Greensboro Daily Photo

Piñatas & More Leslie

At Greensboro's December 2017 Festival of Lights, Leslie had a booth at LeBauer Park. Originally from Mexico, Leslie was inspired to make piñatas so that adults and children alike can use them for special occasions. Leslie is so talented that she can make piñatas in any shape from traditional stars to action figures to jalapeño peppers. At the moment, she is busy making piñatas for Valentine's Day. Leslie is a creative artist with an entrepreneurial spirit. If you want a piñata, why settle for a generic one from a big box store when you can have one that is customized- just for you? Leslie is on Facebook (Pinatas Leslie) and Instagram pinatas_leslie.

Well, the weekend is here and, if you are looking for something to do, there will be plenty of events for Martin Luther King Day.  You can start the weekend at 7:30 attending the Shabbat service at the Jefferson Road Campus of Temple Emanuel. UNCG's Chancellor, Dr. Franklin D. Gilliam will be the guest speaker.  Here is a list of other activities around Greensboro. While Leslie's Piñatas might seem like something unrelated to the Shabbat Service and MLK Day, Dr. Gilliam will remind us that, as a community, coming together in dialog and celebrating our diversity, can only make us stronger. 

JONES METAL WORKS INC.

According to their website, Jones Metal Works was founded in 1963 by Clarence Jones and is still a family owned and operated business. Located on Grecade Street, they fabricate items from steel, copper, and aluminum for private residences as well as commercial and industrial. While primarily a local Piedmont/Triad business, they do work throughout the state and even nationally. In 1966, they built the above building to replace a rental space on Battleground Avenue. The company prides itself in making quality products, personalized service, and being fiscally responsible.* The building is located in Midtown about a block south of Wendover Avenue. These homegrown businesses are the backbone of any community.

If you look at the building, what is the first thing that comes to mind? The sturdy, "no frills" building, solid and made out of brick exudes practicality and durability. One cannot help but notice the name of the business, with the letters attached directly onto the facade. If you are curious about fonts, you need to know about identifont.  The website walks you through a series of questions to help you determine a given font. It appears that the font on JONES METALWORKS INC. is Benton Sans, a redesign of News Gothic and based on the drawings in the Smithsonian Institution. However, since Benton Sans dates are 1995-2003 and the News Gothic font dates back to 1903, it is highly likely you are looking at News Gothic. Regardless, it would be a lot of fun to stop in and see what they have to offer and what stories they have to tell about their projects in Greensboro.

*Interesting information about the company, here.

723 North Church Street

This Victorian beauty is a multi-family home located at the corner of North Church Street and East Hendrix, at the north eastern end of Fisher Park.  Built in 1900, it is 3,166 square feet, mighty large for a wooden house built 118 years ago. It has a charming wrap around porch and mature trees on the lot. 

Established in 1901, Fisher Park is known as Greensboro's first neighborhood on what was at one time a swamp. In the early 20th century,  bankers, industrialists, and white collar workers hired the best architects of the day to build their homes here. The above house is as beautiful as it was when first built. One of the great features of Fisher Park is the diversity in the homes. With a little imagination, one can picture the trolley line moving through Fisher Park with trolley cars transporting people to and from the neighborhood. Imagine the maid and other hired help being dropped off at 723 North Church to start their day. From the cut out windows in the attic to the cement stoop to the porch, the details are so fitting.

Piano Man at Antique Marketplace

Surrounded by antique clocks and chandeliers, an unidentified shopper sat down to try out the baby grande piano at the Antique Marketplace on Burnt Poplar Road. The sound of the tuned piano being played filled the building with the warmest, calmest sound. Shoppers stopped to take notice, not sure if it was arranged entertainment or just a spontaneous action on the part of a client. The pianist, shopping with his wife and young daughter, played for several minutes; a bit of musical relief from the bitter cold.

January is a time to set goals, make resolutions, and improve on the past. The sharing of musical talent is a great way to bring people together and bring joy to others. Some people have pianos in their homes or businesses that are underused. If you have an underused piano in your life, consider bringing someone in to coax the music out of it. They are meant to be played. As for Antique Marketplace, thank you for having that great, tuned piano at the door- even if it is waiting for a new home. As for the anonymous piano man, thank you for a great concert! Indeed, Greensboro's got talent.

 

Backpack Beginnings

Backpack Beginnings is a non-profit organization serving families with children in the Guilford County Schools. It was started in 2010 by Parker White, with the program serving one school and 50 children. Today, Backpack Beginnings serves 5,000 children and is growing, given the growing food insecurity in Guilford County. In the above photo, Michele Alvarino, office manager of the 9,000 square foot facility on Radiance Drive, is explaining the program, standing at the impact wall at the entrance.

Today, Backpack Beginnings has four programs. 1) The Food Bag Program serves 1,400 students in 32 elementary schools. Each child receives a bag of food to take home for the weekend. The bags contain two each of a protein, cereal, juice, milk, and fruit; 2) The Food Pantry Program serves 26 middle and high schools, distributing 9-10 thousand pounds of food a month; 3) The Comfort Backpack Program provides abused, neglected, homeless, refugee, and foster children a one-time backpack filled with personal hygiene, school supplies, and other miscellaneous items; finally, 4) The Clothing Pantry Program provides clothing for children from newborns to high school students. 

The all volunteer organization has eleven regular volunteers who work in the warehouse; 200 delivery volunteers who take the food to the schools; and scores of community volunteers. There is always a need for more food and volunteers. To learn more about Backpack Beginnings or how to help, visit their website, here. 

Nativity at Centenary UMC

Centenary United Methodist Episcopal Church was originally established in 1884 in Greensboro. It was named "Centenary" because 1884 was the one hundredth anniversary of Methodism in the United States. The church was originally located on Arlington Street, and then in 1961, a new building was erected at the Elam/West Friendly Avenue location. The new sanctuary was completed on that same in 1969 and has remained there for the past 49 years.*

The nativity scene on the Friendly Avenue side of the church is a reminder that yesterday was Epiphany or Three Kings Day (above right). Especially if you are a Catholic or Orthodox Christian, you will know that yesterday Balthasar of Arabia, Melchior of Persia, and Gaspar of India, the Three Magi of Bethlehem, arrived to pay their respects and bring their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The whole story is brought to life in the nativity scene at Centenary.

It would have been hard for the members in 1884 to imagine life in 1984. It is equally hard to imagine life 66 years from now, in 2084. Here's to another great century for Centenary in Greensboro. Thank you for doing so much for the community, including providing the lovely nativity scene.

 

* reference and history, here.

Unseasonably Cold in Greensboro on Three Kings Day

Even though it is winter, the temperatures have been unseasonably cold for Greensboro. The area has been battling temperatures in the single digits and teens. The 20s, well below freezing, feel like a heatwave. According to US climate data, the average January temperature for Greensboro is 38.9 with an average high temperature of 48.3 and low of 29.5. Last night's low temperature was 9 and tonight's is slated to be 7. Thankfully, tomorrow should start warming up. The icy roads and low temperatures make it hard to be outside, and, car batteries often die, water pipes burst, heat pumps fail.

However, as seen in the above photo, taken at a local golf course in December, winter has its own special, beautiful look. While golf is on hold during inclement weather, Greensboro's golf courses create expansive fields of beauty throughout the city. For some of you, today is a Christian feast day, Three Kings Day, Old Christmas, Epiphany. If you left shoes for the Magi of Bethlehem to fill with gifts, we hope your holiday today is a memorable one. If you are eating a piece of rosca de reyes cake, we hope you get the baby Jesus figurine. Happy Three Kings Day. Enjoy the day with family and friends, you'll be back on the golf course before you know it!

Karen Archia of the People's Perk Coffee Shop

The above photo features Karen Archia, solopreneur of the People's Perk Coffee Shop. The coffee shop, located at 551 South Mendenhall Street at Spring Garden Street, opened in September of 2013. As of Dec. 2016, her business partner retired and Karen is now sole owner. Originally from Milwaukee, WI, Karen moved to North Carolina 38 years ago. Her background is in communications and she was working for a non-profit when she decided to live her dream and open the coffee shop. She is also an artist and maintains her studio at the shop. 

Karen loves to feature community events at the People's Perk, as well as show the art of local artists. The mural in the photo was a collaboration with the Greensboro Mural Project. After spending a few minutes at the People's Perk, you will realize that Karen is committed to advocacy, equality, and social justice. As an example, the person, second from right in the mural is Brittany Ann Byuarim Newsome, who climbed a flagpole in South Carolina to remove the confederate flag. Karen is a bright, energetic person who is well versed on current events and issues of the day. You can engage her in lively conversation, or just sit back and enjoy a cup of coffee, a blend specially prepared for the shop. Happy Solopreneur-iversary Karen; may 2018 be your best year yet!

The Table on Elm Street

The Table on Elm is a cozy little bakery tucked in an alley beside Chakras Spa downtown. It it located in the bakery space that was first Simple Kneads and then Loaf Bakery.  Eating a warm slice of bread with a slather of butter from a local bakery is enough to make this week's bitter cold a little more tolerable. When fresh bread is baking at The Table, the aroma seems to lure customers to the counter, just like the above couple.

There is a location in Asheboro that is much bigger with a more expanded menu than The Table here in Greensboro. However, both locations are a labor of love and the owners make you feel like you are a part of their extended family. The bakers and pastry chefs make breads and sweets with a European flair that are perfect in texture and taste. Even though the Greensboro location is tiny, the sweet and savory choices are many. It is hard to decide what to purchase. Each option seems as good as the next. When the weather is warm, the outdoor seating in the alley is charming too. According to the weather report, it just might be a while before any of us are lingering at the outdoor seating. Stay warm!

Super Moon

Yesterday, we had a super moon, the full moon coincidee with its being at its closest point to the earth during its orbit. While this week's super moon was the largest for  2018, we will have an almost super moon on January 31st. Since it will be the second full moon in the month, it will be a blue, super moon. To add to it, there will be a total lunar eclipse that night in most of North America. Since a totally eclipsed moon usually looks red, it will be a red, blue, eclipsed almost-super moon. *  Surely, on the 31st, somebody in Greensboro can arrange a moon watching event. Any suggestions on the best vantage point to moon watch in Greensboro, with low light pollution?  

The above photo was taken last night at a private residence in Greensboro. In her book, The Bright Hour, Greensboro author Nina Riggs references an Emerson quote about a special first hour of morning and its effect on the body and soul ( reference ). There is a similar effect at that sapphire blue hour at twilight, when we must let go of the day and are reminded that the moon controls more than the tides. If you are interested in astronomical events and skywatching, consider joining the Greensboro Astronomy Club.

* reference and great information, here and here.

GDPs 9th Anniversary

Happy 9th Anniversary ! Today is the ninth anniversary for Greensboro Daily Photo. We are Janis and David and refer to ourselves as Mr. and Mrs. GDP. David and I began this endeavor on January 2nd, 2009. GDP is our after-work/weekend hobby, a way to give back to a community we love. GDP is affiliated with the City Daily Photo community, one of many cities throughout the world with a daily photo site. It is hard to believe we have published almost 3,500 photos of Greensboro and written as many paragraphs about our great city. We are quite proud of the fact that we have not missed a day in nine years. If you did not read yesterday’s New Year post, please do so. We featured some 2017 highlights and think you will enjoy them. 

Lately, people have been asking us for GDPs website statistics and requesting business cards. Maybe a goal for Year 10 should be to monitor data more closely and get business cards. To be sure, we will continue to showcase the beautiful people, places, and events of our great city. As we look back, we realize, from trees to buildings to people, we have featured things that have changed or are no longer here. As we look to the future and think about the North Carolina Folk Festival, the Tanger Center for the Performing Arts, the new construction around the baseball stadium, the new murals, all of the entrepreneurs and artists moving to town, and more, and we’re confident there will be plenty to photograph over the next year. Please stop by often and, as always, thank you for reading, commenting, and giving us feedback. You motivate us to continue this labor of love. Here's to a great 2018, on GDP and beyond! Janis & David (photo by Lisa Goble)

Happy New Year 2018

 
Happy New Year 2018!

Members of the City Daily Photo community are asked to post their "best" photo of the previous year on January 1st.  The photo we selected for this year was one taken at the National Folk Festival as it closed out the 3rd and final year in Greensboro. The photo resonates with us because it shows three facets of downtown. In the foreground, a young boy plays alone, seemingly unaware that a monumental event for Greensboro is drawing to a close. Whitney Houston said it best, "I believe the children are our future teach them well and let them lead the way." 

The middle layer of the photo features the hustle and bustle of people making food selections at the folk festival's diverse assortment of food trucks. It takes people having things to do, feeling safe, and enjoying each other's company to make a city livable.  In the background is Greensboro's skyline, with the iconic Lincoln Financial Building giving a nod of approval at a downtown that has, once again, become a vibrant destination for its residents. A robust business community provides the financial structure to make special events possible.

Here is a GDP memory from each month from 2017; posts that proved especially popular with readers and that showcase the people, places, and events in our great city. Let's all work together to make 2018 a great year for Greensboro. We look forward to continuing to share a photo a day with you!

January: Triad North Carolina Women's March

February: Greensboro Grub & City 616

March: Howard Coble Intermodal Transport Center

April: NCCJ

May: Julian Price Home

June: Hunter Elementary

July: Happy 70th Wrangler

August: Eclipsed Eclipse

September: GCS Teacher of the Year

October: President Trump Came to Greensboro

November: Veterans Day

December: Shaw Photography Group .