Greensboro Daily Photo

Full Moon 0n Westover Terrace

Evenings have been so lovely in Greensboro this week. The above photo was taken when we were in "West End" getting food at Wylie's Gourmet- from their parking lot. As we sat in the car, looking east, we noticed just how lovely the lighting at twilight was. While the moon was full, it doesn't show up very will in the photo. Regardless, it helps illuminate the sky. The cement curb, framing the parking lot, adds contrast and yet another line in the photograph.

Spring has definitely sprung in Greensboro. As you can in the trees on the left, deciduous trees have begun to regain their leaves. While telephone poles detect from photos, sometimes, if you build them into the photo, they can actually enhance a view. They sure did help draw in the eye and focal point in the above photo.

Happy Thursday!

Full Moon 324 S Elm St

Last night was especially beautiful in downtown Greensboro. As the temperature was dropping from the mid 50s to the mid 30s, the full moon was rising. Above, is a photo of the moon over 324 South Elm Street. The photo was taken from South Greene Street looking, east, towards Elm and that highest ray of light in the sky was the moon. This was the first full moon of 2023, the Wolf Moon. The moon was position almost the farthest point from the earth, the opposite of a supermoon. The lens flare, creating the rays of light on the photo happened, by chance, creating a starry mood in the photo. 

If you celebrated Epiphany or Three Kings Day, or "El Día de los Reyes Magos", last night was a beautiful evening to celebrate those holidays. Happy Saturday! Let's see what today brings. See you at the farmers markets.

Bicycling in Greensboro

With New Year's resolutions, the local gyms have been busy and with the nice weather, people have been out running, walking, and bicycling. Last night, we were enjoying some urban walking downtown and saw many people out on their bicycles. Just after sunset, the weather was warm and damp, but not raining; perfect for being outside. This was one group we noticed coming through Hamburger Square. There were others on bicycles downtown.  If you notice, there was someone in front of Natty Greene's.

As Greensboro gets more bike lanes and greenway miles, the city is becoming more bike friendly; bicycling, as a sport and as  a mode of transportation, appears to be increasing. If you want to learn more about riding, local bike shops are a great place to start. Find a bike shop with the kind of cycling you like to do and start asking questions, keep your gear working well, and find opportunities for group rides. Greensboro has over 90 miles of trails and greenway.  Here is trail and greenway information in Greensboro.  Here is a list of traffic laws applicable to NC bicyclists. 

Happy Wednesday! 

 

 

Let's Close Out the Year by Donating Food.

As we close out 2022, we leave you at one of the carts for donating food for NC food banks. This one is located at the corner of Ridgeway and Madison Avenues, Ground 0 for the light ball display in Sunset Hills. There is still time to enjoy the light display in the neighborhood. And, when these specific donation locations are gone, there are still plenty of locations to donate food around Greensboro. 

The Running of the Balls 5K for 2021 yielded $74,000, 19,000 pounds of food were donated, and 4 million meals were provided to food banks as a result of the Sunset Hills food drive. We don't know if the numbers are in for this year, but this may have been the largest crowd yet at the 5K event. Hopefully, it will be the best year ever for raising money and collecting non-perishable foods for local food banks. If you want to be part of this event in 2023, the date is already set, for 12/16/23. You can get more information about the race HERE. In the meantime, let's all go to a local farmers market today to help our vendors and close out the year by doing something to help the food insecure.

We hope you've had a great 2022 and that we have held your interest on Greensboro Daily Photo. Stop back tomorrow, January 1st 2023, when we will bring you a retrospective of this past year. On January 2nd, we will bring you our anniversary edition as we head into Year 15 of this project. 

Be safe and responsible tonight. See you in 2023!

The Day the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile Came to Greensboro

The Oscar Mayer Weinermobile was first launched in 1936. We don't know how many times it has been to Greensboro, but it was here during the Festival of Lights on Friday, December 2nd. In 1988, a fleet of 6 began making their way across the United States. They are 23-feet of advertisement and fun. People love getting their photo taken with them. If you want to know when it will be back in Greensboro, you can track it HERE. Greensboro isn't currently up on the map; however, you can even invite them to an event. We're guessing someone involved in organizing the Festival of Lights invited them.

In the above photo, this giant, plastic, bundle of joy was parked in the 500 block of South Elm Street, right across from the Community Theatre of Greensboro. They are often looking for enthusiastic people with great driving records to join the driving team. It would be so fun to have someone from Greensboro driving the Weinermobile! 

Happy Wednesday! After today, there are three more days until we close out 2022. Looking forward to seeing what the new year will bring our way. It is time to sit down and prepare a "Best of 2022" post for you. Also, we need to plan out a month-by-month activity spreadsheet to try to find 365 people, places, and events to share on Greensboro Daily Photo. Year 14 is going to be a good one!

LeBauer Park on a Rainy Night

This is what LeBauer Park looks like on a cold, but above freezing, rainy night. There is a certain charm about its calm emptiness. The time was about 10:00 pm as we were leaving the Tanger Center. The one-night-only showing of the Hip Hop Nutcracker was last night. The troupe performed to a sold out crowd. Their 10th anniversary performance was spectacular. It is nice to park in the Church Street Parking Deck, because to get from the Tanger Center to the parking deck, you get to walk past the park.

LeBauer Park opened on August 8, 2016. In its 6 years, this 4-acre 10 million dollar park  has grown to be one of the major city-owned, gathering places for fun downtown. This is the location of the ice skating rink this winter. There is also a playground, fountains, and a dog park. The Janet Echleman polyethylene sculpture, suspended 130 feet above the park's great lawn, is a nod to Greensboro's textile history. It is always nice when a piece of art is made with the history of a city in mind. If someone is looking for a fun and meaningful project, consider taking a photo a day of LeBauer Park. It is beautiful in all weather conditions, and when empty as well as when full of people.

Happy Thursday!

JOY... at Mt. Pisgah UMC

This night photo was taken at Mt. Pisgah UMC, at the corner of Pisgah Church Road and Battleground Avenue, on the northeast corner of the intersection. Now that we are in the advent season, it is fun to drive around and see how churches are celebrating. The "JOY" sign is highly visible in its prominent position and with the lighting at the church. Not the lighting, but also the services reflect the advent season. Sunday services at Mt. Pisgah are at 8:45 am for outdoor worship, 10:45 for contemporary worship; and 11:00 am for traditional worship. The original congregation and building date back to 1845. The building photographed above was constructed in 1968. At the time this building was constructed 54 years ago, this area north of Greensboro seemed really far from town. While the distance remains the same (4 miles), with so much retail constructed between Mt. Pisgah and downtown, it now feels like an extension of the city. 

From this view, it is hard to believe that Country Park, Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, Forest Lawn Cemetery, and Love Recreation Center are right in the backyard of Mt. Pisgah. If you get a chance, walk the greenway and you will get a different perspective on this part of town. 

We hope your Sunday is filled with JOY!

Design Archives, Located at 342 S Elm St.

Design Archives Vintage and Handmade Emporium is a shop full of smaller shops. Design Archives, owned by Kit Rodenbough,  has been in downtown Greensboro since 2001. When we were downtown on Friday for the Festival of Lights, we noticed that the sign above the shop windows still has the advertisement for the previously store, Ellenberg and Shaffer Glass Art Studio. Ellenberg and Shaffer made leaded and stained glass windows. However, they have long moved on and are now located in Norfolk, Virginia. Also evident from the tile entranceway is the reminder that the building formerly housed Coble Hardware. Before that,  the building was Greensboro Hardware. It dates to the early 20th century. Downtown Greensboro is so ripe for having someone research the history and provenance of these wonderful, historic  buildings. So much of Greensboro's history can be unearthed by researching these buildings, businesses, and occupants. Perhaps we should interview Kit and see what she knows about this building that is on the National Register of Greensboro Historic District.* Please try to get by Design Archives and not only admire the historic building, but have a look at the wide variety of items available to purchase. From the kitschy to classy to handmade to items related to Greensboro, Design Archives has something for everybody. You will be supporting small businesses and shopping local, all under one roof!

In the meantime, we did want to mention that between Design Archives and Little Brother Brewing, Kit has announced that she is opening a doll shop. If you walk by the space, you will see floor to (almost) ceiling dolls, many of which are handmade. It will be fun to watch how Kit works her magic with this space. We'll go back and get a photo!

Happy Wednesday!

*Read more about on the National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination Form.

 

Sunset Hills and the Stunning Display of Christmas Lights

Once again, the Sunset Hills neighborhood is aglow under the chicken-wire-covered balls of Christmas lights. The lights are literally shot and hoisted tens of feet into the air. They are very hard to photograph and the warmth of the colorful glow, felt as you walk through the streets, cannot be replicated in a photo. However, the above photo gives you an idea of how they look. Also, you can see an example of the many people who walk the neighborhood on any given night to experience the decorating. The neighborhood gained national attention and was featured on The Today Show because of their creativity in initiating this display. The whole venture started in the home of Jonathan and Anne Smith, whose daughter shared them an outdoor ornament she loved: a chicken wire ball, about the size of a volleyball, laced with Christmas lights. At the time, she was studying at the College of Art and Design at North Carolina State University and knew good design when she saw it. Her dad replicated the design, filling the trees in their yard with the decorations. The idea spread like Christmas cheer in the neighborhood and now, Ridgeway, Greenway, Madison Avenue have participation by at least 3/4 of the houses. Other streets participate as well.

On Saturday, December 10th will be the 11th annual 5K race through the neighborhood, billed as "The Greatest 5k(ish) in the History of the World." Be sure to bring food to donate to Second Harvest Food Bank. About 2,000 people walk or run and the donated food and money really helps feed people in need in Greensboro. We are a giving community and this Sunset Hills tradition is one fine example how a small idea can blossom into a community event with a service component. Even more lights have been added around the park this year. You won't want to miss it. If you do go out, remember to dress in festive garb and add some lights. Go with a group and you become part of the decorations!

Happy Tuesday!

Christmas Time in the City

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Downton Greensboro. Last night was the Festival of Lights and there were activities from LeBauer Park to Gate City Boulevard. The above photo was the artificial snow being generated at Hamburger Square. Some children were experiencing "snow" for the first time. This year, a laser light show was added just southeast of the railroad tracks at Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. The Festival of Lights is a special event for Greensboro, because it appeals to people of all ages, perfect for families. 

As we were walking from Spring Street where we parked- quite a long way from Elm, a young girl and her mom asked us for directions. Next thing you know, as we were crossing the street, the girl, about in first grade with a "be kind" backpack, asked if she and her mom could walk with us. Her mom was on the phone trying to figure out where her other relatives were. The girl, Nia, explained that they were trying to find the Disney princesses. She looked up and said, "Elsa's going to be there, but I'm not sure if her sister will be there or not." At that very moment, we were reminded of those magical years of childhood, where children still believe; in humanity, the kindness of strangers, and that  princess are real. That interaction with Nia may just go down as one of our great memories of the 2022 Christmas season. 

Today, St. Andrews Church (2501 W. Market Street)  is holding their Deck the Halls Market from 10am- 3pm. The Holiday Parade downtown starts at noon. The fiberglass at Santa is waving 24/7 now. The nativity scene is back on the lawn of Greensboro College. Tomorrow, the Greensboro Curb Market will have another Made 4 the Holidays craft show. Literally, you could do something seasonal  every hour of the day between now and Christmas.

Happy Saturday!

Festival of Lights

Tonight is the night for the Festival of Lights in downtown Greensboro, from LeBauer and Center City Parks, along Elm Street, all the way to Gate City Boulevard. There will be something for everybody. From 5:30- 9:30, there will be non-stop fun. The tree lighting in Center City Park will happen precisely at 6:56 pm. Here is a full lineup. Piedmont Winterfest is also downtown at LeBauer Park. If you like to ice skate, Winterfest is a great option. There are even strolling entertainers and a laser. light show. The above photo shows the marshmallow roasting at Hamburger Square downtown. This event has been extremely popular since its inception.

Of course as a grand finale to the Festival of Lights would be to drive through Sunset Hills, where they have their own "Festival of Lights"! Our on your nicest red and green outfit and head downtown. Happy Friday!

Pickleball 101

Have you had a chance to play pickle ball yet? It is a sport that is sweeping the nation. It has been rising in popularity since it was first invented in the mid 1960s in Washington State. For the last two years, it was named the fastest growing sport in the United States.*  Pickleball has become quite popular in Greensboro, too. It is really popular in the Bryan and Spears YMCA; the Greensboro Sportsplex; Bur-Mil Park; Smith Senior Center; and, Proelific Park to name a few places. The above photo features pickleball in full swing at Hamilton Lakes this past weekend. The courts there are nice and players extremely friendly. They are happy to teach new players the rules, the moves, and to get them into games as soon as possible. As a matter of fact, this past Saturday, they offered a clinic for beginners, thirty minutes before matches started up. At the Hamilton Lakes open-club event this past weekend, pickleball was combined with an old-time, string band jam, and a potluck. Pickleball, music, socializing, and food. Could there be a more winning combination? Other than a little fall wind, the weather was perfect!

Happy Tuesday! Please remember to vote.

*read more here.

October Full Moon

Today's  full moon in October is named for the pre-winter hunting season. It is often known as the Hunter's Full Moon. Travel, Dying Grass, and Sanguine Moon are other names. The term Hunter's Moon is so named because it coincides with hunting season for some wild game. Even the animals being hunted seem to know it is about to get cold. The above photo was taken in Northwest Greensboro. On this day of rest, Sabbath for Christians, what can be more spiritual than a full moon on a clear night, so bright, no flashlight is needed. Last night was clear, so the the moon reflected sunlight to the extent that a shadow was cast.

Last night, even the owls were howling, the air was crisp, and the sky was so clear, the stars were visible. Night skies like what we saw in Greensboro last night are so special. If you get a chance, peek out tonight and let us know what you see.

Happy Sunday!

West Market Street UMC

Please allow us to post one more photo of the North Carolina Folk Festival from last weekend. The above photo features the West Market Street UMC, located at the corner of West Market Street and John Wesley Way. This church is over 175 years old and has about 2,000 members. When many congregants of various church are opting for suburban mega-sites, West Market Street is holding steady as a dynamic, well-attended church downtown. The Old Courthouse Stage is placed in front of the church and the Lawn Stage is just down the street. We're wondering if the church has considered doing something like a Sunday sing on the stage outside their front door. They do sell parking spaces for the day at the festival, as a fundraiser. However, it seems like they would be ripe to be involved in other ways. The building is just so beautiful and the congregation is so inviting. Maybe we'll try to attend next year during the festival. It looks so beautiful at night. This would be a perfect opportunity to turn on some of the lights to let those stained glass windows glow with all of their glory. 

If you are interested in West Market UMC, HERE is a link to their website. They offer something for everybody from young to old and for those who like traditional services to those who like something more contemporary. Have a great Sunday and please stop back by tomorrow... and every day!

Folk Festival 2022

The North Carolina State Folk Festival is upon us. How wonderful that Greensboro has earned the honor of having the festival here. Let's all head downtown and support these musicians. So many different genres of music and ethnicities of people will be represented. There is something for everybody. Tonight is the 7th annual pre-festival concert,  Songs of Hope and Justice, in the Van Dyke Performances Space at 200 North Davie Street. HERE is a link to learn more about the concert and to purchase tickets. You can also access the festival lineup, performance schedule, and festival map from that same link.

Much consideration has gone into ensure the pedestrian footprint is safe and walkable. The northernmost street is Bellemeade, extending south to Market and Washington Streets. Church and Eugene Streets are the east/west boundaries. You might want to bring a water bottle and a lightweight folding chair. The North Carolina makers marketplace will be at the crossroads of Elm Street and Friendly Avenue. The above photo was taken last year at the Old Courthouse Stage on Market Street and it will be in about the same position this year.

We sure hope to see you downtown. Donate and make purchases if you are able. And remember, clapping and other signs of appreciation bring performers and volunteers so much joy. 

Happy Thursday! Happy weekend of music!

 

Guilford College In Summer: Brimming with Music!

Guilford College was founded in 1837 by the Quakers. Guilford College is a four-year, co-educational liberal arts college, and we are very lucky to have in Greensboro. Summers, the campus looks very different from the academic year. If there would be one word to define summers on campus, it would be music. Especially in July, Guilford College is brimming with music. Last night, another fabulous Eastern Music Festival (EMF) concert was performed in Dana Auditorium. Before the concert, Maestro Peter Perret provided insights into what to look for and anticipate during the evening concert featuring five student-conductors in training. The concert had nice attendance and the audience and student-performers alike seemed pleased with the concert. We sure enjoyed it! The above photo features musicians heading back to their dorms after performing; they were walking and enjoying each others' company. Circling them was a young doe who perhaps was startled as the performers walked through the courtyard.

Sunday, Guilford College will host Music for a Sunday Evening in the Park (MUSEP). And, about where you see students walking, from 6:00 pm- 7:30pm, the MUSEP concert will take place. However, if you come early, you can enjoy a picnic on the lawn with friends or new friends that are easily made at a MUSEP concert. There will be a couple of food trucks, if you don't have a chance to pack something. The band will be "The Beauty Operators." The concert is free, but donations are greatly appreciated. Here is the line up for the rest of the MUSEP summer in case you haven't seen it yet. As for EMF, here is their schedule. Thank you Guilford College for inviting the community in for all of these music events, and, thank you for hosting them. Being known for great music events is a good thing! Hopefully, the EMF students will be able to enjoy the MUSEP concert.

Happy Saturday!

Night Kayaking at Lake Brandt

Last night, from 8:00- 10:00 pm, Lake Brandt held extended hours for night kayaking. You had the option to bring your own kayak, rent a solo, or rent a double kayak. The Greensboro Parks and Recreation staff are very good about helping participants get their equipment in and out of the water, whether you bring your own or rent. During the night events in the summer, you ride out as the sun is setting and ride back at dark. While the above photo is blurry, you get the idea of how it looked and felt out on the water last night. The water was calm and so peaceful. Most people participated with a friend or two. Some kayakers met new friends while out on the water. Everyone was very friendly. While the Parks and Rec. staff are also on the water for your safety, the expectation is that you can function independently on the water; there is no "guided tour". However, if you just pay attention to where you are headed and the location of the dock, the adventure is pretty straightforward. 

There cannot possibly be a better way to end a summer evening than to be on the water watching the birds and fish settle in for the night. Here is the link to the website with the information about our three lakes, Higgins, Brandt, Townsend. You can find information about rentals and the schedules for when the lakes are open. As we were leaving, the staff member who helped us carry our kayak to the car encouraged us to some out to lake Higgins next Wednesday for night kayaking. If you like to avoid the sun's strong rays, night kayaking is for you.

Happy Friday!

Post Tanger & Walking Around Downtown

The above photo features an unidentified couple leaving the Tanger Center on the evening that Rita Moreno spoke as part of the Guilford College Bryan series. They are walking on the southeast corner of the Tanger complex headed toward LeBauer Park. You can see the blue and pink Echelman sculpture hovering above the park. And, on that particular evening, there were still lots of people out in the park. This part of north Greensboro, around Tanger and the center city parks,  has been transformed. We predict there will be even more changes; perhaps food trucks and more late evening food options, especially for after events at Tanger. 

As for tonight, it has been said Thursday is the new Friday. If you want to get a jumpstart on the weekend, head downtown tonight for a meal or a beverage with a special person in your life. Another option will be to go hear Kendra Adachi speak about her book "The Lazy Genius Kitchen" at Scuppernong Books from 6:00- 8:00 p.m. It is kind of special having a New York Times bestselling author right here in Greensboro. If you want to get ready for the event, listen to Adachi's Lazy Genius podcast or website. Her book is available at Scuppernong and Just Be, where you can also get earrings made by Kendra's mom! Maybe we'll wear a pair tonight and see if she notices. Maybe she'll wear a pair and we will notice. 

Happy Thursday! Happy almost holiday weekend!

Revolution Mill on a Clear, Spring Night

Revolution Mill, the historic cotton mill complex on Yanceyville Road, is so beautiful at night. The above photo was taken at the entrance beside Cugino Forno Pizzeria, a pizzeria that was recently rated one of the top 100 in the world. It is the closest pizza to pizza in Italy that we have tasted in the United States. Eating pizza in the mill hall is do much fun. The long picnic tables are conducive to sharing with customers you don't know initially, but have the chance to leave as friends.

The two smoke stacks in the background tower high above the mill and the lighting at night is dramatic. In the foreground it the water tower that was formerly painted red. Now white, it stands out so much more. The textile mill, built at the beginning of the 20th century, is a multi-use complex today with everything from apartments to office space to restaurants to event space to more. Every time we go there, we see something new. The whole building takes on a different character by day and by night; both equally dramatic!

Happy Wednesday, a good day to go explore Revolution Mill.

North End of Downtown

This photo was taken on Friday night at 6:48 just off of Elm Street behind Perry's Exxon Station. Also, on the right is the Greensboro Music Company, established 1993. The Greensboro Music Company, buys, sells, and repairs instruments. It is also possible to take lessons there. We like the face that this part of town has so many one story buildings.  Something about this twilight sky, the blue above and the brown, cream, and white at the bottom of the frame just captivates us. We used to not like cars in photos, but for street scenes, they help identify the decade a photo was taken.

This is the Greene and Smith Streets area of town. The image is so serene and the streets look desolate, only because this is not a very busy part of town at night. We wish this end of town had a name. Northend? Northside? NOFA (North of Friendly)? NOTA (North of Tanger).

Have a Happy Thursday! Have you made plans for this weekend?

Star Magnolia; Spring in Greensboro is Spectacular

Happy Monday! We were downtown for First Friday this past Friday and had to stop and admire this tree in front of the Cultural Arts Center (CAC) on Davie Street. We think it is a star magnolia and it looked absolutely beautiful at dusk. The CAC was pretty quiet during First Friday. Green Hill has an exhibit with water as a theme, appropriately entitled H2O, but, it didn't open until Saturday.  The Center for Visual Artists (CVA) was open and we got to see some interesting art there in an exhibit called "The Eve Gene" with all of the art in some way tied to felinity and womanhood, in honor of Women's History Month (see Yes Weekly article). Even on a quiet night, the CAC is a great place to stop and refuel at Café Europa and to see a little art before heading to the events at the city parks and then heading downtown.

The above tree should still be in bloom. If you get a chance head to the north end of town and explore all of the great resources there, from the CVA to the Greensboro Central Library to the parks, the History Museum, the Children's Museum and more. More places tend to be open on Tuesday than Monday; however, the above beautiful scene is there waiting for you. Also, this week is a good one to explore Greensboro as most of the institutions of higher education are on spring break and traffic is lighter.

 

Happy Monday!

Night Sky over Greensboro in March

Happy March! Today's photo of the twilight sky is from one more walk around the golf course at Carlson Dairy. It was taken at about 7:00 p.m., evidence that the days are getting a little longer. On March 13th, the clock moves forward an hour, plus the days keep getting longer. March will show spring breaks at the local colleges and universities. Also, the spring equinox is on March 20th. Here is the planting calendar for Greensboro; yes, it is time to start seedlings and time to get the cold weather crops in the ground. 

We love the way the lights at the parking lot at the Greensboro Country Club cast a golden glow on the trees. This time next month, there will be leaves on these trees. For now, the bare branches add to the drama of the scene. We're not sure what all the white dots in the sky are, but at least a few are stars. Last night was a very clear night.

Here's to a great week and a great month for everyone. If you live along Horse Pen Creek Road, here's to making great progress on road construction. 

First Moravian Church

Today's photo is of the First Moravian Church of Greensboro, located at 304 South Elam Avenue. The photo was taken at the intersection of Elam and Sylvan Road. It looks so serene against the backdrop of the sky at dusk. Efforts to start a Moravian church in Greensboro date back to the early 20th century with meetings on East Lee Street (now Gate City Boulevard). However, the above land on Elam was purchased in 1937 and a temporary "hut" was built and used until 1949, when the above building was built and dedicated on April 3rd.*  Read the words below, copied from their website, about what all the church offers to the community. This is quite an impressive list for a relatively small congregation.

    "Although First Moravian Church is relatively small in size, our congregation is home to two adult choirs, children's ensembles, handbells, a brass band, a contemporary praise and worship band, and other musical groups. Our local outreach ministries include preparing and serving meals for the Greensboro Urban Ministry Night Shelter, delivering Mobile Meals, food collection for One Step Further Food Bank, supporting families at Pathways Center (transitional housing), sponsoring relocated refugees through NC African Services Coalition, and partnering with Mustard Seed Community Health Clinic. We provide meeting space for Narcotics Anonymous and Oxford House, and send work teams and monetary support to provide relief during national disasters. Additionally, we participate in the greater outreach and mission activities of the Moravian Church, Southern Province."**

For a long time after taking this photo on Friday, we sat in the car just admiring this view. It could have only been more perfect had one of their choirs been singing "Silent Night." As we approach the longest night of the year this Tuesday, it is helpful to embrace the darkest and find the beauty therein.

 

* More information, here.  ** quote taken from this page.

Chevron Shadow on House on Tory Hill Drive at Twilight

The above photo is of a house on Tory Hill Drive in northwest Greensboro. The red brick house was built in 1985 and painted  white sometime thereafter. It is built on about 3/4 acres with a lot of wooded land behind it. This house looks so absolutely beautiful at dusk, when the sun has set, but it is still light enough to discern details. This colonial style is so popular around Greensboro.This house has five windows on the second floor and four and a door on the bottom, with an added wing on each side. That orange door looks especially beautiful with the floodlights pointing in its direction. That inverted chevron shadow above the door is the icing on the cake. Sometimes homes that go unnoticed by day absolutely come to life at night.

Is there a house in your neighborhood that is even more spectacular at night? As you can see from above, a ittle lighting and a touch of color really help. Happy Saturday! May it be filled with adventure and with noticing special things in Greensboro.

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!

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. 

Governmental Plaza

Today's photo is of Governmental Plaza, the Green Street side. The above complex was begun in the late 1960s and completed in 1972. The architect was Eduardo Catalano of Cambridge, Massachusetts. At one time, Catalano served as head of the Department of Architecture at NC State University (see more information here). The style is known as brutalist modern architecture. Hallmarks of this style are blocky, geometric shapes and extensive use of poured concrete. This complex is very different from most of the architecture in downtown Greensboro. 

Night can be such a magical time. Darkness has a way of bringing into focus that which is right in front of us, or whatever has the most light. The Governmental Plaza looks especially striking at night. The white concrete seems to glow. By day, the plaza has a very different characteristic, also beautiful. The plaza grounds have a nice balance of indoor space and open space outside. Citizens have been known to peacefully assemble here. Some people may not be keen on brutalist architecture, but it is very characteristic of the era in which it was built, Besides, somehow it exudes "seriousness";  not unreasonable for a complex where many serious actions are taken, meetings are held, and decisions are made. Happy Thursday. See you on the plaza?

Bringing Closure to the Folk Festival 2021

And so another North Carolina Folk Festival is in the books. It was such a lovely weekend to have a festival. The footprint for the festival was smaller this year than it had been in previous years; however, there were many great options on the different stages and it was very easy to walk from one stage to the next. If you are willing to walk, the parking lot set up on the southwest corner of Gate City Boulevard and South Elm Street, is a great option. It is free and it is far enough away from downtown events that you don't get stuck in traffic. The above photo shows the crowd at the Old Courthouse Stage on West Market Street. The prominent, iconic Lincoln Financial building, with the time, temperature, and multicolored lights served as a beacon, guiding us to two of the stages. There was another stage at Greene and Commerce, and then another at LeBauer Park. On Saturday, the 9/11 ceremony took place on a stage at the corner of MLK Drive and South Elm Street. There were also performances on that stage. 

Greensboro is so lucky to host the North Carolina Folk Festival and we cannot take that responsibility lightly. We all need to do our best to promote it and get the word out to all corners of North Carolina, and beyond. Noticeably absent this year was the parking lot behind the News & Record Building. It is a little sad to know that the paper is no longer published in Greensboro and the presses are silent. Regardless, for three days and two nights, all of the Folk Festival staff, city employees, volunteers, musicians, Greensboro merchants, venders, and attendees brought to life, a very special event. Indeed, it was magical. A heartfelt thank you to all involved. And if you missed it, mark your calendar for next year.  It looks like the dates will be September 16-18, 2022. If that is incorrect, please let us know.

Echelman Fiber Sculpture

The above fiber sculpture, "Where We Met" is the work of artist Janet Echelman. It is installed over LeBauer Park and feels a little like a roof, giving a sense of being enclosed, yet in an open space at the same time. The diaphanous netting takes on a delicate translucent glow, suspended not-so-high above the park. It looks especially dramatic at night. The above netting, the original installment is slated to change Spring 2022. The new net will have some of the same colors, but Echelman will incorporate more of the blues that are associated with denim- Greensboro's iconic fabric.

When the above Echelman piece was installed in 2016, it had more yellows in it. The netting has faded over time, which is part of the reason that it is on a five-year-plan to be replaced. If you get a chance, head down to LeBauer this evening. And if not this evening for the free movie in the park, be sure to stop by during the (also free)  2021 North Carolina Folk Festival, which will be September 10th-12th throughout downtown Greensboro. Also, Greensboro Downtown Parks Inc.  will take the Echelman piece down for the winter; although the fibers are strong, the whole structure benefits from being indoors during inclement weather. 

We'd like to extend a special thanks to Amanda Mill, Director of Programs and Marketing for the Greensboro Downtown Parks Inc.  for telling us about the upcoming changes in the Echelman installation. Also, our apologies to Amanda for not getting her name right in yesterday's post. Thankfully, a loyal reader caught the mistake and we were able to correct it before the end of the day. This mom and pop blog appreciates our editors-at-large, all volunteers!

Amanda Miller

Last Friday night, at the free movie night in LeBauer Park, we met up with Amanda Miller, Director of Programs & Marketing for Greensboro Downtown Parks. Amanda was making sure everything was running smoothly in the park and monitoring the lightning situation the next county over. In addition to LeBauer Park, Center City Park is also under her perview. Allison is originally from Richmond, Virginia, but fell in love with the Piedmont while attending undergraduate school at Salem College. Her M.Ed is from Leslie University in Boston. She majored in Community arts with emphasis on Multicultural Education. That sounds like the perfect preparation for working with city parks in a community as diverse as Greensboro.

Greensboro Downtown Parks Inc. (GDPI), is a non-profit that focuses on managing our two downtown parks, including rentals and programming. See here for a list of features and amenities, and hours of operation. See here for the extensive calendar of events. Something is happening every day in our downtown parks andAllison said this past summer was the busiest ever. People have really responded for opportunities to have fun and be entertained outside. Perhaps because it was threatening to rain, last Friday's movie night was the sparsest attendance of the summer, but there was still a healthy crowd. This Friday's UNCG Spartan Cinema at LeBauer will be "Wonder Woman". Seating starts at 5:00 pm and the movie starts at dusk. If you go to the movie, and see Amanda there, know that she, too, is a wonder woman, working tirelessly day and night ensuring the downtown parks are the best they can be for our community!

Happy Thursday (which, they say, is the new Friday)! See you downtown!

(Sorry Amanda, I've updated the post and corrected your name. Sorry- I need an editor!!!).

MLK + Elm

Yesterday, we featured Tate + Gate; today, we feature MLK + Elm. This photo was taken during First Friday this past weekend. It is so fun to walk downtown and it is so easy to find inspiration for things to photograph. This photo was take at twilight, while there was still a little blue left in the sky. The ambient lighting and the red car on the right made the September 11th sculpture stand out. Local sculptor Jim Gallucci collected 16 tons of Steele from the Twin Towers rubble to use in sculpting, some of which is seen in the above sculpture. He got the last permit issued to visit the scrapyards. His credentials as a sculptor working in metal surely helped gain entrance. The above sculpture was installed on South Elm Street at Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard in 2017 after traveling to several places around the United States.

If you get a chance, head downtown and have a look at it. If you teach school, you may want to take some photos to share with students. The base is shaped like the Pentagon and the gate you see in the middle is held together by two steel beams from the World Trade Center. Jim put so much thought into the sculpture as well as much symbolism, Here is a good reference from the News and Record to learn more. Today's photo is a little effort to make art to showcase Jim Gallucci's art. Greensboro is so lucky to have Jim, a sculptor who is not only talented but also  connected to history and current events. His sculptures have so much meaning.

Have a great Tuesday!

Twilight on West Gate City

Just about everything is beautiful in the right light, especially twilight. Desolate street scenes can evoke a feeling of melancholy and nostalgia for busier times. From another perspective, there is a comfortable feeling that everyone is home after a long day of work. The above photo of West Gate City Boulevard was taken last night just before 6:30  with a cell phone while heading west after sunset. All was quiet on this part of West Gate City.  To the left, you see the new Kaplan Center for Wellness, a facility that belongs to UNCG. Since 2916, this building has been a beacon of fitness and wellness loved by all who use it. The photo has a time-worn look, and were it not for the glass-walled recreation center, it would look like it had been taken a few decades ago. Two thousand fifteen was the year Lee Street was renamed Gate City Boulevard and when the effort to rebrand and rejuvenate this part of town began. UNCG has been a big part of the transformation of the 1300 block of Gate City Boulevard.

 Gate City Boulevard runs for 6 1/2 miles from Four Seasons Town Center all the way out to Interstate 85 in the east. Here is a Business NC article posted in 2019 outlining many of the changes and initiatives. There have been so many changes over the past decade. We need to get busy photographing more of them. In addition to the contributions of the IHEs, the Coliseum area has had many improvements and the Natatorium is a beauty. Also, great progress is being made on the Blue Bell Jeans Factory at the corner of South Elm Street and Gate City Boulevard. When educational institutions, city government, and the private sector work together, great things can happen. Keep your eye on this part of town as it will continue to grow. We will try to bring the new additions to you through Greensboro Daily Photo. Happy Saturday! You know we're  out on the beat!

Reflecting on Friendly Center at Twilight

The above photo was taken in the newer section of Friendly Center, last night at twilight. A lot of stores close at 6:00 pm on Sunday, so at the time this photo was taken, the shopping center was fairly empty. This is the view behind Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, which happens to stay open until 9pm on Sundays. The original part of Friendly Center opened in 1957 and this new section above in 2006. Can you believe it has already been 15 years? It seems like just yesterday when a loud "boom" was heard throughout Greensboro, from the razing of the Burlington Industries building on this lot.  If you read about Friendly Center on Wikipedia, it mentions the "inward" orientation of the center, which is  naturally conducive to helping shoppers feel more together. Both the new and old parts have a seating/gathering area, which is part of the reason it considered an "outdoor lifestyle center".* So, when we see teens hanging out on the grassy area above, we all need to remind ourselves they have a right to hand out at an outdoor lifestyle center!

The most recent addition to the newer part of Friendly Center is Hawthorne at Friendly, where you can choose one of sixteen floor plans in this upscale living community. If you lived there and worked from home, you really could do just about everything without needing personal transportation. Twilight is such a magical time, especially with nice lighting as seen above. Just think, if you lived at Hawthorne, you could head over now and see if Greensboro's Ben and Jerry's store sells the flavor called "Netflix & Chilll'd (peanut butter ice cream, sweet and salty pretzel swirls & fudge brownies). Whether you live at Friendly or anywhere else in the community, it is nice to know we have access to these pop culture tie-in creations right here in Greensboro. Happy Monday!

*see Wikipedia (visited 1/24/2021) Friendly Center

Beautiful Star

Tonight is the night that Jupiter and Saturn should align in a way to create a "beautiful star". Together, they will reflect light in a way that has not been seen for centuries. It might be partly sunny in Greensboro. However, maybe we will get lucky and be able to view this phenomenon just after sunset and in the southwest sky. In the above cell photo from last week, you can see the moon to the left and the tiny speck between the trees is Jupiter up front and Saturn, faintly visible behind it. If you look to the horizon, you can see that that the horizon still had a little glow from the recently setting sun.

Tonight, the moon will be a first quarter moon. If you know of a "best viewing spot", please let us know. There will also be 5-10 shooting stars per hour, if visibility is on our side.

Night will come in Greensboro a little after 5pm. See you outside!

JOY at Mount Pisgah UMC

Approaching the winter solstice it seems appropriate to share a night scene for our Sunday church shot today. This is Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church. We have featured it a lot, but is is so visible and centrally located at the corner of Pisgah Church Road and Battleground Avenue. This view is from the CVS pharmacy across the street. The JOY sign, lighting, and the electric marquee command attention. The ray of green light shining down must be from the street light.

Today is the last Sunday before Christmas. However, many churches, including Mt. Pisgah. On December 21st on Facebook Live, they will have a Longest Night Service. At 4:30 and 7:00 pm on Christmas Eve, they will have services. The early one will be outside and on Facebook Live and the later one outdoors. This year there are so many options to enjoy church services remotely for Christmas, from Greensboro to Vatican City and beyond.

Christmas in Sunset Hills

Photographing the light-ball decorations in Sunset Hills is very hard to do. The above photo doesn't begin to capture the magic. However, it does provide a little of the feeling of the neighborhood. The tradition of hurling the lighted balls as high as possible into the mature trees began in 1996, outside the house of Jonathan and Annie Smith on Madison Avenue. What started as a few decorations in one yard grew to over 10,000 decorations, strewn throughout the whole neighborhood. As a matter of fact, the tradition is so important, if someone can't get their decorations in place, neighbors will come to the rescue and help.

As the tradition took hold, one neighbor suggested collecting food for a local food bank; another neighbor suggested a race to benefit the food bank. While the race is off this year, due to COVID, residents of Sunset Hills have continued to decorate because people can experience the joy of the lights without having to get out of their vehicles. Here is a News & Record article from a few years ago. One one of the longest nights of the year, tonight would be a perfect time to drive along Ridgeway Drive, Madison Avenue, Greenway, and the other streets of Sunset Hills. You will not be disappointed. They make Greensboro proud!

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!

Along Spring Garden Street

Have you been to Spring Garden Street lately? About a mile west of UNCG? This area is simply magical this time of year. The small, locally owned businesses have owners that are dedicated to bringing you wonderful goodness. At the far end of this plaza is Spring Garden Bakery. Its history of baked-from-scratch goodness dates back to 1980; the current owners have had it since 2001 (read a great article for more information, here). Moonbird Soulful Living is next with all things for the home and body that have some spiritual or heartfelt meaning. They have recently started carrying plants which are good for both the heart and soul! Thistle and Broom is the next shop (in the foreground on the left in the photo). They have home decor items that bring a special coziness to your home. Not in the photo, but first in the trio of home decor and  is Adelaide's Vintage Home and Garden. Her shop used to be in the above strip, but moved 1/2 a block west. The entire cozy home is Adelaide's shop- including the yard and porch.

These small businesses really depend on local shoppers to keep their brick and mortar stores viable. With so many "one of a kinds" you just never know what goodness you will find in these shops. With this winter nights, if you get there right as they are closing, you you will see these stores at the most magical time. Lights make the interiors glow. You see end-of-the-day shoppers, bakers getting ready for the next day, shopkeepers tidying things up before closing.

If they ever see us with foldable chairs set up across the street just watching, it will be because we want to see the beauty of people moving among the warm, low-light fixtures on these cold winter nights!. By the way, all of this goodness is just around the corner from the "Santa of Chapman Street House." May we all find some beauty in these dark days of winter. Happy Monday! 

Christmas Tree Lots Beginning To Fill!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at this Christmas tree lot, located in the Harris Teeter plaza at the corner of New Garden Road at Bryan Boulevard. This Christmas tree lot is starting to get its shipments of Frazier firs. Bryan Wagoner's sells at this lot. His family, the Wagoner family, has been associated with selling Christmas trees since the 1940s, when the first lot was established as part of 4-H project. Today, some of the lots are owned by Bruce and Bryan Wagoner. The above lot is Bryan's. When Fred and Dot retired, they sold their business to Bradley Lowe who grew up working for them. He purchased the right to continue to use the Wagoner name.   Here is an interesting article about the Wagoner family and their Christmas tree businesses in Greensboro.

So many people are decorating for Christmas early this year; partly because they are spending more time at home and partly because 2020 has been so difficult, and they are ready for the joy that holiday decorating brings. While most lots are open from 9am to 9pm, something about getting the tree at night and celebrating with a cup of hot chocolate is a bit magical. Soon, the above lot will be full and, then, when you blink, it will be empty again. If you like a live tree, 2020 is the year to shop early. It might be something fun to do on Thanksgiving Day.

Happy Thanksgiving Day Eve whether you are in Greensboro or elsewhere!

Night Shopping... and Reflecting at the Village at North Elm

Last night, North Elm Village at the corner of Pisgah Church Road and North Elm Street was busy and the parking lot was pretty full. Perhaps people were happy to no longer have to hunker down after the winds from Hurricane Zeta passed through. The Village, people were dining and shopping. With Halloween this weekend, a lot of candy was being sold at Harris Teeter. Also, Thursday is senior citizen discount day at HT; that could have had people out shopping. The moon in the eastern sky, as seen above, was close to being full and was shining brightly last night. It looked like another street light in the parking lot.

Many trees fell throughout Greensboro yesterday and, according to WFMY News 2, at 2pm yesterday, there were 39,000 houses without power. If you were one of those homes, we hope your power is back on. We hope you weathered the storm with no damage and are ready to enjoy the weekend, and the full moon on Halloween. The next one won't happen until 2039!