Greensboro Daily Photo

Let There Be Light on Friendly Avenue

On Tuesday night, there was an issue with a circuit and abut 700 homes and businesses along Friendly Avenue at Friendly Center, and over to Westover Terrace were without power for a few hours. However, during the day this week, in the same area, the sun was shining and and the sky was glorious.

This is the time of year, especially when temperatures drop, that everyone needs a backup plan if their house is without power. Do you have a care kit handy? Flashlights charged? A way to extend the charge of your cell phone? A place to stay if it gets too cold in your house? Especially, in winter, it is important to have a "Plan B." As beautiful as Elam Avenue looks in the above photo, it is hard to believe that people in the area were scrambling to make it through the power outage this week. Oh, winter!

An O. Henry Ending

Late yesterday in Greensboro, the lighting in the afternoon sky was breathtaking. It had rained earlier in the day and the air was crisp and clean. The sun came out to the delight of all. The Green Valley Grill was filled to capacity. The stars aligned and everything was perfect. At about 6:45, darkness descended on a large chunk of the retail stores around Friendly Center and over to Westover Terrace. Something happened to the power and, poof, all at once, there was almost total darkness. Since there hadn't been an extreme weather event, this outage came as quite a surprise.

It is so rare for the Green Valley Grill to be without power as they are on the same grid as the Wesley Long/Cone Hospital. The staff at the Green Valley Grill handled the situation with upmost professionalism. Immediately, candles were brought to every table. For a while, diners were hopeful their meals could be prepared as the ovens are wood burning. However, without exhaust fans, it isn't possible to cook. At the end. the biggest surprise, to those who had been served meals, was that there was no way to accept credit card payment. This was a giant loss of revenue. To those enjoying a night out near Friendly Center, this was an unanticipated, O. Henry ending during the last week in January.

Ultralight Fun

This weekend seemed to bring a wide variety of vehicles to the friendly skies around Greensboro. Just north of Greensboro, in Summerfield, off of 220 north, this ultralight was spotted on Sunday. Piedmont Aerosports of Greensboro offers flying lessons for these smaller recreational crafts.  Also, through Piedmont Aerosports new and used vehicles are available. They even have a vehicle called a gyroplane that looks like a helicopter with a thread thin propeller.

We also saw single engine planes and helicopters out taking advantage of the clear skies. Getting from Point A to Point B offers so many possibilities these days, including sports aircrafts. It is interesting to watch these vehicles in flight. They evoke a feeling of being at the beach.

BMX Bicycle Shop in Downtown Greensboro

Greensboro has a relatively new bicycle shop, DOWNTOWN BICYCLE WORKS. The shop, owned and managed by the French family, sells BMX bicycles. It is a full-service repair shop. They do repairs on the spot, new or vintage bikes, with no appointment necessary. They are located in the 600 block of south Elm Street and open seven days a week. They plan to start renting bicycles. 

Over the past few years, bike riding has been on the rise in Greensboro as have bike lanes and greenway riding miles. With technology and apps, it is easy to find or map your own ride that is perfect for your fitness level. While bicycle motocross (BMX)  bikes are primarily off-road sport bicycles, used for stunt riding and racing racing, there are times when they need to get from Point A to B. The French family is committed to keeping your bike up and running.

Buffalo Presybterian Church

Buffalo Presbyterian Church has been a Greensboro institution since 1756, over 50 years before Greensboro became a city. That is a lot of history, a lot of congregations, and a lot of change. It was settled by Scotch-Irish who came from Scotland to Ireland to Pennsylvania and then settling here. The church has so much rich history in the community and they have maintained documentation of this history.

The church has expanded over the years, yet they have maintained as much character of the original site as possible. When the sanctuary expanded, they went to great lengths to see that the new brick matched the original brick. The acoustics in the sanctuary are reported to be very good. Let's all attend a service and see for ourself. This church is so significant to the Greensboro community. See a very different photo of the church (here), taken by GDP a decade ago.

Music Academy of North Carolina

On any weekday afternoon, parking in front of the Music Academy of North Carolina is at a premium. Families are picking up and dropping off students for lessons at 1327 Beaman Place, just up from the Tiny Greenhouse and across the street from Bulldog Printing. The Music Academy caters to almost everyone's musical interest and needs. They even have a commercial recording studio on site. Over the past 37 years, the academy has grown from three instructors and twenty students to thirty-five instructors and over 1,000 students. They have a diverse faculty and offer a wide range of lessons.

Dr. Ivan Battle founded the academy in 1982 when he was only 25 years old. Ivan, as he was known to most, died in 1995, after a very courageous with A.I.D.S. In a mere 39 years on earth, he left a lasting legacy of high quality music instruction that continues to thrive today. Research shows the benefits of early exposure to music in brain development. Ivan knew the benefits of early exposure to music and would be so pleased with the success of his academy. 

Happy Saturday! Seek out some live music!

Pink CareLink Truck

Recently, the pink, Cone Health, CareLink truck was spotted at Friendly Center, in the parking lot between Chic-Fil-A and Whole Foods. At a physician's request, CareLink transports patients from one hospital to another. The critical care transport service can conduct a complete patient assessment on board.

The pink wrap is done in support of the annual Women's Only 5-K Run in Greensboro which dates back to 1992. The run is its 27th year this year. As for the pink transport vehicle, it is pretty hard to blend in if you are driving this vehicle. It is good publicity for the run, for Cone Health, and CareLink. The wrap definitely commands attention and it is for a good cause!

 

Homes of Greensboro: Shannon Drive

Greensboro has had some great, sunny, winter days. The above photo was taken earlier in the week, on Shannon Drive at the corner of Golden Gate Drive. The brick home, built in  1955,  is right across the street from Golden Gate Shopping Center; however, it looks like it could be in rural Guilford County. The cul-de-sac, just a couple of blocks from Page High School, is lined with trees and has plenty of greenery- even in winter. 

There was a time when people were leaving these houses, smaller  than 1,000 square feet, for bigger homes in the suburbs. Today, with the appeal of living closer to urban areas and the tiny-home, less-is-more movement, these little homes, with such great bones, are good as gold. This particular home hasn't sold since 1981. We're betting the owners are pretty happy with it.

MLK Bust Recast in Bronze and Installed in Ole Asheboro

Wilbur Lee Mapp's cement bust of Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., sat for years at the corner of MLK, Jr. Drive and South Elm Street (featured, here, in 2010). Over the years, it began to show wear, as cement is not durable with respect to holding up to the elements. Greensboro sculptor Jim Gallucci worked with Mr. Mapp to cast the bust in bronze. Mr. Mapp was an integral part of the process to the very end. While he saw the bust completed in Mr. Gallucci's studio, Mr. Mapp did not live to see the dedication and the work of art in its new home at the corner of MLK, Jr. Boulevard and Bragg Street.

Mr. Gallucci says that the situation is bittersweet. On the one hand, Mr. Mapp lived to see his sculpture converted to a more durable material, but he did not see it installed in the heart of the Ole Asheboro neighborhood. Fortunately, many of his family members were on hand  Monday for the dedication. They are featured above, with Mr. Gallucci who is on the left wearing a Russian-inspired hat.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in Ole Asheboro

Yesterday was a busy day at the corner of MLK, Jr. Boulevard and Bragg Street, in the heart of  Ole Asheboro. The above photo features the ribbon cutting ceremony for Monday's opening of another segment of the Downtown Greenway. This part of the greenway is very special to the history of Greensboro, not  only for its significance to the revitalization efforts in Ole Asheboro, but also for the installation of three pieces of very meaningful art.

The family of Wilbur Lee Map was on hand for the installation of Mapp's 1994 bust of Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. In close collaboration with Mr. Mapp, local sculptor Jim Gallucci took Mapp's cement bust of Dr. King and recast it in bronze. Mr. Mapp lived to see the bronze bust completed, but not installed. Also installed on the southside of the greenway were two steel sculptures by Vandorn Hinnant, a Greensboro artist now living in Durham. It is so nice to see citizens, artists, and politicians coming together to celebrate Greensboro. The well-attended event was just perfect for MLK holiday.

Super Blood Wolf Lunar Eclipse Moon

The super blood wolf lunar eclipse moon was beautiful as it rose over Lake Higgins last night. The sky was clear and the breezes were cold. Near Lake Higgins, owls were communicating with each other, filling the night with interesting sounds. Hopefully this full moon be the start of a good day where the Greensboro community comes together to remember Martin Luther King, Jr.'s activism and leadership in the civil rights movement.

Equity is a key component to every community. If you want to be involved, there are plenty of options. Today from 11-1pm, you can enjoy the Martin Luther King Parade downtown. After the parade is the unveiling of the bronze bust at the corner of MLK, Jr. Drive and Bragg Street. The Four Seasons Mall will also have students performing, helping with a blood drive, and so much more. Consider spending the day in service and in support of civil rights for all. 

St Benedict

The above photo features an exterior view of Saint Benedict's Catholic Church on North Elm Street. It was taken last night, just before the 5:00 pm Saturday night mass. It was a gray, overcast day, and St. Benedict's looked so warm and inviting with the lights on and the stained glass windows glowing. Built in the late 1870's it is the oldest Catholic church in Greensboro. 

The church was recently renovate and the interior is breathtaking. Last year, the interior view was featured on Greensboro (see, here). While the exterior is landlocked and right at the street, when  you go inside, it is as if you are transported to another world. The congregation is extremely guest friendly, if you are interested in visiting. Happy Sunday!

Lincoln Financial Building 2019

Today's featured photo is of Greensboro's iconic Lincoln Financial (Jefferson Pilot) building in all of its glory. Perhaps because winter has so many gray days, it is special on the sunny winter days with blue skies. Yesterday, the afternoon sky in Greensboro was breathtaking. 

This photo was taken from Spring Garden Street, in College Hill, just west of Fulton Street. The Jefferson Standard Building, the white "wing", peeking out on the right, dates to 1923, when it was the tallest building in North Carolina. The central part, with the pyramid on top, is the 20-story addition built in 1990. Together, the cluster is the anchor view of Greensboro's skyline. 

Have a great weekend, and, if you get a chance, participate in the many events centered around the Martin Luther King holiday weekend. 

Nathanael Greene Watching over Greensboro

Time to say goodbye to another week and hello to another weekend. Above is a photo of the commemorative Nathanael Greene statue. The 22-foot tall statue by sculptor James Barnhill has been guarding the city since 2008, the year of Greensboro's bicentennial. A Quaker himself, General Greene reminds us of our city's Quaker heritage.*

The statue in the Holliday Circle roundabout, at Greene Street, has a lot of information at the base and is well worth visiting if you are downtown this weekend. If you are visiting from elsewhere, this statue is a great place to start a tour. Happy Friday!

* reference and link to more information, here.

January in Greensboro

It has been said by many a merchant that January is not the best month for retail in Greensboro. Actually, that is the case with the "J" months in general. January is cold and dark, and people are all spent out from Christmas. This January is especially hard given the situation for federal employees. However, June and July are low retail months, too, as so many locals head to the beach. 

The above photo was taken, earlier in the week, in front of Pier 1 Imports in Friendly Center, where leftover holiday merchandise was 70% off. On a bleak January day, it was so heartwarming to see a precious doggie, loved, well cared for, and on THIS side of the window, waiting for his owner to come back outside and join the rest of his family.

These Shoes

Do you ever go to a yard sale or antique mall and find things that make you chuckle? The above photo is the source of one such chuckle. These shoes are currently available at the Antique Marketplace on Burnt Poplar Road, near the I-40/Highway 68 intersection. If memory serves, the price is $55.

The tradition of bronzing household items has been around since the BC era. The American Bronzing Company of Ohio (established 1934) has bronzed over 14 million pairs of baby shoes. The nostalgia factor for parents wanting to preserve their baby’s shoes is understandable. However, seeing a pair of men’s lofers bronzed certainally evokes many questions. Why? Whose were they? If they were so important to bronze in the first place, why are they up for sale now? Who will buy them, and what will they do with them? So curious. How did they end up in an antique store in Greensboro? One thing is certain, these bronzed shoes are not made for walkin’…. 

Create an Impact

"Everything you say and do creates an impact." Such is the slogan on the billboard, visible as you exit the Antique Marketplace on Burnt Poplar Road, at I-40 in Greensboro. It is hard to read the words in the lower right-hand corner to tell what the sign is advertising. They are hard to read even when on foot, not to mention how hard they would be when driving! Regardless, the saying itself is pretty impactful.

Think about it, "Everything you say and do creates an impact." As parents, children, teachers, students, employers, employees, politicians, constituents, everyone; all of us, we are all impactful. This is a great concept to ponder as we leave antique malls, drive along the highway, sit in a room with others, engage in conversation, and share messages on social media. While it isn't clear who sponsored this billboard in Greensboro, it is a great way to start out the new year, being mindful of the impact we are having on others.

The Ice Storm Came

According to Duke Power, in the Greensboro area, about 140,00 households were without power on Sundsy. The roads weren't as bad as anticipated on Sunday, but trees had ice in them, causing some branches to snap off. Most churches were closed and the roads were eerily quiet around town. 

As seen in the above photo taken in the plaza at Battleground and Westridge yesterday, drivers had to navigate around branches in the road. The McDonalds in this plaza had power, but only the drive thru was open. Perhaps it was an issue of staffing. Today, public schools are on a two hour delay. Hopefully, you are safe and sound and your week is off to a great start. In Greensboro, and beyond!

Our Lady of Grace Church School

Our Lady of Grace (OLG) Catholic Church, located at 2201 West Market Street,  looks very different in the front than the back. The front, made of pink granite, was designed to look like a Brooklyn, NY church, Our Lady of Refuge. OLG was built in the early 50s by Julian Price in loving memory of his wife Ethel. The back is a recent edition, looking much more modern.

The first church service was held in 1952 and the first school opened in 1953. Over the years, the school has continued to expand. Today, there are classes for children ages 3-15 with programs that differentiate instruction as needed. Tt the core of instruction is faith, living and learning in a way aligned with Catholicism. The above photo features the Chapman Street side, where classrooms are located. The white and beige building looks fabulous on sunny winter days. Have a fabulous Sunday, even if it the weather is somewhat different from what you see above.

Live Music at Four Saints Brewing in Asheboro

Last night, Greensboro musicians Lisa Dames, Shawn Patch, and Mark Dillon played there for three hours with barely a break. They performed at Four Saints Brewing Company, located in Asheboro, just south of Greensboro. Lisa belted out great country songs ranging from old classics from the 1950s, including Patsy Cline, Ernest Tubb, and Buddy Holly, through the sixties and seventies. The energy and emotion they put in the music was fantastic. Shawn and Mark rounded out the sound with their great musicianship. The performance was well attended, with many people driving down from Greensboro for the performance.

The high energy performance was a great way to kick off the weekend. There are so many great musicians playing locally. If you have a chance to get out and support the local talent, please do so. You won't be disappointed. 

Stay Vocal!

Alex Eaves recently visited Reconsidered Goods and had a pop up stand of his t-shirts. He makes them from used shirts. In some cases, he stamps his message, "Reuse because the planet can't be recycled" in English or Spanish, right over an existing message. He is keeping these t-shirts out of landfills and is getting his message across. 

Alex will return to Greensboro in March, around Earth Day, to do workshops and help others learn to implement  earth-friendly practices. Alex's company is called "Stay Vocal" because he wants to remind people that change comes through hard work and educating people. Stay tuned, we will let you know once plans for the March Earth Day events are solidified. In the meantime, let us know if you are doing anything in Greensboro to help us keep the Green in Greensboro!

Strolling Along South Elm Street

It is always heartwarming to see families taking advantage of the businesses and resources in downtown Greensboro. In the above photo, a mother and her two daughters are walking along South Elm Street, near the Community Theatre of Greensboro. Each has her raincoat, boots,  and knows the "stick together and hold hands rule." They seemed so happy enjoying their afternoon together. Even if your family is grown, or far away, adventures around town are also meaningful with friends. There is so much to see and explore.

In the front, right corner of the photo, you can see a white Christmas tree that had been sent to the curb. There are still some decorations around the community. However, most of Greensboro has put the holidays behind and is bracing for possible inclement weather this weekend. Not to fear. Just hold hands and go forth with joy and determination.

Irving Park Evening Street Scene

Today's view is an evening street scene in Irving Park, where Lawndale Drive merges into Battleground Avenue. The business you see is the new restaurant, Core Life, located on the lot where IHOP was formerly located. Early indication is that Core Life will be quite popular. The location, healthy menu choices, and reasonable price points make it popular with locals.

This area is heavily traveled during the day, but quiets down at night. This photo is deceptively empty, catching the view between spurts of traffic. There are several thriving businesses in the plazas here. They are well visited by not only the nearby Irving Park and Kirkwood families, but also by people from throughout the city. With planned changes from Mill Street to on up Battleground, Greensboro's footprint is changing before our eyes!

Treecutting & Snow Storm Preparation

In the above photo, utility workers are trimming back trees near Elam and Spring Garden Street. During the winter, when the leaves are down, it is really easy to see which branches are at risk of pulling down power lines. Greensboro has some really beautiful, mature trees, but, when power lines are involved, the power lines win.

With the threat of snow in Greensboro this weekend, everybody is thinking about what they can do to shore up their houses and to be ready if the power goes out. Those with well water need to plan ahead for supplying their home with water, because wells need electricity to pump water; no electricity, no water. According to the City of Greensboro's website, about 25% of the residents in Guilford County rely on well water. 

Happy Tuesday. You know how challenging snow can be in the South. Are you prepared?

Along South Chapman Street

Yesterday was a glorious, winter day in Greensboro.  Temperatures were in the 60s and the skies were a palate-cleansing blue. This monochromatic look is so appreciated in January after a highly-decorated, colorful December.

The above photo features a bend in the road in the 300 block of South Chapman Street, very near Our Lady of Grace church. The trees are bare and the sky is even more pronounced, looking so crisp between the branches. You can tell the neighborhood is well established by the size of those trees. Nature is pretty glorious, and Greensboro is a pretty city- even in winter!

 

 

Aycock Fellowship Ministries Church

The Aycock Fellowship Ministries Church is located at 1306 South Aycock Street, not too far from Gate City Boulevard. According to the cornerstone, the church was built as the First Pentecostal Holiness Church in 1937.  The triangular facade is rather humble and plain, with teal, fiberglass windows. However the appearance from the street is deceptively small. The solid brick structure has a wing added on in the back. 

As of January January 3rd, Aycock Street got named Josephine Boyd Street after Josephine Boyd Bradley, the first African-American to attend Grimsley High School (then Greensboro Senior High). It will be interesting to see if the church gets renamed the Josephine Boyd Fellowship Ministries.

Max & 1618 Midtown

If you are looking for something to do tonight, run, don't walk, to 1618 Midtown in Old Irving Park. Actually, you can simply make a reservation, or even better, snag a seat at the bar. The bartenders are super knowledgeable about everything sold at 1618; they can share the history of the establishment and explain the complex recipes of their food and drink offerings. 1618 Midtown, related to the 1618 Downtown and the one on Friendly Avenue,  was the first place to brand the name "Midtown". 

The above photo features Max Barwick, who won the 2018 national Cocktail Classique with his cockktail, Bitter, Party of One. The rum-based drink evokes island flavors with 1618 Midtown's made-in-house Falernum syrup, plus rum, bitters, lime juice and Absinthe. Max is so typical of the entrepreneurial spirit of the younger generation today. He has been working in the industry since he was 15, learning everything he can about the food and beverage industry, turning his passion into aviable career. Max loves unearthing flavors that pair well together and sharing his knowledge with curious customers.

1618 Midtown exudes that Cheers -bar feeling where, if you want, everybody will know and remember you name in no time. It is refreshing to eat somewhere that is a total experience, not just a place to grab quick bite to eat!

Camellias in Bloom

 

As reported recently in Greensboro's newspaper, the News and Record, 2018 proved to be a very wet year. The 2018 yearly total rainfall for Greensboro was over 64 inches, surpassing the 2003 record of 62.32.* That amounts to over five feet of rain last year! One of the positive sides of the wet year is that many plants bloomed prolifically. The above photo features a camellia bush that is thriving in the heart of the Glenwood neighborhood.

Camellias are known to love the climate in the south. They like water, as long as the soil drains well and they don't get water-logged. Some camellias, like the one above, bloom in winter. It is so delightful to see these evergreen bushes in all of their floral glory at a time of year when much of the landscape is drab. Greensboro is known for its flora, and if you work with a master gardener, one of our local nurseries, or a landscape designer, you can have a visually interesting yard all year long.

Happy First Friday. There will be plenty to do downtown. If you are out this weekend, see how many camellias you can find in bloom.

*reference and more information, here.

2019 Polar Bear Ride

Every January 1st, for the past 21 years, the Greensboro Velo Club has sponsored the Polar Bear ride. In the above photo, they are getting briefed by Dale Brown as cyclists prepare to depart from Cycles de Oro.  There was a course for all levels of cyclists, from those who only wanted to ride 25 miles to those who wanted to ride a full 100 miles.

The talk of the day was how unseasonably warm it was this year (in the 60s) and how cold it was last year (in the teens). At least it was overcast on New Year's Day, but not raining, which meant nobody got a sunburn in January! The cycling communities are growing in Greensboro and there is a real effort to add bike lanes, greenways, and trails to ride off road. Recreational cycling is great exercise and finding a group to ride with makes the sport even more meaningful. If you are looking for a way to exercise, cycling is a popular option. Here's to a great year of riding and sharing the road!

A Decade of Greensboro Daily Photo

Today, Greensboro Daily Photo celebrates ten years of posting a photo a day of Greensboro. That is 3,650 photos and double the paragraphs about this city without missing a single day. Just when we question our commitment to this community service venture, we receive positive comments from grateful readers. Positive feedback and words of encouragement have a way of sustaining this labor of love for our great community. A big spark of motivation in 2018 came from Maria Johnson's article about GDP, featured in the February 2018 edition of the O. Henry Magazine.*

Greensboro has changed considerably since we started posting in 2009. In 2011, the 78,323-square-foot indoor Greensboro Aquatic Center opened and it is so popular it is already slated for expansion. Downtown Greensboro has really become a destination, especially with the addition of LeBauer Park, opening in 2016.  Housing options downtown have burgeoned. The whole brewpub industry has flourished. Access to live entertainment is growing. Greensboro hosted the National Folk Festival from 2015-2017,  and is now the permanent home of North Carolina's Folk Festival. Once the Tanger Performing Arts Center is completed, even more entertainment will come to town. Midtown has branded itself as a destination. Greensboro has gone from hardly any murals to a city with a great many murals. The highway system continues to expand. These are only a few of the differences we've documented over the last decade.

In the above photo, we are actually about an hour south of Greensboro in Candor (known for its great peaches). We were out exploring, and discovered a great little Mexican grocery store in Candor, "La Tienda Yurirense". Shopping under a ceiling draped with piñatas is so absolutely festive and joyful, we decided this would be our "Mr. and Mrs. GDP" photo for the year. We hope we can sustain Greensboro Daily Photo a little longer. If you will keep reading, we will keep sharing the people and places of Greensboro, and just a little bit beyond.

Read yesterday's post, here, if you want to see some GDP highlights from 2018.

* Click here to read about the O. Henry Magazine article about GDP and here to find the whole article on p. 33.

Happy New Year 2019!

Happy New Year 2019! 

Each January 1st, members of the City Daily Photo community, worldwide. are asked to post their best photo of the year. This year, we selected the January 12th Shabbat Service at Temple Emanuel, honoring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It shows the cohesiveness of the Greensboro community, centered around the desire to have an equal and just society. The event attracted a diverse group of citizens. While the quality of the photo is not great, the event is a powerful and positive memory. It is our hope that 2019 will bring great things for Greensboro, that our community will continue to grow in ways that will bring us all joy, and we will work hard to support each other.

If you didn't have an opportunity to read GDP much this past year, here is a curated selection of photos from 2018. With all the lovely people, places, and events in Greensboro, it was hard to select just one a month. With so much to see and do in Greensboro, and being motivated by our readers, we are inspired to continue bringing you a photo a day in 2019.

January: Backpack Beginnings  

February: O. Henry Magazine Features Greensboro Daily Photo 

March: Students in Greensboro Protest in Support of the Movement Started in Parkland 

April: Mt. Zion Church 

May: Cascade Saloon 

June: Alley Off of Lewis Street

July: 60th Year of Greensboro's City Swim Meet

August: Twilight at Hamburger Square

September: North Carolina Folk Festival

October: Peace Festival 

November: Greensboro of Yesteryear 

December: Snow Days 

(See 2017 in review, here).