. 

Greensboro is so lucky to have so many local businesses with owners on site.  There are too many to mention here, but if you follow Greensboro Daily Photo, you know we've featured many of these businesses and the women behind them. They, Adelaide included, are creative and resourceful. Please remember to shop local every chance you get this holiday season. And, take a few minutes to get to know the business owners. Patronizing these businesses feels like emotional therapy rolled into retail therapy. The more we look at this photo, the more we realize there are items we need to get back and purchase from Adelaide! Happy Friday!

Sunrise, Sunset

Yesterday morning, the sunrise in Greensboro was a powdery pink and blue, and very noticeable with the leaves now off the trees. The sunset was also a beauty. Instead of sharing a sunset photo, we moved the camera over a bit to feature this pink contrail and the sunset reflecting off the airplane heading into Piedmont Triad International Airport. We bet the view was especially beautiful for the passengers in the plane.

Contrails are actually condensation trails that form from the water in jet exhaust mixing with wet cold air in the atmosphere. The water freezes and condenses into ice crystals. At just the right time, when the sun is low to the horizon, the contrails can take on a beautiful pink glow; cloud-stripes of sorts. Yesterday was a great evening for contrails in the northwestern part of town, near the airport. It is not uncommon to see cars pulled off the road near the airport watching planes take off and land; a beautiful sunset is always a bonus.

Reading Day 2016

Reading Day is a day set aside at institutions of higher education so that students can study and prepare for final exams. Usually, universities offer other activities for reducing stress and for building community. The above photo features the luminary exhibit from last year.  Today is Reading Day as well as the day of the placing of the luminaries, a forty-seven year tradition at UNCG. If you are near campus, walking to enjoy the lights along paths and sidewalks will be well worth your while. The farther back you walk into campus, the more intensely the candles glow- since there is less ambient light.

Other highlights this evening are the lighting of the Vacc Bell Tower and Anniversary Plaza and performances by the UNCG Steel Band and the Grimsley High School Madrigal Singers. Chancellor Gilliam will speak and hot cocoa will be served. The public is invited to attend this free event. It is so nice to support these collaborative, community-wide events. Hope to see you there.*

*learn more about UNCG's Reading Day and the Vacc Bell Tower, here.

Gate City Boulevard

 

Gate City Boulevard, formerly known as High Point Road, has changed not only in name, but also in character. The above photo was taken near the Sedgefield community en route to Jamestown. The road is getting at least one more through lane, plus turn lanes, in each direction. Now, if you are driving away from Greensboro, you have to turn left to continue on the old part of High Point Road. Going straight on the new part of the road takes you to the Highway 73 interchange that loops around the city. This stretch of road is a really fast way to get to Friendly Avenue near Guilford College; especially in December when so many people are out shopping.

So, if you want to navigate the western part of Greensboro- Sedgefield, Ragsdale High School, Jerusalem Market, or other places in that quadrant- you might want to map out your route and allow for a little more time. The area has really changed. The widening of the roads has been much needed and will change the face of the western end of Gate City Boulevard. Once the dust settles, we're betting there will be new businesses and the older ones will get facelifts. The above crew was out working diligently this past Saturday. Maybe they are off today, as many others head off to work.

 

Florida Street Baptist Church

Today's featured church is Florida Street Baptist Church in Glenwood. This church now also houses Spring Garden Community Church and Hope Christian Academy. According to a 2014 News & Record article, Florida Street Baptist was down to under ten members. Florida Street Baptist experienced decline when the demographics of Glenwood changed. Given that it takes over $5,000 a month to pay the bills of the church, the congregation decided to open its doors to the Spring Garden Church, which has infused new life into the facility.  Having Spring Garden Community Church and Florida Street share the same building is a win-win.

The original cornerstone of the church is missing; however, the cornerstone for the educational building (not featured above) dates it at 1968- 1969. We hope the church stays around for a very long time. On the day we visited, we noticed a very large pecan tree on the western corner of the lot. This year the nut tree has been extremely prolific. Maybe it is a sign that the whole facility will be fruitful. In the meantime, we hope someone harvested the pecans.

The Magic of the Festival of Lights

The Festival of Lights was filled with great puppets last night. As we strolled up and down Elm Street, puppets, like the one featured above, came out to delight the crowd. Can you imagine being a child and seeing these figures walking up and down Elm Street? If you look at the two children on the right, you can see the magic in their eyes. The puppets were brought to Greensboro by the Paperhand Puppet Intervention of Saxapahaw, NC. This dynamic, performing arts group is in its 17th year and is in Greensboro frequently. We are lucky that they come our way for events like the Summer Solstice. 

If you missed the Festival of Lights last night, you can still head downtown and see the Christmas Parade at noon today, and the lighted Christmas tree in Center City Park will be up through the holidays. Merchants will also help you get in a festive mood with their holiday merchandise and great conversations. Additionally, the Winterfest ice skating rink is now open downtown. See here for information about this event in Greensboro.

Tis the Season

The first weekend in December is a special time in Greensboro. Tonight is First Friday, downtown, and it coincides with the Festival of Lights. This is always the busiest First Friday of the year. From 6:00- 9:00 pm, there will be lights, performers, and lots of holiday cheer. Tonight's marks the 28th Festival of Lights. Greensboro is so lucky to have these community traditions. See the list of amazing performers for this (free) event, here.

Also, today (and tomorrow), the First Moravian Church of Greensboro will host their candlelight tea. As part of the festivities, the church, located on Elam Avenue, will also feature a Christmas Bazaar. The Putz will be assembled on stage for everyone's viewing. In the above photo, church members are assembling Moravian stars to sell to the public. They have quite a range of sizes and you can purchase them unassembled or, for a small fee, you can get one that is already assembled. This is the time of the year, light is precious. This is a great opportunity to get to know more about a religion that has been in North Carolina since 1753.

Another great event is a Marimba Concert tonight, as part of the OPUS Music Series, held at Trinity Church on Friendly Avenue. They request you bring a unwrapped, new toy.

* see link, here.

All Is Calm... For Now!

In the above photo, Center City Park looks so peaceful and inviting, but empty. Drab weekday afternoons aren't exactly conducive to spending time in parks. The yellow leaves were partly hanging on to the trees and partly carpeting the sidewalk. After yesterday's rain, the trees just might be bare. The City Daily Photo community's theme day today is Transitions. We share this photo as a transition from fall to winter,* And we ask, is a park a park without people? 

Tomorrow night will be First Friday and the Festival of Lights. This very park will be packed with people out celebrating the Christmas season. Elm Street will be packed, too. With the decorations glowing, you will know that fall is going! We hope to see you there.

*see other photos from cities around the world for the City Daily Photo theme, TRANSITIONS,  here.

U is for Urban Grinders

Greensboro has a relatively new coffee shop in the 200 block of North Elm Street, just down from Center City Park. It is called Urban Grinders. In the building that was formerly Bryson's jewelers, Urban Grinders bills itself as an art gallery inside of a coffee shop. They support local artists, feature arts events, and even have a time on Wednesday evening event that is an opportunity to create and caffeinate. Artists gather to create art and to inspire each other. Their coffee is from Krankie's in Winston-Salem and baked goods are from local bakers. They have been open since 2015 and the owners have invested quite a bit of time and money into making their coffee shop an inviting space. They are working hard to encourage people to stop at this "uptown" spot.

With this Friday, December 2nd,  being First Friday and the Festival of Lights, we hope Urban Grinders is open and people will stop in as they are strolling along Elm Street from Center City Park to the events closer to Hamburger Square. If you like good coffee, good art and an environment that inspires, you will enjoy this coffee shop. Today is ABC Wednesday and for our A-Z Alphabet 2016 series, "U" is for "urban," specifically, Urban Grinders! Doesn't their window remind you that it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas? Wait until First Friday!

Time for a Road Trip

Fall is a great time for festivals and heading to the mountains, especially in North Carolina. This fall, however, the raging forest fires in western North Carolina have made it difficult to camp out. With Greensboro, since our city is centrally located in the State, heading to the beach is always an option. The above Airstream camper is dwarfed by these mature trees at this suburban home northwestern Guilford County. Look at the size of that magnolia tree in the foreground. It has been said that you know you are in the south when the yard has magnolia, dogwood, crepe myrtle trees, with a touch of kudzu sneaking in.

If you live in Greensboro, and own an Airstream, you may want to consider joining Unit 161, the Piedmont North Carolina group of the Wally Bynam Caravan Club International (WBCCI). At their rallies, they have tours, potlucks, and fellowship around campfires-- and Airstreams. The local group was organized in 1976, and at last count, had 56 members. The club has ten officers and an historian and they pride themselves in service to others and fellowship among members. Stanford-educated Wally Bynam launched the first Airstream in 1936. He would be pleased to know that eighty years after the first riveted, bullet-shaped, aluminum Airstream was made, it still has a commanding presence on American highways.

In the middle of the above photo, in the blue sky section, you can see a squirrel's nest. Wonder if Mr. Squirrel is waiting for his chance to move into this Airstream for the winter. His back up plan is that big ole magnolia tree.

This Old House

This old house is located along Highway 150 in rural Guilford County. Likely, as with the leaves on the trees to its left, the house is not long for this world. It is one of those fixer-uppers that not even Chip and Joanna Gaines (of HGTV fame) would undertake. Yet on this fall day, with the sun low in the sky, it takes on a warm, nostalgic glow. So often these rural homes are loved for generations, until the current generation decides to sell and take off for city life, or the changing surrounding properties make the home obsolete. In the case of the above property, we suspect it is a little bit of both.

Part of the reward we get  out of publishing Greensboro Daily Photo is keeping our finger on the pulse of our community. The Greensboro area has always been a nice blend of country living and urban fun. While the urban fun has burgeoned in the last decade, hopefully, there is still room for country living. We are grateful to have this photo, even if it serves only a as memory of the tin-roofed, little yellow house that was.

Glenwood UMC & the Really, Really Free Market 2016

Glenwood United Methodist Church can be seen in the background of this photo. The foreground features people enjoying the Really, Really Free Market at the corner of Glenwood Avenue and Grove Street. This year Kathy Clark and Liz Seymour worked on the event together and it was even larger than last year. There was a drum group; Reiki was available; and activities were provided for children. This made the initiative and event bigger than just giving and taking items- but, there was plenty of that. There was a genuine sense of community and fellowship throughout the day. As soon as we dropped off clothing, people were trying it on and saying how much they liked the items. It felt so good to know that others could use what we could not. No money changed hands; just smiles.

In researching Glenwood UMC last year, we found records to indicate that this church, located at 1417 Glenwood Avenue, was founded in the late 1800s. Hopefully, the church was involved in this event. It brought a lot of positive publicity for the neighborhood. Happy Sunday, dear readers. Consider hosting a similar event in your neighborhood.

Today Is Small Business Saturday

Small business Saturday is today. It is the day when consumers are to shop as much as possible at small, locally owned businesses. American Express is credited with starting the initiative back in 2009 when small businesses were still trying to survive the recession. * The initiative was successful and has contributed to the  "local-first" mindset that continues to grow today. In addition to helping businesses financially, nothing beats establishing relationships with local proprietors.

The above photo was taken at Moonbird Pottery, a new locally-owned store selling pottery, jewelry and free trade items. It is located at 1938 Spring Garden Street, in the building that was, in previous decades, Holliday Hardware. Local potter, Christina Brown, moved her pottery studio out of her Lindley Park backyard and into this venue. In the pottery studio side of the shop, she will feature pop-up stores, featuring local artists. The first special event will be Friday, December 8th. Click on the photos below to see see a larger picture of Christina and her artwork.

Whether you get by Moonbird Pottery or not today, remember to support our local Greensboro retailers!

 

* read the Washington Post article, here. 

Black Friday 2016

Black Friday has evolved into almost a holiday in its own right. Today, we will all need to decide if we want to go to the Really, Really Free Market in the Glenwood Neighborhood, or if we want to head to one of the big box stores, or another tried-and-true destination like Friendly Center. In the above photo, three men are at the counter eating breakfast at Jake's Diner on Wendover Avenue. They could be sitting there while their spouses are out shopping. Perhaps, they are just having breakfast before they start their own day.

Even though the guy in the middle has his black jacket hanging on the back of the chair, we affectionately dubbed this photo, "Men in Black" evoking thoughts of the 1997 science fiction movie, loosely adapted from the comic book series. Hopefully, they aren't out looking looking for extraterrestrial life forms living among us! That's what it can feel like if you are out facing the maddening crowds today. We hope you had a great Thanksgiving and that you find time to do something special today. Remember, tomorrow is Small, Local Business Saturday. If you intend to shop, please support locally-owned businesses in Greensboro- a good practice every day!

T is for Thanks

Today we would like to give thanks to all of our readers and friends who have encouraged us to continue Greensboro Daily Photo over the last nearly-eight years. For our ABC Wednesday series, we asked for suggestions for today's letter "T". Well, as mother time would have it, we weren't able to get out and photograph this week. Perhaps it is for the best, because it would have been nearly impossible to have selected one "T"  over the other. Here were the suggestions, the TANK Farm for oil products out by the airport; Temple Emanuel; Triad Behavioral Resources; Toys and Company; Table 16; Tessa Restaurant; Triad Meat Company; Tea Time Lounge; Tate Street Coffee House; Triad Auto Specialty; Triad Local First; Triad Yoga Institute; Taste of Ethiopia; Total Wine; Triad Beat Paper; Tumblebees Gymnasium; T Mobile; Traveled Farmer Restaurant; and Tasting Room. Is that not a fabulous array of options? Thank you, Jane, Lynn, Bobby, Nanny, Megan, Bigi, Amy, Cynthia and Katja for sharing suggestions. We hope we thanked everybody and named each suggestion; we love them all.

We want to point out a special business (suggested twice), Triad Auto Specialty, Inc. out on Cessna Drive. They have been known for being caring, competent, and trustworthy crew since opening in 1978. This business is so appreciative of customers that they even sent flowers to a longtime customer when she was in the hospital this past month. Indeed, Greensboro is lucky to have people like the folks at Triad Auto Specialty. So, for ABC Wednesday, our waning leaf photo on TREES around TOWN, represents the THANKS that we want to give all of you for making our effort on this community blog all worthwhile. (See our A-S entries, here).

Art & Soul

The Art & Soul market place has fair trade and handmade items, some are from Greensboro artists. In the above photo, proprietor Jenny Stickrath is sitting on a bed of pillows in her new shop at 2140 Lawndale Drive- two doors down from Hops Burger Bar. Previously, her store was located on Spring Garden Street. The move to a larger property gives Art & Soul a chance to expand their clothing line, housewares, and offer classes and special events. The Lawndale store opened this past Friday night and, if the first few days are any indication, the new location will keep her quite busy. 

If you missed Art & Soul's grand opening on Lawndale and if you'll miss the shop at 1938 Spring Garden Street, don't worry. Tonight, her very creative sister Cristine Brown will open a pottery, art and lighting store in Art & Soul's former location. Stop by and wish either of them good luck and maybe even find some holiday gifts. If you believe in buying local, you just may have found another destination- or two. Nothing beats having an owner on site for service with a smile.

Native Pride

This past Saturday, Native Americans gathered at the corner of Friendly Avenue and New Garden Road. They were celebrating Native Pride and protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline. It has been decided that the developer won't consider rerouting the pipeline in North Dakota.

Guilford College has as one of its core values a commitment to nurturing, "a global perspective that values people of other cultures and the natural environment in which we all live." They also encourage students to "forge a connection between thought and action." * It seems that making the Greensboro community aware of the local Native American presence and the national issues of concern to them is, indeed, aligned with the core values of Guilford College. The protest was family-oriented and peaceful. It was a lovely, fall day, perfect for being one with the land. North Carolina has the largest American Indian population east of the Mississippi and the eighth largest population in the United States.** 

*reference, here.  

**reference and learn more, here.

Church Fundraisers

 

 

 

Once a month, Morehead United Methodist Church serves hotdogs on Saturday at lunchtime. The church, located on Horse Pen Creek Road near the Spears Y, has been having hot dog lunches for several years. They used to have this fundraiser every Saturday, but have now switched the event to once a month. The hotdogs are really good and, if memory serves us, they are only $1.50 each.

In the above photo, an enthusiastic church member was standing by the side of the road, in full hot dog regalia, to advertise the event at Morehead. He cheered and danced as people drove by and he greeted everyone who walked past him. Wonder if some of the local businesses would hire him to dress out to advertise for them. He does a great job and that would be a great way to raise money, too.