Greensboro Daily Photo

Tough Love, Weinfield, & the Greensboro Mural Project

Yesterday, Vera Weinfield was on location at the corner of East Washington and Church Streets, working on the Greensboro Mural Project's mural, entitled "Tough Love." Weinfield is the project leader on this endeavor that has involved at least 200 volunteers of all ages with varying levels of "love" for Greensboro. Wenfield, who is from Indiana and studied at the Art Institute of Philadelphia, moved to Greensboro about seven months ago to work on this project. The goal of the project is to turn letters about Greensboro into a mural. Some of the letters address what people love about the city and other letters address things they'd like to see change.

Weinfield, who has poured her heart into this project and made it her full-time job, had planned for this mural to be in place for a very long time. Unfortunately, she recently learned that the building will be torn down by the end of February. She is hurrying to finish the mural in time for the Greensboro Mural Project to host some kind of community event here, where all can enjoy, photograph, and be photographed in front of a great work of art. Paint can only be applied when the temperature is above 40ºF. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate so that "Tough Love" can be finished in time to be torn down. Ironically, naming the mural "Tough Love" has become a self-fulfilling prophecy; knowing that its days are numbered must make it tough for Weinfield to love this project. Stop by and see it in person and cheer Vera on!

Springlike Weather on Carlson Dairy

Yesterday in Greensboro, the temperature rose to 50 degrees. After a mostly-rainy Sunday, the sunny Monday afternoon felt like spring was giving our community a visit. The above photo was taken just off Carlson Dairy Road on the Farm Course of Greensboro Country Club. Nine years ago, this course had a six million dollar renovation. British golf course architect, Donald Steel, redesigned the par-72 course. It is the longest course in Greensboro and is said to be one of the longest in the state.

Over the last few decades, country clubs have evolved to emphasize being family friendly and having something for everyone in the family-- tennis, golf, swimming, social events, great meals, and more. Even if you don't play golf, or belong to one of Greensboro's local country clubs, you can walk the perimeter and enjoy the views. Greensboro's many golf courses provide expansive views and are a great way to appreciate nature's great beauty. Look at that blue sky that provides a great backdrop to that lovely field. Before we know it, indeed, spring will be here.

Cone Denim and Greensboro's Textile Industry

Going through our photo archives at GDP, we came across this photo taken late this past summer. There was an event at Revolution Mill and Cone Denim had a table set up, telling about their history and these unidentified women were selling t-shirts, left over from White Oak Mill's anniversary celebration a few years ago. Little did the community know that the mill was about to close its doors forever. 

We're hoping somebody is doing a photo shoot inside the White Oak Mill before it gets dismantled, or changed into whatever it is going to become. If they are looking for photographers to take photos inside the White Oak Plant, please encourage them to contact Greensboro Daily Photo. We've had requests to share this giant piece of Greensboro's history with the community. 

When we started Greensboro Daily Photo nine years ago, it wasn't our initial plan to photograph the changes in the community, but those changes have been coming fast and furiously. As for White Oak, it is hard to believe that memories, and silenced equipment are all we have left of an industry that was an integral part of Greensboro for over 100 years.

Immaculate Heart of Mary

The Virgin Mary is drenched in symbolism and, up until the 18th century, the was the single-most commonly depicted female figure. While there are many different ideas about her and her role in Christianity, she is Jesus' mother and in iconography is depicted with him. She is linked to human nature and the earthly aspect of Christianity.* In St. Luke's gospel, it is said that Mary kept all things in her heart to ponder them. 

The above photo is of a painting of Mary that was turned into a collage and recently for sale at a Greensboro thrift store. Last time we checked, she had been sold. Somebody in Greensboro has rescued her. It made us wish we'd left a business card taped to the back of the piece asking the person who purchased it to let us know what happens to her. We hope you have a great Sunday and, if you have time, look around and see the beauty around us. Mary would want that.

*reference and interesting article here.

Friday Evening in the Park in Greensboro

This cell phone photo of downtown is not the best quality, but something about the pixelated blurr of light evokes chromoluminarism, the innovative technique of Georges-Pierre Seurat. Seurat had a way of making a figure look like a person with a series of dots. The light, from Center City Park, is shining on people who  were downtown celebrating the Festival of Lights during the First Friday in December. The person in the center of the photo is on a bicycle. Curiously, all eyes appear to be on the cyclist.

Seurat believed that the use of color could evoke emotion, specifically that gaiety could be achieved through luminous hues. Balancing warm with cold colors, creating horizontal lines, and the using light and dark, combines to evoke a sense of calm. Do you sense the calm happiness of people enjoying a Friday Evening in the Park in Greensboro? Indeed, that was the feeling on December 1st.

This upcoming Friday is the first Friday in February. It won't be nearly as well attended or as elaborate;  nevertheless, it will be a way to usher in the last great month of winter. Besides, it will also be Groundhog Day. If it is not a good day, just like the movie, you can get up and live it all over again. Just kidding (kind of)...

Birch Management

Birch Management, located at 1118 Grecade Street in Midtown. They are a professional property management service in Greensboro. Birch opened in 1988 and their staff has been working to help clients make the most of their investment properties for over thirty years. Their staff of 15 is quite diverse, with most team members having been involved in the real estate industry for several years.

The street-view facade of the building is reminiscent of the nearby Jones Metal Work building given the plain brick, angled roof, and signage attached directly onto the roof area. The building punctuates the sky beautifully on a sunny winter day, when trees are bare and the building is maximally visible. The 7,560 square foot building was built in 1985; however Birch has only been in this location since December of 2007. With its great location- easy access to Wendover Avenue, Battleground, and Benjamin Boulevard-  likely, they will remain on Grecade for a very long time.

 

Greensboro's Southside Community

Southside is an area of Greensboro between East Lewis Street and MJK Drive. The above photo was taken one block off of Elm Street at Arlington Street. It is hard to believe that this majestic, mature tree and the magnolia behind it are on that large, undeveloped lot, right downtown. This urban neighborhood has a variety of architecture, from modern townhouses to Queen Anne mansions and bungalows.

The Southside area has been a vibrant community since the 1800's. In 1996, a Greensboro City Council bond package provided for the redevelopment of the neighborhood. Southside has benefitted from this intensive community planning and economic boost to renovate owner-occupied residences. The neighborhood continues to get stronger and expand. While the above photo was taken in the older part, it is still attractive.

Visual Merchandising and Product Presentation

Students in the Visual Merchandising and Product Presentation class at the University of North Carolina Greensboro spent part of yesterday afternoon speed styling at Reconsidered Goods on Patterson Street. They were on site with their professor, Anne Wood, who teaches in the Department of Consumer Apparel and Retail Studies. As they arrived at Reconsidered Goods, they were met by staff member Paige Cox who immediately put the crew to work moving the above Valentine's Day display from the back of the room to the front and relocating the display that was formerly in this spot. In the above photo, the display is nowhere near finished, but the crew was working quickly and efficiently making product placement issues in real time, working with goods donated to this non-profit, creative reuse center.

If you do not work in the field of education, you might not realize the emphasis placed on students having real-word, internship experiences as part of their academic training. Yesterday, the team's instructor masterfully balanced providing input and direction from the side with allowing the team to make decisions. These students will also have the opportunity to speed style at the Junior League's Bargain Box on Mill Street and the Target on Lawndale. How wonderful that university students provide a service to the community while gaining experience in their chosen profession.

A big thank you to the seven team members above, to their instructor Anne Wood, to Reconsidered Goods for providing artists with affordable supplies, and to the people who donate to this great venture. Each link in this chain is a vital part in building and sustaining a community.

Hair Shop of Lawndale

The above barber pole belongs to the Hair Shop of Lawndale, at the Irving Park Shops on Lawndale Avenue. The Hair Shop is one of those places that seems like it has been around forever. One online commenter said he'd been using the same barber there, Ed. for 25 years.

Over the centuries, barbers have served as dentists, surgeons, people capable of bloodletting, leeching, fire cupping, and (according to Wikipedia) even giving enemas. The helix of colored stripes on the barber pole above is a reference to the bloodletting and medical procedures performed in years past. While today's barbers focus more on haircuts, shaving, and trimming stray ear and nose hairs, barbers are proud of their history and are rather proprietary about the display of barber poles.

The Hair Shop end of the plaza is changing before our eyes. Walgreen's has left the end spot at Cornwallis and The William Mangum Gallery has moved to Smith Street downtown. Let's hope that some of the old-school businesses, like the Hair Shop, don't get displaced. A healthy mixture of old and new keeps a strip mall fresh and current, yet with continuity and a link to the community's past.

 

The Annual Guilford County Schools Choice Showcase

Guilford County Schools held their Schools Showcase this past Saturday. The showcase, held at the Coliseum in the event space, gives families an opportunity to explore school options. Children always have the right to attend their attendance zone school; however, Greensboro has 45 choice schools with 54 programs. While all schools teach the core basics (language arts, math, science, and social studies), the choice schools are themed, and focus on everything from S.T.E.M. to performing and visual arts to foreign language. 

The above photo shows the booth for the Spanish Immersion Program, which is houses at David D. Jones Elementary School, in the Warnersville neighborhood just south of town. Students in the Spanish Immersion Program learn their core content areas in Spanish. Imagine arriving to Kindergarten on Day 1 and not hearing your teacher speak a word of English. Imagine five year olds, after 180 days of school not even realizing that their teacher speaks English. Yet, through their fabulous teaching techniques, students learn to read and perform math problems in Spanish, often before they can do so in English.

The families of Greensboro, High Point, and the rest of Guilford County are lucky to have access to so many fabulous special programs. While there is a lottery system, the programs are free for the families using them.

Winter Night Sky

 With the recent blanket of white snow lingering and a couple of sunny days, it is easy to forget that we are still in the time with the longest nights of the year. The above photo is of this week's waxing crescent moon. Today, the sun rises at 7:27 a.m. and sets at 5:35 p.m., giving our lattitude about ten hours of daylight and fourteen hours of night.

There are many references to darkness in the Bible, often referring to evil and taking the wrong path.  An example is Proverbs 4:19: But the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over. A more lighthearted reference to darkness can be found in Psalm 104:19-20: He made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to set. You bring darkness and it becomes night, and all the beasts of the forest prowl.

Even though Greensboro is working its way out of a hard week of true winter and it was as if the whole city was at a standstill, as we consider Psalm 104, we are reminded that the light and dark are purposeful.  The waxing crescent moon is the prelude to 14 hours of darkness, merely a way of marking the seasons. Nothing says winter like single digit temperatures, nine inches of snow, and extra hours of darkness. 

Happy wintertime! Happy Sunday-  where the very word has embedded in it the moon's bright counterpart!

Greensboro City Vehicle Tags

At one time, cities and towns in North Carolina issued metal vehicle license tags to generate revenue. They were placed on the front of the vehicle and were about half the size of the state plates. There doesn't appear to be a lot of information available on the city plates; however, we know they were popular in the 1970's and we saw one from Ellerbe, NC from 1987. Some just had the city's name, and others, had a slogan. For example, in 1976, HIGH POINT dubbed itself "World Hosiery Capital" and BURLINGTON was known as "Bigger-Better." ERWIN, NC billed itself as World Denim Capital.* Erwin, NC, is located in Harnett County, and not too far from Raleigh-Durham-Carey. The Duke Family built a cotton mill there in 1904 that only closed in 2000. Still, we've always seen Greensboro as the Denim Capital of North Carolina, maybe even the world. With the Cone Denim White Oak Plant closed after 110 years, on December 31 (1905-2017), Greensboro will lose the tradition of making jeans. As a matter of fact, there don't appear to be any plants making jeans in North Carolina.

Cities learned they could still collect vehicle taxes without the cost of making the metal plates, and clothing companies realized they could decrease costs by producing jeans in other countries. So, if you find an old city license tag in the garage, or a pair of vintage, made-in-North-Carolina  jeans in the back of the closet, hold on to them. You have a piece of local history. 

*See an interesting collection of North Carolina city tags, here.

Sled Riding in Greensboro

Greensboro's big snow this week has been pretty fabulous for sled riding. Some parts of town received up to 9 inches of snow, much more than anticipated. It has been enough to shut the town down. You know it is bad when fast food restaurants (national chains) are closed. On Wednesday night, the Harris-Teeter parking lot was so empty, they appeared to be closed. Indeed, they were open. Perhaps customers filled their pantries with the requisite snow-pocalypse items on Tuesday night. Wednesday, Greensboro was a ghost town. Roads were treacherous, school was closed, not even teachers had to report to work. 

By Thursday, temperatures warmed significantly, the sun came out, and people were a little more adventurous. The city's sled riding spots were busy into the early evening. The above photo was taken in British Woods, off Battleground Avenue, a few years ago. However, the park at Downing Street was just as busy yesterday and, with the bright blue skies, sled riders were enjoying a free, low-tech, outdoor form of winter entertainment.

Today, while much of the snow has compacted and melted, and a little more dirt is peeking through on the hills, it is still a great day for sledding. Grab your sled, cafeteria tray from your college years (you know you have one), or some kind of inflatable, and head for the nearest snow covered hill. Whether you have children in your life, or not, we could all use a good dose of bringing out the inner child! Sometimes, it is nice to slow down and enjoy all that a snow day brings: family time, the quietness of nature, then laughter, snowmen, sledding, the crunching of snow, hot chocolate, and frozen toes and fingers warming after a day of playing. Have fun, while it lasts! Where is your favorite place to sled ride in Greensboro?

Snow Day

Yesterday morning, the predicted snow fell, and then some. Not only was school cancelled, it was not even an optional teacher workday. People were advised to stay put and Greensboro was silent. It seemed as if there were as many cancellations as places open. Uncharacteristically, even more snow fell than was predicted. Even with electricity and access to programs for binge watching and social media for posting snow photos, people have been hinting at cabin fever. 

Hopefully the bird bath in the above photo will not crack and the fig tree will weather the storm. Fig trees aren't supposed to be subjected to temperatures below 20 degrees. Somehow each year, the manage to grow again. How are you spending your time? Are your pantries stocked?

Dónde!? Where

Somewhere in Greensboro, earlier in the fall, a Ford Fiesta was seen driving around town with the above vanity tag, "DONDE!? or Spanish for "WHERE."  Of course, the tag begs the question, "Where, what?" When vanity tags are ordered, not only does the Division of Motor Vehicles need to make sure the requested tag doesn't mean something inappropriate in English, they need to be relatively sure there isn't an inappropriate meaning in another language.

And, language changes so quickly. As an example, if you search a crowdsourced site like Urban Dictionary, for the word "thirsty" you will learn the connotations of the word. (seeking attention on social media by posting selfies to boost self esteem. "Thirsties" are groups of people trying to get the attention, admiration, or love of the opposite sex; or, someone fishing for compliments). Even those definitions are several years old. Those meanings could have already dropped out of usage or evolved into something else. At any rate, "thirsty" means so much more than wanting a drink of water. Before you even get started thinking of the special word you want on your vanity tag, you can peruse the 201 specialized plates in North Carolina. For example, in North Carolina you can get an Auburn University, 82nd Airborne, Lion's Club, Dale Earnhardt, Jr.,  Donate Life Organ Donor tag icon on the tag even before deciding on a word.*

If you are stuck in traffic, especially with children in the car, remember the license tag game. Unlike previous generations, this generation can snap photos of their best finds, and then set out to trace the meaning to its origin. Does anybody know the back-story on the North Carolina "DONDE!?" tag?

*see your options, here.

Barnes and Noble Bookstore at Friendly Center

Barnes and Noble Bookstore dates back to 1873 in Illinois, where Charles M. Barnes opened it out of his home. It is the bookseller with the largest number of retail sites in the United States. According to their website, they operate 720 bookstores, and are in all 50 states. Barnes and Noble offers special literary events, as well as opportunities for schools to have fundraisers and to showcase their performing and visual arts.

While it is always nice to support local, independent booksellers, one would like to think that more bookstores in a community correlates with more readers. As seen in the above photo, Barnes & Noble was pretty busy in the December/January timeframe.

If you are looking for a book to read, The Bright Hour, by Nina Riggs is one that is receiving national attention. Riggs, a Greensboro resident,  died last year of breast cancer, just as she finished her memoir. You can find a copy at either Barnes & Noble or Scuppernong. To be sure, it is better to purchase the book locally. And, just think, get it today and you will have something to read if this evening's predicted snow event lands in Greensboro.

Food Pantry at Backpack Beginnings

The "Impact Wall" of Backpack Beginnings was recently featured on Greensboro Daily Photo (here). Today's feature in the sorting table for the food pantry portion of the facility. Office Manager Michele Alvarino is explaining how a person stands in the foreground, selects donated food from a central palate, determines the expiration date on each can of food and slides them down on a given color strip. The color indicates type of food (vegetable, starch, protein, etc.) and remaining shelf life. The person in the background position, where Michele is standing, then puts the item on the appropriate shelf. Yet another person will pack a box of about 35 pounds of food, from a variety of categories, to send to schools with food pantries. About 200 volunteers regularly drive food to and from schools.

In 2014, the Food Research and Action Center, ranked Greensboro and High Point as Number 1 for people who had difficulties in securing food.* Hopefully, with programs like Backpack Beginnings, the situation is improving. 

As many people have a day off today, celebrating the Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, let us all remember that the day is intended to be one of community service. If you are looking for a way to help, consider holding a food drive, through any of your networks of friends and associates, and donate what you get to Backpack Beginnings. Access their website, here, or call 336-709- 9649 to arrange to drop off food. Finally, remember the words of Booker T. Washington, "The happiest people are those who do the most for others."  While Booker T. Washington died 14 years before Dr. King was born, they shared the common goal of uplifting and empowering African Americans and they would have loved each other. May we do our part to continue the work of these great humanitarians.

* reference.

College Park Baptist Church

Today's photo of College Park Baptist Church was taken in early December when Greensboro had its first snowfall of the year. Since the forecast is predicting snow again this week, the photo is timely. College Park Baptist is located at the southwest corner of Walker Avenue and Aycock Street- just across the street from UNCG.  

College Park Baptist, is known for being about as welcoming, inclusive, and liberal as a church can be. The church was founded in 1906 and originally called Forest Avenue Church. Given its close proximity to UNCG, college students have always been an important part of the congregation. The church was the first in Greensboro to have an ordained female minister. Over the years, twelve of their members have been ordained as ministers and they have sent nine missionaries to foreign countries.*  Whether you are actively seeking out a church, or just looking for a congregation to visit, one that will welcome you with open arms, step in and give CPBC a try. If you happen to get stuck in a snow storm and are in the neighborhood, we're betting someone at the church will lend a hand.

*reference and more church history, here.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Shabbat Service at Temple Emanuel

Last night was the 23rd annual Shabbat Service at Temple Emanuel, honoring the memory of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Also addressed was the issue of racism in society today. Rabbi Guttman went "off script" to address the topic, relating his message to recent events in the news.  The keynote speaker, UNCG's Chancellor Gilliam spoke about racism, the power of storytelling, and the need for social change.

Throughout the very special two hour service, Jewish prayers and rituals were combined with music- contempory, traditional, and religious. The service reminded the congregation and guests that there is much work to be done to have a more equal and just society. It was a memorable moment hearing Hank Brodt, a survivor of five Nazi concentration camps sang V'shamru. Another special moment came when everyone in the room sang a song that combined "America the Beautiful" and "We Shall Overcome." Politicians and religious leaders in the audience were recognized; quite a testimony to the diversity in the audience. At the end of the service, all religious leaders in attendance went up front to show solidarity and a common vision. It was a very memorable service, where all felt embraced and welcome.

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 .