Greensboro Daily Photo

Food Truck Festival

Today's photo features the Food Truck Festival from Sunday. Elm, Market, and Greene Streets were lined with people and food trucks as far as the eye could see. This event is wonderful for bringing people together, from all walks of life. It is a chance to try new foods. Many of the trucks are affiliated with a brick and mortar store giving customers a chance to visit them later. The Buddhalicious Food Truck in the front of the photo sells Southeast Asian inspired food. You often see their truck parked in Midtown parked across from Red Cinema. 

In the above photo, the Lincoln Financial Group building is featured prominently. It is as if the festival is centered around Greensboro's most iconic skyscraper.

 

Downtown Food Truck Festival!

Yesterday was a glorious day in downtown Greensboro.  The streets were full of people not only enjoying the weather, but also trying out the food of over fifty food trucks. The trucks were set up on Market, Greene, and Elm Streets. The above photo was taken on Market Street across the street from the Lincoln Financial Group's building.

While the trucks are barely visible in the background, what is visible are people out on the streets enjoying the day.  In addition to great food for sale, there were plenty of free activities for children, including this giant Connect 4 game in front of the Stumble Stilskins Sports Bar.

These ever popular food truck festivals are held on Sunday afternoons so that they are not in direct competition with the brick and mortar establishments, many of which are closed on Sundays; although, if you notice, Stumble Stilskins was, indeed open. Hopefully, the day was profitable for them too, as they have great food!

Happy Sunday

This spring has been glorious in Greensboro. The significant rainfall has helped with producing lush blossoms and countless shades of green, and the cold winter helped in controlling the "bad bugs". The above photo is of a cluster of wild roses growing in the woods of northwest Greensboro. These white roses with soft petals are much more hardy and rambling than the cultivated, hybrid varieties. They climb and trail, covering the woody shrubs below them. The scene is very typical of natural areas in and around Greensboro.

We are reminded on this Sunday morning, walking through the woods, of the  glory of nature. Today is a beautiful, quiet day in Greensboro, and for the families of many public school students, the last day of spring break. Whether you attend church today, work, or get ready for the upcoming school/work week, we hope you savor every minute that spring has to offer in Greensboro- and beyond. Happy Sunday!

The City Billboard Project

The City Billboard Project is a joint venture between UNCG's Greensboro Project Space and The Forge. Located on the back side of a building between Lewis Street and West Gate City Boulevard (at Eugene Street), there is a sign that says "Three Deep Breaths." Imagine driving along after a difficult day at work or school, being stuck in traffic, looking over, and seeing this sign. The message hasa way of bringing calm, or at the very least taking one's mind off of the stresses of the day. 

36,000 daily commuters drive past this marquee daily. The message is changed when some new person's saying is accepted. Some previous sayings have been "Slow Is Fast," "Forgive Someone Who Hurt You," and "Kick the Clouds." The plan is to replace the marquee with a LED sign that can share multiple sayings during the same cycle.* Something about the old-school lettering is charming, and perhaps a little safer than signage that changes, possibly distracting drivers.

Have a good Saturday and go see this sign; maybe even submit a saying to be considered for the next round!

Reference and more information, and the opportunity to get your saying shared, here!

 

Farmers Curb Market

The above photo was taken at the Farmers Curb Market on Yanceyville Street. Those jams and jellies from Cornerstone Garlic Farm are not only beautiful to look at, they are fabulous to taste. And, oh, they have fantastic names, like Caramel Apple Cider, Jalapeño Garlic, and Watermelon. The warmth of the spring sun shining through them really catches your eye from across the room. The lady in the purple jacket sells plants and moss and has great prices. The birdhouses in the back of the photo are at the stand where local honey is sold, harvested by bees at Guilford College.

If you can, visit one of our local farmers markets this weekend. The experience isn't just about getting great produce, food, and other products. It is also about supporting local people and developing special relationships with them. Whether you are on the list to get duck eggs from Lindley Park, George's special salsa from the Sandy Ridge market, or some garlic powder from Cornerstone at the curb market on Yanceyville, the farmers, cooks, and vendors will get to know you, look forward to seeing you, and even reserve things for you. It is so easy to become a a regular customer.

Speaking of regulars, thank you for being a regular, right here on Greensboro Daily Photo!

Gate City Candy Company

There is a new business downtown, Gate City Candy Company, located at 529 South Elm Street. It is located in the space recently occupied by Glitters.

All was quiet after hours when this photo was taken. However, by day, Dan Weatherington stays busy selling, restocking, and telling customers about his products. Opening a candy store has long been a dream of his. He likes the nostalgia factor, evoking memories of childhood vacations. The candy store store in downtown Lexington and the candy corner at Mast General Store in Winston-Salem have both built quite a following. If you visit Times Square in NYC, the M&M Candy Store is always busy. Speaking of M&Ms, Gate City Candy Company now has 18 flavors of M&Ms. 

Everybody likes candy and fudge. We predict this business will grow and grow. What is your favorite candy? Dan likes talking candy and would surely be interested in hearing about your favorites.

 

*reference and more information, here.

Easter House on Chapman Street

Even though Easter has come and gone, we wanted to share the spirit house of Chapman Street. 507 South Chapman Street is where the Santa of Chapman Street lived. Jack True, Sr. died in 2003 at the age of 71. He served tirelessly as Santa throughout the Christmas season sitting on his porch nightly as children visited. He also decorated for Independence Day, Halloween, and Easter. His sons, Roger and Jacky, who miss him dearly have continued the tradition of over 50 years of decorating for holidays. This Easter was no exception.

Sometimes the people of the humblest means make the most effort to bring joy to others. At one point in the 1980's, the community rallied to help the True family save their house. Wouldn't it be wonderful for a group to help them paint this year and maybe see if they need anything else.* It takes people helping people to keep communities strong.

*Reference and more information, here.

"Kick the Bag!"

Yesterday was Earth Day. Earth Day bills itself as the world's largest environmental movement. People are starting to realize that the earth's resources are limited and that garbage doesn't go away just because we can't see it. Greensboro has made great strides in the reduce, reuse, recycle movement. The city has a household hazardous waste collection center on Patterson Street. Nearby, on Patterson Street, Reconsidered Goods not only takes many household items, they teach people how to repurpose items that might otherwise end up in landfills. Greensboro also collects household items to be recycled bi-weekly. 

The above photo, taken at the Farmers Curb Market on Yanceyville Street, shows a collection of reusable bags for shoppers to take for free, as opposed to using single-use, plastic bags. If you have any extra bags, drop them off at the market. Knowing they are there, we can all be more diligent about not using single-use packaging. No excuses! Finally, just because Earth Day has come and gone, we can still make an effort to reduce our carbon footprints for the next 364 days- and beyond. 

World Irish Dance Championships

The World Irish Dance Championships were held in Greensboro, North Carolina this past week. This is only the third time in their forty-nine year history that the event has been held in the United States. The Koury Convention Center was filled with competitors all week long. Special stages and bleachers were built to accommodate the event. Dancers came from twenty-seven countries, bringing with them beautiful costumes, perfect hair and makeup, and incredible athleticism. 

The above group, from Southern California is part of the Claddagh Dance Company. We didn't get to talk to them very much, because they were huddling with their director, Maire O'Connell  yet they took the time to pose for a quick photo.  This was such an exciting event for Greensboro. We hope the dancers and their families enjoyed their time in Greensboro (or "An Baile Glas/The Borough of Green" in Irish)  as much as Greensboro did having them here. 

Happy Easter 2019

Spring, Passover, and Easter are upon us and spring blossoms are glorious in Greensboro this year. The above pink dogwood tree is in full bloom on Ridgeway Drive. The dogwood is associated with Easter because some believe wood from the dogwood tree was used in the crucifixion of Christ. It is an incredibly hard wood and the blossoms are hardy, too. Giving the Christian symbolism and the sheer beauty of the blooms, the trees make a glorious backdrop for family Easter photos. Do children still get dress clothes for Easter? 

For those who celebrate, we hope that Easter 2019 was everything you'd hoped for. And for those who love the holiday, you have the opportunity to celebrate it again next week as April 28th (next Sunday) is Orthodox Easter. 

Easter Look Brought To You By Dudley Cosmetology University

The Dudley Cosmetology University of Greensboro has been has been helping cosmetology and barber students since 1972. They have an iconic presence in the 500 block of South Elm Street. At Dudley,  you can learn to care for and braid hair, do nails, and so much more. Apparently, you can also learn to embellish beards.

The above photo reflects Dudley's current window display where Easter includes adding a little holiday spirit to beards. If you have a beard and want a unique look for Easter, consider adding some plastic eggs to your facial hair!  Unlike New York City, Greensboro does not have an Easter parade. If they did we're betting some men would be sporting decorated beards. Anyone interested in starting a local Easter parade?

Stepping into the Weekend

Last night was a very busy one in downtown Greensboro. You would have thought it was already the weekend. There was a Greensboro Grasshoppers baseball game last night. Plus there are extra people in town for the World Championships in Irish dancing, which is currently happening in Greensboro. That event alone has brought as many as 5,000 dancers and 20,000 spectators into town. 

 

Those public school families who did not leave town, for their long-awaited spring break, seemed eager to get out and spend time with friends and family. Temperatures accommodated, being close to 70 degrees and with clear skies. In the above photo, several young adults, possibly here with the Irish dancers, are heading south on Elm Street, about to wait for the train to pass.Their clothing is as colorful as a bag of Brach's jellybeans! For those who celebrate Easter, we hope the holidays over the next few days are filled with spirituality, tradition, prayer, music, and maybe even a little Easter candy.

Sue Chen Playing the Chinese Dulcimer

Sue Chen, originally from Taiwan, is a graduate of the Beijing Language and Culture University in China. For several years, she has been a Mandarin language instructor in Greensboro. Ms. Chen is also very committed to teaching people about traditional Chinese culture, music and the history of the instruments used to play traditional Chinese music.  In the above photo, she is playing the Chinese dulcimer 扬琴 (Yang Qin) at the Global Education Conference, hosted this past Saturday by Guilford County Schools at Ragsdale High School.

From Ms. Chen, we learned that the modern yangqin usually has 144 strings, and four to five bridges. It can take up to four hours just to tune the instrument. As demonstrated above, the sticks are held, one in each hand, hitting the strings alternately. In the orchestra, the yangqin often adds to the harmony by playing chords or arpeggios. As the yangqin is softer than other Chinese instruments, it is usually positioned at the front of the orchestra, just in front of the conductor. Fortunately, the instrument folds up rather compactly to be transported as Ms. Chen is always giving concerts and demonstrations, so that the Chinese dulcimer and other traditional instruments will gain a wider audience. She is very generous with her knowledge of music, language, and culture. The beautiful sound of the yangqin is very relaxing and was enjoyed by conference participants.

 

On Bunch Road

Bunch Road is one of those roads that used to be rural, but now has more of a suburban feel. It connects the Northwest High School area to Oak Ridge and Summerfield. The above photo features an older, modest home on the road.  And the mature trees in the yard tower over the tiny house. Look at how beautiful the yard looks on the cusp of everything blooming.

The photo was taken this past Saturday, after the skies were gray for much of the day and then early evening, the sun came out to make everything look fresh and clean. Truly, this house and property is a peek at the Greensboro of yesteryear, back in the day when a small, single story home was enough.

Blossoms, Eric Tenen, Paris, and Notre Dame...

The weather in Greensboro has been very fickle lately. From sunny days to heavy rains to strong winds, the city has experienced several seasons in the last few weeks. The above photo shows a driveway on a hill in a suburban neighborhood in northwest Greensboro. The cherry blossoms have been beat to the ground from the winds and rain. However, in their own way, the petals are beautiful as they carpet the cement in pink. Peeking over the crest is the family's basketball goal.

In March, 2005, Eric Tenen launched Paris Daily Photo. Eric is the reason there is a Greensboro Daily Photo. We joined Eric's City Daily Photo group in 2009. Eric was known for taking ground-shot photos like the one above, and this orientation is now called the Tenen Perspective. We present this blossom photo in Eric's style in honor of his beloved city, Paris, that is suffering under the weight of yesterday's fire at Notre Dame. To Eric, to Paris, to Notre Dame. (Here is a photo Eric took of Notre Dame in 2008).

New Structures on Stanley Huff Road

Stanley Huff Road is undergoing quite a bit of change. What was formerly farmland with horses and cows is starting to get housing developments. The above photo shows one of the homes on the 5850 and 5840 lots with structures being built by Greensboro builder Gary Jobe. We're betting they are going to be ultra modern, and built to respect living sustainably; perhaps even LEED certified. The angles and placement of the glass hint at passive solar heating. 

When land that was previously rural farmland gets repurposed for suburban living, it is always nice if great thought is put into the homes. Gary Jobe has a reputation for building quality homes and the landscaping is being done by Green Visions, an indication that "green" is a key concept in the project. Fingers crossed! Hopefully, they will have an open house!

Pathways Church of Greensboro

Pathways Church began in Sevierville, TN in 1996 and next a campus opened in Knoxville, TN. Now, a third campus has opened in Greensboro. Pathways in Greensboro is located on Jessup Grove Road. The former church, The Grove,  at first partnered with Pathways. However, as the congregation grew and members became more and more energized with the sermons and teachings of the Pathways Church, The Grove decided to merge with Pathways. Since merging, the congregation is growing and the building has undergone renovations.

In the above photo, all is quiet in the church on Saturday afternoon. Perhaps the car belongs to the preacher, preparing for today's 10:30 service. The official grand open was held February 2019, a little over a month ago. If you want to find a young and dynamic church congregation, perhaps this would be a good option for you. You never know until you try. They bill themselves as the place where faith and life collide.

Time to Plow the Fields

If you are so inclined, and you haven't already, it is time to plow the fields! Greensboro has had so much rain lately, it is kind of hard to fit in a planting. So far, it hasn't heated up excessively and cold weather crops are still thriving.

If you love seeing slices of rural America and live in Greensboro, consider taking the back roads to Kernersville or Burlington and you will see many scenes, like the one above, along the way. The above photo was taken on a recent venture to Kernersville. With all the add-ons, this house is actually larger than it looks. And, by the looks of the fields surrounding the house, they take their farming very seriously. Have a great Saturday and, if at all possible, plant edibles and support our local farmers!

VRUM VRUM It's Friday!

It is amazing how much you can learn about a people from the back of a car. The above person, who either lives in Greensboro or was passing through, has so much to share here. First, they drive a mustang and love their vehicle enough to pay for a vanity tag. They must love coffee, as they were parked outside a Greensboro Starbucks. While the VrumVrum-mobile is registered  in North Carolina, an they love the southern Outer Banks  (SOBX), they also have a spot in their heart for West Virginia. They love shelties and then there is SASS. That one, we had to look up.

SASS represents the Single Action Shooting Society, an international organization founded in 1987 to"preserve and promote the sport of Cowboy Action Shooting."* The World Championship of Cowboy Action Shooting will be held this June in New Mexico. We wonder if the car's owner will be there. Our only regret was that we didn't dash back into Starbuck's, slap our latte on the counter, old-west saloon style, and quote a line from the 1993 Western Tombstone, "I'm your Huckleberry." 

We hope you have a great weekend. Take a risk, meet someone new. Give us a shout out if you know "Vrum Vrum."

*reference and more information, here.

 

Lady Banks Rose Time

'Tis the season for the Lady Banks rosees to bloom. This hardy, thornless, climbing rose has its origins in Central China, and came to the USA via England. It was named by Sir Joseph Banks who named it after his wife. The yellow variety above, located in Sunset Hills, looks lovely growing on the white picket fence.

We featured this bush nine years ago in 2010. Last time, Harley Houston from NCA&T University contacted us and even arranged to get cutting of the Lady Banks rose. Over the years, Harley has been very committed to gardening, especially planting in raised beds. We wonder how his cutting grew and what his plant looks like today. If you know, let us know. We'd love to photograph him with his plant. Knowing that plants can be shared is such a nice thought.

Take Me Out to the (Base)ball Game...

With the Virginia win over Texas Tech on Monday night, basketball season will pretty much be on hold until November. However, for sports fans, there are plenty of opportunities to see good baseball in the Greensboro area. From little league to high school teams, AAU teams, college teams, and the minor league, you can find baseball here almost every night of the week. 

The above photo was taken on Saturday when the UNCG Spartans were continuing a game against Furman University that had been stopped the night before due to rain. In the above photo, the pitcher was warming up. He has quite a bit of flexibility and, as you can see, he pitches with his left hand.

UNCG baseball is free and open to the public and always fun to watch. Children love to watch the game and to retrieve the balls that go over the fence. When returned to the concession stand, they get a free drink. If you are looking for wholesome, family fun, head to a baseball game. The Greensboro Grasshoppers are another great option. They have theme nights, nights with fireworks, and a play area for children. High Point has a new minor league team, the Rockers. They play in a brand new stadium on Lindsay Street.

 

UNCG's 37th International Festival

Every April, for 37 years, UNCG has held an International Festival. In recent years, it has been held on the Kaplan Lawn, in front of the Elliot University Center. The above photo features the dance stage with the Jackson Library serving as a backdrop for the performers. The festival is a chance for students and their friends and families to celebrate their ethnic heritage.

A woman whose daughter was working in the Morocco booth wanted attendees to know how much she loves America and the fact that people from countries that haven't historically gotten along can live alongside each other in the United States- and even be friends. Another woman, taking a photo of a map of the Middle East, turned and commented to those standing nearby that she missed the region, "every single bit of it."

International festivals emphasize the most visible aspects of cultures, food, dance, language, and clothing, and don't usually present opportunities to dig deeper to explore values, beliefs, life experiences, and other less-visible aspects of culture. However, these events are a very important starting point on the road to mutual understanding.

Let's take our cue from the three performers above and "Let It Be A Dance."

Eastern Redbud Blossoming in Early Spring

It is as if spring came out of nowhere and arrived in Greensboro this past weekend. Friday was rainy; Saturday and Sunday were glorious and blossoms started opening up. The above are redbud blossoms in a yard in the northern end go Greensboro. The eastern redbud is a small, fast growing tree native to the area. They look around the same time as the dogwoods and azaleas, adding a showy display when other deciduous trees have not yet started to leaf out. The redbud is a very hardy tree and does not appear to tempt the deer.

Hopefully, you had a chance to get outside this weekend; maybe even do yard work. Nature is a tonic for the body and soul. Those blue skies make all the difference in the world. What does the flora look like in your neck of the woods, these days in early April?

Campus Faith Groups

For some college students, religious organizations play a very important role. Other students may go their whole college years without visiting the office of a campus faith group. The UNCG faith groups are housed in the northeast corner of the Walker Avenue Parking Deck. Yellow banners name the religious groups  served by the Smith Campus Ministries Center on Stirling Street. There are Baptist, Catholic, Jewish, and Wesley-Luther Campus groups. Muslim students are served by the UNCG Muslim Students Association. 

The above photo features the lines for the food trucks yesterday, during UNCG's International Festival. Many people may not have noticed where these religious offices are housed. However, outreach is important to these groups and, they make every effort to serve the needs of all students who seek their services. Especially as students enter the last few weeks before final exams, it is important that students know how to reach out and find spiritual support. In some cases, students will also need mental health support and the religious offices know how to help them find that additional level of care.

Happy Sunday!

Pretty in Pink

Sometimes, it may seem like we're a bit serious on Greensboro Daily Photo. Today, we'll infuse a little humor into this ten-year-old blog. Today, we ask if you know where this "Pretty in Pink"  bathroom is located. Here is a hint. This Pepto-Bismol, unisex bathroom is located downtown. It is a locally-owned business and the owner is very committed to making downtown a great place to shop.

Maybe you can find this bathroom, when you are out shopping this weekend. Between shopping at farmers markets, attending UNCG's International Festival, watching one of the final four basketball games, and running errands, try to find time to seek out this Andy Warhol pink bathroom. 

If you just can't stand it, you can find the answer, here.  Happy Saturday!

On the Corner of Tate & Gate City

This building, at the corner of South Tate Street and West Gate City Boulevard, has housed many businesses over the years. It is located in a part of town that is changing drastically. With UNCG's expansion across Gate City to the edge of the Glenwood neighborhood, college students are seen regularly, walking to and from the two parts of campus.

It is amazing when walking, what you see that you might otherwise miss. For example, on foot, one notices the set of stairs behind the building. Why were they put there? Was it to load and unload inventory or to make it easier to get from Point A to Point B? Also, on foot, the poster on the side of the building invites curiosity: "Civil Rights: Forward and Upward." Did the owner of the building put it there or the last person renting? Was there an event related to Civil Rights in the building?

The photo has a "then/decades later" photo of the Greensboro Four, the four North Carolina A&T students who were instrumental in the Sit In Movement with their refusal to give up their seats at the lunch counter at Woolworth in 1960. While the photo was taken recently, being published in black and white makes it look like could have been taken decades ago. Wonder what the young men walking on the other side of the street noticed the stairs... the poster...

Lincoln Financial Group

The Lincoln Financial Group building has changed owners and names more than once, but it continues to be the iconic skyscraper of downtown Greensboro. The gothic revival style architecture of the taller building, built in 1990. fits in with the older, Jefferson Standard building that dates to 1922. It is hard to believe that they have a 68-year age difference. This mighty fortress at the corner of Elm and Market Streets is built from marble, terra cotta, and marble. Julian Price, president of Jefferson Standard Life Insurance, paid in full for his company's headquarters, because he didn't believe in carrying debt. Do you know of any business executives today who espouse the same philosophy?

The orientation of this photo is from the parking lot behind the Grasshopper's baseball stadium. You can tell from the trees that it is early spring. 

Heading South, DOWNTOWN, On Highway 220

Over the couple of decades, North Battleground has gone from seeming like a sleepy little part of Greensboro, far from downtown to a busy access road to the Greensboro Urban Loop. Highway 220 is the north/south road stretching from Rockingham, NC in Richmond County, to its interchange with New York State Route 17. 

The above photo was taken yesterday, at about 6:30 pm, when the bright sun, low to the horizon brought out the color in everything. Earlier in the day, it actually snowed in Greensboro. It isn't very common for us to have an April snow. Fortunately, temperatures didn't drop below freezing and it seems that the blossoms may have been spared. While today's photo has no sign of vegetation, that beautiful sky lets us know that nature is glorious!

I-Fest at UNCG

The above photo of a previous International Festival at UNCG is being posted today to remind everyone that this fabulous festival will be held Saturday, April 6th, from 12 noon -5pm on the lawn in front of the Elliot University Center. International student groups will gather to perform and to share information about their heritage cultures. Many participants dress in traditional clothing and many bring food for attendees to sample. The event is free and open to the public.

This year is the 37th annual International Festival. The vibrant, interactive event has something for people of all ages and is an opportunity to ask questions and learn about other cultures. Get your "passport" stamped and enter a raffle. 

Hyacinth Time

This photo, taken on Saturday in northwest Greensboro shows that the hyacinths may have bloomed just a little early since the weather is predicted to dip below freezing this week. The lenten roses and the cold weather crops should be happy, but bulbs and tree blossoms just may suffer. Let's hope for the best.

The two story brick colonial home peeking out of the upper right-hand corner of the photo is a common construction for this area. This particular home uses a buttery, colonial yellow for the trim and for the City Daily Photo community, the April theme is yellow. See a sampling of photos from the City Daily Photo community, here. Let us know how your plants are tolerating this April freeze. Do you see those pesky onions to the right of the hyacinths? To be sure they will be undaunted by the freeze!