Greensboro Daily Photo

Sophie Martin

Sophie Martin is a dynamic, talented young woman in her 20s. She was raised in Greensboro, graduated from high school here, and then received an undergraduate degree from Appalachian State University. She also completed the photography program at Randolph Community College. Most recently, Sophie earned a Master's degree in Spain.

We met up with Sophie while she was home for winter break this past week. The above photo features Sophie in her mom's studio, marbling paper. Her mom, Suzanne Baker, is an expert at marbling and shares her expertise in her studio with friends and family- when time permits.

In a few days, Sophie will return to Spain to pursue a career in digital marketing. Sophie is so talented and is such an inspiring example of a young adult from Greensboro who is following her dreams, even when they take her to another continent and involve becoming bilingual. If you know Sophie, she can be reached at [email protected].

Greensboro Daily Photo brings so many new people into our lives. Now, we know Sophie and her mom as well! As 2019 comes to a close and we look to a new year, the saying, "make new friends, but keep the old" comes to mind. Here's to friends, old and new: Sophie, Suzanne, and YOU, dear reader!

Stop by tomorrow for our year-in-review post.

George Lopez and Baby Boloz

Just in time for the New Year, we have restocked our supply of Baby Bolo'z: A Taste of Cuba salsa. George Lopez, above, is the creator of the special salsa. He makes many flavors from mild and savory to sweet to hot. The key ingredients are cilantro and peppers and he doesn't use tomatoes. However, you can mix the salsa with just about anything you want. It can be used in cooking or eaten straight out of the container. 

While he is known for the salsa, George is a fabulous chef and can prepare just about any dish you might want: Cubinis, empanadas, and pineapple pastries are some of his specialties. George works out of this kitchen at 2805 B Pinecroft Road behind Four Seasons Mall. Call George before you go to put an order in and make sure he is open. Usually, he is open Wednesday - Sunday, 11-7pm, but may have special arrangements for special orders. 908-577-7539. 

George can cater to any dietary needs and especially loves helping people who are working hard to be or stay healthy. At 55 years old, when not working, he is often see skateboarding around the neighborhood teaching the young kids some skateboard moves- proof positive that his cooking is just what the doctor ordered! And, with the name George Lopez, you can be sure he can get a few laughs out of you! Here's to a great New Year for George, and you, dear readers!

Note: In the comment section below, George clarifies that he is neither a restauranteur nor caterer but a "personal & private members only Cuban supper club (cooking with friends)." 

Sang Popu Ana Cu Montagnard Church

The Montagnards are an ethnic group from Vietnam. Many have come to the United States as refugees. Given their help to the Americans during the Vietnam War in the 1960s, life for these "mountain people" is difficult in Vietnam. North Carolina has the largest population of Montagnards outside of Southeast Asia.*

The above photo features Sang Popu Ana Cu Montagnard Church, located on Pinecroft Road, just behind the Four Seasons Mall. The dynamic church not only holds religious services, it is also a gathering place to celebrate culture and to address issues relevant to the Montagnards community. Pinecroft Road reflects the diversity of Greensboro. If you take a Sunday drive there today, you will see so many different ethnic groups and people from all walks of life. Happy Sunday!

* reference an more information, here.

Consider Taking the Bus

Spotted at the Friendly Center was zero-emission, battery-electric bus. It is part of the Greensboro public transportation system. The batteries for these electric motor vehicles can travel up to 200 miles before needing to be recharged. As you can see from the rear view, they don't have exhaust pipes. The switch from the diesel engines reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 687,500 pounds per year. *

These busses have been in operation for almost a year now. If one of your New Year's resolutions has to do with helping the environment, consider taking the bus- at least once in a while. The more demand there is for public transportation, the more Greensboro will be likely to spend on it. Ride, if you like clean energy. It is an easy ride from Friendly Center to downtown Greensboro. Happy Saturday! This is the last Saturday in 2019!

 

*Reference and additional information, here.

O2 Fitness

Yesterday, the sun was shining brightly on all of Greensboro, including O2 Fitness in Friendly Center. O2 was built at the corner of Pembroke and Northline, in the spot formerly housing Tex & Shirley's Restaurant. Tex and Shirley's has relocated to Irving Park on Lawndale, leaving room on this corner for this 30,000 sq. ft. fitness club. There are studio spaces for group fitness classes, machines for individual workouts, personal trainers, programs for children, and more.

In five days, it will be New Years Day and 2020. Tis the season when so many people make resolutions to exercise more and lead a healthier lifestyle. Greensboro has many options, from non-profits like the Y to yoga studios to cross-fit to private, full-service facilities like O2. Most of these facilities have try-before-you-join plans. If you are looking for a space to work out, we hope you find a place. The social aspect of working out has a way of producing great results. O2 is now open and is working hard to be just that place you are looking for. Happy Friday! Happy heart health!

 

Hiking Around Town

Well, Christmas is behind us and it is time to look onward and upward towards the new year. The above photo was taken on the trails at Lake Higgins yesterday. Bald Eagle Trail was busy with clusters of families walking mid afternoon. The weather was unseasonably warm, perfect for being outside. If you haven't been on a hike in a while, today would be a perfect day to hit the trails around Greensboro.

Here is a link to find the trails around Greensboro. Walking is not only good for the body, but also for the brain. It is also helpful to be reminded of how important it is to protect nature, especially areas with public access. Happy Boxing Day! Check it out. While it may not be celebrated much in Greensboro, it has a lot of meaning around the world.

Merry Christmas 2019

All is calm on Greene Street today. However, on Friday night, after the move White Christmas played at the Carolina Theatre, you could feel the lively energy of downtown Greensboro this time of year. In the theatre, people were experiencing a movie they have likely seen many times before. In the adjacent parking deck, clothing and meals were being served to those in need. It is a good time of year for those more fortunate to remember those who are less fortunate. Greensboro is a town of giving, especially around the holidays. Let's hope the food, clothing, school supplies, financial support, and acts of kindness continue throughout the year.

The Carolina Theatre is so beautiful when it is lit up at night. It is equally beautiful inside. While the Carolina Theatre is closed today, you could go to a movie with your family, perhaps bowling, perhaps you could just spend the day with people you love and plan for making days merry and bright, for as many as feasible in our great community! As for the Carolina Theatre, tomorrow, Super Yamba and Friends will be performing their afro-beat dance music on December 26th starting at 9:30 pm.

White Christmas at the Carolina Theatre

It isn't very likely that we will have snow on Christmas in Greensboro tomorrow, but, last night, for a couple of magical hours, a White Christmas came to the Carolina Theatre. The Irving Berlin classic from 1954 played to an almost full house. The audience was quiet, until a song was performed in the movie and then many audience clapped as if the actors themselves were performing on stage. A few times audience members sang along; they knew the lyrics by heart.

The Carolina Theatre has been a Greensboro institution since 1927 and it was recently refurbished and returned to its original glory. While they have many live performances throughout the year, it is not uncommon for the Carolina Theatre to show classic movies. If is a totally different experience to see those old movies in a theatre. It is as if they have been just released. We got an early Christmas present. As we were approaching the entrance, a woman gave us two free tickets. The world could use a little more joyful serendipity and genuine acts of kindness. Let's all engage in more of these acts.

Moravian Star on Main in Kernersville

The Moravian Star is an iconic symbol of Christmas in the Piedmont region of North Carolina. With Old Salem located just west of Greensboro, in Winston-Salem, the area had a large population of Moravians. The Moravian star is an illuminated star-shaped lantern, usually with 26 sharp points. Born out of a geometry lesson, the star is said to have originated in Germany in the 1830s. 

The above photo shows the Moravian star, shining brightly on the building at the corner of North Main and Mountain Street in Kernersville. If you live in Greensboro, you likely know about the beauty of the decorations in the Sunset Hills neighborhood. Equally beautiful, in a calm, almost palate-cleansing are the white blinky lights along main street in Kernersville, this Moravian star, and the luminaries and white lights down by Kerner's Folly. 

If you can make the drive when rush hour is over, and Main Street is still, the ride through Kernersville is magical. As a grand finale, you can continue on through Highway 150 through Oak Ridge, taking the "back way" home to Greensboro, and be transported from the hustle and bustle of this time of year. Happy Monday!

Away in a Manger

Centenary United Methodist Church in Greensboro is located on Friendly Avenue, very near Friendly Center. Every year, they display their nativity scene for all to enjoy. The display is on the edge of Sunset Hills neighborhood and visible if you are driving towards Friendly Avenue on Ridgeway.

The scene marks the wise men's arrival to the manger bringing gifts, on Epiphany, January 6th. If you are Catholic, and especially from the Spanish speaking world, the nativity scene is very special to the little ones. Children are much more likely to receive gifts on January 6th rather than on Christmas Day. If you want to start another gift-giving tradition in your community, in early January (Old Christmas) you can leave shoes filled with hay for the camels out to be replaced with treats once the camels have gone. 

The Greenhouse Effect

Every evening, as we head up Josephine Boyd street, we've noticed a purple glow coming from West Market Street. Last night, we drove to the intersection of Westover Terrace and West Street to see a house that is beautifully decorated not only in the front, but also on the side and in the back. The big surprise is that, right here, just about a mile and a half west of downtown, is a beautiful greenhouse with several plants thriving within. Not only are there purple grow lights inside, there are also Christmas lights on the outside. How inspiring to care so much about your plants that you maintain a greenhouse for them and you decorate it for Christmas.

As you are headed to Sunset Hills to see the light display, be on the lookout for this beautifully decorated property.

I-40, the Main East/West Road to Greensboro

Today's photo was taken yesterday, just before 6:00 pm, looking west across Burnt Poplar Road and I-40. The sun set at 5:08 pm yesterday and just a little orange light lingered on the horizon. We are in the week of the most hours of darkness. In a few days, the winter solstice will be upon us and, slowly, days will start getting longer.

In the meantime, even busy I-40, the main east/west road through Greensboro, takes on a nice glow as the sun sets. If the day has been clear, you have about 30 minutes to photograph under that special light in the west. Have a great Friday and the last weekend before Christmas. 

Corner of Glenwood & Grove

Today's photo offers a little bit of whimsy, a view at the corner of Grove Street and Glenwood Avenue in the heart of the Glenwood neighborhood. Glenwood has been a neighborhood, just south of Greensboro since the early 20th century. It was annexed into the city in 1957, the same year Friendly Center was built. The buildings in today's photo represent the hub of the Glenwood business community.

Glenwood, on the expanding side of UNCG, is a neighborhood known for its diversity and as a community where people of all walks of life respect and enjoy each other. Glenwood is not just ethnically diverse, it also has a real mix of people with different education levels and different socioeconomic levels. If you talk to the people who live there, what you will learn is that people are good about helping each other. Truly, that makes a cluster of streets feel like community. Next time you hear of an event happening in Glenwood, please try to attend!

The Chandler Suite

One of the added perks of attending the arts and crafts show at the Double Oaks Bed and Breakfast this past weekend was getting to tour the property itself. One of the artists encouraged us to tour the third floor and today's photo features the Chandler Suite on the top floor. According to the B&Bs website, the Chandler is named for the first car owned by the Martin family, the original owners of the home- a 1917 Chandler.

The suite is actually half of the living space on the top floor of the property. It is open, airy, and has a luxurious, 21st-century bathroom. The Westerwood, named for the neighborhood, is right across the hall. The open space in the middle houses the artist in residence.

Double Oaks is a fine example of how young entrepreneurs are turning their dreams into reality and loving the life they are living. If you have friends or family coming to town, consider booking them a room at Double Oaks. If you aren't afraid of stairs, the Chandler is well worth the climb! Happy Wednesday!

All is Bright

Today, we take you to the corner of Elam and Walker Avenue in Lindley Park to share a view of the community tree was recently decorated to bring joy to all who wander by. The tree sits where the corner market every Saturday. The lighting was so beautiful yesterday and perfect for sitting on that bench around the tree chatting with friends. 

This tree reminds us that you don't need a lot of money to decorate a tree. A paper chain and pom pons make a festive option. Indeed, all is bright at the corner of Elam and Walker. Happy Tuesday!

Adam Wiley, Potter and Woodworker Extraordinaire

Yesterday, a very nice arts and craft show was held at Double Oaks Bed and Breakfast on North Mendenhall Street. The above photo features Adam Wiley, one of the featured artists. Adam, originally from Ohio, moved to Greensboro a few years ago to be part of the community of potters in the area. Adam, who attended Kent State University, is both a potter and a woodworker. Lately he has been combining these two talents by making pottery vessels and turning wooden lids to fit them perfectly. A few examples of this combined talent can be seen above.

We were lucky to meet Adam yesterday as he doesn't get to show his work in Greensboro very often. Adam is busy in his position as customer service representative at the STARworks Cermmics Supply Shop, about an hour south of Greensboro in Star, North Carolina. If you have never been to STARworks, please treat yourself to a visit. You can take classes, enjoy a cup of coffee or a beer in the coffee shop, listen to great live music, and maybe even stop by and say hi to Adam. Fortunately, Adam's wood and pottery vessels are available for purchase at STARworks. Adam calls these vessels KEEPS because you can keep special things in them. Contact Adam and see more of his great KEEPS on his website, www.craftedtokeep.com . Buy one of Adam's pieces for a gift and you can be sure the recipient will keep it for a very long time.

NC Food Banks

Last night was the Running of the Balls, a 5K, through the Sunset Hills Neighborhood. If you ran, likely you know the event helps secure food for the North Carolina Food Banks. If you have not had a chance to donate food yet, please consider dropping off non-perishables at the corner of Ridgeway and Madison. The Smith family, the originators of this great Greensboro tradition have set up a collection site at the corner of their lot.

For those of you who celebrate Christmas, next Sunday is the last one before Christmas. For those who celebrate Hanukah, it begins next Sunday. Imagine the mitzvah, the good deed, of filling food pantries for families in need- that would make the "Happy Holidays" significantly happier! Happy Sunday, Greensboro and beyond! 

Christmas Tree Lot

It is that time of year when the ubiquitous Christmas tree lots have popped up on the corner of a parking lot in neighborhoods across the city. For those who celebrate Christmas, going to get the family tree can be such a memorable experience. Of course, with so many Christmas tree farms in North Carolina, you can go for the ultimate experience by heading to the mountains, around Sparta, and picking your tree right from the farm. However, another option is to go to that grocery store parking lot and pick out one that will fit the ceiling in your house.

From stepping on the lot, to selecting the tree, to having it tied to your car, to getting it home and decorating it is a picture perfect moment. The above photo was taken at Wagoner's lot on New Garden Road. The Wagoner name has been associated with Christmas tree selling in Greensboro since the 1930's. 

At the Corner of Bunch Road & Pleasant Ridge

The edge of Pleasant Ridge Road between Carlson Dairy and Summerfield Road is just so quiet, and hauntingly beautiful in the early hours of a cold winter night. The above house sits at the intersection with Bunch Road. It is gently decorated for Christmas and, in the shadow of the surrounding twigs and branches, it just pops out of nowhere at night.

Last night, the scene was particularly beautiful by the light of a full moon that was about 14 hours old. This low quality cell phone photo will give you a hint of an idea of the beauty. However, if you are local, you can drive out and see it for yourself. On that stretch of road, you can almost forget the hustle and bustle of the consumer driven, high traffic areas that seem to surround us these days. Can we just put up a tent and sit and look at this view all night? 

Happy Friday the 13th! 

The Running of the Balls

The Running of the Balls is happening in the Sunset Hills neighborhood this Saturday night. It is an opportunity to build community and help fill local food banks. People will don their brightest, blankets holiday clothes, strap their children in jogging strollers, and decorate their canines to run or walk in Greensboro's sparkliest night run.

The above photo is merely a small example of how the entire neighborhood looks now and will look during the run. Chicken wire balls wrapped with Christmas lights fill the trees along Ridgeway and Madison Avenues, Rolling Road, to name a few. Some lights must be about four stories high. This year, the park in the heart of the neighborhood is filled with the decorative balls.

Because there is darkness, we appreciate light even more. Please treat yourself to a little light therapy and drive through the display. It is almost impossible to capture its beauty with a camera. It helps if you arrive just after sunset when the sky still holds on to a little bit of color. Happy Thursday.

Gray Skies

We are less than two weeks away from the true start of winter and days like yesterday remind us that winter is on its way. The above photo features the sky at about 4:45 pm on Mill Street, facing Battleground Avenue. The sky was dark and gray, even though the temperature was unseasonably warm- in the high 50's.  

It is easy to feel a little down on gloomy afternoons. However, for a pick-me-up, head to Sunset Hills to see all of the giant balls of Christmas lights up in the trees. The neon red in the background is Kickback Jacks, also a reminder that it may take a little more work, but we can find light and color, even on gray days. Happy Wednesday!

Canada Geese, Here for the Winter... Actually, Forever!

It is as if, one day, the Canada geese arrived in Greensboro and decided to stay. They have adapted very well to living in human-altered areas. As a case in point, the geese in the above photo seem perfectly content to hang out on local golf courses. They only fly away when golfers arrive to hit the ball. Since they travel together, get rather large, and can be very noisy, they don't really have predators.

Even thought the birds can be a nuisance, they are protected by the migratory bird act. They love open fields, so if you want to keep them away, plant tall grasses, which trick them into thinking that predators might be hiding. Regardless of how you feel about them, look how beautiful they look as they circle around waiting for this photographer to leave so they can land again! Honk, if you love geese!

Old-Time Parlor Concert by Paul Brown & Terri McMurray

Paul Brown and Terri McMurray gave a concert of old-time music on Saturday evening. The house concert was held in a historic home in Oak Ridge, just east of the Oak Ridge Military Academy. Paul and Terri are a dynamic husband and wife team, together for over three decades, playing music and enjoying life together. Paul has been playing old-time music since he was a child; learning tunes first from his mother and later from people who themselves learned tunes from musicians as far back as the 19th century. 

Paul, formerly a radio host at WPAQ in Mt. Airy, went on to become a reporter and newscaster for National Public Radio in Washington, D.C. Through his radio days, Paul learned to tell a good story and engage the audience with stories and tunes he learned from the old-time musicians. Terry, a retired physics teacher, is also a talented musician. For over four hours on Saturday, people from as far as Asheville and Raleigh congregated in a beautiful, Victorian parlor in Oak Ridge.

December is truly the season for house parties, from music concerts to social gatherings to arts and crafts events. If you like gatherings in an intimate setting, it is well worth your while to seek out these events. Here's to Paul and Terri and everyone else committed to passing down those old-time tunes. 

Tabernacle Baptist Church

Tabernacle Baptist is an independent Baptist Church located at 1201 South Josephine Boyd Street. According to their Facebook page, they are inclusive in membership and conservative in philosophy. They offer services with casual and services with more formal dress. They have several services and opportunities to worship throughout the week. 

There is something inviting about the simple, rectangular architecture of the building. The church looks so empty when there are no cars in the parking lot; however, like most churches, this one comes to life as people start filing in on Sunday morning. Have a nice day... seventeen more until Christmas!

Roasting Marshmallows at Hamburger Square on Elm Street

Whoever thought we'd be roasting marshmallows on Elm Street. Last night the Festival of Lights was held in downtown Greensboro. Crowds of people strolled the length of Elm Street and over to Davie Street to take advantage of all the festivities. There was music on every block, dancers, stores offering treats, services, and great gift options. Everyone was in good spirits. And, the marshmallows were yummy.

Today is the holiday parade, the Moravian tea, the Jazz Nativity at West Market Street United Methodist Church and so much more. It would be impossible to do it all, but, whatever you decide to do, may it bring joy to you and those in your life.

Embur Fire Fusion

The above photo features the scene in the front window of the restaurant, Embur Fire Fusion, located 107 Smyres Place. The food is cooked Peruvian style with a brick oven for making Italian style pizza. Their specialty is chaufa, a Peruvian chicken dish with vegetables and rice. The green and yellow sauces they serve with their food are tasty and unique for the Greensboro area. The purple wall above defines the bar area at the center of the room.

Smyres Place is located just off Friendly Avenue, between where Southern Lights and Hams were located years ago. This is the time of year where friends meet up for the holidays. Arriving at Embur and seeing that wall of purple light somehow balances the darkness of Greensboro winter. The taste of warm, arroz chaufa with chicken or steak goes well with a "chicha morada" a Peruvian purple corn beverage. 

With First Friday tonight downtown Greensboro, the holiday parade tomorrow, and so many other events on this December weekend, we hope you get downtown and also have a chance to try out a new place or two... Embur, perhaps.

Homes Along Lawndale

There is one block on Lawndale, around Rosecrest and between the Target plaza and the shops at Cornwallis that is all residential. The homes are about the same size but vary in age and style. At one time, the area seemed far from town and rather rural. Now, the homes are still charming, but appear to be a holdover from an earlier era. 

The above brick home used to have a giant oak tree in the front yard. The stump is about 6 feet in diameter. It may have been damaged from a recent storm. Hopefully, the owners will plant something in its place so the community can watch it mature over the upcoming decades. In the meantime, we sure have a good view of this charming home.

Happy Thursday! Tomorrow is First Friday and the Festival of Lights in downtown Greensboro. Hope to see you there!

Sky Over Patterson Street & Holden Road

We've featured the Patterson Street/Holden Road area more than once. However, as you can see in the above photo, the sky in that area is just so dramatic on sunny afternoons. This was the view on Monday. Perhaps it is the open space that makes the view seem so expansive. Or, the fact that the sun is still visible as it starts getting low to the horizon, a time when the color can be so intense. If you notice the photographer's shadow in the red splotch to the right, shadows were long on that sunny afternoon.

This area is quite the destination if you are interested in recycling, making art, up cycling, and thrifting for bargains. From disposing of hazardous waste to purchasing antiques or buying used materials for art, explore this area, just down the block from the Coliseum. You also have great meal options at Stamey's Barbecue, Arigato Japanese, and Bangkok Cafe Restaurant in this same part of town. The yellow strip on the left of the photo is part of a carwash, another thing you can do, here, on the northeast corner. Happy Wednesday! May the sun shine in your heart, even on days it isn't shining overhead.

House on the Corner of Oak & McCormick

This single-family house in the heart of the Glenwood neighborhood of Greensboro is charming and represents the old south. The large front porch looks so cozy and must be a real refuge for the residents on warm days. The red tin roof really makes the house stand out against the white exterior and the bright blue sky. The natural, scruffiness of the yard is actually much healthier for the environment than a manicured lawn.

The Glenwood neighborhood came into being at the beginning of the 20th century and actually had trolley service. Glenwood was one of Greensboro's early planned residential neighborhoods. The above house, built in 1945, at the end of World War II, is a bit younger than many of the properties. With those mature oaks behind it, this home is just begging for an artist to paint it!

Körner's Folly

If you are local to Greensboro and celebrate Christmas, you will want to visit Körner's Folly at 413 S. Main Street in Kernersville. The intriguingly quirky brick house is full of surprises in every room. Plus, local decorators have been called in to compete for "best of show" since a different design team has decorated each room.

Julie Gilmer Körner built the house in 1880 and some rooms in Körner's Folly look more typical of Victorian homes. Other rooms are long and narrow with 5 1/2 ft. ceilings. Many paths to the next level in this 3 1/2-story home consist of two and a half ft. wide stairways. The grand finale is an in-home theatre on the top level, believed to have been the first in America. While you are there, don't forget to vote for the room with the best decorations. And remember, the foyer and the theatre are breathing, but there are other spectacular views, like the one above, sandwiched in between the first and last rooms. Even children have a good time as they look down in the stairwell, participate in the scavenger hunt, and take a spin on the stage! 

Glenwood United Methodist Church

Tis December 1st and today's photo is of Christ United Methodist Church in the Glenwood neighborhood. This is the front view of Glenwood UMC, the sibling church of Christ United Methodist Church on Holden Road. To the side is the educational building that has a cornerstone dating it to 1950.

This church also hosts the Servant Center, offering services for housing the homeless and helping with disability assistance. There is also an AmeriCorps Partnership based out of the church. Twenty-first century churches need to work hard to serve those in need and Glenwood UMC is doing just that. To that end, they hosted the Really, Really Free Market on Friday.