Greensboro Daily Photo

Piedmont Triad International Airport: Wrangler Jeansboro Statues

The Piedmont Triad International Airport was started in 1927 and, the 112 acre facility has been evolving and changing ever since. One of the latest efforts has been to enhance the facility with public art.

In 2018, four Wrangler Jeansboro statues were installed at Piedmont Triad International Airport. The above statue is by Jerry McGuire of Pfafftown. It is called "Slice of Heaven." This statue is located is baggage claim, one of the public areas of the airport that you can actually view even if you are not traveling. You don't need to go through airport security to see it. The statue itself is made out of fiberglass. The first installations of the jeans statues were in 2016. They are located not only at the airport, but also around town. Wrangler sponsored them as a nod to Greensboro's history with denim and jeans.* At one time, Cone Mills in Greensboro was the largest denim maker in the world. Wrangler actually coined the term Jeansboro in 2015. Many of the jeans statues were painted by students of Guilford County Schools.**

When we were at the airport Saturday night, we were only picking up a traveler, but it sure made us want to do a little globe trotting. However, at the end of the day, it sure was nice to return home and hunker down for the Sunday morning snow storm. Happy Wednesday 

 

*reference and more information, HERE.

** another great reference.

Downtown Greensboro

Today on this Christmas Eve day, we're featuring the Tinsel Town tree decorated by Downtown Greensboro. Tinsel Town was conceptualized last year as a way to bring community together without needing to physically be in the same place at the same town. Downtown Greensboro was established in 1996 and for the past 25 years has worked tirelessly to improve the business district and to make downtown an enjoyable place for the residents of Greensboro.

Their all-green, Tinsel Town tree is still on display in LeBauer Park- as are all of the other trees. Just look at the DGI tree with name cards for all of the downtown streets. So clever and front row center is ELM Street. The tree to the right features a Moravian star, an iconic symbol of the the Moravian church, especially at Christmas. We wish you a Merry Christmas. Many of the local churches will be featuring Christmas Eve services and midnight mass. If you are interested, check their social media to verify times. If you are downtown over the next few days, make sure you stop by and see these creative trees. 

Making Memories at LeBauer Park

If you are looking for something to entertain hildren who are home, consider visiting one of Greensboro's parks. LeBauer Park, one of two downtown parks, is the perfect way to spend the afternoon. LeBauer Park has been open for five years now. It opened on August 8, 2016 and we have to wonder what on earth did Greensboro do without it. Even when there aren't special events in the park, families can gather and play ping pong, exercise their dogs, let children play on the playground, and more.

The part featured above in today's photo is the Lincoln Financial Children's Garden. And yes, if you were on one of the top floors of the Lincoln Financial building, you could see this garden they helped fund. The garden has been very well maintained and actually still looks brand new. That rubberized surface makes the garden safe, even for toddling toddlers. As you can see from the above photo, everyone is having fun.

Happy second day of winter!

Lobby Art Piece at Tanger Center

Yesterday, we featured a photo of the outside of Tanger Center with no people. Today, we wanted to share a view of the inside just before Sunday's afternoon performance of Dear Evan Hansen. It was close to a full house! Notice how many people are wearing cobalt blue tops- almost as if it were planned.  We also wanted to point out the artwork, in case you missed Dawn Kane's November 15th article about it in the News & Record.

The ceiling art in the entrance hall is by Cuban artist Mabel Poblet. Entitled "Genesis" , the installation consists of approximately 200 strands of reflective, metallic and clear discs. They create a nice balance of a busy ceiling with lots of movement against a busy floor with lots of movement, with the middle space open and empty. The lobby, Phillips Hall, is 8,000 square feet and the Phillips Foundation financed the artwork and its installation.* It also fits nicely with Janet Echelman's iconic floating artwork hovering above LeBauer Park. Happy Tuesday!

*reference and read the N&R article HERE (please consider subscribing, if you don't already). 

Tanger Center

Dear Evan Hansen reopened on Broadway in New York City on Saturday, just as the touring cast was performing the last shows at Greensboro's Tanger Center. Again, attendance was high at Tanger for this show , the third in the Broadway Series (Wicked, Beautiful, and now Dear Evan Hansen). Tanger and the Broadway series have both been a big hit in Greensboro and a much needed addition to 2021.  In the above photo, you see the advertisement board for all of the plays this year. It is located on the LeBauer Park side of Tanger Center and the photograph was taken on a non-performance day when all was quiet. Had we taken a photo yesterday, you would have seen people rushing into Tanger and pouring out, after the shows. 

Next up, at the end of December, is "Come From Away," about what transpired in 2001, the week after the September 11th attacks when 38 passenger planes were diverted to Gander, Newfoundland.  It is the story of the kindness of locals when 7,000 strangers were stranded in their town. On September 11, 2019, we featured Greensboro's own Katja Brown who was one of the people detained in Gander with her two toddlers. A lot has changed in Katja's life since 2001, and even since 2019 when we interviewed her, one thing is for sure; she will always have the memories of the kindness of people in Gander on September 11th, 2001. To be sure, when Katja sees "Come From Away," it will be through a very different lens from those who did not experience the event! If you want a ticket to the play, you should check availability soon.

Here's to a great week for everyone. If you have students in the Guilford County Schools, you have five more days before winter break begins! 

Black Friday 2021

Today is the day all of the retailers have been waiting for, Black Friday. People will be out shopping for special deals. If you subscribe to the Greensboro News & Record, Wednesday's edition was as thick and full of advertisements, just like old times. Let's hope retailers and shoppers have all of their dreams come true. The above photo was taken outside the K&W  Cafeteria, on Northline Drive, at Friendly Center. Stores at Friendly Center will be ready for you today. If you haven't driven along Northline lately, you might not know that the stops are now 4-way, making it easier for all drivers to get a turn getting through the intersections and left turns are now as easy as right turns.

If you are out shopping, let the above photo of Nancy, ringing the bell for the Salvation Army, reminds us to remember others. Whether you donate to the Salvation Army's red kettle or another organization, give to the needy in some other way, or donate to someone in need directly, remember that there are many in need this year and kindness and generosity is especially appreciated. While we were talking to Nancy, who is a bell ringer for the first time this year, the above man got out of his car to drop a donation in the kettle. The people of Greensboro are giving people. We're betting you, dear reader, are already doing your part! Happy Black Friday!

Open House on Thursday at Tanger Center

With the "Beautiful: Carol King" Musical," this was a busy weekend for Tanger Center. The above photo features people leaving after the 1:00 p.m. showing yesterday afternoon. North Elm just got a whole lot busier. Tanger has a lot on its plate this week, too. Some events are by-invitation-only; others are for ticket holders (Sting); however, the best opportunity of all is FREE! On Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Tanger is having an open house for people to go in and have a look at Greensboro's newest performing arts venue. 

If you have not yet had a chance to go inside Tanger Center, please take advantage of this opportunity on Thursday. You will like it. Check out the restroom on the ground level (at least the one for women). It has 40 stalls, which helps greatly with using the facility during intermission- if you have ever been to Broadway in NYC, you will realize what a nice feature this is. Have a great week and let us know what you think of Tanger!

Glenwood Art and Creative Greensboro

Harry Turfle, front right-  holding a cup of paint and a paintbrush- is lead artist on the Creative Greensboro Project in Glenwood. This weekend, artists and community members came out to help with the painting of the crosswalks at the corner of Glenwood Avenue and Grove Street. The painting was the culmination of many neighborhood discussions and meetings between interested Glenwood residents. Harry said, in true artists' fashion, the group had to change their plans for the design. The special paint needed for painting on asphalt was not available in yellow and purple (supply chain issues)!  They didn't want to delay the project. As you can see above, the slightly more muted palate is actually quite striking and the black and white squares add a lot of energy to the design. The Glenwood group wanted the design to have movement without being too distracting to pedestrians.

Harry, passionate about community art, especially in his Glenwood neighborhood, identifies as an "wast coast mutt," having lived in several cities and states along the eastern seaboard. Harry came to Greensboro to attend UNCG, where he earned an MFA in art. He is very happy to call Greensboro, and Glenwood, home now. Thank you Harry for all you are doing for the community.

Read more about the Creative Greensboro and Artist In Residence programs, HERE.

Dia De los Muertos

Today's photo features one of the altars from the 2020 Casa Azul Day of the Dead/Día de los Muertos exhibit. It was set up in the Center for Visual Artists at the Greensboro Cultural Center at 200 North Davie Street. Last year, with more stringent COVID restrictions, families brought in pre-made altar boxes. This exhibit features photos of the deceased and the Virgin of Guadalupe, an apparition of the Virgin Mary in Mexico in 1531.

The Day of the Dead holiday starts tomorrow, as does the 2021 Día de Muertos Offend Exhibition in the Center for Visual Artists (see HERE). Opening night hours, November 1st, will be from 5-8pm. Tuesday will be extended hours from 12 noon - 8pm. The event is free and open to the public and will be shown until November 13th. If you and your family celebrate Day of the Dead, you will already know about the holiday. If not, The holiday is a time to honor ancestors and loved ones that have gone to the spirit world. The movies "The Book of Life" and "Coco" are related to the holiday. Also, you can learn about it from the exhibit and Casa Azul volunteers. 

Wicked at the Steven Tanger Center (aka T-PAC)

"Wicked" played to a sold out crowd last night at the Tanger Center for the Performing Arts (T-PAC). It was the last night of the play. It was extremely well received by the community, as is the Tanger Center itself. The above photo was taken well before the play started, before many people had taken their seats. Helping with filling the house is the practice of having a digital lottery for seats available for $25 for those who are selected (see here for details, in case they offer this option for future plays). Broadway in NYC has "Rush" as their opportunity for heavily discounted "same day" tickets. The theater is so wonderful and seeing a Broadway quality play performed is something everyone should experience at least once. If you ever have an extra ticket that you can't use, consider giving it so someone who otherwise might not be able to afford one.  Everything about "Wicked" was fabulous, from the acting, to the set design, to the orderly manner in which ushers helped people to their seats. All of the seats appear to be good ones.

The next Broadway play offered at Tanger is "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical" from November 9-14. This run is not as long as "Wicked." If you like that 70s sound, get your tickets soon. See the rest of the lineup, here. After one big show, people are already talking about what a wonderful community resource we now have downtown. As we were leaving the theater tonight, all of the trucks and a bus were lined up to strike the set for the play. By the time this post publishes, there will. be no evidence that "Wicked" was ever in Greensboro; well, that is except for all of the t-shirts and other items from the merchandise stand everyone will be wearing for a very long time.

Bellemeade Parking Deck

Bellemeade Parking Deck between Elm, Bellemeade, and Greene Street just got a whole lot busier now that it is one of the designated parking decks for the Tanger Center for the Performing Arts. The above photo was taken recently as people were filing in to attend Wicked. Police have been there to help ensure traffic runs smoothly in these opening weeks of Tanger. As you can see, traffic bogs down a little bit, so you want to arrive early. Plus, it is fun to stroll leisurely to your seat once in the theater. Sometimes, there can be a little bit of a delay getting out. We just need to remind ourselves that we didn't have to drive to Durham, Raleigh, or Charlotte to see Broadway plays.

The Bellemeade Deck is 8 stories and can accommodate over 1,200 cars. Did you know it is built on the site of the former O. Henry Hotel and that the O. Henry statues are right across the street from the deck? As you can see from the above photo, the structure is a combination of cement and granite. The cement is functional as it is strong enough to support the weight of the cars; the granite is a stylish touch. Today is Friday and while it is not First Friday, it is always a great time to be downtown.

Pumpkin Patch Time

It is pumpkin time again and this patch found out in front of the Guilford College United Methodist Church at 1205 Fleming Road, where it intersects with New Garden Road and Ballinger Road.  You only have to walk around the pumpkin patch and look at the signage to realize just how dynamic this church is. In addition to church service, they have Girl and Boy Scout troops meeting there. They offer adult English classes on Wednesdays. They have a pre-school.  They are advertising a Brunswick stew sale. This Saturday, October 23rd, from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, they are having a Fall Festival with professional crafters and a bake sale. This should be a fun event and one of many things you will be able to do this weekend to get out and celebrate autumn. If you buy a pumpkin, the proceeds to to the youth groups at the church. What a wonderful opportunity to do something for a church that does so much for the community.

Do you have your pumpkins yet? Do you like the traditional orange or are you seeking the white, green, and pastel ones? Do you like the textured ones that look like they have warts on them? It seems like every year there are more and more novel options. Happy week of the full moon! Happy pumpkin hunting!

Playing Soccer on the Fields at Guilford College

What could be more fun on a sunny, Sunday afternoon in October than grabbing a folding chair and heading to an outdoor field to watch kids play soccer? The above photo was taken at Guilford College where light blue and dark blue were playing their hearts out. While we were there, light blue was dominating the game. However, there wasn't even any sign of a scoreboard. All players were giving it their all and trying to apply all of the techniques and strategies learned from their coaches. Over the last two decades, soccer has grown in popularity in Greensboro and opportunities are available to compete at all levels. 

It is so wonderful that Guilford College has made it possible for their fields to be used by the community. Guilford College was established in 1837 and for 184 years has been an important part of our community. As many institutions of higher education *IHE) struggle financially, the college community  and the local population at large need to collaborate and do everything to help the smaller and private IHEs thrive. Happy Monday. Here's to the Guilford Quakers and those children on the field who just may become future Quakers!

It Feels Like Broadway...

The Broadway play Wicked began its run in Greensboro at the Tanger Center and it is glorious. Last night, in spite of a slight drizzle, people dashed to their seats to see the production. One thing greeters and ushers could not emphasize enough was to allow yourself plenty of time to get there and get seated. You owe it to yourself to arrive early enough to take in this beautiful experience. This 3,023 seat state-of-the-art facility had its long overdue opening, September 2021. And, there is no looking back. Greensboro is so lucky to have a performing arts center of this magnitude downtown. No longer do we have to go elsewhere to see fabulous, professional performances. According to their website, it is anticipated that The Tanger Center will host about 150 events a year. On average, that's about one performance every two and a half days. 

Not only will Broadway plays be performed at Tanger, the Bryan Series from Guilford College and the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra will perform here. Let's all do what we can to support the arts. If, financially, you are in a position to do so, purchase an extra ticket and invite someone who is not in a position to purchase one. Everyone who is interested deserves an opportunity to go in and see this Greensboro treasure. Truly, The Tanger Center for the Performing Arts is something fabulous for our community.  Happy Saturday!

Cassandra Liuzzo and the GROW Initiative

Today, we're featuring Greensboro artist Cassandra Liuzzo who has been participating in a Greensboro Residency for Original Works (GROW). Her GROW project involves community weaving and her space is located in the Cultural Arts Center at 200 N. Davie Street. Next week, on October 13th, Cassandra will be speaking about the project from 6:30- 8:00 pm.*  You may recognize Cassandra as the owner of Shelf Life Art and Supply Co., a new and used art supply store she established in 2014. Before Reconsidered Goods and Jerry's Art Supply, Cassandra had the idea to open a store that gave artists a place to sell supplies they didn't need and to purchase new and used supplies for their own projects. Even though her brick and mortar store in Irving Park is no longer open, Cassandra continues to combine her love of creating new works of art with her love of reusing items. The lower left corner of this photo features a page from one of her many sketch book pages. Most of the pages have something old, reused, or found. Cassandra, a lifelong Greensboro resident, graduated from Grimsley High School where she got so much of her visual art training. She also honed her art skills and appreciation for the cost of supplies while studying at Appalachian State University. 

The collaborative weaving project, conceptualized by Liuzzo for her residency, involves getting as many community members as possible to engage in making weavings from fabric scraps. If you stop by the cultural arts center when she is in the pop up work space, you can add to one of the weavings. No prior experience is necessary. She will be there this Friday from 12- 1pm, and when she speaks next Wednesday.

Read more about the City of Greensboro's GROW initiative for community engagements in the arts , here. Here is a link to our 2015 post about Cassandra and Shelf Life. How wonderful that the City of Greensboro is supporting creative arts projects, not just in downtown, but also in several neighborhoods. Also, how wonderful that Cassandra is taking time to share her artistic talent with the Greensboro community. Sometimes all it takes to help someone gain confidence and GROW in art is to have a free, low-stakes opportunity to give art a try!

* see more in a Yes Weekly article, here.

First Friday in October

The above photo was taken on Wednesday evening around 7:30 , after the presentation at GeenHill, which is located in the Cultural Arts Center in the foreground. The photo was taken from the top level of the Church Street Parking Deck at 215 North Church Street. This 417 space is a great place to park for downtown events, especially on the north end or when visiting the two city parks. It is also a great place for a panoramic view. The JP/LFP building is peeking out behind the Self-Help building. Tonight would be a good evening for you to head to town to see Greensboro at night. It is First Friday and many stores, galleries, restaurants, and other venues will be open. To name a few, the First Friday Drum Circle will be in Center City Park from 6:30- 9:00 pm.  On down Elm Street, South End Brewing will be sponsoring an Octoberfest. From 7:00- 9:00 pm, Signal Fire Band will be playing Reggae Rock on Battleground Avenue at Smith and Lindsay Streets. Jamaica Coast Catering and Pig Pounder Brewery will be on site for food and libations.

All may be still in the above photo, but fast forward to this evening and downtown will be vibrant and teeming with people. The weather should be nice- no rain and between the high 60s and low 70s. Hope to see you downtown soon! Happy First Friday, the first day of October and the first day of the 4th quarter of 2021. 

Jack Stratton at GreenHill Center for the Arts

Last night, Jack Stratton spoke at Green Hill Center for North Carolina Art in their gallery on Davie Street. The exhibit has been installed since mid-July and will continue through the first week in November. Jack, originally from Western North Carolina, has been creating art his whole life. He remembers his childhood years when art was a somewhat clandestine activity for him. He drew to make visual his aspirations and fantasies. When teachers caught him drawing when he should have been listening, they would take his drawings away, thereby making art seem like a subversive act. As he spoke through the evening, Jack explained that his art is about "the nature of experience and the passage of time." Jack explains that he sees art as a path. "it takes you places; you learn stuff." 

Jack's paintings are full of color and the human form. He draws just enough to elucidate the narrative, but no more. His paintings are not cluttered with detail. With his  keen sense of color theory, his use of light, and his evoking the earthly elements, Jack has created a style that makes his paintings very identifiable. Jack says he's less interested in documenting an event and more interested in saying something about the nature of the experience itself. Walking through the gallery and seeing Jack's art and then getting to hear him talk about was, indeed, a special treat. We took several photos of Jack, but selected an image that captures the same sense as his paintings. In so many of his paintings, hands are prominently featured. We had to get him using expressive hand gestures, a photo showing the fleeting moment of his interacting with the attendees at the show. We leave you today with a Jack Stratton quote, just in case you are tempted to buy a piece of his art, "Life is short, but art is long." Indeed, art endures, and we are sure Jack's will only increase in value over time.

If you are downtown tomorrow for First Friday, or anytime in October when the Green Hill gallery is open, please stop in and have a look. We are so lucky to have Green Hill as a community resource. Learn more about the center and gallery, here.

Jefferson Standard Building

The Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Building was constructed in Greensboro on the corner of Elm and Market Street in 1922. While the Genesis Marker in Fisher Park is the geographic center of Guilford County (see here), many people see the Elm/Market spot as the center, a sort of Ground Zero from which the rest of the city radiates. Indeed, this is the point at which North and South Elm Street and East and West Market Street are determined; the center of the compass rose. This spot was once known as Courthouse Square before it became known as Jefferson Square when the Jefferson Building replaced the courthouse. Sixty to seventy years ago, this building was a hub of activity, where you went for professional help: Doctors, lawyers, and insurance agents had their offices there. Also on the ground floor were a bank and a men's clothing store. During World War II, a county draft board was located inside. At that time, nearly all of the federal highways (U.S. 29, U.S. 70, and U.S. 421) passed through the square, giving it its name, "The Crossroads of the Carolinas."

Today, this intersection is not so much a hub of activity and the Jefferson Building is closed to the general public. It is used by Lincoln Financial Group and the (numbered) doors on Elm Street are not open to the public. We don't know exactly when that transformation took place, but we are grateful to Jim Schlosser who shared much of the above information with us. He has been so generous with information.  He is a walking encyclopedia of Greensboro history and lore. Jim remembers getting his pair of contact lenses there in 1958. Jim also remembers, in the pre-1990 days before the new Jefferson-Pilot  building was built, before the time and temperature lights at the top. When there was only the Jefferson Building, there was a big clock bearing a Wimbish Insurance Agency advertisement. People would say to each other, "Meet me under the Wimbish clock." Today, that clock only exists in the memory of those who lived during that time. We are lucky the building remains intact. On the outside, the architecture is beautiful, on the inside, the U shaped feature provided light and air in an era before there was air conditioning.

Here's to a great week, starting with a happy Monday!

NC Folk Fest #DGSO Stage

One of the many nice things about the North Carolina Folk Festival is the way it brings people together, people from all walks of life. On Saturday, from 5-8pm, the 9/11 Memorial Ceremony was held on the #DGSO Stage at the 500 block of South Elm Street, at MLK Jr. Drive. With Jim Gallucci's sculpture as a backdrop and Café Pasta feeding first responders, people spoke, played, music, danced, and expressed appreciation. In the above photo, the group "Doby," is preparing to perform and Keith Holliday is speaking about the event.

Doby is a funk/soul group from Greensboro, NC. Robin Easter fronts the band. Jonathan Wilson, Leo Kishore, Jeff Yetter, and Bon Lozaga are the other band members (see here). Keith Holliday, a former mayor of Greensboro, is the development associate for the economic development organization, Downtown Greensboro, or #DGSO. This was the #DGSO stage. Doby's set was fabulous and, standing around watching, we concluded that Robin and Keith know just about everyone in Greensboro. The event was special and the setting was just perfect. The NC Folk Festival will return in one year and two days. In the meantime, we'll be on the lookout for Doby's next gig and for #DGSO's next big event!

Happy Tuesday!

 

NC Folk Festival 2021, The Festivities Have Begun!

And so, the North Carolina Folk Festival is well underway. Yesterday, after opening remarks at the Lee Wrangler Stage (formerly City Stage), the UNCG Old Time Ensemble treated us to some very great songs and tunes. Above, playing fiddle, smiling, and wearing sunglasses, is Dr. Christen Blanton Mack, who leads the ensemble. To her left, also playing the fiddle is Tristin, a UNCG senior, who lead co-lead the first song, "How Many Biscuits Can You Eat?" (Watch this video from another era to find out the answer). The song was so full of energy and upbeat. Dr. Mack has done so much to help the group get that tight, string-band sound that is so important in old-time music. The UNCG Old Time Ensemble was formed in 2008; for fourteen years, they have been playing a genre of music that has been a part of North Carolina's culture for generations. Last evening, the old time ensemble was playing music in there very spot we featured yesterdays.

As for the North Carolina Folk Festival, it will continue until Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m. and literally, there is music for everybody's tastes. The festival extends along West Market Street, to the West Market Street United Methodist Church. The vendors are also along Market Street this year and there are some great ones. The weather, the music, the energy, and everything has been so perfect so far. Don your mask and head downtown to see some great singing, instruments, food, arts and crafts, and dancing! Happy Saturday!

 

Labor Day 2021

Happy Labor Day 2016. We hope you are lucky enough to have the day off. The purpose of the holiday is a day to celebrate "the social and economic achievements of American workers." Many Greensboro businesses will be closed, so call before you head out somewhere. Even better, take a day to just spend at home. We plan to take another hike on one of the trails around Greensboro. The above mushrooms were seen recently on the Laurel Bluff Trail. If you like to hike, the Laurel Bluff Trail is very nice because it is for pedestrians only. You won't have to share the trail with bikes. Be careful if you walk it, as there are lots of exposed roots, a couple of trees across the path, and some kudzu to tackle.* The Laurel Bluff Trail is 3.5 miles long and it takes you through woodland along the edge of Reedy Fork Creek from the east end of Lake Brandt to Lake Townsend.

The mushrooms in the center of the photo are about the size of a small adult hand. If you look to the left at the small white circle, that is actually more mushrooms and we're betting they'll be about the size of the ones in the middle of the photo by today. Although mushrooms are fungi, they have more in common with humans than with plants. Their DNA is similar to humans and they can produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight.** However, please do not harvest the mushrooms. Leave them alone, as the forest needs them. We are so lucky to have a great trail system in Greensboro and it is great to have time to get out and explore them!

* Greensboro Trail System

**reference and more mushroom information, here.

History Museum Shop & Event Tonight

Today's photo features the Gift Shop at the Greensboro History Museum. What a clever slogan- Bring HISTORY Home. If you want Greensboro's iconic Boar and Castle sauce, you can get it here. If you want something with the state bird on it, get it here. If you are looking for books about Greensboro, get them here! If you need a Wrangle jeans apron, see above! Related to Greensboro and books, there is a very special event tonight from 7-9pm. It it is called, "The Life and Works of O. Henry", with Ben Yagoda and Jim Dodson. The book they will be discussing tonight is an anthology of O. Henry stories. Ben, the editor of the collection, and an accomplished writer himself,  is coming in from Delaware to discuss Greensboro's favorite author. Jim Dodson, of Greensboro, also an accomplished writer, will co-present the event. You may recognize Jim's name from O. Henry magazine; not only does he write for the magazine, he is its founding editor. All of this good local history and lore is brought to us by the Greensboro History Museum, Greensboro Public Library, and Scuppernong Books. While we can't guarantee the museum's shop will be open, you can be sure there will be books available for purchase.

If you plan to attend, please visit the museum's website (HERE) for tickets. Also, you can learn about attending virtually from the comfort of your own home- the new normal. Almost as good as the wonderful event itself is the fact that it is FREE, but do reserve a spot! If you can't head downtown this evening for the event (130 Summit Avenue by Tanger Center), please put The Greensboro History Museum on your to-do list to get by at another time. The single best thing you can do for our community is support our public non-profits.

Strolling the Atlantic and Yadkin Greenway

Since we featured a bike event yesterday on Greensboro Daily Photo, so, we thought it would be nice to share a photo of bikes out on the trail this past Saturday. The above photo was taken on the Atlantic and Yadkin Greenway, near where Lake Higgins and Lake Brandt meet.  We started at Bur-Mil and walked to the Vineyards community at Highway 150 in Summerfield. The trails are open from 8:00 am- sunset and seem to be busiest early morning. We were there mid-day, when the sun was hottest and the trails weren't very busy at that time. As evidenced above, we did see a some cyclists. And look at that dappled light. The trail was so lovely this weekend.

This part of the greenway goes past a kudzu field that has overtaken a lot of the terrain. Currently, the kudzu is in full bloom and quite fragrant. The Greensboro trail system is something to be proud of. Currently, the Piedmont Greenway will connect to the above trail. As a matter of fact, the Piedmont Greenway is a planned, 19-mile trail that will connect Greensboro to Kernersville to Winston-Salem. With all of the bicycle aficionados in the local area, the Piedmont Greenway will be a bit hit. We can't wait! Happy Tuesday! Hope to see you on the trails while the weather is still warm. 

Greensboro Velo Club

The Greensboro Velo Club held a Swap Meet in the parking lot of Cycles de ORO yesterday from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm. It was a nice day for it. Cycles de ORO, located at 701 A Hill Street and right beside the greenway. The event benefitted the Cancer Research Institute. Private sellers brought their used bicycles and related goods, everything from bicycles built for two to clothing and tools. Also, there was a display of classic and exotic bicycles, including one from the late 1800s with wooden rims! The above photo shows some of the bikes that were part of the exhibit. The owner, Paul, is at the entrance to the store, coming out with what appears to be signage explaining about the bikes on display. 

The Greensboro Velo Club was established in 1975. The club hosts events and races. They are an active club that provides great camaraderie, great association with other cyclists. It doesn't matter what level of expertise and commitment you have to cycling, there is something for everyone in the club. They also help you find trails and places to ride that match your level of expertise and interests. At yesterday's swap meet, they sense of community was evident. If you want to keep up with opportunities for joining cycling events, see this calendar on the Cycles de ORO website.

The Edible Schoolyard

The above photo features the Edible Schoolyard in the back of the Greensboro Children's Museum. The view is from the Mary Lynn Richardson Park at the Greensboro History Museum. The photo was taken on a quiet, Saturday afternoon. The Edible Schoolyard and Kitchen Classrooms opened in 2010. They are situated on a half-acre lot behind the Children's Museum. Food activist and restauranteur, Alice Waters, started the project.*

The museum also has a play plaza in the front. In the play plaza, children can soar to new heights, climbing up, up, and away.  Between the museum proper with its 20-hands on exhibits, the Edible Schoolyard, and the play plaza, this complex is one of Greensboro's finest for children of all ages. 

Can you believe it is Thursday already? 

 

*reference and more information HERE.

Center for Visual Artists

The Center for Visual Artists, located at 200 North Davie Street, does so much to connect artists and the community and to help members of the community learn to be artists The center's origins date back to 1956 with the Greensboro Artist's League. The above photo was taken during First Friday in August when they were showing SMORGASBOARD: A Feast of Summer Art, an array of student work from summer camps. 

The three black and white scrolls on the left are part of the end of residency exhibition, Seeing Through, by local artist Karen Archia (see article here). They are 36' long and are called, "Black Lives Inspire."  Karen, one of the owners of the People's Perk Coffee Shop, has been a local figure making a positive impact on the community for a very long time. Now, instead of serving up little life lessons with a cup of coffee, she is doing it with brushes and ink. She is one of many examples of the talented artists you will have an opportunity to interact with if you get involved with the Center for Visual Artists.

Happy Wednesday! May your day be filled with joy and original art.

Tate + Gate

 

Tate Street and Gate City Boulevard are about to change before our eyes! UNCG is building an facility they are calling Arts Place at Tate + Gate. It will be a multi-purpose cultural arts venue at 842 West Gate City Boulevard. Above ground, there will be an art gallery, a performance space, instructional and practices rooms, offices, and even a retail component. Something really innovative is that parking will be underground. The University is billing it as a hot spot for innovation and, according to Chancellor Frank D. Gilliam, Jr., (i)t will be a destination like no other in our state."*  Collaboration between faculty, students, and the community will be emphasized. Partnerships will make it possible for students to gain experience through internships and other types of involvement, which will give them an edge in the job market.

The exterior of the building will have a very sleek and modern look, with lots of natural light coming in. It is as if the exterior and interior blend; perhaps a 21st century version of Frank Lloyd Wright's notion of blending humanity and the environment. It will be interesting to see how the side of the building that backs up to the railroad track will be constructed. Will you be able to watch trains go by? Will there be an effort to minimize noise from the train? The left/west side of the building is bordered by Tate Street and the right/east by Oden Brewing Company. While taking this picture yesterday, from across Gate City Boulevard- or Gate, as it is also called- we could hear the music from Oden. There will be built in libation, food, and live music without having to leave the block. As soon as all of this change takes place, we'll be back for an after photo! 

Happy Monday!

* Reference and read more here.

The Fabulous Tomato Greeter at the Greensboro Farmers Market

Saturday is fresh produce day whether you are at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market on Yanceyville Street, at the market on Sandy Ridge, or at all the farms and produce stands in between. The produce is glorious right now. The above photo is of a very articulate young woman who is a senior at Guilford College. She volunteers at the farmers market just to give back to the community. Unfortunately, we didn't get her name. Next time we see her, we will ask. She was handing out flyers of upcoming events, and encouraging people to head over to get a BLT sandwich.

Today is a good day to head out for produce. Rain is not predicted until 4:00 pm, and, if it comes, it shouldn't last long. If you like sports, the 2021 Masters Short Course National Championships are still going on at the Greensboro Aquatic Center. If you go watch, the pool is so nice, you will feel like you are at the Olympics. Whatever you decide to do, have a great day!

Softball At Revolution Ballfield

Greensboro summers are meant for spending time outside, especially when you get to watch youth sports. The above photo was taken during a softball game last night at Revolution Ballfield. It is located at 2200 Yanceyville Street at Cornwalis Drive, right across from the former Revolution Mill. This park is known for being family oriented, which appeared to be the case last night when people of all ages brought their folding chairs and gathered behind the fence to watch the softball game.

Back when the textile mills were active in Greensboro, whole communities grew up around them. The mills made sure their workers had access to good housing, entertainment, houses of worship, clouting, food,  and recreation. The clothing and chairs may have changed from 100 years ago, but you can be sure that the feeling you get when cheering for the home team hasn't changed a bit. Even if you don't have a child in your life who is playing sports, it is still fun to go and watch. These games are especially fun on nights like last night. The weather was in the 80s, but not sweltering and those beautiful clouds made an amazing backdrop!

Happy Wednesday!

Fire Station #4

Gorrell Street is located just southwest of downtown Greensboro, crossing over Morrow Boulevard and near Bennett College. We wanted to visit Station #4, photographed above and located at 401 Gorrell,  because Logie Meachum writes about it in his reflection, "Sweet Magnolia, in the book "27 Views of Greensboro".  Logie had to be bussed across town to attend a school that accepted African-American children. He made the most of the daily trip, ever eager to see what guests were playing at the Magnolia Hotel. Just down the road from the Magnolia was Fire Station #4, another favorite of his. Here's what he has to say, reflecting on his adventures  on the No. 5 bus.

"The No. 5 Gorrell Street bus went under the bridge at Market Street and Murow Boulevard, which was and remains the gateway to the soul side of town. As we headed toward Gorrell Street, my mind focused on two special places: Fire Station No. 4 had Greensboro's only all-black crew, who to me and the other kids at the time were local heroes; the other site was the Magnolia Hotel (p. 55). In retracing Logie's steps, we saw what he saw, firemen working hard to make sure they would be ready in the event of a fire. Engine #4 has been in this location since 1964 and it integrated in 1967.* The people who worked, lived, and traveled along Gorrell Street in the 1960s would be happy to know that the fire station, and the Magnolia Hotel down the street are still up and running. Have a drive and see for yourself. Happy Saturday!

*reference and additional information.

Happy Sunday, Fourth of July!

Happy, glorious, Fourth of July Sunday. Today's photo was taken at the Thursday Peoples Market in Glenwood. It is held at the Glenwood branch of the Christ United Methodist Church at the corner of Glenwood Avenue and Florida Street. This past Thursday was a light market day due to the Fourth of July holiday; plus, we arrived near the end of the market at around 7:00 pm. There were many tasty food options, a potter, skin care proeducts, some produce, and more. It is so nice seeing neighbors out enjoying each other and people building their small businesses. 

Christ United Methodist Church has so many wonderful services and opportunities at their Glenwood Branch. They have traditional worship on Sundays at 11 am and on Mondays at 5:30pm a  contemporary worship service followed by a community meal. The first Monday of the month, there is a "Medical Monday" in partnership with Cone Health. Additionally, AmeriCorps has an office there. Truly, this church is dynamic because it is so involved with the community.  Glenwood is said to be the most diverse neighborhood in all of North Carolina. If you get a chance, stop by for one of the services at the church or at the Peoples Market. You just may end up deciding you want to live here!

Airport Traffic at PTI Is Starting To Pick Up!

Travel in and out of Greensboro is starting to pick up again, as evidenced by the above photo, taken in the Piedmont Triad International (PTI) Airport. A Delta flight had just come in from Atlanta and here we see travelers walking past one of the Jeansboro sculptures on the north concourse. The title is "Carolina Daydream" and it was painted in 2018 by Bailey Winger of Salisbury, NC. There are so many iconic North Carolina images on this sculpture: The Wright Brothers' airplane, a barbecue sandwich, the Big Coffee Pot in Old Salem, and more. Something about the color of this sculpture, and of the travelers, is so uplifting.

In 2018, four of the statues were added to the airport. They were selected out of twenty-five submissions as part of the PTI's master art plan.* There are also several of these sculptures downtown and they are perfect for Greensboro, known for its denim and jeans making. While the jeans are now made overseas, they have been such a big part of our history. May you have a great weekend whether you are staying here, just getting into town, or going elsewhere. Happy Friday!

*reference and read more, here.

Frozen, Jr.

Last night theatre students at the Academy at Lincoln performed Frozen, Jr. The performance was held in the staff parking lot in the rear of the school. To be safe, and since rehearsals started just as people were starting to get vaccinated, the play was staged outside.. Theater teacher, Ms. Cassy Whitley wanted to give her middle school students this memorable, culminating activity, especially since many of the actors head off to high school in the fall. The acting, singing, and dancing were superb. The tech crew also did a great job with special effects and with getting props set in place. Threat of rain almost cancelled the special effects, but they ran the show, undaunted, and even had fog, snow, and confetti. Fortunately, the rain held off. As you can see, audience members were captivated. 

It is no wonder Ms. Whitley is Teacher of the Year at her school. She always goes the extra mile for her students. With her guidance, these 4th-8th graders develop skills in all aspects of theatre. Ms. Whitley forewarned the audience that in the event of rain and if she shouted "strike", students would clear all props and equipment in under 30 minutes. There are still 3 more performances-  on Friday (7pm) and Saturday (2pm and 7pm). Arendelle never looked so gook in the open air! It is nice for students to be able to participate in performances again. It is important for the public to know the dedication of our public school teachers. Thank you, Ms. Whitley! And thanks to everyone else who made this show a reality.

Graduating Seniors of Guilford County

These are exciting times for high school seniors. They have returned to in-school learning, are able to have prom, and now, are practicing for graduation. This year, high school graduation ceremonies in Guilford County are being held at the Greensboro Coliseum. It makes sense to have them in one place, as GCS staff can make adjustments as needed. For example, seats are pre-arranged in a way that honors social distance requirements. The above photo features the car of a senior who will be attending East Carolina University. What a feeling of pride this student must have, and it is well displayed on their car. "Pirate Pride; ECU, ON THE WAY!

This has been an especially challenging year to graduate with the majority of the year remotely. Only since March have some of the students resumed in-person learning. To be sure, 2021 is the year to remember! Graduations start this Wednesday and continue through Tuesday, June 8th. The Early College at Guilford is the first ceremony and the program concludes with Southeast High School. If you see a graduate, please congratulate them and wish them luck on the year ahead. Here's to joyful closure and new beginnings!

Central Library of the Greensboro Public Library System

Have you been to a public library lately? Today's photo is of the Central Library of the Greensboro Public Library system, the children's section. It is so beautiful, clean, and inviting. We visited on Saturday and there were just a few people in the whole building. The public library system is one of the few places where anyone and everyone has the right to visit. Truly, it is for the public. They are back to regular hours, yet are still offering curbside pick-up. They are also starting to reinstate special events, although most are still online (see an example, HERE).

The Greensboro Library system was established in 1902. Construction for the Central Branch in the current location began in 1997. Previously, it was located in the building that currently houses the Elon Law School at 201 North Greene Street. That other building was completed in 1960 with the local architect Edward Loewenstein and Gregory Ivy involved in the design. But, this former property is history and the current building is built with the public in mind. We have easy access to all the books and there are plenty of computers to use. Dust off your library card; the amazing world of books is just a swipe away. Happy Tuesday!

Cone Health: Wesley Long Hospital

We took this photo about a month ago, but realized we hadn't been photographing community resources lately. Today's photo is of Cone Health: Wesley Long Hospital, taken from our favorite vantage point, the O. Henry Hotel, on the Green Valley Grill side. This location ia a prime one in the city, just a block away from Friendly Shopping center at West Wendover Avenue.

Moses Cone is one of the largest employers in Greensboro and has played a leadership role, this past year, as Greensboro navigated the pandemic. Wesley Long Hospital has been part of the Greensboro community since 1917. Over the last century, the hospital has grown and evolved, handling more patients and adding departments, perhaps most notably, the Cancer Treatment Center. The hospital itself is a 175 bed, private room hospital. If you know someone who works in healthcare in Greensboro, be sure to thank them. You know they are ready for a vacation. This past week was teacher appreciation week. Please remember to thank teachers, too!

Have a great weekend and see if you can explore some new places in Greensboro and find some great vantage points!

Carved Seahorse on the Rotary Club of Greensboro Carousel

Last week when we featured the exterior of the Rotary Club of Greensboro Carousel, several people requested to see an example of the animals. Above is a photo of one of the most unique animals, a seahorse. If you look just behind the seahorse, you can see a hummingbird. There are 56 handmade animals, some of which are endangered species. They are carved from wood. There is so much of Greensboro in this carousel; a UNCG Spartan horse.and an NC A&T bulldog. 

Above the animals on the upper section of the carousel, there are paintings of scenes around Greensboro: Wrangler Jeans, New Garden Friends Meeting, Lebauer Park, Levi Coffin, O. Henry, Carolina Steele, The Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship and so much more. Soon, we'll feature some of the photos, too. This is a place of so much history and joy in Greensboro. We hope you get out to see it soon. The carousel is part of the 400- acre Battleground Parks District. Greensboro is so lucky to have these resources.

Reflecting on Infrastructure and Sustainability

Infrastructure and sustainability are much in the news these days. President Biden spoke about infrastructure just yesterday. Infrastructure and sustainability are also the focus of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (see #9 here). Did you know Greensboro has a Community Sustainability Council? Their next meeting, a work session, will be April 12th. UNCG defines sustainability as "the enduring interconnectedness of social equity, the environment, economy, and aesthetics" (reference) and they even have a sustainability office. NC A&T is also playing a leadership role in sustainability research and efforts. Infrastructure system and sustainable practices are key concerns of The Greensboro Transit Authority (GTA). As of January 2020, GTA has modernizied its bus fleet with  battery-electric rechargeable busses.

The above bus stop is located at the corner of Spring Garden Street and South Holden Road. We don't know how many times a day it is served by one of the battery powered busses, but we did notice that it has a solar panel. Likely the energy generated by the panel lights the shelter by night. Perhaps there are solar charging stations at the bus stops.

Today's high school and college students are the ones who will be finding creative ideas to enhance Greensboro's sustainable practices and infrastructure system.  The possibilities are so exciting. 

The Rotary Club of Greensboro Carousel

The Rotary Club of Greensboro Carousel is a beautiful landmark between Country Park and The Greensboro Science Center. Whether you are walking the loop around the park, or visiting the Science Center, the Carousel is the beacon of joy on the hill.  The ride is open year-round and mostly open on the weekend from 10am-5pm. There are discounts for Greensboro Science Center members and a combo ticket option. It has only been open since August 26th, not even a year, but in many ways, it seems as if it has been open for a very long time. 

That beautiful carousel has 56 hand-carved, hand-painted figures. Some people have their favorite figure to ride; others are taking the challenge of riding every single one. The carousel is such a work of art, it is easy to make it a regular destination, especially if you have little ones in your life. This photo reminds us of the Wizard of Oz. Everything is gray-scale until you see the actual structure and then the colors will come alive!

Happy Wednesday!

Royal Star Magnolia

In Greensboro, spring is such a special season. The flora and landscape changes before our eyes. The above plant is a bloom on a royal star magnolia tree. The blooms of this tree were absolutely perfect last week. The royal star magnolia is an early blooming, fast growing tree. The white showy blooms come out before any signs of foliage. This specimen is at the Greensboro Arboretum and is clearly labeled as a royal star magnolia.

Plants have responded positively to all the rain we've had in Greensboro over the past several months. If you want to learn more about plants and plants that do well in our community, any of the local lawn and garden centers will be happy to assist you. If you want to be involved at a deep level, please visit the website of Greensboro Beautiful. Since 1968, they have been working diligently to conserve and enhance the beauty and ecology of the area. Perhaps you would be interested in volunteering with this group.