Greensboro Daily Photo

Reconsidered Goods Event Space

Reconsidered Goods, on Patterson Street, is a creative reuse center that resells donated goods and teaches people to make things out of items that might otherwise end up in landfills. After a few years of holding classes and make-and-take events in the resale store, they have opened a second space, right behind the first, for classes. What was formerly a Cross Fit box for rigorous fitness is now a space for sparking creativity. Today is the big day! From 12:00 - 5:00 pm, Reconsidered Goods is celebrating the grand opening of their event space. 

In the above photo, taken yesterday, Martha, Paige, and Laura stop for a brief minute to be photographed and celebrate the fruits of their labor. They have worked tirelessly over the past couple of month to transform the space from a square slab of cement into a colorful place full of art with plenty of tables and chairs for the public to come and create. While the make-and-take fee is usually $6.00, it will be free from 12:00- 5:00 pm today during the grand opening celebration. Share with us in a virtual toast to all of the hard work that made this great dream a reality!

Participatory Budgeting

Participatory budgeting happens every two years in Greensboro. This democratic process allows residents in each of the five city council districts to vote on how to spend $100,000 in their district. A half a million dollars has been set aside to fund projects that residents want to make enhance their district. Some projects are city wide- as an example, a weekend trolley that would run in downtown Greensboro to help alleviate traffic as people try to venture from point A to point B. The program was approved in 2014 and the process began, with funding, for the 2015-2016 cycle (reference and more information, here).

Friday, October 4th a Participatory Budget pop up event was held at Scuppernong Books on South Elm Street during the First Friday Event. Above is a photo of Jon Decker of the Budget and Evaluation Committee of the City. Jon and a volunteer were recruiting people to take a few minutes and vote on which projects should be funded in each resident's given district. There will be more pop up events throughout the month and the last opportunity to vote will be October 31st. Voting is super simple, and you can vote online. You can also start thinking of ideas to recommend for the next cycle.

Fourth Pool at the Greensboro Aquatic Center

Yesterday, Greensboro Daily Photo got to enjoy a sneak preview of the 4th pool at the Greensboro Acquatic Center- GAC. The grand opening is slated for Tuesday, September 24th. Pool 4 has eight long lanes and nineteen short lanes, depending on how the lane ropes and dive platforms are placed. Located at the Coliseum Complex, with the addition of the 4th pool, the facility is now over 100,000 square feet. There is plenty of room to swim, dive, practice, shower, and watch and wait for events.

The controversy about opening such a costly swim facility, before it was built in 2011, has long been forgotten. The GAC is considered one of the premiere facilities for swimming in the nation and it generates great revenue for the City of Greensboro. If you get a chance, visit the GAC this fall, or mark your calendar and attend the grand opening. While the space is always beautiful, it is especially beautiful in preparation for the grand opening. Even new signage has been added. You will be impressed. Here is an interior shot of the main pool area taken by GDP in the first year the facility was open. We really like the write up of that post.

North Carolina Folk Festival

The North Carolina Folk Festival kicks off today with a concert by Anya Hinkle and Laurelyn Dossett, Songs of Hope and Justice. This event will be in the Van Dyke Performance Space downtown at 7pm. Then, from Friday to Sunday, the streets of Greensboro will be filled with stages of free performances. This year, smaller, indoor spaces downtown will also be hosting performances.*

We cheated a little on today's photo and found one from a few years ago during the National Folk Festival when it was held in Greensboro. The national festival rotates to a new city every fourth year in the hopes that the given town will have built an infrastructure to continue to host a state festival. Greensboro was able to do so and is into hosting North Carolina Folk Festival #2. While the Eastern European family in the above photo will  not be performing this year, there will be plenty of folk music of many styles for your enjoyment. As we type, the town is filling with stages, crafts, food trucks, musicians, and volunteers to bring another fabulous music festival to town. If you are local, you must go enjoy some live music and support these hardworking musicians!

 

*schedule, here.

Pools Closing- End of Summer

Labor Day signals the end for most outdoor public and private pools; the last hurrah for swimming. Many pools have longstanding traditions on Labor Day weekend. For example Friendly Pool has a picnic and performance by their synchronized swim team. The above photo features the Bur-Mil Aquatic Center on the closing day. The Bur-Mill pool is part of the 250 acre Bur-Mil Park in Northwest Greensboro. Bur-Mil has only been a park since 1989, and the pool was added in 2003, but both are extremely popular. 

As you can see from the above photo, the pool is clean and inviting. It is reasonably priced and open to the public. If you want to visit the pool, you will have to wait until Memorial Day. In the meantime, the walking and biking trails and golf facility are open at Bur-Mil, as are many of the other amenities. Please support these public parks in Greensboro and help the young children develop a love for nature and spending time outdoors. Bur-Mil is a great place for people of all ages!

Book Club Book Sets Available from GSO Public Library

Did you know that the Greensboro Public Library System maintains sets of books that local book clubs can borrow? Usually each title has 10-15 books available. One person from the book club checks out the entire set, is responsible for distributing the books to members and getting them returned.* I learned about this program while at the Central Library interviewing Beth Sheffield about the "One City, One Book" kick-off event to be held this Saturday (August 24) at 6:30 p.m. in the Greensboro History Museum. By the way, the library has several sets of Trevor Noah's "Born a Crime" available to loan to local book clubs! 

Beth (photographed on the right) oversees book clubs and programming for adults for the Greensboro Public Library. If there is a literary event happening in the downtown parks, a public library, or the community in general, chances are, you will see Beth there, either facilitating the event or in the audience. Come to the "One City, One Book" kick-off event to hear Osha Gray Davidson talk about his book "Best of Enemies" and race relations in North Carolina. Davidson's session is a way to discuss racism, a theme from Noah's book, within a local context.

*read more about the Book Club program and search titles, here.

(photo credit: Karen Garraputa- who happened to walk by and, serendipitously, is in my bookclub)!

One City, One Book

The first of more than eighty events for the One City, One Book initiative is happening this Saturday, August 24th, at 6:30 pm at the Greensboro Historical Museum. The above photo features Beth Sheffield holding a copy of the selection for this year, Trevor Noah's "Born a Crime." Beth is the coordinator of adult programming and book clubs for the Greensboro City Library. As Beth explained, events related to One City, One Book incorporate themes of the book that will be of interest and relevant to people of Greensboro.

The Saturday event, features a visit by Osha Gray Davidson who wrote "Best of Enemies." This book from the 1970's is about the relationship between Ann Atwater, a Civil Rights Activist, and C.P. Ellis, Cyclops of the Ku Klux Klan. The book tells of how the diametrically opposed pair work together to find some common ground and to understand the other's perspective on race. So much of what Davidson writes in his book is relevant today with the binary political divide we are experience in the United States. The Saturday event will also allow time for dialog and questions. Greensboro is so lucky Davidson will be here for the event; and, this is only the first of many events to come- from Zulu dancing to a visit from Carla Hall, soul food cookbook author. Beth says her hope is to get Trevor Noah himself to come discuss "Born a Crime." If you have insight into helping this happen, contact Beth at Beth.Sheffield@greensboro-nc.gov. Follow the Greensboro Public Library on Facebook for events related to the book! See you Saturday!

MUSEP at Latham Park

The Sunday evening music concerts hosted at the city parks, and brought to us by the City of Greensboro have been a fabulous Greensboro tradition for forty years. Last night's music was at Latham Park where the audience was treated to a Beatles tribute by Wonderwall and Funk, by Doby.

Between bands, the UNCG art department rolled out a giant beachball and the under-ten crowd went wild chasing it around. It was so wonderful seeing the above crew have unbridled fun OUTSIDE, while their parents enjoyed talking with friends and sharing snacks. MUSEP does so much to build community and we are lucky to have these concerts. Forty years of great music, every Sunday, all summer long. The final concert is next Sunday at Blandwood Mansion. See you there!

National Night Out

National Night Out is held throughout the United States on the first Tuesday of August. The purpose is for police officers to build community with residents and for neighbors to get to know each other. The initiative started in 1984, which makes this year the 35th year of the event. People sit on their front porches with the lights on, children play outside, and officers stop by to meet and interface with residents. 

The above photo shows the Lindley Park neighborhood as people began to arrive for the gathering in the park-- beside the pool and in front of the recreation center. People of all ages seemed to be enjoying themselves and the rain managed to hold off until later in the evening. Did you have an opportunity to participate in an event? If not, consider spearheading one next year. You never know, you just may start a tradition that will last for decades. And, if it is in front of your house, you won't even have to drive anywhere to enjoy the evening.

Tiny is the New BIG

Tucked into an unassuming lot at 4120 Causey Street in the Pamona neighborhood of west Greensboro are six tiny homes, A-F. This is the first tiny house community that the City of Greensboro has approved. In the era of large suburban homes, this little community reminds us that, at the end of the day, all we really need to live is a roof over our head, a place to fix warm meal, a way to get in out of the elements, and a place to sleep. As shared on their website (tinyhousesgreensboro.com), each has a living area, a kitchen with full sized appliances, one bedroom, and a bathroom. Five of the homes are 288 square feet and one is only 180 square feet.

The tiniest of the houses is the one on the right. It has the word "Weaver" on the door, because it was built by students at Weaver Academy, a Guilford County School. Students raised the money for the material, designed the home, and built it in one semester. What a great way for students to learn the engineering process, perform community service, and oversee a project from conceptualization to completion. Residents are excited because these houses represent a means of ensuring they not only have an affordable housing option, but one that is permanent. The thriving, community garden at the front of the lot that reminds us that while housing security is important, quality of life is made even better when there is a sense of community.

The City Daily Photo theme for August is black. The black trailer reminds us that there needs to be a way to get each home from the sight where it is built to here. See more theme day photos from around the world, here.

 

Tanger Center, Elm Street Side

 

Blink and the Tanger Center for the Performing Arts is up, at least great progress has been made. The above photo features the Elm Street side of the building, which has this magical feature where the reflection off of the building across the street almost looks like an ancient script. They could project some interesting projects, movies, sayings, etc. onto the side of the building.

This 85 million dollar 3,000 seat facility is scheduled to open in the spring. Do you have your tickets? Season ticket sales have been brisk. This will be a wonderful facility for Greensboro. Somebody appears to be interested as their Facebook page already has over 6,000 "likes" and the building isn't even complete. Stop by 300 North Elm Street and check out the progress, or check back here and we'll post more photos as progress is made.

Preservation Greensboro: Tour of Lindley Park

Preservation Greensboro offers free walking tours of historic neighborhoods in Greensboro. The above photo features the starting point for the tour of Lindley Park. On these tours, a docent gives a brief introduction to the history of the neighborhood, sharing its significance, lore, and most interesting points, and then commences to walking and talking. Homes with historical and or architectural significance are pointed out.

The Wednesday night tour drew almost fifty people, most of whom were not from Lindley Park. Many participants had been on one of the tours before. Standing on the bench on the right was Rebecca who did an excellent job of bringing the history of Lindley Park to life for the group. Learn more about Preservation Greensboro and their upcoming neighborhood tour schedule, here.

Recycling Glass

Sadly, as of July 1st, the City of Greensboro no longer accepts glass in the residential recycling containers. However, they have established drop off sites for bottles and jars at various points throughout Greensboro. The above photo features the bins in at the edge of the parking lot at the Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch Library. As long as you have a vehicle, the process is super simple. You just drive up and place your bottles in the bin. The biggest challenge is dropping the glass in the bottom of an empty bin without breaking it!

By far, the bins are filled with wine bottles and beer bottles, mixed in with a few jelly jars. Let's just say, Greensboro residents consume a lot of wine and beer. Of course it wouldn't be cost effective for wineries in France or California to refill wine bottles, but surely, breweries in Greensboro could have a deposit/recycling system that would keep beer bottles out of the rubbish bins. Growlers could have paper labels and uniform sizes so they could be returned anywhere. Come on Greensboro, we can figure this out. In the meantime, if you have a neighbor who has transportation issues, please offer to take their bottles and jars to a designated recycling spot.

Mr. Rogers would approve of this idea!

MUSEP Jazz Evening at Guilford College

MUSEP has been providing free summer music concerts around Greensboro for forty years. Yesterday's concert was held at Guilford College. Due to the heat, attendance was down. However, those who attended were well protected by all the mature trees on the campus. The Piedmont Triad Jazz Orchestra played two sets of great music for the crowd.

Next Sunday's concert will be at Country Park from 6:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. The lineup includes "Low Key" a Classic Rock to Pop group and "Sam Frazier and the Side Effects " with their Songwriter/Americana Sound. If you are in town, like music, and can arrange transportation, this is a must-attend event.

International Civil Rights Museum

The International Civil Rights Museum, located at 134 South Elm Street, was founded in 2010.   The first Woolworth opened in 1879, and the Greensboro Woolworth in 1929. The Greensboro sit-ins took place there in 1960, when four NCA&T college students weren't going to take no for an answer with respect to their being able to order from the lunch counter. 

In the above photo, the museum looks quiet and empty. However, during special events, the building is packed. It gets over 70,000 visitors annually. Greensboro played an important role in the Civil Rights movement in the 1960's. It is important that this history be remembered. If you have never visited the museum, you owe it to yourself to do so.  Happy Monday!

Oh, Playgrounds!

Over the past several years, Greensboro has been getting more public space, including play spaces. LeBauer Park is one example. There is so much to do there: Fountains, ping pong, climbing spaces, and more. Gateway Gardens is another public space that families adore.

The above photo is one of the playground spaces at the Greensboro Arboretum, on the West Market Street side of the park. The equipment is plastic with no sharp edges and the mulch bed is thick. This playground is part of the 17 acre space that you can use for walking and picnicking. It is open daily and is free! If you like parks, try it out this weekend.

Color Maze on the Lazy Days of Summer

The Greensboro Science Center just keeps getting better and better. With every renovation and tax dollar spent, they add features that help connect the community to science, flora, and fauna. They have permanent and temporary exhibits for people of all ages. the above photo features the color maze, an exhibit that combines the science of light and color. By the time you leave the exhibit, you have a better understanding of issues like color blindness and bioluminescence. The exhibit is included with the price of general admission. If you join, you will always have something to do, especially in the summer. Light up a friend's day and arrange to meet them under the lightbulb! (Did you notice the color of the dots is in rainbow order)?

Greensboro Community Carousel Quarter

In honor of their 100 year anniversary, the Rotary Club of Greensboro is building a carousel between the Greensboro Science Center and Country Park. The area is enclosed, making it possible for children to ride year round. The above photo features the lead horse with the Rotary symbol alongside a flamingo. As we peeked in, it seemed that no two animals were exactly alike. There is everything from a ladybug to a shark. Imagine a child setting a goal to ride every single animal on the carousel.

In addition to the Rotary Club, several very generous businesses and individuals have donated to this project. At the property, you can see a sign of all the donors. Truly, this project is for the community, by the community. The Battleground Park District, The Greensboro Science Center, and Greensboro, just keep getting better and better. The Carousel will be such a joyful addition to the community. 

Greensboro Science Center

The Greensboro Science Center, located on Lawndale Drive, just keeps getting better and better. The aquarium exhibit has expanded and provides so many different displays of ocean animals. From penguins to a giant octopus to everything in between, the aquarium is a fabulous experience. There are also many other science and animal displays. It is easy to spend an afternoon at the center- especially in summertime.

If you are looking for a gift for a friend or family member, consider a membership to the Science Center. For less than $40, you can purchase a gift that will last all year long. The membership for the local center also gets you a discount to many science centers and zoos throughout the United States. Keep cool and see the many cool exhibits. See more from the Greensboro Science Center throughout the week on GDP. Happy Tuesday!

The State of Things

Frank Stasio hosts his National Public Radio show, "The State of Things" for WUNC once a month from Greensboro. The live show is on air on Tuesdays, broadcasted from the 3rd floor space at Triad Stage. Attendance is free, as long as you send in your ticket request and space permitting. The venue is intimate and the cafe seating adds to the charm.

One of the topics addressed on yesterday's show was housing insecurity in Greensboro. In the above photo, Stasio (left) is photographed with Richard Barron, a city reporter for the Greensboro newspaper, The News and Record. They discussed the situation that over 26 thousand people in Greensboro pay more than 30% of their income on rent. When this much of the household income goes to rent, tenants are considered to be rent burdened. Also, there are over ten thousand people in Greensboro waiting for low cost housing. Greensboro has a mere 3-4% housing vacancy, with much of that availability on higher-end properties. 

Attending "The State of Things"  is yet another great way to stay informed about issues, meet people in Greensboro,  and do something fun, for FREE, in Greensboro! Frank is taking some time off this summer, so the next time he broadcasts from Greensboro is Tuesday, August 20th. Bookmark this link, if you are interested in attending later this summer.

 

Pallet Gardening as seen at Ciener Botanical Garden

The people of Greensboro are getting increasingly conscious about sustainable living, and so are our neighbors in surrounding counties. The above photo features a planter made out of shipping pallets, those wooden structures that used to be just about impossible to get rid of. The above planter is on site at Ciener Botanical Garden in nearby Kernersville (Forsyth County). Some garden cloth is stapled to the pallets, creating a trough-like bottom that can be filled with soil and then plants. The technique makes it easy to garden vertically and would be conducive to planting climbing plants like squash, cucumbers, and beans. 

If you are doing any creative gardening, creative recycling, or a combination of the two, let us know and we'll try to get by to photograph your efforts. Pallet containers are great for community gardens where produce is grown to share with the local community. If you have time during the week, head over to Ciener Botanical Garden to see its seven lovely, well-appointed acres. To be sure, you will leave with ideas for your own yard. 

Zoo City Pickers

The Zoo City Pickers is a bluegrass band that played at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market on Yanceyville Street this past weekend. Children danced, families ate fried donuts and other treats, and people shopped for produce and plants, as the sound of the Zoo City Pickers traveled throughout the venue. The band with its four members hail from Asheboro, Randolph County. Barbara Bartos plays the five string banjo, Bernie Bartos, the upright bass, PBob Coble, the harmonica, and Terry Lawrence guitar and mandolin.

If you think it is a sound you will like, The Zoo City Pickers will be playing at the Curb Market again in June. The main way to keep up with them is through Facebook. They don't appear to have a website. And regardless of what special events are or aren't at the Farmers Market, it is always a special place to visit. 

Greensboro Bound Literary Festival

These puppets in the window of Scuppernong Books are there reminding us that the Greensboro Bound Literary Festival begins tomorrow. This second annual event is sure to have something for everybody. The opening event will be a reception, a presentation about an interactive art project and a film screening at the Weatherspoon Art Museum at the corner of Spring Garden and Tate Streets.

There are so many great offerings. To name a few, author Wiley Cash will speak, There will be a response to Hillbilly Elegy. There will be a session on contemporary Muslim writing, spoken word, and a concert by Ani Defranco with Rhiannon Giddens. We predict that some of these events may grow so large in the future that they will be held in the Tanger Center for the Performing Arts. This is a fabulous, diverse event for the Gate City! You owe it to yourself to attend at least one session. While all events are free and open to the public, many have already distributed all of the tickets.

To learn more about the festival and to see the schedule, see, here and  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!

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!

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. 

Paper Furniture

Can you guess what this is? It is a to-scale sculptural installation of a room full of furniture made out of heavyweight drawing paper. North Carolina artist, Sara Farrington, who lives in Creedmoor, made it in 2018. Called "Model Home, " it is part of a the 45th annual Art-on-Paper exhibit at the Weatherspoon Art Museum.

The Weatherspoon, located at the corner of Tate and Spring Garden streets on UNCGs campus, brings so much thought-provoking art to Greensboro. Sara's furniture is tied in to the notion of domestic perfection and what society expects of adults, goals Sara sees as unattainable. If you want to see this piece and more fantastic artwork, head to the Weatherspoon. Since the entrance is free, as is parking if you get a hang-tag from the museum entrance, there is every reason to give the museum a try. Please note that they are currently redesigning the lighting in the first-floor galleries and so only the upstairs galleries are open. As comfortable as it looks, just don't try to sit out the furniture.

Wesley Memorial UMC

Yesterday was Pancake Day for the Kiwanis Club of High Point. Each year, the Kiwanians hold the event at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church. This giant church is located at the corner of Westchester and Chestnut Drive in High Point. The elaborate architecture and the stone construction looks as much like a European building as one here in North Carolina. Wesley Memorial UMC began in a different High Point location, before the Civil War in 1856, with a congregation of 17, four of whom were African American.

It was a beautiful day for the event and, as it turns out, the family walking in was volunteering  for the event. Hats off to the mom who was able to get her four boys up and out on a Saturday morning to help with a community event. From the size of the crowd and the amount of pancakes and sausage being consumed, every indication is that the event was a huge success!

Reenactment of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse

Today, the Reenactment of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse continues. The morning will start with the troops down by the river for a worship service on the day of the big battle. Today is the 237th anniversary of the battle that happened on March 15, 1781.

We must confess that we took this photo eight years ago; however, it evokes such a beautiful of a father and son praying together it is worth featuring it again. The young boy would be about twenty years old now.  This scene was taking place in the part of Country Park that is behind the Greensboro Science Center, off Lawndale Drive.  If you get a chance, head to the park and experience this event. Happy Sunday.

GCS Choice Showcase

Last night, Guilford County Schools held their annual choice showcase. Students and families went to learn about the many programs offered by the school district. Students always have the opportunity to attend their attendance zone school; however, some students want a program that is centered around a certain topic, like health and life sciences, world language, aviation, preforming arts, visual arts, etc. In Guilford County, there is something for everybody at every grade level.

It can be really hard to know which program is best for a student. Visiting the schools is a good place to start. Students need to be genuinely interested in the topic of the school. Students also need to be prepared to meet students from all over the district, and not necessarily go to school with neighborhood friends. The programs offered by the district are outstanding, especially if a student really wants to be there. 

The above photo features the Kindergarten experience zone. Children could practice getting on and off the bus, standing in a cafeteria line, eating cafeteria food, talking to classroom teachers, getting experience with hands-on activities, and more. If you are interested in one of the programs of choice, be mindful of the timeline for school visits and getting paperwork in on time. May your child have the best school year ever- every year!

Tree of Life

The term "Tree of Life" is mentioned in Genesis, important scripture to Christians and Jews alike. In Genesis, chapter 2, verse 9, the scripture says, "After the fall of man, "lest he put forth his hand, and take also the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever."  For Christians, the term "tree of life" also appears in the Bible in Proverbs, Revelation; for Jews, it the term appears in Esdras and Maccabees. The term appears worldwide in folklore and in mythologies. The concept is so beautiful.

The above "tree of life" does not have a religious affiliation; it is a counseling center located on Lendew Street in Greensboro. However, it is an oasis surrounded by multiple-story medical facilities,  just off of Green Valley Road. When the tree in the front yard blooms within the month, indeed, it will look like a lush garden full of life.

Happy Sunday and may your week go well, even though we are all getting up an hour earlier!

Fire Fighters from Station 21

For those of you who follow Greensboro Daily Photo regularly, the above firemen are four of the eight who were eating breakfast at Jakes on Sunday. These are the public servants  who offered to show the elementary school student around the fire truck. It was so heartwarming to see these men take time with children. Perhaps the two boys who got a mini-lesson on fire fighting and the inner workings of the firetruck will want to become fire fighters. If you see a fire fighter, consider thanking them for all they do for the community. Every time they enter a burning building, they put their lives at risk to try to save others. Their job is not easy. Perhaps positive interaction with the public, during calm times, is a good way to balance all of the stress when they are called out for an emergency.

Have a great Tuesday!

 

Caleb and the Firemen of Station 21

Caleb, a local Guilford County elementary student, and his family had just ordered breakfast at Jake's Diner on North Battleground Avenue when they noticed two crews of firemen were eating there, too. People had been taking photos of the eight firefighters and their two trucks, from Fire Station #21,  parked outside. (Fire Station #21 is located just up the road from Jake's on Horse Pen Creek Road). Caleb's mom brought him over to the table where the firemen were seated, explained that Caleb was blind and he just wanted to have a chance to talk to them. After a couple minutes of great conversation, one of the firefighters asked Caleb if he would like to sit in their firetruck. Caleb's face lit up at the opportunity.

Before you knew it, Caleb was in the driver's seat, getting a quick lesson on the inner workings of a firetruck. He asked very detailed questions and the firemen were patient in answering them. After several minutes, Caleb's mom reminded him that their breakfast was probably served and there was another young boy waiting to get a chance to sit in the firetruck. We don't know if the firemen got a chance to finish their breakfast, but we sure do know that they were so kind to these young children. Community service with children, dear readers, is part of what firefighters do when they aren't putting out fires. Experiences like this are another an example of what makes Greensboro is such a great city.

Keeping the Green in Greensboro Beautiful

This photo is from the October 7th Art in the Arboretum event. Greensboro Beautiful volunteers are putting a wristband on a person attending the event. Last year, Greensboro Beautiful celebrated its 50th year as a non-profit organization working to conserve and enhance the ecology and beauty of Greensboro (reference and more information, here). They partner with the City of Greensboro to coordinate and implement events like Art in the Arboretum.

We are featuring this older photo because Greensboro Daily Photo is part of the international group, City Daily Photo. The theme for March is "green." The green shirts above on volunteers at Greensboro Beautiful in the city of Greensboro,  really hit home with the green theme! As Greensboro Beautiful enters its second 50th year, let's hope it thrives over the next 50 years and may their 100 year celebration is 2068  be GIANT and GREEN!

Visit here, to see other green-themed photos from around the world.

First Christian Church at the Corner Market

The First Christian Church, also known as Disciples of Christ, sets up at the Corner Market in Lindley Park. They sell baked goods with proceeds going to help those in need. They support the Green for Greens Program. The church, located at 1900 West Market Street, believes in community involvement. Some of the initiatives they are involved in include: the Glenn Haven Community Center; One Step Further Food Pantry; Cone Elementary School; Salvage Garden; and more. One of their mottos is Serve. Help. Reach. Feed. Connect. 

Today's successful churches do so much to stay relevant and involved. Some of the best ministering happens beyond the sanctuary. Saturday, the First Christian Church members at the farmer's market were hard at work. Hopefully, the day was a good one for them- in spite of the bone-chilling rain.

Bike Patrol in #DGSO

It is becoming increasingly popular to see police patrolling on bicycles in Downtown Greensboro, or #DGSO. In the above photo, two policemen are heading east on McGee Street, about to cross over Elm Street. This part of town is known as Hamburger Square and, while Elm/Market is technically the point where the city spits north/south, east/west, Hamburger Square is equally famous for being a point of much activity downtown, especially during festivals.

The bikes are a convenient way to get from Point A to Point B, or around Point C, quickly, especially during times of high foot and vehicle traffic. Another great benefit of the bike patrol is that it gives officers a chance to stop and interact, positively, with community. Unless they are in pursuit of something urgent, they are encouraged to take time to build community with people along the way. According to the city's website, the Greensboro Police Department has 673 sworn law enforcement officers. According to a 2014 article in the News & Record, 70 officers have been trained to ride bicycles on patrol.

Bonfire at the Psychedelic Art Exhibit

Last week, UNCG's College of Visual and Performing Arts hosted a psychedelic art exhibit inspired by the artwork of the 1960s and the Grateful Dead. It was installed at UNCG's Project Space at 219 West Lewis Street, beside the Forge. Curators Emily Edwards and Lisa Goble thought of so many great details to help build community. In addition to two floors of artwork, they brought UNCG's mobile art truck, provided snacks at the closing reception, and  hosted a big bonfire.

The fire pit, with psychedelic flames, burned furiously, but controlled, just outside in the lot beside the gallery. Art lovers sat around, talking about the counter-culture art exhibit, munching on fire-pit snacks like roasted peppers and popcorn, and giggling about period-relevant topics like the best tie-dye designs and what it meant to be a "square." It is amazing what today's young adults know about a movement that happened nearly 60 years ago. If you were there, likely you were "feeling groovy!" What a great event for the Greensboro community.

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!

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!

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!