Greensboro Daily Photo

Goodbye 2018!

We close out 2018 with a photo of a young man walking north in the 600 block of South Elm Street, just in front of the Mellow Mushroom. Everything from head to toe, including his Nike backpack, looked brand new, as if Christmas had been good to him.

The 600 block attracts a lot of young people. Some meet up at the Mellow Mushroom. As you can see from the window, it is a visually appealing space and their good pizza is the ultimate food for sharing. Across the street is Elsewhere, a unique museum that attracts young artists from all over the world- literally. The Cat Cafe and the Cafe Genèse also attract a young crowd. Then, also in the south 600 block, is the Social Scene, a place for the latest, "must have" sneaker styles. We wish we'd interviewed the young guy above, however, with street photography, sometimes the photographer doesn't realize how nice the photo is, until sitting down and reviewing the day's photos.

We hope that 2018 has been good to you and that you can walk, as determined as this young man, into the new year!

Spreading JOY at Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church

Those who travel Battleground Avenue a lot recognize Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church as a beacon of light at the intersection of Pisgah Church Road. Their pumpkin patch and Christmas tree lot attract considerable attention from late fall to early winter. The above night shot features their life-sized JOY sign, aglow at night.

While Mt. Pisgah may attract people to the grounds with their outdoor events and signage, those who attend or visit, find a church with so much to offer. From traditional to contemporary services, Sunday school, youth groups, weekly gatherings, and more, Mt. Pisgah has been welcoming people through its doors since 1845*. Hard to believe this place of JOY dates back before the Civil War and when Greensboro was only 37 years old!

* read more, here.

Downtown Greensboro on a Foggy Eve

Downtown Greensboro was especially beautiful yesterday afternoon as the fog rolled in. Above, you see Triad Stage, the Kress Building, and the fogged-in Lincoln Financial Group building (and more). On the right, Schiffman's Jewelers, in the background, has been a #DGSO institution since 1893. The photograph was taken during "the quiet hour", just before people come to the restaurants for dinner and before offices close. 

If you haven't been downtown on Elm Street lately, you owe it to yourself to put on your walking shoes and take a stroll. If you are able, it is highly recommended to begin near the Tanger Center where it is pretty easy to find a parking space and walk all the way to Gate City Boulevard. The entire distance is about 3/4 of a mile. So, there and back would be a mile and a half. You will see so many new businesses and get great ideas for things to do. You can stop, sip, and shop as you go. Have a great weekend. Please take a little time to explore some new corners of Greensboro- or whatever city you happen to live in!

#DGSO

Downtown Greensboro is an organized group that works to inform people about events happening downtown. Plus, the group works to bring people together and to build community. In an effort to encourage people to use the hashtag, #DGSO, a 3' tall, all-uppercase sign has been installed at Hamburger Square.

Located right across the street from Natty Greene's, the giant sign is highly visible from their pub. The letters continually change color- making it even more eye-catching. It looks like one of those signs found at ports of call at Caribbean cruises, conducive to great photo ops. As you can see, the above photo was taken at night and most everyone downtown was in a restaurant eating dinner. 

Vida Pour Tea

If you have any extra time this week, have friends in town,  are seeking a little tranquility between-holidays, or are looking for a way to spend Christmas money, consider heading over to State Street to the little green building. Vida Pour Tea is magical, especially this time of the year under the amber glow of light inside. 

In last January's issue of Our State Magazine, Vida Pour Tea and its proprietor, Sarah Chapman, were featured.* As the article points out, Sarah has a way of helping you find exactly the right tea for you, even if you aren't sure what you want! The little, 1940's building, the color of matcha tea under the evening light, is located very near Gibbs Hundred and the Church Street side of State Street. This special spot is quite unique to Greensboro, maybe even the State.

*read the Our State Magazine article, here.

 

Chez Genèse

Greensboro's newest café, Chez Genèse, is taking South Elm Street by storm. This café employs adults with mental and developmental challenges. The very title, genèse, means genesis or new beginnings. Owner, Kathryn Hubert, is committed to helping people with special challenges enter the workforce at her restaurant. The restaurant serves breakfast and lunch, and caters as well. Indeed, the food is great, featuring many items inspired by the owner's time in France.  

The above photo gives you an idea of the warm, positive vibe at the establishment. If you are anxious to get out of the house or try somewhere new, Chez Genèse, at 616 South Elm, across from Mellow Mushroom, is a great option. Also, it is near the Cat Cafe. So, if you are a cat lover, you could make an appointment to spend an hour with the cats, before or after lunch at Chez Genèse. Greensboro just keeps getting better and better! 

Merry Christmas 2018 from Waving Santa at Friendly Center

Merry Christmas! The waving Santa at Friendly Center is iconic! The grand sentry of Christmas present greets shoppers along Friendly Avenue. In spite of being almost sixty years old with parts that may not be replacable, Santa continues to wave twenty-four hours a day during the Advent season.

For those who celebrate Christmas with family in Cone Hospital today, be sure to thank the workers, many of whom are from the Jewish community, volunteering to work so that their Christian friends can celebrate with family. Greensboro is a community that celebrates together, even when we don't celebrate the same holidays. Let the waving Santa remind us all to love one another and believe in each other. Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve 2018

Happy Christmas Eve day. Once again, we're visiting Fleet-Plummer, a family owned, Greensboro business. Today's photo was shot in the Santa aisle and there are plenty  to choose from. If you need last minute gifts, Fleet-Plummer or any of the other locally owned stores.

We hope you have  a happy holiday with at least 48 hours to be less busy than usual. Christmastime, there are so many traditions around the world, from the posadas in Mexico to radish carving in Oaxaca to Friendly Center's displaying a giant fiberglass Santa with a waving arm, tradition can be whatever  you make it  Simply purchasing a themed ornament for everyone on your list is a tradition.

Happy Christmas Eve; may your holiday be merry and bright.

Persimmon Grove AME Church

Persimmon Grove AME Church is located at 408 Dolley Madison Road. The pastor is the Rev. Debora Lawson-Smith. The AMEC religion is an outgrowth of the Free African Society, established in Philadelphia in 1787. The religion spread in the 1880s as African Americans were looking for a religion where they could worship and not face racial discrimination. Persimmon Grove AME Church in Greensboro traces its roots to that same time period, specifically 1882, and has changed locations more than once. The above church building was dedicated sixty years ago on July 13, 1958. 

To celebrate the last Sunday before Christmas, we feature Persimmon Grove, as it is decorated only by what some would refer to as God's winter glory- snow. May this calm scene inspire us all to pause and reflect on the spiritual aspect of Christmas. Winter in Greensboro is a time of cold and darkness; however, family, friends, and a faith community have a way of nurturing the soul. Happy Sunday!

GSO

If you are from Greensboro and travel a lot, you likely know that GSO is the three letter code for the airport here. We've already mentioned that travel is increasing at the airport, flights are being added, and it isn't quite as necessary to fly out of Charlotte or Raleigh. The above photo features one of the airport's eating establishments, The Local @ GSO. HMSHost of Bethesda, MD, has a ten-year, $50 million contract to run the six restaurants at the airport. HMSHost made an effort to give the restaurants a local feel and spent over two million dollars to upgrade them and replace former establishments.* Time permitting, try one of them out. As you see, from the upper right corner of the photo, PTI now has a Starbucks near Gate 27!  

During this last weekend before Christmas, travel is heavy, not only at the airport, but also on the roads. Also, the east coast is a little messy today. Drive safely and, if you celebrate Christmas, may it be everything you want it to be- whether you are in Greensboro or elsewhere!

* reference and more information, here.

ARANCIA! or Bust...

Greensboro doesn't seem to be teeming with vanity tags on cars. However, if someone is willing to pay extra for a special message to be written on their vehicle tags, that something must be really important to the owner. 

Today, we're featuring ARANCIA! on an orange Subaru. "Arancia" is Italian for "orange." There has to be a story behind a person who drives an orange car with a North Carolina vanity tag that says "orange" in a language not widely spoken in Greensboro. And then, there is the exclamation mark. Historically, exclamation marks meant "note of admiration." About all we can say is that we admire this person's love of orange! Happy Friday, the start of the last weekend before Christmas. Honk if you love orange!

Fleet-Plummer

Fleet Plummer was founded in 1949 and was located in downtown Greensboro. When it opened nearly 70 year ago, by Charlie Plummer, it was a hardware store. The Pummers have masterfully adapted their retail establishment for the changing times and the store has evolved into a place to shop for home and garden items, seasonal items, and all things southern. As seen in the above photo, currently Christmas is featured. After the new year, Santa and his reindeer will be replaced with patio furniture, grills, bird feeders and all things related to entertaining and spending time with family. They have also started carrying several lines of jewelry.

There are several ways to shop local. One is to buy items directly from local makers and another is to purchase items from local proprietors. Charlie, Bob, and Reid Plummer are three generations of just about as local as it gets. Today, the store is located on Battleground Avenue, near Cook-Out and Omega Sports. If you celebrate Christmas, you are probably well aware that there are only five shopping days until Christmas- if you count today!

Purple House with Green Door on Beverly Place

The snow is long gone in Greensboro. However, today's photo was taken last week after the snowstorm. Located on the Market Street end of Beverly Place, this house captivates most who drive by. It isn't every day one sees a purple house with a lime green door. The Christmas wreath is the icing on the cake. A house painted in secondary colors really stands out in the snow.

Other than the colors, the house is pretty typical floor plan of many homes in Greensboro. Perhaps the owners were mindful of feng shui. This design concept recommends green or brown for east facing doors. The home is very close to the Greensboro arboretum. Perhaps the owners were inspired by the greenery there. Here's to a great rest of the week, Greensboro (and beyond).

Piedmont Triad International Airport- So Much Happening

Over the last few years, the Piedmont Triad International Airport has undergone renovations, added flights, seats, and even art. Possibly, the above decorative ceiling was installed in celebration of Spirit Airlines. In September of this year, Spirit Airlines starting flying from Greensboro to Orlando, Tampa, and Fort Lauderdale. Greensboro is the 66th airport that the low-cost, budget carrier has started to use. Spirit is growing; PTIA is growing, too. According to PTIA Executive Director Kevin Baker, "seats scheduled for January 2019 were up 23 percent from January 2018."  6,500 of the 20,000 seats are coming from the added Sprint flights; however, Sprint only accounts for one-third of the increase.*  This growth is great news for the Triad area, making it decreasingly necessary for the people of Greensboro to drive to Charlotte or Raleigh to catch a flight.

On your next flight out of PTIA, take time to look at the artwork; not only these ribbons, but also a pair of the fiberglass bluejeans, a life-sized mosaic horse, and more!

* Reference and additional information, here.

UNCG vs Liberty

The Liberty University women's basketball team, the Lady Flames, was in Greensboro yesterday to play a game against the UNCG Lady Spartans. The game was what you call a buzzer beater with UNCG winning in the last second with a score of 48-45. Liberty, located in Lynchburg, VA, is only 109 miles from Greensboro, making this match up something of a backyard brawl.

If you are looking for fun and affordable activities for winter break, check out what the local universities have to offer. Between basketball games, art galleries, and great places to walk and romp around, the many institutions of higher education (IHE's) in the area provide great options. While the IHE's are already on break, the K-12 public schools in Guilford County will be readjusting to academic rigor today after a week of snow days. Happy Monday!

 

Let It Snow

Snow arrived in Greensboro on early last Sunday morning. In some places, it snowed 13". The above photo was taken in northwest Guilford County showing a  snowy field beyond a Moravian star on the morning of the snow.

Moravians first settled in the Winston-Salem area in 1753. The first Moravian church in Greensboro was built on East Lee Street in 1908.* While Moravians are Protestant/Christians, the Moravian star is the iconic symbol associated with the religion. It is very common to see the stars displayed locally this time of year; even by non-Moravian families. They are such a warm and welcoming decoration, easy to display, and look lovely against the backdrop of a new fallen snow.

* reference and more information about Moravians in Greensboro, see, here.

Still Digging Out

If you've ever owned a building with a flat roof, you know that they can be a challenge to maintain. Leaks sprout easily and show and ice weigh quite a lot and can cause damage. This man was busy shoveling snow off of a roof on a building between Branchwood Drive and Battleground Avenue. For some tasks, machines are there to replace people. For shoveling snow off of a roof, it is likely we'll be relying on humans for a very long time. If you are out patronizing businesses today, be sure to thank the employees for all they have been doing behind this scenes to get and stay open. Happy Saturday.

Snow Days

Fifth snow day in a row for Guilford County Schools. As seen in the above photo, taken yesterday afternoon at Grimsley High School, the snow has far from melted. While the main roads are clear, even some of the secondary roads are only cleared for one lane of traffic at a time. The school administrators have the extremely tough job of deciding whether or not to hold school. Since the three districts merged in the early 1990's- Greensboro City, High Point City, and the Guilford County- there is quite a bit of territory that needs to be cleaned up in order for it to be safe for all. While everyone is anxious to get back into a good routine, especially those schools that were set to give final exams this week, safety matters, above all! Happy Friday.

Brown-Gardiner in the Snow

Brown-Gardiner bills itself as "The Place to Be", an old-fashioned pharmacy and soda fountain that has served Greensboro for over 59 years. Part pharmacy, part restaurant, part social gathering place, indeed, Brown-Gardiner is an Irving Park institution. When you enter, depending on the time of day, you either smell bacon frying or that subtle medicinal scent of the pharmacies of yesteryear.

Congressman Howard Coble was known to eat here.  When in his Greensboro office, all he had to do was cross the street for lunch. It is highly likely that a lot of community input came his way over the lunch counter. While, unfortunately, Congressman Coble is no longer living, there is every indication that Brown-Gardiner will be around for a very long time. The building at 2101 North Elm Street, with its Carolina blue brick and awning, is even more prominent after a snowstorm. 

 

Frosty the Snowperson

Somebody built a snowperson on Olive Street in Fisher Park, at Bessemer Avenue. It is heartwarming to see people out enjoying the snow. In addition to the work that snow brings, by way of shoveling sidewalks and digging out one's vehicle, it is nice to make time for fun; finding that special sled riding hill, making snowmen, or even having a tame snowball "fight."

If you've ever built a snowman, you know that it is not that easy. First, the snow has to be just the right texture to stick together. Second, you have to get the snow while it is fresh and clean. Third, if the snowman is big, you may need someone to help lift the middle section. The stars aligned on Olive Street and this delightful icon of winter even survived the last two days where temperatures rose to nearly 40 degrees in Greensboro. The super creative part is its eyes. They used tootsie pops!  After all, coal isn't that easy to come by any more.

Digging Out

Yesterday, it was hit and miss with respect to businesses being open in Greensboro. There were probably more businesses closed than open. Even within corporations, it was hard to know which stores were open. The Chick-Fil-A on North Battleground was open with the drive-through snaking around the building. The Chick-Fil-A near Guilford College was closed. Some Starbucks were open; some closed. A lot had to do with safety and the ability to get parking lots shoveled and de-iced. In the above photo, the crew at Battleground Tire was busy digging out from the mountains of snow left behind by snowplows on Battleground Avenue.

Main roads are clear, side roads remain messy, and subject to black ice, as temperatures drop in the evening. Everybody is working hard to get the city fully functional again. Listening to the news, it is nice to hear that people have been offering to buy coffee and doughnuts for workers, bellringers, public servants, news crews, etc. Inclement weather is the perfect time for random acts of kindness, especially this near the holidays!

Schools are closed at least through Wednesday. For those who can, it is best to stay put! 

12-14" of Snow and Flags at Half Mast

President Trump has ordered that all flags fly at half mast for 30 days to honor former President George H. W. Bush. The above photo was taken last night at Greensboro's Piedmont Triad International Airport. With 14 inches of snow and the winds holding the flags erect, the flags stood out at eye-level for travelers. While the airport wasn't closed, very few flights made it in or out yesterday.

With 12-14" of snow falling yesterday, it was the 3rd snowiest day on record in Greensboro. According to WFMY 2 News, and as measured at PTI Airport, yesterday, as of 3pm, it had snowed 12". On March 3rd, 1927, 20.3 inches of snow fell and on December 17th 1930, 14.3 inches. With local schools and many businesses closed, Greensboro will be pretty much at a standstill today. If ever you were going to make a snowman, read a book, or clean house, today would be the perfect day to do so. Stay put! You will have the rest of the month to go to the airport to see the flags at half mast.

Centenary UMC

Centenary United Methodist Church, located at 2300 West Friendly Avenue, is decorated for Christmas. This year, they have their annual creche on the Friendly Avenue side of the building, and they have added some of the round, chickenwire balls of light, extending the Sunset Hills display. 

Church services at Centenary were cancelled last night, in anticipation of the snow of 2018! Church members here could probably use a day of rest, anyway. Yesterday, they held a fabulous, free, community breakfast from 8-10 am which also included a clothes closet. This past Wednesday, they held a health screening at the church. These days, houses of worship work hard for the community. Let's hope the weather is agreeable enough for members to attend Christmas services. Happy Sunday; stay warm!

Tiny Gallery on Bruce Street

Tiny is the new BIG, and today from 11:00 am- 4:00 pm, six very talented Greensboro artists will feature their artwork for sale at the Tiny Gallery at 125 Bruce Street. The above photo features two of the artists, Vicky Johnson and Perry Boswell. Perry is selling his paintings and some of his naughty and nice Christmas cards. Vicki also has cards and jewelry. (You still have another week or so to mail cards and have them arrive on time).

Bruce Street is a tiny street between Spring Garden Street and Oakland Avenue. If you are heading east on Spring Garden, it is the first right, just after Elam. Regardless of whether you visit Bruce Street, or one of the many other artists' events in Greensboro today, there is no reason to buy something mass produced, when there is so much local talent. Please support local artists. As you plan your day, with the looming threat of a giant snowstorm, make your list and check it twice: Bread, milk, candles, batteries, and LOCAL ART!

Thistle and Broom

Yesterday, we featured shipping containers in Greensboro, to show the one end of consumerism; specifically, items being brought in from all over the world. Today, we feature the opposite end of the spectrum, a locally owned store, Thistle and Broom. The proprietor, Deborah, imports some items, but also works hard to locally source items. She loves mixing new and vintage.  Thistle & Broom has been open for two years now. In her previous career, Deborah was a school teacher in Guilford and Randolph Counties.

Deborah, who relocated to Greensboro from Siler City when she was 19, absolutely loves spending time in her shop arranging items. She compared staging the shop with painting a picture. You don't always know where you will end up, but is always fun seeing the finished product. Hats off to Deborah for working hard to provide so many cute items that add to the hygge feeling of coziness we all crave this time of year. Stop by and see her soon at 1940 Spring Garden Street, between Adelaide's and Spring Garden Bakery.

 

Horse & Fog

This past weekend was extremely foggy in Greensboro. As long as the foreground is visible, fog can really enhance a photo. Such was the case with this horse, spotted at the corner of Pleasant Ridge Road and Stanley Huff Road. Greensboro is entering one of those time periods where just about every possible weather event will be experienced within about a week. From fog, to warm sunny days, to the likelihood of snow and ice. Are you ready? This beautiful horse is. Rolled bales of hay were delivered last night and there is enough to last through the most tenacious  of snowstorms.

If you love horses, there are plenty of stables around Greensboro. If you own horses and want a horse farm, horseproperties.net often has property listed in the area. Around Greensboro, conditions are good for riding, most of the year.

Shipping Containers, Shopping and Stuff

These shipping containers off of Merritt Drive in Greensboro remind us that when we consume, items need to get from Point A to Point B somehow. In Greensboro, that is often by truck, plane, or rail. Since the city doesn't have a port or river, boats are not an option. However, there are plenty of shipping containers coming through the city. In September of this year (2018), Fed Ex expanded its operations in Greensboro, making PTI Airport busier.

Nationally, this year's November-December online sales have increased by 16%, up from 106 billion to 123 billion in 2018.* That statistic relates to Greensboro in two ways. First, if you are looking for a job, the local shipping industry is robust. Second, if you want to directly help the local economy, remember to also shop local. Finally, remember that overconsumption leads to environmental degradation. Consider shopping at resale shops or from people who use recycled materials. While it is important to keep the economy robust, there are ways to consume that are less impactful to natural resources.

* Reference and more information, here.https://www.shopify.com/enterprise/holiday-shopping-online#1

Gate City Railbenders

Greensboro is lucky to have a wide variety of acoustic music. The above photo was taken during the Festival of Lights downtown this past Friday. The Gate City Railbenders delighted the 600 block of South Elm Street with a few hours of live music. If you like old-time stringband music, you will love the sound the Railbenders.

This upcoming Friday is First Friday downtown, you will have another opportunity to hear live music. While it may not be the above group, there is sure to be a variety of music and other activities. Strolling along Elm and Davie Streets during First Friday has become quite a Greensboro tradition. Here is a list of some of this week's First Friday options. 

Holiday Balls in Sunset Hills 2018

It is that time of year. Sunset Hills, a neighborhood just west of downtown Greensboro, is aglow with  lighted, chicken wire balls. Most are about 2' round with a strand of 100 lights. Some are catapulted high into the trees; others vary from eye level on up to a few stories high. Collectively, they turn the neighborhood into a winter wonderland. If you haven't driven down Ridgeway Avenue, Madison Avenue, or any of the Sunset Hills streets between Friendly Avenue and Market Streets, you owe it to yourself to drive around and enjoy the view. Be sure to take a few cans of non-perishables. The neighborhood collects cans for the Second Harvest Food Bank.

On December 15, at 6pm, runners will race through the streets. Walkers begin as soon as the runners are underway. The participants are usually as decorated as the streets- with Christmas sweaters, glow sticks, blinking strands of lights, and so much more! Visit the event's website to learn more about the history of the event and the worthy cause.

Nativity in Kernersville

Have you ever driven through downtown Kernersville on a quiet, winter night? The above photo was taken on South Main Street at the corner of Pineview Drive. While the nightime, cell phone photo doesn't do the scene justice, it does give you an idea of the how lovely the nativity scene is at this house. By day, the colors are much more vibrant, but, by night the scene glows, with the Moravian star illuminating it from above!

Another beautiful aspect of downtown Kernersville at night is the blinky lights. They are white lights strung far apart up in the trees on Main Street. Seeing them will remind you that less, is more. At any rate, it is worth a 20 minute drive west to Kernersville if you celebrate Christmas and want to see one community's tasteful decorations, and one resident's lovely creche.

Festival of Lights

Last night,  Greensboro's Festival of Lights was held downtown, from LeBauer Park to Gate City Boulevard. The weather was warm and so the event was well attended. Because the date for Thanksgiving was a little early this year, there was a little more time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Therefore, this Friday was the Festival. Next Friday, First Friday will be held . That should also be well attended.

The above photo was taken at Hamburger Square where people danced to live music, artificial snow was in full force, and even the inflatables got in the act. Happy Saturday. Hopefully you will all be at the Christmas parade today. Santa needs that one extra time to see if you've been naughty or nice!