Greensboro Daily Photo

Reading the World with Scuppernong Books

Scuppernong Books in downtown Greensboro is hosting a year-long reading series of contemporary fiction in translation from around the globe. The discussions are held the first July of each month. We are a day late in telling you about the July meeting, which snuck up on us and was held last night (see description, here). They met via Zoom and discussed a book from Israel/Palestine. But, it isn't too late to get the book for the August session. it will be from Morocco and is entitled, "The Butcher of Casablanca" by Abdellah Hadouchi. If you call Scuppernong, they will order the book for you (336-763-1919). Anyone can participate. During these times of self-isolation, we all need to get a little creative in staying connected to the world. An international-themed book club with mostly local folks participating sounds like so much fun.

If you look at the above photo, which was taken on Elm Street mid-day on Tuesday, as you can see, the street is empty. Understandably so, there is not much foot traffic these days. So, doing something like ordering a book, and participating in a Zoom call, could be something fun and educational to anticipate in August. 

Have a happy Thursday and may July be filled with good times and fresh vegetables!

Greensboro: 1045 West Market Street Is Now 1015 West Market Street

Today's post is prompted by the above post card of the Manor Motel. The motel was located at 1045 West Market Street, across from the State Employees Credit Union at Tate Street. According to the post card, Manor Motel was a quiet and restful room with TV, telephone, tile baths, room controlled air-conditioning, heat, and a swimming and wading pool. It was owned and managed by Mr. and Mrs. S.T. Dickinson. Mrs. Dickinson was a teacher in the Greensboro City Schools and at Smith High School when Smith High opened.

On p. 105 of her book "Greensboro," Gayle Hicks Fripp, writes and provides photos that reveal the Manor Motel was demolished by D.H. Griffin to be replaced with a new location for the Central Y, a change that was not without resistance by the local College Hill Community. Construction, by the W.H. Weaver Company, would have happened in the late 60s-early 70s.

The top photo shows the building on now the former Manor Motel site. The Central YMCA became the Royce Reynolds Family Student Life Center, the westernmost building on the campus of Greensboro College. Royce and Jane Reynolds donated $2 million dollars to Greensboro College, where Royce Reynolds was also chairman of the board of trustees. 

So, what was an elegant mansion just west of downtown Greensboro, became a motel, which was replaced by a YMCA, which became a student life center at Greensboro College. When 1045 West Market Street was demolished, the current building on the lot is now 1015, the last property on that side of the 1000 block. Those who are lifelong residents of Greensboro, and are senior citizens, may remember the Dickinsons, the Manor Motel, the Central Y, and the opening of the Reynolds Student Life Center. For us, putting the pieces together involved much sleuthing. We found a vintage postcard, searched the Fripp book on Greensboro, and talked to a long-retired educator who knew of Mrs. Dickinson. Our friend called a retired Smith High School teacher, who called a friend who remembered Ms. Dickinson in the early years of Smith High School (circa 1963). It is so easy for this information to slip away from us and so special when people document and share the stories of their community.

Community Theatre of Greensboro

About 8 years ago (in 2012), the Community Theatre of Greensboro entered a lease to purchase plan and moved from the Cultural Arts Center on Davie Street to the 500 block of South Elm Street. According to their website, CTG is the oldest arts organization in Guilford County. It was founded in 1949 and for over 70 years, has been giving community members an opportunity to learn to perform on stage and to do all of the many tasks involved in bringing good theatre to a community.

While they haven't resumed face-to-face production yet, CTG is doing some very creative programs this summer. For example, this Thursday at 6pm, they are having a Facebook Live Concert called, "A Musical Celebration of Black Men." Men who have performed at CTG in the past will be collaboration to bring the public a concert. Tune in this Thursday, June 18th for this show which is sure to be fabulous. The above photo features the facade of the CTG theatre on Elm Street and, indeed everything CTG does radiates love, including the concert this Thursday!

Westin Hotel South Elm

The Westin is building a hotel on South Elm Street. The above photo features construction on the Davie Street side of the project. To help orient, you can see the Lincoln Financial Corporation building in the background, as well as the long-faded sign for the Ellis-Stone Department Store- built in 1949.

Clearing the lot and working out the details has been a tremendous undertaking but the hotel is finally coming to fruition. This Westin is one of three new hotels being built downtown. Westins are known for combining wellness and hospitality to hotel guests. With the Tanger Center for the Performing arts nearby, having more lodging will make it possible for people to attend performances, dine, exercise, and get a good night's sleep without having to drive. The hotel will help in the revitalization of downtown Greensboro. If you have time, drive by and see for yourself.

Blackout NC Demonstration Greensboro

Yesterday afternoon, and into the evening, Greensboro held a Blackout Demonstration led by a new local group, Greensboro Rising. The event started in LeBauer Park and later, proceeded down Elm Street. In the above photo, Lauren Cunningham is singing "Lift Every Voice and Sing".

Lauren has a beautiful, powerful voice and often sings around town. Lauren was one of many people who played a leadership role in yesterday's event.Times are changing and Lauren is an example of someone who has her hand on the pulse of the path to change. As you can see from the above photo, the event was very well attended. The crowd of thousands was diverse with people of all ages and all ethnicities participating.

Visions Catering on South Elm Street

Yesterday was a sunny, hot, relatively quiet day in downtown Greensboro. People were out painting plywood window coverings. Artists were asking for permission to paint ones that were not yet painted. By day, businesses are making every effort to open and conduct business in a safe, socially responsible way. The above photo features someone picking up a catering order at Visions in the 600 block of South Elm Street.

Slowly events are starting back up again. 'Tis the season of high school graduations and historically, June is a big month for weddings. Caterers depend on events happening If you have an event, remember our caterers and florists. That bright red car is a real standout in front of the green building and bright blue sky. Something about this scene is just so hopeful. Maybe it is that heart painted on the door!

Happy Thursday!

We Stand Together

Yesterday was Day 6 of protests and the first night of a curfew in Greensboro. By 8:00, people were supposed to be off of the streets. According to news media, the night was relatively calm and protesters mostly disbanded at curfew time.  Notice the messages written above, on the boarded up storefront on south Elm Street, "We Stand Together. BLM Forever. Unity. Together We Stand. Together We Change." Walking from one end of Elm Street to the other, and reading the messages on all of the plywood gives us an idea of how people feel and what they want. The messages are largely positive.

To be sure, we at Greensboro Daily Photo don't have the answers. However, people in Greensboro are feeling marginalized, wronged, and angry, and the situation cannot be ignored. From parents, to daycare workers, to teachers, to politicians, to religious communities, and beyond, lots of conversations need to take place. May we find a way for all to have their voice heard. 

Sunday Afternoon on Elm Street

Greensboro has a long and rich history with the Civil Rights Movement. With two historically black colleges and universities in Greensboro, Bennett College and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and several other institutions of higher education, our city pays very close attention to issues related to social justice. Yesterday afternoon, people made their way to Elm Street for Day 2 of protests. The four women above, were passing through the 500 Block of South Elm Street. By 6pm, large crowds of young people from diverse backgrounds had congregated on South Elm. Every indication was that the protests would be peaceful. After Day 1, some storefronts needed to be boarded up. Others, boarded up, just in case. 

Only time will tell the direction events will take. Perhaps Greensboro will again play a leadership role on the continued path to social justice, like they did in the 1960's during the Sit-Ins.  However, we cannot deny that a lot of work needs to be done, regardless where each of us stands on issues. Largely, Greensboro's downtown business owners are known for being allies, supporting people from all walks of life. Hopefully, Day 2 remained peaceful. 

The First Baptist Church and Lincoln Financial Building

Underneath that glorious sky, two Greensboro institutions peek out at us. In the middle half of the photo, the First Baptist Church of Greensboro is featured prominently. It has been a Greensboro institution since 1859. However, the above facility in the present location was constructed in the middle of the last century.* Today, the expansive church, that does so much for the community, takes up almost a whole city block on the south edge of Westerwood at Friendly Avenue.

The Jefferson Pilot building, now part of Lincoln Financial Group, is the 20 story tower in the middle of the leftmost church building. The JP Building is the iconic beacon that blinks the time and temperature for all to see. On Greensboro Daily Photo, we like to see how many different ways we can capture the JP building and even tag it every time it is in a photo. See here for over 60 other shots, which isn't too excessive, considering we've shared over 4,000 photos of Greensboro since 2009.

If we're counting, First Baptist has been delivering services for 161 years which amounts to over 8,000 Sundays. That is a lot of spiritual guidance. To worship with them today, watch their online sermon, here.

* more church history, here.

Piedmont Old-Time Society

Since Horigan's House of Taps close in downtown Greensboro earlier this month, the Piedmont Old-Time Society has been looking for a new location to jam. Currently, they are meeting in members' homes until a new location is found

Tonight, they will be busy sharing their music at First Friday with the goal of spreading old-time fiddle and banjo, string-band music. This genre of music dates back generations in North Carolina, before phones, electricity, and even cars! If you see the group on Elm Street tonight, ask them about the Piedmont One Mike Acoustic Convention (POMAC) in Franklinville the first weekend of May. This is a festival where you can hear others play and, better yet, jam with people yourself. There are so many opportunities to be around music in Greensboro and the neighboring counties.

In the meantime, if you have any ideas as to where some great old-time musicians can gather to play music in Greensboro, send us a message.

Davie Street at Hamburger Square

The above photo features Davie Street as it nears the railroad tracks, behind Natty Greene's and at Hamburger Square. This is such a fantastic part of town with a vintage feel, it has everything from small businesses to living and patio space. This area is part of downtown Greensboro's historic district and the traditional, central core of the city. It is nice that these buildings have survived, as they are surrounded by many parking lots.

Greensboro is known for having many buildings from the turn of the last century and in the Italianate style. They provide a real vintage feel to the town, while still functional and in many cases with all of the modern conveniences. Have a happy Wednesday. 

Sad Girl by Gina Franco

Gina Franco painted "Sad Girl" in 2019 in downtown Greensboro. It is located off Davie Street not too far from the News & Record building. Gina is a North Carolina-based muralist. Gina's piece sure catches your eye if you are out waking the less-beaten path downtown. The dark tree contrasts with the brightness of the mural and the sky that is, on some days, exactly the color of sad girl's hair. The tree reminds us of Shel Silverstein's "The Giving Tree." Being just down from the Central Library, perhaps a reading of Silverstein's poem under the tree, in front of the "Sad Girl" mural would be in order.

Gina's art is sometimes referred to as "cartoon realism" and "sad girl" has to do with the many difficult things Gina has had to endure in her less than four decades of life; including losing her mother to lung cancer last year. Gina is starting to get recognition for her art and, while from Greensboro, has also been able to paint murals beyond our great city. Let's hope that 2020 is the best year ever for her, and that by the end of the year she will feel up for painting a "happy girl" mural. She certainly deserves it. Have a great rest of your week, dear readers!

*reference & read more about Gina, here.

The Movement Continues

Today is February 1, it is the 60th anniversary of the Sit-in That took place at the above Woolworths department store on Elm Street in Greensboro. Mini special that took place at the above Woolworths department store on Elm Street in Greensboro. Every year, special events are held to commemorate this important point in the civil rights movement. 

A really important event will be held this evening. It is the Annual Fundraising Gala and will take place in the Special Events Center at the Greensboro Coliseum. The event will include many notable guests who have contributed significantly to enhancing civil rights in the United States. Award winners include President Barack Obama, Reverend Al Sharpton, Mr. Danny Glover, Ms. Clayola Brown, Reverend Dr. Cardes H Brown Junior, Dr. Linda B. Brown, And Mrs. Emma Washington. To be sure, it will be a night to remember.

Downtown Nightscape

Downtown Greensboro is so beautiful at night. The above photo  was taken at  McGee  Street, looking north  in the direction of the  Jefferson Standard/Pilot building,  now known as Lincoln Financial  Group. The lights on the  patio  of M'Coul's Public  House, were you  can get a  delicious  meal  any night of the week. The shepherd's pie is especially tasty on a cold  winter night.  Likely, you will want to eat  inside.  However,  be sure  to  take time  to admire the beauty  of Greensboro's most  iconic building,  still, ever-faithfully blinking  the time and temperature,  for all  to  see. 

M'Coul's has been a downtown Greensboro institution since 2001  and the Jefferson Standard building was constructed in  1923, but the part you  see was constructed in  1990. Consider taking a mid-week  break and heading downtown to admire the beauty of our city first-hand. Happy Wednesday!

Deep Roots Co-Op Grocery Store

Deep  Roots Co-op  has been on Eugene  Street for a few years now,  having relocated from Spring Garden Street. The  downtown store is so  nice and they have a  hot  bar. If you are downtown and need  a healthy,  quick  meal or  just a snack (and nice  clean bathrooms), stop here.  You don't have to  be a member to  shop at Deep Roots, and the uncharge for non-members is only  5%.

Deep  Roots also holds many interesting community events  in their community  room in  the front of the store. Also, if you notice in the above photo, there were vendors  set up  out  front this  past Saturday.  While the  large corporate options for healthy food are nice, nothing  beats a local,  community-owned option.  Deep  Roots  feels  "old-school"  in a way that is comfortable and inviting. Shop there  a few times and it will start to feel like the Cheers-bar of  grocery stores.  Happy Tuesday!

99 Bottles Crosswalk

This colorful crosswalk between Preyer  Brewing and Deep  Roots  Co-Op has 99  bottles on  it  to  represent  the 99 downtown  blocks (as reported by WFMY2 News). * The project was a collaborative one, with  the city allowing volunteers to  color in  the bottles. The idea  came from SynerG, an organization that focuses on Greensboro's  residents under  40.

WFMY  also  reports that about 3,000  pedestrians and 800 bicyclists are hit by cars in North Carolina  each  year (reference). How nice it would be if these  eye-catching crosswalks help  drivers stay  alert and focused. The bottles sure  add a lot of color to this part of Eugene Street!

If  you look on the  horizon on the right,  you can  see  the iconic JP building,  now  known as Lincoln Financial.

* Reference, here.

Nathanael Greene 2020

This photo taken  last  Saturday  night features Nathanael  Greene. Greensboro is named for Greene,  a  major general of the Continental  Army in  the American Revolutionary War. The statue  is located on  South Greene  Street  at Holliday Circle. The 22  foot tall statue was  installed in 2008,  twelve years ago. James  Barnill  was the sculptor. 

Initially, we were concerned  that  the view would be greatly compromised by  the hotel being constructed on the right. As the above photo  shows, there is still room for the sky to show through facing west. With  the sparkly lights of winter, the scene is  so  beautiful. We hope you get a chance to make it downtown  this weekend. There is so  much to do and  the city  is so  beautiful.  Have  a lovely weekend.

Rainbow Alley

This is a colorful week. If you  read  GDP  yesterday,  you saw  The Butterfly Effect. Today, it  is Rainbow  Alley. if you spend  time in downtown  Greensboro, chances  are you've  seen, or even  traveled,  this rainbow  alley. It goes beside  Biltmore  Hotel  and  behind  Scuppernong  Books.  It is between  West Washington  and McGee  Streets. It was painted by Gina  Franco,  fall 2019.

Alleys  tend  to  be  roads less taken and can even seem unappealing. When  you walk down this alley,  you notice so  much about Greensboro  that might otherwise  go  unnoticed.  For example,  you can  see people  meeting and  reading at Scuppernong,  You can  see people  getting into  their cars  in what seems to  be their special spots. You  can notice  the skyline  as you approach  McGee Street. You  may  even  see  the little black kitty  hidden  in this photo. If you have access to drone footage  of Rainbow  Alley,  it is especially beautiful.  Try this  News2 link.  Hopefully it will continue  to  work.

DM Pulley

If you have a dynamic,  independent  bookstore in  you community, you will never be  at a loss for things to do.  Last night,  D.M.  Pulley  spoke at  Scuppernong Books  on  Elm Street  downtown. Primarily, she  was in house discussing her  latest  novel, No  One's Home; however, she gave a fantastic presentation  balancing  what led her to  the mystery/thriller  genre, how the  genre is typically constructed,  and the plots of  each  of her books.

Pulley spoke of how her training to become  a structural  engineer scaffolded her understanding of how buildings have secrets  and  that you can dissect them,  not unlike how doctors perform autopsies.  She mentioned that  analyzing old layers of paint may reveal spattered  blood-  evidence of  a  crime, evidence of fire damage, and other interesting facts about the building.  It is so  wonderful that we have these events,  free and open  to the public.  

Stop by  Scuppernong  books tonight  when Holly George-Warren,  a  North Carolina native, discusses her  biography about Janis Joplin at  7:00 pm.  Live music  will be provided. Hope to see you there!

Jakob's Ferry Stragglers

This  past weekend was a really  great one for live,  acoustic music in  the Greensboro  area.  The  above photo features Jakob's Ferry Stragglers an  Appalachian bluegrass band that hails from Morgantown, West  Virginia and beyond. This past Saturday night, they played at Little Brother Brewing on  Elm  Street.

How nice to see the traditional  music genres  thriving in the area and appreciated  by the younger generation. The band played two very generous sets with  a short  intermission. Here some  of their music, here. It is hard to  believe that such  good  music  can  be hears  around  Greensboro  for free. A  good time was had by all,  and all were carded,  even  the patrons in their 70s!

Night Sky

Once we  accept the darkness  of winter  and the long  nights, they can actually take on a beautiful aura. Winter nights  are cozy when spent  in  the warmth of family and friends. The above photo features a recent night  sky over  South Holden  Road.  In the upper right hand corner, you can see  a crescent moon with a planet shining  brightly above it.  

Tonight is Saturday night and Greensboro will have plenty of options for entertainment. One  fun  event will be the live music of  Jakobs Ferry  Stragglers at Little Brother Brewing downtown Greensboro- at the corner of McGee and  South Elm. This  group hails  from West Virginia,Pennsylvania, and Maryland and, if you like spending time downtown as  well  as live music, this is a great option. Besides,  while last night  was  a full moon, if it is not too cloudy tonight, you should  be  able to enjoy  your  evening dancing by  the light of the almost-full  moon!  Happy Saturday!

Gate City Station

Today's photo  of the Gate City Station was taken from the J.Douglas Galyon Depot. The building houses the  downtown Experiential School. The building also  houses  the corporate offices of the Gate City Candy  Factory. It  is nice to  see this building preserved and attracting businesses and  non-profits. It  looks  especially  beautiful against  the  blue sky on  Sunday morning.  Other  than  the bare  small  trees to  the right, it is hard  to  tell  that  the photo was taken in January.

The  flags in front of the transportation  depot  reveal  that, while  sunny, the day was windy! Also, Sunday predictably is  a very  quiet day for the area. It is amazing what one can  figure out by  studying a photo.

By Train from the J. Douglas Galyon Depot

Greensboro is known as Gate City because we were the hub of so much rail transporting of commerce throughout the state and south. Above is the train depot downtown, the J. Douglas Galyon Depot. This past weekend, a carbon footprint-conscious family member of ours opted to take Amtrak to Raleigh as opposed to driving. She reported that the ride was fabulous, the train was not very busy (unfortunately) and that the round trip cost was about $30. When you consider purchasing gas, the stress of driving to Raleigh on I-40, fighting traffic once there, and paying to park, $30 sounds pretty good. Shared transportation is increasingly a viable option these days, especially with ride services like Uber and Lyft upon arrival at your final destination. Also, you can take your bike on the Amtrak train if you want to bike upon arrival.

Imagine planning a day trip to a nearby city, going with friends by train, maybe even traveling with your bookclub, scout troop, biking or running group. The more we start using public transportation, the more it will be available to us. That sounds like a good New Year's resolution. Happy Tuesday! Happy Point A to Point B. Look how clean and pretty the depot is. Grab your softest blanket and let's ride!

Greensboro Skyline

Today's photo features a downtown Greensboro skyline, anchored by the iconic Jefferson Standard/Pilot/Lincoln Financial Group building on the left. The photo was taken yesterday from the entrance to the J, Douglas Galyon Depot on East Washington Street. How nice to see that Vera Weinfield's mural, Tough Love, is still on display. The building hosting the mural was slated to be torn down two years ago.* Together, the sunny blue sky in the background and the colorful mural in the foreground really help frame Greensboro's skyline.

Stop back tomorrow and we'll take you inside the train depot. In the meantime, enjoy our great city. If you celebrate The Feast of the Epiphany, Three Kings' Day, you likely know that for Christians, today is the 12th day of Christmas. Happy 6th of January!

*read more, here.

Breaking Up Christmas

The twelve days of Christmas will officially come to a close on January 6th. North Carolina is known for having "Breaking up Christmas" music and dance parties.*  The above event was last-night's, first-Thursday, old-time jam at Horigan's House of Taps at the corner of South Elm and Lewis Street. The jam, organized by the Piedmont Old-Time Society, is open to acoustic, string-band style instrument players at all levels of expertise.

Often, friends and partners who don't play music sit on the sidelines socializing or participating in some kind of craft. Greensboro is lucky that the old-time society has these events and that Horigan's is welcoming to people passionate about a style of music that has been in North Carolina since the Scots-Irish immigrated here in the 1700s.

You still have a few days to plan your own Breaking Up Christmas party for next Monday!

* Read here if you want to know more about the history of the event.

The Best of 2019: Picture Perfect Night in Downtown Greensboro

 

Happy New Year! January 1st is the day the City Daily Photo community encourages participants to select their best photo from 2019. For Greensboro, we've selected this scene from LeBauer Park. The photo says so much about our city. The art overhead really helps define the space. Below, you see people from all neighborhoods coming together to watch a move on the big screen. This move was made possible through collaboration with UNCG. Greensboro has so many free events available to the community; events and public spaces contribute to the strength of a city.

As we look back over the year on Greensboro Daily Photo, we are reminded of all of the beautiful houses, the natural beauty of the city, the buildings and businesses, the educational institutions, the art, the weather and so much more. Even with 365 photos and paragraphs, we only begin to scratch the surface of all that is good in our city. In the end, it is the people who make Greensboro such a great place to live. Below, we've linked to twelve photos that are especially memorable. If you have time, please click through and have a visit. Thank you for reading and following GDP. Happy New Year. Here's to a great year to you, personally and to Greensboro as well!

January: The Ice Storm Cometh

February: The NC A&T Four

March: Firefighters from Station 21 

April: World Irish Dance Championship

May: Evening in LeBauer Park 

June: Summer Solstice Festival

July: Preservation Greensboro Tour of Lindley Park

August: MUSEP Free Concerts in the Parks

September: North Carolina Folk Festival

October: Reconsidered Goods Event Space

November: Kathy Clark and the Really, Really Free Market

December: The Running of the Balls

Merry Christmas 2019

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

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

White Christmas at the Carolina Theatre

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

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

The Greenhouse Effect

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

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

The Chandler Suite

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

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

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

Roasting Marshmallows at Hamburger Square on Elm Street

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

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

On Wendover Avenue

This grainy, cell phone camera captures the pulse of traffic leaving and coming to town for the Thanksgiving weekend. The photo was taken on Battleground Court, which is about as close as you can get to Wendover Avenue without being on Wendover! The background captures the sun setting on the Greensboro skyline. The iconic, Lincoln Financial building is seen on the right. The red strip above the white car is the Sheetz station across from Red Cinema.

If you are on the highway this weekend, be careful. If you are shopping, be extra nice to those employees who are helping you. If you are family, let them know how thankful you are to have them. Have a great rest of the week, regardless of how you will be spending it. Let us mention that we are extra thankful that you take the time to read our posts.

Folk Dances at Van Dyke Performance Space

Folk dances were a big part of the Day of the Dead event at the Cultural Arts Center this past Friday. Folk dancers performed in front of a full house at the Van Dyke Performance Space. If we remembered correctly, the above photo features the dance where indigenous dancers wore costumes that poked fun of their European colonizers. 

The audience really loved all of the dances and, at the end, spectators were invited to the stage to have photos taken with performers. Many people in the audience dressed or wore makeup to celebrate Day of the Dead and they looked right at home with the performers. The Van Dyke Performance Space is a nice, small venue to see special events and was perfect for the event that was made possible through Casa Azul and many sponsors.. 

Day of the Dead

Last night, at the Cultural Arts Center on Davie Street in downtown Greensboro, it was as if the community were transported to Mexico to the Day of the Dead celebration. The above photo shows the gallery where Casa Azul set up the altars and offerings to remember people who were no longer with us. It is the belief a person stays alive as long as someone on earth remembers them. At the cultural arts center, there is a creative altar featuring the characters in the movie "Coco." There are more personal altars where people remember their parents and siblings. The UNCG Languages, Literatures, and Cultures department has an altar for Spanish professor Dr. Amy Williamsen who died this past year. 

The exhibit is still open and is a great opportunity to see first-hand the products of the Day of the Dead and to gain an appreciation of the practices and perspectives centered around the Day of the Dead. As children entered the exhibit last night, you heard exclamations of "oooh, aaah." It is not a time to be afraid, but a time to celebrate lives well lived and people who have been well loved.

Day of the Dead

The above advertisement is for the Day of the Dead display hosted by Casa Azul, downtown, in the Cultural Arts Center on Davie Street. While this display is for the event a couple of years ago, the same event opens tonight at 6:00 p.m. You won't want to miss it. Case is a non-profit committed to show all of the wonderful traditions the Hispanic and Latinx community bring to Greensboro.

Elaborate altars commemorating people who are no longer living will be displayed. Usually, there is a blend of altars for famous people, like Frida Kahlo, and for local people, relatives of people in the Greensboro community. The event is so special and emphasizes the lives of loved ones. Stop by tonight, from 6-9pm, it is free and open to the public.

300 Block South Elm Street

Today's photo was taken in the 300 block of South Elm Street at twilight. This is the magical hour when the light intensifies the color before night sets in. The lavender-gray cast to the clouds and the sky was especially beautiful during First Friday in October. The spiked branches of the tree overhead hint that it won't be long before winter sets in. 

Downtown is so beautiful and the fronts of these buildings and the streetlight make it hard to date the scene to the 21st century. Only the cars give it away. We didn't realize how much these storefronts look alike before we took this photo. Enjoy your week and take time to seek out the beauty in our city. Try taking a photo (no selfie, no friends and family) and seeing what it says about Greensboro. what story does it tell? 

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.

GTA Electric Busses

Greensboro's electric busses are beautiful inside and, when you are on them, they are pretty quiet. Gone are the chugging, loud sounds of diesel busses. Yesterday, the Greensboro transportation department had an electric bus parked in the lot at the corner of MLK Drive and South Elm Street during First Friday. Greensboro transportation employees, Kevin Elwood and Cari Hopson, were on hand to answer all questions about Greensboro's latest mode of public transportation. They were so nice and knowledgeable and really make you feel as if the transportation department is in good hands.

Currently, Greensboro has 13 electric busses and are scheduled to be getting more. The routes are about 30 minutes and all start and end at J. Douglas Galyon Station. Rides are $1.50 and there are many options for paying and many discounts available (to students, veterans, senior citizens). The busses can accommodate two bikes on the front bumper in case you want that ride/bike option. If you haven't ridden a Greensboro bus in a while, we suggest trying them again. Maybe even today!

Tattoos of Greensboro

Over the last century, tattoos have gone from homemade markings on the bodies of sailors and prisoners to beautiful works of art done by artists. The above photo is of the arm lizard tattoos on Anne (Benbow) Timberlake. We met Anne while shopping at Just Be, downtown on Elm Street. With all of her body art, it looks as if Anne is is part of the store display. Anne's bracelets are from Just Be and match her tattoos perfectly. Anne, who wanted us to focus on her tattoos, as opposed to her face, had several tattoos done in R.C. Gorman's art studio in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Anne is a lifelong resident of Greensboro who attended Lindley Elementary and Junior High and Grimsley High School. She coats her tattoos with sunscreen daily so that the color will remain vibrant. There are so many great tattoos and tattoo artists in Greensboro. Perhaps we'll have to start sharing more of them. Also, next time we see Anne, we'll convince her to let us feature her smiling face!

Construction Progress at McGee & Greene Streets

General Nathanel Greene stands stoically in the middle of the round-about at South Greene and West McGee Streets.The 22-ft tall statue of Greene on a 10-foot pedestal used to tower over cars and pedestrians at this intersection. The sculpture, by James Barnhill and in place since 2008 is about to share the block with a Hampton Inn. It is as if he is monitoring progress on the construction of the Hampton Inn and Suites being built.

Yesterday, workers were getting a lot done, taking advantage of the warm, dry weather. The 6-story hotel will add 120 more rooms for lodging downtown. On this corner, the 18th and 21st centuries will live together peacefully. Fortunately, fabulous sunsets will still be visible to the west of General Greene.