Greensboro Daily Photo

Big Beautiful Night Sky

February has been quite the month for fabulous sky views.  With the cold, clear nights, extended hours of darkness, trees still without leaves, and the planetary alignments, Greensboro has had some spectacular views this month. The above photo was taken a couple of nights ago. The moon wasn't quite full, but it was highly visible. The vapor trails from air planes coming and going from PTI Airport crossed the moon at just the point to make it look like the trails were moon beams. 

According to the sunrise-sunset calendars, Friday, February 14th, Valentines Day, is the last time until November that the sun will set before 6:00 p.m. in Greensboro. Our city is beautiful in every season, and winter is the time to see snow; however, this has been the winter of the big, beautiful, night sky. Find your special, low-light-pollution area to star gaze and have a blast.

Happy Wednesday!

The Corner of Golden Gate & State Street at Twilight

State Street seems to be experiencing a rebirth before our eyes. It is the one street in Greensboro that has the feel of a small, beachside town. It is quaint, full of local businesses, and unique shops. The above photo is of the building that used to house a business very dear to our heart. The Saltbox. an original folk art and handmade lighting store, owned by Nancy Moore, opened in the above building in 1974 and closed 37 years later in 2011. Currently, the building has been rebranded as "The District" with six, cute  businesses inside, selling an array of items for the home, clothing, and accessories. We are struck at how beautiful the building looks at night. The landscaping is looking good, too.

We felt very comfortable walking around this past Friday night when several businesses, including The District, were open. The State Street Wine Company had a nice crowd and featured live music.  Cafe Pasta had some great specials. While the salon and personal service businesses attract people who have appointments to State Street, it is the retails shops that are encouraging them to stroll and linger a little longer. It will be fun to monitor the progression of State Street- on foot.

Happy Wednesday!

Stars and Planets in the Night Sky

This is a fabulous week for viewing planets in the night sky in NC. Saturday night, several planets were visible in the night sky, the air was calm and crisp. Cell phone photography is not the best for night photography; however, we felt the above photo provides an idea of what the sky looked like on Saturday night in the Piedmont region of North Carolina after that cleansing rain we had on Friday. We weren't as interested in seeing planets as we were marveling how well we could see the start. 

Here is a LINK to a website that tracks planets visible in the night sky in Greensboro and the times they will rise and the extent to which they will be visible. This last night,  here was the reading: Mercury, very difficult to see; Venus, great visibility, Mars, perfect visibility; Jupiter, perfect visibility; Saturn, average visibility; Uranus, average visibility; Neptune, very difficult to see. If you want to visit a planetarium,  UNCG, the Greensboro Science Center, Guilford College, GTTC Jamestown, and High Point University all have planetariums and most publish times when they are open to the public. If you keep your eye out, sometimes there are pop up events around town, too. We owe it to those ancient mariners to be able to look up in the sky and to at least identify some of the major constellations. 

Happy Monday and happy stargazing.

Friday Night In Lindley Park

Friday night at the corner of Walker Avenue and Elam, it is so fun to walk around and is really beautiful in early evening. We ate at Fishbones, yummy fish and chips, and blackened salmon with plum glaze and ginger rice. After that, we walked a little and fell in love with this view. Common Grounds was open, but there was no live music last night. Surely, there is some band that would enjoy playing there. We've seen many, wonderful, live shows there. We felt very safe walking around. It was still early and some people were heading to Beltway, likely for one of the most extensive beer walls in town. At the end of the week, it is really nice to see people out. Although this seen looks a little Edward Hopper desolate, there were actually several people out enjoying the evening. We're thinking that bright planet in the upper left-hand corner- the western sky, last night, was Venus. Does anybody know for sure?

Where do you suggest going in Greensboro. We like places that have a local flavor and neighborhood crowd, that aren't chains. Let us know and we will try to stop by for a visit.

Happy Saturday!

Palm St Church at Night

Palm Street Church  is located at 1921 Palm Street, in the State Street area. This is the back view from Bradford Street, which looks so serene at night.  The photo was taken earlier in the week, before Friday's snowfall. If you look closely, you can see stars in the east-facing night sky.  This church looks so beautiful against the dark sky.

The church was founded in 1905 and rebuilt in 1950.  The pastor is Dr. Don Clement. According to LinkedIn,  Pastor Clement is not only the pastor of this small congregation, additionally, he is a financial services representative at Lincoln Financial Advisors. He has been a pastor since at least 1987  and holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Luther Rice College and Seminary. This seminary is located in Georgia, just southeast of Atlanta. Here is a photo of the front side of the church that we took in 2012, in the early years of Greensboro Daily Photo.

We hope you are warm, happy, and safe today. Thank you for continuing to read GDP! Happy Sunday!

Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa Coincide

Today is the fourth day of Hanukkah, the fourth day of Christmas,  and the third day of Kwanzaa. The first day of Christmas is always December 25th. The first day of Kwanzaa is always December 26th. However, Hanukkah does not have a fixed date and this year, the first of the eight days was on December 25th. The last time this happened was in 2005, and the two holidays have only coincided four times since 1900. While all three holidays have a different significance, they all celebrate light. In the northern hemisphere, we are in the darkest days in December and these holidays remind us of the importance of light.

Yesterday was overcast, dark, and dreary. But, if you knew where to look in the Greensboro area, you could find light. Last night was the final evening of the Christmas light display at High Point University and about 800 cars were estimated to have gone through. The Winter Wonder Lights were going strong at the Greensboro Science Center. A Kwanzaa celebration was held at Peeler Recreational Center and continues for all seven days of Kwanzaa. Hanukkah was being celebrated at Temple Emanuel on Jefferson Road. Last night was also the Jewish Sabbath, so the celebration was especially moving. Whatever or however you celebrate, know there is light and it starts from within; however, candles are a warm reminder.

Happy Saturday!

The Worship Place

On Friday, at the Festival of Lights, so many groups were out performing and interacting with the public. The Worship Place sang on the southeast corner of the 500 block of South Elm Street, under Jim Gallucci's 911 sculpture. The Worship Place is a contemporary, Christian church is located at 1808  Merritt Drive. Glenn and Melody Eliseo are the evangelists at the helm at The Worship Place. Glen grew up in California and preached his first service at age 18. They both settled in Greensboro in 1989 and have continued their ministry here since then. Melody is a second generation preacher. Their choice sings with such joy, enthusiasm, and talent, they fill the night with the message of the meaning of Christmas. In addition to Sunday services, they hold midweek services. We think this same group has been on this corner for several years and we anticipate their returning next year.

Happy Sunday-- only two more before Christmas!

Festival of Lights 2024

Last night, the Festival of Lights was held in downtown Greensboro. It was holiday fun from LeBauer Park to the 500 block of South Elm Street.  The above photo was taken at the corner of Market and Elm Streets, where north and south and east and west are divided.To the left, you can see Elm Street peeking out. 

This display was one of the many picture-perfect places for families to snap photos along Elm Street. The photo is a bit deceptive, because it doesn't look like there were any people. In all actuality, the First Friday/Festival of Lights was very well attended. It seems like the days in December start to pass quickly and it will be January before we know it. Tomorrow is the holiday parade. expect temperatures around 40º. Just like last night, getting out and interacting with others will be fun and rewarding. Head on out and see for yourself.

Happy Saturday!

Rain Along Battleground Avenue

Yesterday, Greensboro got some much needed rain. This is what Battleground Avenue at Irving Park looked like at a little after 5:00 pm.  The rain brought cooler weather. Temperatures dropped to 39º and the high was only 47º.  The reflection off the car lights made the scene look very beautiful. The white vehicles are real stands out, contrasting with the dark streets. 

This weekend is predicted to be cool, but dry with sunshine. It should be a good weekend to get outside.  This is weekend three of five in November and thirteen more days before Thanksgiving. And, if you look around, Christmas decorations have replaced Halloween decorations and election signs.

Happy Friday!

Glow Vibe Golf

Sorry about the poor quality photo, but it shows you the idea of Glow Vibe Golf. A game was going strong last night at the Farm Course of the Greensboro Country Club. The weather was perfect and club members were out playing  with their own golf clubs and having a blast. The Greensboro Country Club supplied the course for their members and Glow Vibe set up all the lights and provided the LED light up golf balls. Golfers were out cheering and having a great time. They had special pathways set up, fairly close to the holes.

Glow Vibe Golf was established in 2014 and is primarily based in Columbia, SC. Top Golf makes golfing an option even in inclement weather. Glow Vibe Golf makes golfing possible after dark. Greensboro is a great golf town. We'd imagine this opportunity to golf at night is a hit here, not just at private courses. Those playing last night sure seemed to be having fun.  Laughter filled the air.

Happy Friday!

Revolution Mill on Yanceyville Street

Fall is such a special time of year. It gets dark earlier, yet it isn't cold yet; making it perfect to spend time to attend events and be outside. The above photo was taken at Revolution Mill on Yanceyville. Revolution is an old textile mill that was empty for a good while and now it is a multi-purpose, mixed-use building with everything from housing to offices, to restaurants, to exhibit space, and more. Here, we see a family leaving Cugino Forno Pizza Restaurant. We were leaving the ArtStock preview. 

This is a busy weekend for activities in Greensboro. There is ArtStock (see information in link) and also Leanne Pizio's Keep it Local Art and Pottery Show. Leanne's show has been going on for 26 years.  It is at 2409 Oak Ridge Road. There will be fabulous artwork and the weather will be nice. You could go from place to place meeting artists all day today and still have places to visit. If  you really want to be adventurous, you could take Amtrak to Raleigh and attend the last weekend of the NC State Fair. There are many options. 

Oh what a beautiful Saturday it will be.

Full Moon over South Elm

Here was last night's full moon over South Elm Street. The photo was taken from the parking lot of the Continental Club. Tonight, at the Continental Club, at 7:00 pm, is the opening reception for a group of street photographers. Preston Wiles curated the exhibit and installed it last night. The show kicks off at 7:00 p.m. and the show is called "From Dark to Light." If you like black and white photography, you will love this exhibit. Plus, you will have a chance to meet the photographers. As people who have been publishing street photography for 16 years, we always love to meet other photographers committed to telling visual stories. At the exhibit, there are also paintings by local artist Jack Stone. The Continental Club, with its international vibe,  is a place that does a nice job of building community through visual arts, music, and libations. In the previous century, the building was the home of The Farmers Exchange Store. From the old wooden floor to the geometric roof, many of the hints of yesteryear remain; however the lighting definitely gives it a 21st century feel.

For those of you celebrating NC A&T's Homecoming, we hope you have a great weekend; stop by and see the art at the Continental Club, listen to a little music, and socialize! It is a great place to network.

Happy Friday!

Glenwood Ave. in the Glenwood Neighborhood

On Saturday night, we went to a party in the Glenwood neighborhood of Greensboro. As we were leaving, we headed down the street to our car. We were struck by how beautiful the street looked at night. Curiously, all of the cars parked on the left are white. The cars on the right have a little more color. Notice that blue strip on the street, cast by that blue/purple street light. Duke Power has replaced a lot of those, but we find them charming and there are many in Glenwood.

The Glenwood neighborhood is located near downtown and on the south edge of the UNCG campus. It encompasses about 1/2 square mile of land with about 2,500 residents. Glenwood extends from Freeman Mill Road in the east to West Gate City Boulevard  in the north, and Coliseum Boulevard in the west. The southern tip of the neighborhood is a pie-shaped wedge, where Coliseum Boulevard and Freeman Mill intersect. Glenwood is one of Greensboro's earliest planned neighborhoods. Its residents have goals and plans to strengthen the community fabric; increase walkability and bikeability,  reduce perceptions of crime and danger, and more.*  Many of the houses are two bedroom, one bath and on about .10 acre lots. House prices are still affordable. While we don't live in the neighborhood, we have many friends there and are tempted to downsize take advantage of that great sense of community the residents are building.

Happy Tuesday!

* read about the neighborhood HERE.

Night Kayaking

The photo is blurry, but you can get this idea that night kayaking on Lake Brandt is fun! Last night was not very well attended because of the late afternoon storm. However, by the time 8:00 p.m. rolled around, the weather was perfect for being on the lake. Greensboro Parks and Rec. have so many events scheduled to get us outdoors (see here). Learn about night kayaking on Lake Brandt and Higgins (here). At night kayaking (or paddling), participants can get on the water at 8:00 p.m. and must be back on shore by 9:45 p.m.  You can bring your own kayak and launch for $8 or rent and pay from $15- 30 depending on what you use. People are very social. You can come alone, or bring a friend. Some people were in 'paddle quickly" mode; others made the event a leisurely date night with music and food. We saw one couple listening to music and holding hands not too far from the launch area. It was so sweet.

It is the weekend and all the lakes will be open with plenty of options. Get outdoors! Happy Friday!

Summer Fun at Friendly Center

Today, we're sharing another scene from Friendly Center. The photo was taken at dusk, between Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream and Harris Teeter. While it is hard to see people, there were actually several people hanging out there. Barely visible are two people playing corn hole. Just beyond the low wall by the left-most column, several teens (or young adults) were sitting picnic-style and engaged in meaningful conversation. We were struck by the fact that they seemed to be enjoying each other, as opposed to using their phones.

It is nice to find safe spaces for fellowship and good, clean fun. This little spot in Friendly Center appears to be just such space. "New" Friendly Center has been around since 2006. They are already undergoing some work with cones and tape on the side not too far from the above scene. Can you believe it has been 18 years? Let's hope Friendly Center remains vibrant and a place people feel comfortable. So far, so good!

Happy Wednesday!

PTI Kay Hagan Air Traffic Tower

Saturday night was foggy in Greensboro, making the Kay Hagan Air Traffic Tower at the PTI Airport stand out. The tower looked especially beautiful with the blue lighting and the red light on top. The 180 foot tower was constructed by an all-female engineering team and has been open in 2022. The state-of-the-art tower, controls a 60-mile radius of air traffic. Fifty-two FAA employees work at the tower. It was named after the late-Senator Kay Hagan, who was instrumental in helping secure funding for it.* This new structure replaced the 90-ft one that had been built in 1974. To be sure, it was visible as we drove up late Saturday night.

The Greensboro PTI airport is the fourth busiest in North Carolina.  

Happy Monday!

*reference and more information HERE.

Battleground Avenue at Twilight

Tonight, we were leaving Mythos Restaurant, struck at how beautiful Battleground Avenue looks in early evening This is a part of Battleground that is transforming. There is a new indoor storage place about to open; the Natural Dog has relocated to the building that used to house Omega Sports; State Street Jewelry is building a completely new building on the other side of the street; the greenway is well under way. Still, at about 8:30, Battleground traffic had already quieted. This view looks so different when the streets are empty.

As much as Greensboro is growing, there is still a sleepy element to our town, and, we love it so much. Yesterday's temperatures ranged from a low of 54º and a high of 86º.  Today will be warm, too, with a low of 59ø and a high of 81º, and no rain anticipated until the weekend.It will be a great time for to explore Battleground Avenue.

Happy Tuesday!

Twilight in Greensboro

While the days have been sunny this week, we have experienced a cold snap with temperatures ranging from the 30s to the 70s. But, oh the sunshine, blue skies,  and seeing things blooming has been heavenly. In spite of all the sunshine, we feel compelled to share this twilight photo from Monday. It was way past sunset (8:10 pm daylight savings time, to be exact), and the crescent moon was so clear and bright in the sky. Even though we only had a cell phone when out walking, you have an idea of just how lovely the evening was. 

If you are local, you know we have a lot of golf courses and those golf course water features are fabulous for capturing reflections. This was taken from the outer perimeter of the Farm Course of the Greensboro Country Club, near Carlson Dairy Road. While this end of town is being developed before our eyes, it is still possible to find little pockets of nature and places where the stars shine brightly. The lighting glowing from houses at twilight can be so charming. On Monday, the moon was setting at 9:13 pm. Tonight, it will set at 11:40 pm. It seems strange to see the moon set, just after the sun did so. The next full moon will be on March 25th and the moon will rise at 8:09 pm. Oh, and the spring equinox is Tuesday, March 19th.

Happy Wednesday!

Contra Dance at The Grange

Today's photo features the Fiddle and Bow Country Dancers Contra Dance Event at the Greensboro Grange this past Saturday night. While the photo is a little blurry, it gives the idea of the energy and movement that is such a part of Contra dancing. Contra dance is a dynamic folk dance comprised of long lines of couples dancing with partners.  Its origins are ascribed to English, Scottish, French dance styles with strong African influence. The music this past weekend was in the old-time genre and provided by a string-band featuring David Thompson (bass), Darrell Cobb (guitar), Buz Lloyd (fiddle), and Jeff Furman (banjo).  George Segebade called the dance. Contra dancing is done with partners, but you don't have to have a partner to attend. The dances are intergenerational with people from age 12 to 80+ in attendance this past weekend. Dress is casual but flowing skirts are popular.

If you are new to Contra dancing, you can attend the orientation/lesson before the dance actually begins.  Most accomplished Contra dancers are very encouraging and love helping first-timers learn the steps. The next Contra dance at the Grange in Greensboro will be on Saturday, February 17th from 7:00-10:00 pm. The general admission fee is $10- $20 (sliding scale). The Grange is located at 4909 Guilford School Road.

Happy Monday!

Night Sky Over Battleground Plaza

The above photo was taken from the northern point of Battleground Plaza at 3726 North Battleground Avenue. It was taken on December 20th when the parking lot was full. However, we were struck by the beauty of the early night sky and the white dots above. It could be that some of those dots could be planes heading into and out of the airport. The building in the middle of the photo is a Chick-Fil-A, one with a drive through and lobby that stay quite busy. For 23 years, this Chick-Fil-A was located at Brassfield. For a year now, it has been in the above location. The building is larger and the drive through is double wide. There simply wouldn't have been space to expand the old location. 

In this retail space, there are stores of all sizes, from the Big Lots with just under 30,000 square feet to several storefronts with just over 1,000 square feet. With Guilford Courthouse National Military Park just east of this plaza, it is surrounded by greenery. Above all, we love the view of the western sky from this vantage point.

Happy Tuesday!

Happy Hanukkah 2023

Hanukkah is an 8-day Jewish Festival of Lights. It is celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers, and special fried foods. Hanukkah means "decdication" in Hebrew, because it celebrates the rededication of the Temple. The menorah is a candelabrum. The giant menorah in the above photo can be found at the corner of Hobbs and Jefferson near New Garden. Last night was day 2 of Hanukkah and people were at the temple for Shabbat or Sabbath services. The evening was crisp,  in the low 40s, a day of rest for Jews. The Jewish citizens of Greensboro have contributed significantly to the community. Their mitzvot (good deeds) are everywhere.

The original Temple Emanuel on Greene Street was built in 1924. The temple on Jefferson Road was completed in 2002. It is hard to believe it is already 21 years old.

We hope this holiday is a memorable one.

Happy Saturday!

Ice Skating in Downtown Greensboro

For ice skating in Greensboro, you have two choices. For outdoor skating, Piedmont Winterfest is your best bet. It is located between LeBauer Park and Center City Park. Skaters of all abilities are welcome. It will be there until December 28th, at which time, just like Frosty the Snowman, it will "melt". An indoor option for skating is the Ice House, located between Bridford Parkway and West Wendover Avenue. The Greensboro Ice House opened in the fall of 1997. It is hard to believe it has been there for 26 years. The Greensboro Ice House does it all, from giving lessons to serving as a venue for birthday parties to having ice for hockey games, figure skating, and more. Historically, Greensboro has been more of a roller skating town than an ice skating one; however, these two venues are a great way to get children acclimated to the sport. As you can see in the above photo, children around our there trying their hardest. See you on the rink!

Happy Friday! 

Western Sky on Spring Garden Street

Twilight is so magical and this week, we have been blessed with clear views of the full moon. The above photo is the stretch of businesses between Pomona and West Market Street on Spring Garden. There are many new businesses in this area, including many Asian restaurants with delicious food. The restaurant in the rightmost section of this photo is Little Ari's Japanese Kitchen (4129 Spring Garden Street). It is a fun, special little spot that opened in 2018. For a great description on food options and more information about Little Ari's, read this Triad City Beat article.. Also, not far from here is Pho Hien Vuong (4109 Spring Garden Street). This family-owned restaurant has been open since 1996. 

If you've made it through all of these days encouraging people to shop for the holidays, consider adding one more item to your December traditions: Trying out locally owned restaurants. And, of course if you are in this part of town, take your glass to recycle at Reconsidered Goods, drop off a donation, and shop a little. 

Happy Wednesday! 

Saturday Night: Riding the Slingshots

Saturday nights, slingshots reign supreme on Elm Street- especially the ones with custom lights and in pairs! A Slingshot is actually a three-wheeled motorcycle. They have been around since 2014 and continue to gain popularity, first at the beach and now in Greensboro. The low center of gravity and open cockpit are designed to see and be seen. If you miss them on the first time cruising Elm Street, you can be sure there will be a second, and third, and more. The vehicles look especially stunning in front of the S.H. Kress & Co. Building. It was built in 1930 and considered one of Greensboro's architectural gems. 

Greensboro's buildings are really conducive to forming a vintage backdrop for movies and photo shoots. The street lamps also add to the ambiance. This week, you've seen some examples of what you can see and do when you connect with the community in Downtown Greensboro.  After fifteen years of walking Elm Street at lest once a week, it has become as much a part of our routine as walking around snapping photos of The Gate City. Remember to take one of the tours we told you about yesterday!

Happy Friday the 13th!

Saturday Night: Greensboro Ghost Tour

The above photo was taken in the little alley between "Baked" and "Greensboro Day Spa" in the 200 block of South Elm Street. This alleyway is so charming and photogenic. The above group was one of the Carolina History and Haunts Ghost Tours. In this 90-minute tour, you hear where some of Greensboro's departed inhabitants are said to live. Even if you don't believe, a ghost tour is a really fun way to get to know a city. Sometimes when we walk around downtown, we not only think about people who came before us, we also think of the energy of the business that were there beforehand. For example this is the very spot where we would sit when visiting the Simple Kneads Bakery. And then, we would go to Chakras for a little pampering. Chakras was one of the early businesses in Greensboro to be decorated and appointed keeping Feng shui in mind, with the goal being for people and the surrounding environment to harmonize. 

Book a ghost tour and gain a new perspective on Greensboro.

Happy Thursday!

Happy Labor Day Weekend

Well, it is Labor Day weekend and there will be plenty to do in Greensboro However, many will be leaving town; the mountains and the ocean may be calling you. The above photo was taken on the Urban Loop, heading toward the airport and Bryan Boulevard. This 39.5 mile highway surround Greensboro and gives us a way to get from Point A to B without start and stop, city traffic. Mostly, the loop is in the city limits.

Be careful when on the road or heading to the airport.  Hurricane Idalia should no longer be a threat but did result in some cancelled flights. The FAA says this is predicted to be the third busiest holiday for air travel to date this year. As for those of us staying in Greensboro, today is First Friday so downtown will be booming. The farmers markets will be well stocked.  Monday morning is a big Labor Day bike ride leaving from Oden Brewing. However, do pace yourself this weekend because next weekend Greensboro hosts the North Carolina Folk Festival, where there will be a variety of music genres. Something for everybody.

Happy September!

Greensboro Grasshoppers: Stars and Stripes Spectacular

The resolution isn't the highest on this photo, but it captures the spirit and excitement last night at First National Bank Field. The Greensboro Grasshoppers played to a sold out crowd. Their opponents, Aberdeen (MD), are a minor league team for the Baltimore Orioles and apparently one of the players is someone who is getting a lot of publicity. Fortunately for Greensboro, the Grasshoppers won 8-5 and immediately after the game, fireworks began. If you didn't get to attend last night, HERE is a schedule. You have several more opportunities this week and each night has a special theme.

Yesterday was so full of community events in Greensboro. We got around to as many events as we could and will share more photos of the Fourth throughout the week. From the Apple Pie Bicycle Ride to the  Freedom Run, to the Fun Fourth Festival downtown, to Kirkwood's  neighborhood parade, to the grand finale downtown with the fireworks at the baseball stadium, indeed, there was plenty to do. Hopefully, you were able to participate in something and even found time to have a picnic. Thinking of food,  since it's July, Cook-Out is back with their watermelon milkshakes. Oh, and City Meet for Greensboro's Community Swim Association starts tomorrow, and Friday is First Friday! July in Greensboro is always so special. Hope to see you out and about.

Happy Wednesday!

Shalom! Jewish Festival at Temple Emanuel- Today

The above photo was taken at Temple Emanuel during Friday evening services. Temple Emanuel is a Reform Jewish Temple, located at 1129 Jefferson Road. Today, from 11:00am-5:00 pm, they will hold their annual Jewish Festival, now in the spring, instead of the fall. This community-wide event, celebrating Jewish life and culture, will be held rain or shine. There will be Jewish and Israeli food, temple tours, exhibits, music, dance, arts and crafts and more. There will be a kids zone as well as characters from Tanakh (what Christians refer to as the Old Testament). So, if you attend the festival, don't be surprised if you see Moses, Abraham, Rachel, and Noah walking around.  It is a good chance for the community to learn about Judaism and to celebrate a community that has done so much for Greensboro. 

Word has it that one of our favorite jewelry artists, Anette, will be there with jewelry  inspired by the people and symbols in Judaism. We are also looking forward to the Rabbi telling us about the symbolism in the 12 stained glass windows, as well as the meaning of the gold letters at the top of the sanctuary. The tents are in place, the food is ready, and Moses will be there to tell you just how he felt when God delivered the 10 commandments to him.

Happy Sunday!

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.