Greensboro Daily Photo

Bus #1 Reminds Us: Mask Up!

The bus in the photo above is leaving Greene Street, has looped around the Holliday Circle roundabout, and is heading to Spring Garden Street in downtown Greensboro. Notice the "MASK UP!" reminder on bus number 1. The drivers work hard to keep riders, and themselves, safe.

Of course, the tall building in the background is the Lincoln Financial Group building. While the name of the building changes as the occupants change, this skyscraper remains one of the most recognizable landmarks in Greensboro. Actually, it is two buildings. The whiter building to the right in older Jefferson Standard building. It was built in 1922. The grayer one with the green roof and the time/temperature sign is the more recent building, initially Jefferson-Pilot and, as of 2006, Lincoln Financial Group.  At 233 feet, the building is still the tallest in Greensboro.

As for the bus, if you are interested in using this community transportation resource, here is a link to the routes.

When taking the photo, we didn't think there were any people in the photo. On closer inspection, we noticed two people. Do you see the couple?

Hamburger Square: What a Great Backdrop

Hamburger Square, at the end of the 300 block of South Elm Street, is where many community events take place. There have always been businesses here, especially sandwich shops. In the time of WWII, soldiers gathered here to travel by train. Currently Natty Greene's, Just Be, and Little Brother Brewing surround the square. The Southeast corner, just below the railroad tracks, doesn't have a business; it has some green space. The above photo is of Natty Greene's in December.

In January of 2019, an article in the News & Record stated that The Christman Company, located nearby in the former Cascade Saloon, donated $50,000 to help rejuvenate this area* It looks like at least some of the work has been done. To be sure the overpass got painted. Next time we're downtown, we'll look more closely to note changes. In addition to sprucing up the area, one of the goals is to make it more pedestrian friendly. Today is Friday; weather permitting, it could be a day to explore the Hamburger Square area.

One of the perks of taking lots of photos of Greensboro is that we have plenty to choose from for Zoom backdrops. We are currently using the above photo and the "zoomer" (person), is nestled snugly in the middle with the blue sky overhead and the lights in the background. Doing something silly, like trying to find a good Zoom background adds a little levity to the day. We've even had a request for a photo with trains as a Greensboro-themed background. Well see if we can take one this weekend for our science-teacher friend. Enjoy your weekend!

• read the article, here. 
• more information about Hamburger square from the 1940's, here. 

Guilford Court House in Greensboro

The above photo is of the Guilford Courthouse, built in 1917 at 301 Market Street. It replaced the courthouse building at the corner of Market and Elm Streets as, in the days before air conditioning, that location was too noisy to when windows needed to be open for ventilation. The Jefferson Standard building of the Lincoln Financial complex is no located on the site of the courthouse that pre-dates the above location.

The building material is  Mt. Airy granite and textured terra cotta tile that has the appearance of granite. Harry Barton was the lead architect. The style is Beaux-Arts/Neoclassical Revival.* The government complex has expanded quite a bit since this building was constructed. If you have ever had to go to the Clerk of Courts office, you have been to this building. This is also an early voting site. Often, these buildings go unnoticed, until we need the services therein. This building exudes strength and stability. The doves of peace are a symbol of love and peace and are symboled in many religions. Today we wish you peace and love, whether you are conducting business at the courthouse, or elsewhere. Happy Thursday!

* read more about the courthouse here.

Boxcar Pizza at Boxcar Bar + Arcade

Ten years ago in 2011, when we interviewed Greensboro entrepreneur,  Dennis Quaintance, we talked about "small" being the new "big".  After years of biggie sizes, smaller glasses, plates, and portions have gained popularity. Today's post is one such example. Boxcar Pizza is a tiny space, specifically boxcar-sized, in the South Elm/Lewis Street area. This outdoor pizza kitchen is the perfect place to get some hot food quickly, whether you are in one of the South Elm establishments or just out walking. It is a way to eat without having to go inside an establishment. You can, however, eat inside the Boxcar Bar & Arcade. It serves as the kitchen for the bar and arcade.

This outdoor pizza kitchen serves Neapolitan style pizza with traditional toppings. It also serves unique toppings like bison sausage and pickles. Savory and sweet soft pretzels are available, too. The boxcar option has been popular with people skating at the adjacent pop-up ice rink. On the day we were on site, the Boxcar employee (in the window) was so busy, we didn't interrupt for an interview.  Boxcar is a unique addition to the downtown Greensboro landscape. See the hours, menu, and more, here.

Triad City Beat & Thomas Sayre's Greenway Art

Today is a special day on so many levels. First, a loyal reader suggested we photograph the above Greenway artwork and mentioned that it is especially attractive near sunset. Second, we serendipitously met up with Carolyn de Berry, staff photographer for Triad City Beat (TCB), who was on location taking photos for TCB. Carolyn was with her son, Lliam Robinson.  Third, we found something new being constructed downtown, fulfilling the request of a loyal reader.

Carolyn and Lliam: Carolyn relocated from Connecticut to Greensboro to attend Guilford College, where she majored in psychology.  Also trained as a commercial photographer, Carolyn has been a photographer at TCB since the paper was first established seven years ago. Carolyn looks for good, interesting, and newsworthy Triad subjects to feature. Her photos are published in TCB weekly. The intellectually curious, outdoor-loving Lliam is a student at New Garden Friend's School.

The artwork: The earthcastings, the trio of sculptures to the righ,t are by Raleigh artist Thomas Sayre. Sayre and his team installed them in late November. They are located near Guilford Avenue and Westerwood Tavern on the path of the Downtown Greenway. In the News & Record article about these concrete structures, Sayre is quoted as saying, "The greenway is about finding your way through downtown Greensboro [and i]n some ways I see the cairns as stacked stones that for centuries humans have used to find our way" (Kane, Nov. 17, 2020). The greenway project is progressing nicely and is anticipated to be completed in 2022.

If you are looking something fun to do, you can't beat urban exploring. And, who knows, you just may run into Carolyn and Lliam or David and me! It was so special finally meeting each other.

Tanger Center For The Performing Arts

We love it when readers engage with Greensboro Daily Photo. As an example, yesterday, a reader helped us get to the bottom of the #seethegood initiative that we featured yesterday. See the good  was an idea brought to life by Mary Crowder and her teammates at Barbout Spangle Design in High Point. Initially, they made and attached a sign, with the slogan, on the side of their business. See the Fox 8 segment here.  Another example of reader engagement comes from one of our faithful readers, who doesn't get out as much as she used to. She suggested we do more to feature the growth and changes in Greensboro, and to feature the downtown more. We realized we tend to zoom in on people and one place at a time, but the next sunny day, will head into town to get some skyline shots.

As for today, this is the Tanger Center for the Performing Arts, a big change in downtown Greensboro. Tanger Center had to delay its 2020 opening due to the pandemic and is currently scheduled to open in April. The Tanger Center has been in the making since 2012 and, while some were against tearing down the War Memorial Auditorium at the Coliseum Complex, many in the city were ready for a change. Over 35 million dollars in private donations were received to make the Tanger Center a reality. This spectacular, $85 million facility is now complete. It was named after Steven Tanger, president and CEO of Tanger Factory Outlet Centers. The Tanger family has donated so much to community resources in Greensboro. Tanger Center seats 3,023 and is anticipating being able to open April 2021. The schedule of events is robust; many events are rescheduled from 2020.  You can see if any interest you by perusing their website. Tanger Center is located at the corner of North Elm Street and Abe Brenner Way. Brenner, another local philanthropist, helped establish Brenner Children's Hospital at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

People of Greensboro: Meet Jake at Jacob Raymond Jewelers

Greensboro has many talented jewelers. The first name to come to mind is Schiffman, a family associated with watches and jewelry in Greensboro since 1893. Mark Holder and Delbert Fentress are also talented jewelers . In 2017,  another name was added to the list. Jacob "Jake"  Wosinski opened a jewelry store on McGee Street in downtown Greensboro and his unique designs and precise metalsmithing have been winning national awards ever since. He is a multiple AGTA Spectrum winner. He describes his style as "contemporary estate"- timeless with a modern edge. Jake is a third generation jeweler who started making jewelry at the age of eighteen. He studied jewelry making and apprenticed with other jewelers for 22 years before realizing his dream of having his own studio/showroom.

When standing outside the shop at 121-A West McGee Street, not wearing long sleeves and a mask, Jakes tattoos and long beard are noticeable. As a matter of fact, a passerby might assume he works with his friends at the tattoo studio next door.  When not busy with customers, Jake can be seen in the front corner of the store, right at the window, making jewelry. He has jewelry at all price points; and, if you don't see something already made that meets your needs, Jake will design it. His prices for custom work are really quite reasonable- especially considering the amount of work involved. Jake is so personable and takes great pride in designing and making exactly what his clients want. The name of the shop, Jacob Raymond, is a combination of his and his dad's names. Follow Jacob on Instagram at jacobraymondjewelry or online at jacobraymondjewelry.com 

Well, another year is coming to a close. We hope you have a happy and safe New Year's Eve. Please stop back tomorrow. On January 1st, we will feature our photo-of-the-year, and a highlight a photo from each month in 2020. Then, on Saturday, January 2nd, we again reflect on the past year as part of our anniversary post. Saturday, we start Year 13 of Greensboro Daily Photo. May we continue to find new places, businesses, and people of Greensboro  to share with readers!

Tinsel Town

Yesterday was the last day for Tinsel Town in LeBauer Park. The display featured 50 trees decorated by community organizations. Visitors voted for their favorite trees through each tree's unique QR code. The top five winning trees will receive $500 to donate to the non-profit of their choice. Tinsel town was presented by Kontoon (Wrangler), The Fresh Market, and First Bank. The event was free and open to the public. Sunday was a sunny day and several people were out admiring the display. 

The Tinsel Town event was a creative way to involve community in a fundraiser, to get people out, and to give people something to do. Also, it was conducive to social distancing.  To our knowledge, this was the first year for Tinsel Town. It will be fun to see which trees won. The Page Pirates had a double-wide tree filled from bottom to top with pirate paraphernalia. Hopefully the winners will be announced in the newspaper and the event will be held again next year. There are only three more days until New Year's Eve, but, let's not rush things. Enjoy the whole week.

 

Skating

Today's photo features the "pop-up" skating rink in downtown Greensboro. It is located in the parking lot, just west of Elm Street accessible from Lewis Street. You can see the Eugene Street traffic heading into town above the rink. The rink was not very crowded yesterday, but the middle and high school students out on the rink seemed to be having fun. The Piedmont Winterfest is technically located at 123 West Lewis Street. The rink will be open until January 31st. According to the schedule on their website, skating will be open today from noon until 4pm, closed on Christmas Day and then open again on December 26th from noon-10pm. The cost is $12 for a one hour and forty five minute session and you can pre-purchase tickets, which is a good idea since they have to limit the crowds for safety.

Liberty Oak Restaurant and Bar

Liberty Oak Restaurant and Bar at 100 West Washington Street is a Greensboro institution. It was located in Irving Park for about 20 years and now, has been in their current location downtown for over 20 years. They are one of those restaurants that can feel as comfortable as the "Cheers" bar for those who are regulars. They are very original and special in their offerings and were on the front end of the bistro revolution in Greensboro. Also ahead of a trend,  Liberty Oak has been buying and showing local Greensboro art for decades now. Local artist Denise Landi recalls their showing and purchasing her art in the 1980s.

The above photo features their new signage out in front of their side entrance at the Vernon Building. That building was originally erected in 1883 and, as pointed out on their website, is the oldest building remaining in the Old Greensborough Historic District. Somehow, Liberty Oak just seems to belong here. Here is their fabulous menu, in case you are interested in dining indoors, outdoors, or placing a to-go order. Happy Wednesday!

PART: Connecting Communities!

The Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation, known locally as PART, is still running its routes, even during COVID. They do encourage passengers to remain 6' apart. The above photo was taken a couple of weeks ago, in downtown Greensboro. The bus was headed west on West Washington Street and stopped at Greene Street, just in front of the parking deck. The red, holiday lights really accentuate the graphic design on the bus. The vehicle in the foreground adds a little movement to the night scene.

Here is a link to their official website, in case you want to plan your route or track your bus. As stated on their website, PART was created in 1997 as a means of enhancing transportation in the Piedmont Triad. It is nice to have public transportation options, especially one that helps make it possible to get to other nearby communities. It is a way for Point A to Point B to be done in a way that decreases the carbon footprint. Happy Monday!  

Deep Roots Market Co-Op

Deep Roots Market is a co-op is a full-service grocery store, located downtown at 600 North Euguene street, just around the corner of Joymongers. Deep Roots started in the 1960s as a vegetarian buying club at Guilford College. In the mid 1970s, they moved to a storefront on Spring Garden Street, between the access ramp to Wendover and Merritt Drive. Since 2013, they have been in the downtown location. Anyone can shop at Deep Roots, but you get a discount and access to the big specials if you are a member.

There is a community room in the front of the store and, when gatherings are safe, great events happen there. If you are downtown, possibly at a brewery that doesn't sell food, on a bike ride and in need of a snack, or,  just interested purchasing great food and being part of a caring community, please visit Deep Roots. They have been providing the Greensboro community with organic, bulk, and locally sourced food before the big, corporate whole-food markets were in the area. Have you been? If not, consider stopping by when you are in need of groceries. Happy Thursday!

Downtown First Saturday

The above photo of Hamburger Square in downtown Greensboro was part of the Downtown in December, "Light the Night" event. It is the city's effort to provide a little fun and joy for the community, while remaining Covid-safe. As you can see from the above photo, there weren't many people downtown, but those who were there seemed to be having a very nice time. Behind the inflatables is the fabulous, local gift store, Just Be. Beside Just Be are a couple of restaurants that are reasonably priced and fast at takeout. If you do head downtown, business owners are very mindful of taking precautions to help keep you safe.

Here is a link to all of the events happening in downtown Greensboro in December. If you are leaving the house this weekend, this list will give you some options. Happy Wednesday!

Greensboro Trombone Ensemble

The Greensboro Trombone Ensemble played at the Light the Night event in downtown Greensboro this past weekend. While the Festival of Lights was cancelled for this year, there were a few groups set up throughout town and it was very easy to socially distance and meander up and down South Elm Street listening to music. The Light the Night had sort of a "First Friday" feel.

UNCG has a really strong School of Music and so there are many ensembles for different instruments and genres in Greensboro. Under normal circumstances, students are always offering concerts as part of their course and degree requirements. It was a real treat to hear the brass ensemble with the sound bouncing between Schiffman's Jewelry Store and Triad Stage. If you ever get a chance to hear the Trombone Ensemble, you will be in for a treat. Perhaps you already have heard them.

Have a great Tuesday.

Hudson Hill, H.Lee Waters Films, & Cone Denim

Today, Hudson's Hill American Made will host a very special event. Jonathan Ingram with Cone Denim (on left above) will be at Hudson's Hill with a small pop up of products made with denim from Cone Mills. Jonathan has a wealth of knowledge on textile history and branding. He knows all the great details, like how the shifting of the wooden floors in a textile factory, like White Oak, affects the appearance of the denim. Ben Singer (@benesing on the right) will show video footage from the H. Lee Waters films about Cone Denim. Bene will present at noon and then again at 4pm. Each presentation lasts about two hours. Bene is a multi-instrumentalist, audio engineer, and video producer, and more.  If you are involved in the local, live music scene, you probably know Bene. This is such a special opportunity for Greensboro.

H. Lee Waters (1902- 1997) was a photographer from Lexington, NC. When the Depression hit and people stopped getting photos made, Waters started making movies of people in North Carolina communities and then going back to the communities and selling tickets for people to see themselves and their community in the movies. Duke University houses the Waters archives. Bene will treat us to a showing of some of the footage, specifically the videos about Cone Mills.

In the middle, is Evan Morrison, one of the owners of Hudson's Hill and master leatherworker. Give Evan a piece of leather and he can look at it and calculate the size of the purse that can be made from it- and then make that purse. He repairs, creates, and designs. Many of the items at Hudson't Hill are his craftsmanship. Evan will be at the event. A fourth person, who will literally contribute to the local flavor of this event, is Randy Barnes @feedumdogs. Randy will be giving away his gourmet hot dogs (while supplies last).  Drop in today to Hudson's Hill at 527 South Elm Street and check out the event. Masks are required and they will monitor crowds. As you can see in the photo, the screen is in place and ready for your viewing pleasure.

Just Be... the Place To Be On Small Business Saturday 2020!

Today is Small Business Saturday and the featured business is Just Be, located in downtown Greensboro at southwest corner of Elm and McGee Streets. Just Be, established in 2005,  is a gift shop filled with items that have interesting stories behind them. You may recognize Kathryn Hashemi. While she has only owned Just Be for about two years, she was an employee for two years prior. Kathryn does a wonderful job of finding a balance between international, fair trade items, arts and crafts from American artists, and items produced by local artists. She has a discerning eye and carefully curates items she knows her customers will like. If you shop at Just Be often, Kathryn has probably greeted you and then shown you something she knows you will like.

Kathryn and her staff have worked tirelessly during the pandemic to keep the shop strong. The store's social media presence has really helped. Also, her husband, an expert tailor, makes the beautiful masks they sell in the store and was well ahead of the trend to make masks not only functional, but also an attractive fashion accessory. If you are local, and out celebrating small businesses today, please stop in an say hello to Kathryn and her staff. She has is offering a discount of 15% for purchases over $100. If you aren't already, you will probably become a regular!

Small Business Friday

Today, you have two wonderful opportunities. First you can shop the small businesses in Downtown and around-town Greensboro. There are so many artists and locals with their own businesses. The above photo was taken of some happy shoppers who may have just purchased something from Design Archives or Just Be, two fabulous, local stores at the corner of Elm and McGee Streets. Please visit these local stores before shopping online and shipping in. Greensboro has so many wonderful small businesses.

A second opportunity is the "Really, Really Free Market" It will be held from 10am-3pm today at 1417 Glenwood Avenue. Ayaana  Aytch is leading this event where you bring things you want to see go to someone who needs them and you are free to take what you need. Nobody asks any questions about who qualifies. By virtue of the fact that you attend makes you eligible to give and to receive. At 2pm, Ayaana will be leading a yoga session. Bring your mask and your unwanted clothes and household items that you think someone else would appreciate having. It is so wonderful seeing things get re-homed. You can cap off the afternoon with a cup of tea at Vida Pour Tea on State Street. So many options! Hopefully, you have a little time to yourself today. Enjoy! See you out and about!

View from Lewis Street

Today's photo is a bit whimsical. It is the view of the back alley area, behind the 6oo block of South Elm Street, as seen from Lewis Street. If you are out walking through Greensboro, or any city, it is fun to look at the places that aren't usually in the public eye. As you can see here, there used to be a Wade's Dry Cleaning. As our grandparents would say, "Before your time...". So often, when we post a photo of a sign from yesteryear, someone contacts us to let us know about their relatives, the people who owned the now-forgotten establishment. So, if there are any Wades reading, or anyone who worked for the Wades, we'd love to hear from you. The bottom two-thirds of the photo is the wavy artwork on the wall of the Bearded Goat, an establishment that bills itself as a "classy, artistic, dive bar"; hence, the artwork. 

As we all struggle to remain healthy during this COVID-19 era, please know there are business along Elm Street doing everything they can to provide safe, contactless shopping experiences. Often, you can call ahead and have things ready to pick up curbside. In the meantime, if you are out walking, stop and find a view you have never seen before. Point A to Point B doesn't always need to be a straight line! Happy Saturday.

300 Block of South Elm

The 300 block of South Elm Street is filled with great businesses and fun things to do. The merchants are taking every effort to be COVID safe. The above photo features The View in the foreground and Cheesecakes by Alex behind the pedestrian crosswalk sign at the back of the photo. The awnings and streetlights have the area looking a bit like Europe. The trees are losing their yellow leaves quickly. If you want to see foliage, you'd best be getting outside soon. The recent 5+ inches of rain have pelted away many of the leaves. Still, these fall scenes are beautiful too behold.

Do you notice that holiday wreaths and snowflake lights have already been installed? And with it getting dark early,  it's beginning to look a lot like.... December. The last we checked, the Festival of Lights was still a "go" in downtown Greensboro. It is scheduled to be held on Friday, December 4, 6:00 pm- 9:00 pm. Of course wear your mask and check schedules Otten to make sure it will still be held. In the meantime, anything you can do to purchase and order local from the Elm Street business and beyond, please do so. Happy Saturday!

Vote!

All is quiet on the corner of Lewis Street and the 600 block of South Elm Street. At this storefront awaits a new business, the owners have brown paper over the windows and a message to VOTE! It will be interesting to see the election results for Guilford County. Our county has voted Democratic in the last four presidential elections and Republican in 2000- when George W. Bush was running. 

Hopefully, you have either already voted, or you intend to vote today. There is no school today. If you are home with children, today is a good day to teach them about civic rights and responsibilities. Have a great Tuesday. Regardless of election results, it will be nice to see the campaign signs disappear from the lawns of Greensboro. If you are working at the polls, thank you for your service!

Corner of South Elm and West McGee

Rainy days can make for very beautiful photos. The above photo was taken at the corner of South Elm Street and West McGee on Saturday night. It was almost evening. Part of South Elm Street was closed to cars so that pedestrians could walk around and eat outside without having cars in the way. Unfortunately, the rain sent people home early. The above photo was taken in front of Little Brother Brewers at 348 South Elm Street. This small brewery bills itself at a boutique brewery. Little Brother has been downtown for about five years now. The owners of the brewers have written a very thorough piece about the people behind the business (see here). The Collie and McCoy families have worked tirelessly to give this establishment a cozy, hometown feel.  On warm days, they open all the windows, put out the benches, and it is as if patrons are outside while being protected from the elements. Here's to a good week for all of us! Happy Monday!

The Bodega on Greene!

Greensboro has a bodega. Is you have grown up in New York City, you quite possibly had your favorite bodega. Bodegas are small grocery stores, often in neighborhoods with lots of Spanish speakers. Kids grow up with the bodega owners looking out for them. Lin-Manuel Miranda (of Hamilton Fame) has a new movie, "In the Heights" in which bodega culture is featured. Greensboro's bodega is located on Greene Street, just across from the Carolina Theatre and squarely between the Biltmore Hotel on Washington St. and the Hampton Inn on McGee Street. This idea of the bodega is to have food, snacks, and unanticipated items that people might need before seeing a performance or while staying in a hotel-- aspirin, needle and thread, breath mints- at very reasonable prices.

Todd Olson and Daniel Leonard, both entrepreneurs and owners of other food and drink businesses, opened the Bodega on February 19th, just before COVID hit. They had to close until July, but are open again. They are in the process of opening a sandwich shop inside the bodega. They already have an outdoor seating area, just waiting for performances to get in full swing at the Carolina Theatre so they can fill their seating area with theatre-going guests. They will even dim the lights for those who rush over during intermission so that customers can get back to the performance on time. If you are downtown, stop in and say hello to Todd and Daniel. If they don't have your go-to item, chances are, they'll start stocking it. Just need a quick cup of coffee with a little personal interaction, this long/skinny store is your place on South Greene!

Elm Street at Phase 3

Last night, North Carolina officially entered in Phase 3 with the COVID restrictions. Restrictions have been relaxed and the streets, stores, restaurants, and bars, were busier last night than they have been a long time. Largely, people were still cautious, wearing masks and being mindful of social distance. The lime scooters were being right and left with people cruising through town on them in clusters.

The above photo features South Elm Street at McGee Street yesterday as night was settling in. If you look closely, you can see a TV on upstairs at Natty Greene's Brewing Company downtown. The blue car is a Papa John's Pizza vehicle out on delivery. Even though you don't see people in the photo, they were there. Before we know it, those leaves will change to fall colors and then drop to the ground. For this weekend, they are still bright green and look beautiful against the backdrop of the sapphire blue sky. Happy Saturday!

Kathleen Price Bryan YMCA

The Kathleen Price Bryan YMCA has reopened for indoor exercise and members love it. The above photo shows the facility, located on the corner of South Spring and West Market Streets. It was a sunny day yesterday and traffic downtown was light. However, people are cautiously optimistic that they are able to return to working out indoors. The YMCA organization was implemented in Greensboro in 1859 by Julius Gorrell and the "Y" has been enriching the minds and bodies of Greensboro for 161 years.

During COVID, the Y has made an effort to stay connected with members, from providing online exercise to Facebook posts, to some exercise outdoors. So many Y members have built not only their exercise regimen but also their socialization around the Y. It has been a hard six month and slowly and cautiously, members are reestablishing some of their routines. The building is beautiful on the inside and outside, especially on a sunny day.

Trains in the Gate City...

Greensboro is known as the Gate City because of all of the trains that used to come through town. There were several routes going east to west and north to south and it was known as a gateway town. People compare the Greensboro of yesterday, with all of the rail traffic, to the Atlanta airport today. By 1890, there were over 60 trains a day coming through town. (reference and more, here).

Today's photo is South Elm Street as the train was crossing yesterday at 3:50 p.m. The train was a long one hauling a little bit of everything, including Fex Ex truck cargo. For pedestrians and cars that don't want to wait, they can always go around and underneath on McGee. It is charming to stand near the tracks and see what kind of cars and cargo are on the train. Also, if you look between the cars, you can see the Lincoln Financial/JP Building. There is something intriguing about rail transport. If you are ever looking for a fun weekend adventure, consider taking a day trip on the Amtrak passenger train. Happy Saturday!

Crooked Tail Cat Cafe

The Crooked Tail Cat Cafe has been open for almost three years now. It was the the first one in North Carolina. (See earlier 2017 photo, here). It is located at 604 South Elm Street, across the street from Mellow Mushroom. While the goal is to get the cats adopted, it is also a place for them to roam and learn to socialize with each other, as well as with humans. The above kitty was the only one hanging out in the window the other day. It was as if he knew he needed to maintain a good social distance.

If you are interested, you can book a time slot online, here.

At the beginning of the year, Guilford County approved 12.5 million dollars for a new animal shelter on Guilford College Road. It will accommodate up to 324 dogs and 250 cats. That is a lot to take in that at any given time, there could be over 500 pets surrendered or abandoned that need homes. The Crooked Tail Cat Cafe is doing their part to try to find homes for cats. Working together, the people of Guilford County are making great strides in improving the quality of life for animals awaiting homes.

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Dick Broadcasting Downtown Greensboro

If you are downtown Greensboro this weekend, check out the mural on the Dick Broadcasting Building at 192 East Lewis Street. Maybe you can find your favorite musician among the artists. The piece is eye-catching. Dick Broadcasting began in Tennessee in the 1950s and when they expanded to a new state, they came to Greensboro, North Carolina. Allen Dick, son of founder James Dick Sr. built out WKRR here.

The company has prospered over the years and Allen Dick is trying to navigate the changes in FM radio and the popularity of the streamed, digital world. The commitment to local content and community in each of their markets is one of the reasons for their continued success. Their Greensboro stations can be heard at WKRR 92.3 ROCK 92 and WKZL 107.5. Their other big market in North Carolina is New Bern. 

192 East Lewis Street, built in 1962,  used to be a quiet brick office building on a double lot on Lewis Street. Today, it is a two-story wall of fame for some of great talent that has received a lot of playing time over the airwaves! Happy Saturday!

Erin Hess, Artist

Today's photo features Greensboro artist Erin Hess with one of her pieces that is very representative of her artistic style. Erin uses lots of color, texture, and depth in her paintings. They have a tactile quality; often glitter is incorporated. Erin has a studio and gallery space at Artmongers on South Elm Street. Erin, an engineer by day, spends her time away from work in her studio adding more layers her pieces of art.

Erin studied painting and photography at the University of Akron and lived in Ohio for several years. Tonight is First Friday in downtown Greensboro and the last weekend that South Elm Street will have several blocks closed to vehicles so that pedestrians can enjoy the stroll. We're hoping Erin is in her studio this evening so we can return to admire her art. The above painting may not be there as it has already sold and Erin agreed to meet the owners in Washington D.C. to hand deliver the painting. Erin is an up and coming Greensboro artist who already had quite a faithful following, especially online. See her art here at Deviant Art. Contact Erin at erinhess.art@gmail.com or at Artmongerz. Also, see more of her mixed-media art on Instagram at _spac3queen_ (the underscores matter). Happy Friday!

Downtown Street Time for Pedestrians

Downtown Greensboro is closing off sections of South Elm Street to give people a chance to dine and walk out of doors. The above photo was taken last night, and the same event will be happening tonight. If you want to get out and walk a little bit, maybe even get a bite to eat, Greensboro is making every effort to allow you to socialize and be safe.

The above photo was taken in the 300 block of South Elm Street, across from Cheesecakes by Alex. People are dining outside at 1618 downtown and at Jerusalem Market. Look how beautiful Greensboro looks on a warm summer day! The streets got busier as the even went on, but never overly crowded. The sign from Miller Furniture Company remains as a backdrop, even though the store has been gone since 2007. As an aside, Miller Furniture Company was family-owned and open from 1893- 2007; 114 years!

Elaka Treats

Last Friday, Elaka Treats was set up in front of Just Be at the southwest corner of Elm and McGee streets. The flavorful frozen treats were so refreshing. If you like flavors like cardamom and rose, these treats are perfect for you. People sampled Elaka's ice cream before and after strolling through the Just Be shop of hand-crafted and fare-trade items. It is so meaningful to take the time to get to know these proprietors and to shop local. Elaka is often set up at the People's Market on Thursday evenings in Glenwood. Here is the website for Elaka Treats, if you want to learn more about their cream, milk, and fruit based products. Their green apple, cumin, cardamom, and vanilla bean ice cream sound yummy! 

Downtown Greensboro will again make an effort to do special things today. We're not sure what all will be happing, but as far as we know, they will continue to create a pedestrian area on part of Elm Street. The fun of weekends is the serendipity of what comes along as we get out and explore our environment. Be safe, and be grateful that we live in such a beautiful city with so many creative people.

George Floyd Mural On West McGee

Today's photo is of West McGee Street, in front of MCoul's Public House and another view of the LFG/JP Building in the background. A recent addition to the area is the mural of George Floyd. The quote says "Daddy changed the world" and is attributed to Gianna Floyd. This art keeps the memory of Floyd alive and adds a bold pop of color on the side street, tucked between General Greene and Natty Greene's Brewhouse. The only artist's tag we saw was to the left, "[heart emoji] TGZ".

If you are feeling well and able to distance, consider heading down to Elm Street this afternoon. There will be plenty of opportunities to eat outside and to visit the nearby shops that are working so hard to keep their stores and merchandise clean and tidy. Hats off to this family; they seemed to be walking quite a distance downtown. We don't know who they are or where they ended up going, but they were making great time, and they add great visual interest to this little slice of life of photo of downtown Greensboro.

Have a great weekend, regardless of what you decide to do.

A Sunny Afternoon On Elm St

Elm Street is showing a little more life as part of South Elm has been closing to allow people to have more room to eat outside and mill along the street. This photo was taken in the 300 block of South Elm last Saturday night. If you look in the middle, you can see the two police cars monitoring traffic at Washington Street. Pedestrians appeared to be honoring the 6' distance and wearing masks. The people in front of Cheesecakes by Alex were eating and drinking coffee, socially distanced.

In the background you can see, the Lincoln Financial Corp. building, formerly Jefferson Pilot, and Jefferson Standard before that. The skyscraper in front was built in 1923. The addition, with the time and temperature at the top, was built in 1990, during the Jefferson Pilot years. That building anchors a photo in Greensboro. This sam arrangement will be in place on the weekends through  September 5th. Greensboro is so beautiful, especially when the trees are green.

Gateway Plaza

Gateway Plaza is a high rise apartment complex at 200 Spring Garden Street at West McGee Street. This housing option must be popular as, according to online sources, no apartments are currently available. You can't beat the address with respect to location, a block away from Hamburger Square! Today's photo is of the park-like seating area nicely hidden outside. It looks so cozy and conducive to having a nice conversation, even a physically-distanced conversation. Just beyond this area is an outdoor pool. 

The 221-unit high rise was built in 1975. The architecture of the building reflects the square, no-frills look of the 1970s. But, the location, the outdoor area, and the reasonable rents make it a very appealing place to live! Regardless of where you live, we hope you have a comfortable place to sit outside!

Church Under the Bridge

The above photo is of the praise band that played last night at the meeting of the Church Under the Bridge at 300 Spring Garden Street. The 16 Cents Ministry sees to it that every week at 6pm, Under the Bridge, there is worship through music and prayer. Additionally, a hot meal is served, and other items are distributed. Everyone is welcome and it is not uncommon for 250 people to attend. Last night, the weather was nice, the music was inspirational, and the meal was very hearty, colorful, and perfect for summer. It seemed like everyone was enjoying this time together with food, music, and prayer. Perhaps the homeless in attendance could put in the back of their mind, for this one hour, the stress of being in an insecure living situation. Perhaps, if the recent rains flooded out their tents, someone helped find some dry clothes or higher ground. 

Here is the wish list of the 16 Cents Ministry.  If you belong to a group that is able to help, or if you can yourself, Church Under the Bridge is money and effort well spent. The resources, financial and otherwise, are put to use directly in Greensboro. We encourage you on a Saturday, at 6:00 pm (or a little earlier) to head downtown and see for yourself, just how beneficial this mission is to the community. You will see, firsthand, just how much work there is to be done and how much help is needed, right here in our own community. If you know the name of the band, let us know. We didn't want to interrupt them to ask and didn't see a sign or information about the group on the website.

Church Under the Bridge

The above photo is of the praise band that played last night at the meeting of the Church Under the Bridge at 300 Spring Garden Street. The 16 Cents Ministry sees to it that every week at 6pm, Under the Bridge, there is worship through music and prayer. Additionally, a hot meal is served, and other items are distributed. Everyone is welcome and it is not uncommon for 250 people to attend. Last night, the weather was nice, the music was inspirational, and the meal looked delicious. It seemed like everyone was enjoying this time together with food and music. Perhaps the homeless in attendance could put in the back of their mind, for this one hour, the stress of being in an insecure living situation. Perhaps, if the recent rains flooded out their tents, someone helped find some dry clothes. 

It is really nice to know that those religious organizations that are in a position to do so are helping with this initiative. Here is the wish list of the 16 Cents Ministry.  If you belong to a group that is able to help, or if you can yourself, Church Under the Bridge is money and effort well spent. The money, time, effort, and other resources are put to use directly in our community. We encourage you on a Saturday, at 6:00 pm (or a little earlier) to head downtown and see for yourself, just how beneficial this mission is to the community. You event is well organized and will help you see, firsthand, just how much work there is to be done, right here in our own community.

Downtown Greensboro, Skyline!

Tis August! Let's start the month with a photo of the skyline downtown Greensboro with the Lincoln Financial Group's building as the great anchor at city center. The time and temperature blinking on top serves as the prominent beacon reminding us the that the Lincoln Financial building remains the tallest in Greensboro. This photo, taken on North Battleground near Mill Street, shows the city at a distance; with so many downtown experiences being distance memories.

The typical markers of summer passing have not happened this year. No large festivals like the Fourth of July or Greensboro Bound, no MUSEP concerts on Sunday afternoons in parks throughout the city. No summer camps are being offered downtown, no yoga in the park. Regardless, we must remain optimistic and know that, in the end, social distancing will pay off and eventually, we will begin filling our social calendars. Here's to a great August, finding ways to have fun and remain safe. We are Greensboro strong!

 

View of Downtown: From the Perspective of O. Henry's "Pete"

Today's post features the O. Henry statues downtown. At the corner of Bellemeade St. and North Elm, is a trio of statues dedicated to O. Henry. O.Henry was born in Greensboro in 1862. You can only see two of the three pieces; the bronze likeness of O. Henry himself is actually off to the left. The above view is from the perspective of his small dog. In front of the trees is the large cement book with the little boy peeking in. The visible page features "The Gift of the Magi" O.Henry's most famous work.

The pieces were dedicated in 1985, with a week-long celebration, seventy-five years after his death.* It has now been 110 years since his passing in New York City. Something notable about this view is that the little dog, referenced as "Pete" from "Memories of a Yellow Dog", is staring straight at Greensboro's new Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts, located directly across the street. It would be really fitting to feature a performance of an O. Henry tale right there in plain sight! And if not, that's O.K. because just beyond the Tanger Center is the Greensboro History Museum and every September, they feature the 5 by O. Henry Plays!

Happy Saturday. Do something to celebrate the history of your community, whether you are in Greensboro or beyond!

*reference and more information, here.

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!