Greensboro Daily Photo

GCS School Board Meeting

Yesterday evening, the Guilford County Schools held their regularly scheduled board meeting at 6:00 pm at the Eugene Street building. As we drove by, we noticed a group had assembled outside from 5:00-6:00 pm. The were holding signs requesting schools to tell the truth. They did not say what group they affiliated with but signs said things like, True History Unites. Racism Divides; Tell the Truth PERIOD! and Turning a blind eye on our history has not saved us from its consequences. We were struck at how peacefully the group had assembled.

A lot of discussion at yesterday's board meeting centered around whether or not to continue mandating masks and the extent to which COVID tests should be administered to athletes. The decision has been made to continue wearing masks at least until the next board meeting. These decisions are never easy, but issues need to be discussed and decisions need to be made. We would like to thank all of the school board members for giving their time for the community. If you want to know more or be involved, the school board meetings are always broadcast live. If you want to get a point across, sign up to speak (3 minutes and under), send your representative an email, or, assemble peacefully like the group above.

Happy Wednesday!

Reflecting on Public Transportation

Do you ever ride the bus? We should all take a day and pledge to use public transportation exclusively. The above photo shows the bus stop on North Church Street, very near Cornwallis. Some bus stops see very little traffic. This bus stop on North Church gets a fair amount of ridership. On the day we were there, at least six people were waiting. We were struck by how clean, orderly, and decorated the stop is. As you can see, this bus stop has a garbage can and there was not one piece of garbage in the area. Somebody takes care of the area around this stop. The cross in the ground says "Remember Joyce" and behind it is a small poster that starts with "Black Lives Matter" and ends with "Kindness Is Everything," and also adds other words of widsom.  The flowers and decorations extend all the way to the nearby parking lot.There are still Christmas bells and curled ribbons. We aren't locals at this bus stop so we don't know the back story on the signage. But, we're betting that the regulars at the bus stop remember Joyce.

The city busses have been making a real effort to be clean, efficient, and to reduce their carbon footprint. They are also making a concerted effort to help the public schools with their transportation needs. If the opportunity ever presents itself, thank a bus driver. Sometimes it is just a matter of saying hello and thank you. Public transportation and the people who make it possible should never be taken for granted!

Happy Tuesday!

Duds & Suds

Perhaps we're having nostalgia for signs this week, but yesterday, the Suds & Duds laundromat and bar looked so beautiful in the late afternoon sunshine. The building, located at 2114 Walker Avenue, was built in 1935 and is 5,630 square feet. The building has some beautiful architectural details. On the upper right corner, you can see the brick behind the black marble. If you enlarge the photo, in this same spot, you can still see the outline of the letters for Elam Drug Company. Back when the drug store was there, people would sit at the soda fountain, sipping a fountain drink and catching up on issues in the neighborhood, city, and beyond. You could walk in and pick up your prescription or have it delivered.

Since at least the mid 1990s, the drug store and the soda fountain closed and a laundry mat opened in the location. And now, you can sip a beer and sit at the bar talking about the neighborhood, city and beyond. So, some things have changed and some have remained the same. One aspect of this part of town that hasn't changed is the fact that it remains community oriented and people from all walks of life come in to use the laundry mat. If you want to read more about this building and the Walker/Elam area, here is a 1995 article from the News & Record and written by Kelly Simmons.

Happy Thursday! We have several friends who have been without power for over three days. We hope power has been restored. Those winds on Sunday night were fierce!

Blumenthal's Clothing Store

Imagine our surprise when we walked into the Antique Market Place on Burnt Poplar Road and there was one of the signs from Blumenthal's Clothing Store that used to be in downtown Greensboro. There were two signs; this one, and the one that hangs in the Greensboro History Museum downtown. Blumenthal's opened on South Elm Street in 1926, left downtown for West Market Street in 2005, and closed permanently ten years ago in 2012. Blumenthal's was known for selling jeans, but had so many items like shoes, work clothes, belts, hats, and they even cashed payroll checks. The family business lasted for 86 years, but closed permanently when Bob Blumenthal had severe health issues and wanted to spend more time with his grandchildren.

Over the years, Blumenthal's  gave away a pack of cigarettes when someone's receipt matched one of the above numbers. Eventually, when the store stopped selling cigarettes, they gave a bandana to anyone whose receipt matched one of the above numbers. Blumenthal's occupied nearly the entire block between Spring Garden and McGee Streets. Their black and white facade with writing all around the picture windows was readily identifiable as you approached it. Indeed, they lived up to their name, "The Store with a Heart." The above sign has already sold, and all that is left of Blumenthal's are these two signs- and the memories that, as we age, are fading faster than than a pair of jeans. We also learned that Rhonda, who works at Antique Market Place used to work at Blumenthal's. We need to interview her and get some stories from the good old days!

Happy Wednesday!

SIOUXZEN

Seeing a good vanity plate on a car makes waiting in traffic a lot of fun. Yesterday, we were behind SIOUXZEN. Vanity plates have a slogan, phrase, or abbreviation that is customized. The owner picks something meaningful, pays extra, and as long as it is not an offensive (in some way) term, and nobody else in the state has it, the plate is your for an uncharge. Sometimes the message is so opaque it is not possible for most to decipher it, especially at a traffic light.

The above plate is a good one; it combines two words Sioux and Zen. Sioux are groups of Native American tribes  and First Nations people of North America. Zen is a Japanese school of Mahayana Buddhism that values meditation. However, reading the eight letters together can sound like you are saying the name "Susan." So what is it? On the surface, the meaning of the tag is transparent; yet, there may be a deeper meaning. Is there a Zen Sioux driving around Greensboro? Is the owner's name pronounced "Susan?"

It would be fun to see a database of all vanity tags issued in Guilford County. Or, a list of North Carolina tags that reference things in Greensboro. If you were to have a vanity tag, what would it be. What is the most interesting vanity tag you've seen recently? We'd love to have you post it in the chat. Remember, a combination of eight letters and characters is the limit and it can't be an offensive word in another language. However, we're betting some slip by the censors.

Night Safe- A Ghost, Of Sorts

When retired Greensboro journalist Jim Schlosser strolls Elm Street, he looks for things that evoke the past and bygone days. One such item is today's night safe at the Jefferson Standard/Lincoln Financial Group building at the corner of Elm Street and Market Street. The Moser safe company was in business for over 120 years, from 1874- 2001. It was an Ohio company and had the reputation for making extremely secure safes and bank vaults. One such night deposit box. Who would ever conceive that they would become obsolete? As a matter of fact paper currently is slowly edging its way out and it is said it costs two cents to make one penny. So, scenes like the above save truly are relics of the past.  Back in the mid-20th century, when this corner was a hub of activity we're betting that deposit box saw a lot of traffic. 

On another note, this is Friday and while it isn't First Friday, weekends do tend to be busy in downtown Greensboro. During the day from 11:00 am- 2:00 pm, there are food trucks at Center City Park, as well as live music by the Ashley Virginia Music. Tonight, Wicked is showing at the Tanger Center and everyone is talking about this play. We hope you have something enjoyable to do this weekend. Even getting out and seeing what you can find from bygone years is fun. Happy Friday!

 

I Love Greensboro

Driving or walk along West Market Street, not too far from the intersection with Spring Garden/Muirs Chapel, and you will see the above sign, "I Love Greensboro." This building at 4609 West Market Street used to house the Open Space Café Theatre. Now, it has the four businesses listed above: A tattoo parlor, beauty salon, pet grooming, and a clothing and custom t-shirt store. It looks like they may have room for one more business. This strip center may look small, but actually they have 26 spaces for off street parking. It was built in 1954 and has 76 feet of frontage on West Market. 

The other side of the building has a map of North Carolina, and there are several other murals surrounding the building. The murals and sayings, specifically "I Love Greensboro" are what got us to notice the building in the first case. It is always fun when a lime green car drives into view the minute you are taking a photo. Happy Wednesday and, remember to LOVE Greensboro!

Greensboro Bound Virtual

Yesterday, on GDP, we celebrated Greensboro's public library system. Today's photo is the window of Scupperonong Books, advertising the Greensboro Bound Virtual Literary Festival begins tomorrow; another example of literary goodness in our community. Greensboro Bound is billed as a festival for "readers, writers, students, academics, and volunteers who are passionate about books, writing, and reading". It is a non-profit organization established in 2017 (reference and more information). The festival is the brainchild of  Steve Colyer and Scuppernong Books owners. The annual festival has hosted many writers, many of whom are known internationally. 

Here is a link to see the list of events and RSVP to attend virtually. Many of the topics are timely and something for everybody across genres from young adult fiction to short stories, poems, cookbooks, crime writing, and more. When community partners, businesses, writers, and volunteers come together, in an event celebrating reading and writing, everyone benefits and the whole is greater than the sum of the individual parts! Drop into a session and enjoy!

LOVE Is All Around!

The above photo was taken on Market Street, the road that leads into downtown. LOVE is a piece of art made by Frances P., a student at the Greensboro Day School. How wonderful that LOVE is what you see and think about as you enter our city.  Also in the photo is the Brown Building, Independence Center, and Lincoln Financial Corp. 

A lot of these utility boxes have artwork on them. It can be fun to walk around town and see all of the new artwork, whether  you like visual arts or architecture. For a town of about 300,00 residents, there is plenty to see here!

"Be the Light"

It was a fun challenge to find a photo for today. First, it is Day 2 of African American History month (we will have more, related photos).  Also, today  is Groundhog Day and as for capturing a photo of that groundhog in our Greensboro yard- not gonna happen. Besides, if he comes out and sees his shadow, we'll have six more weeks of winter. Finally, today is Candlemas, the 40th and final day of the Christmas season. Some churches will celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ/the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary; celebrating families will light candles and have a big meal together. Today, we celebrate this many-faceted, conglomerate-of-holidays day with a quote from Chick-Fil-A Founder Truett Cathy. The above sign was seen at the Brassfield Chick-Fil-A, November 16th, 2020; it was hard to read, unless one was waiting in the drive-through line. And there were many...

"We live in a changing world but we need to be reminded that the important things have not changed and the important things will not change if we keep our priorities in proper order."  Truett Cathy (2020).  On this second day of February, may we find a way to "Be the light."

Uncovering the Owner of "NOT A COP"

Have you seen this "NOT A COP" car around town? Well, we have and felt a little like Eloise Bridgerton poking around town trying to uncover the true identity of Lady Whistledown. Our Greensboro version of the Bridgerton storyline has involved trying to find the owner of this highly-recognizable vehicle. We've seen it being driven near West Market Street, pulling onto Spring Garden Street. We've seen it near UNCG. Who would be so bold as to drive this car? What is its back story? Is it really used for transportation or just for some kind of publicity event?

Last night, for the SECOND time, we saw it parked at the Reconsidered Goods Creative Reuse Store at 4118 Spring Garden Street. In the spirit of Eloise Bridgerton, we waltzed into the store, approached the front counter, leaned in and inquired, "We're on a mission to uncover the owner of the 'NOT A COP' mobile. Do you know who the owner is?." Without missing a beat (and clearly not in elusive Whistledown fashion), an employee at the counter, cheerfully volunteered, "It's mine." As it turns out, the owner is Eli, whom we will feature on GDP next week. The ever-ebullient Eli was quick to tell us someone in South Carolina had three cars for sale that looked just like this one. Eli was able to purchase it at a very reasonable price and brought it back to Greensboro to use while attending UNCG. The decision was made to put the "NOT A COP" decal on the car because of the reaction so many people had to the vehicle. Mystery solved! 

We wonder what police think when they see the vehicle. To be sure, Eli better not be speeding! Happy Saturday! 

See The Good

Are you ever driving along and see something so inspiring that you have to pull off the road and photograph it? Such was the case for us last week when we were driving along Spring Garden Street at Pomona Drive when we saw this billboard. See the good. If you search that phrase, you will actually find an initiative started by a person named Kathy. Her goal is for people to see the good in each day. It doesn't say where Kathy is from, but surely, there is a Greensboro connection as the billboard is in our city. Her blog encourages people to contribute a paragraph about something good. 

As we look ahead to 2021, the notion of seeing the good, in our local community and the people around us sounds like a meaningful way to approach life. Perhaps this could be a New Year's resolution. It is easy to see the good in Greensboro as the weather is not too extreme, there is a good greenway system for walking and bicycling; there are many parks; good schools and several universities, colleges, and community colleges- to name just a few of the good things. If you are looking for a religious community, there are multiple churches of just about every faith.

Our motto has always been to see the good in Greensboro and to feature as much as we can. We thank you for starting your year out with Greensboro Daily Photo and hope you will stay with us for this new year of exploring the people and places of our city. Happy Sunday!

Update: Thanks to a reader, we've learned that the #seethegood initiative recently started in High Point. Bob Buckley at Fox 8 reported on it, here.

No Hate!

Imagine driving in the Friendswood neighborhood of Greensboro along Meadowview Street and seeing this bright flag. It reads, "Hate has no home here." This flag emphasizing the worth and dignity of all people seems appropriate for our Sunday post, a day when we try to post something more spiritual. This three bedroom, two bath,  suburban ranch home built in the 1960s is quite representative of many homes in the area. When it was built, the house would have really felt like it was out in the country, far from town. Sixty years ago, nationally, the Civil Rights Act of 1968 had not yet passed and locally, nearby Wendover Avenue would not be completed until 1972.

As we close out 2020 and look to 2021, we need to talk to the people who live in this home and learn the story of how it is they are so far along on the diversity continuum. Their neutral, beige house is filled with people who have taken a colorful stance against discrimination. Maybe all of Friendswood is filled with friends and allies. If you put a sign in your yard or a flag on a tree, what would it say. Ours would say, "Have a great day and THANK YOU for reading Greensboro Daily Photo" (and No Hate)! 

It is not entirely clear who thought up the concept of the church marquee. They are often pun-laden and always clever. "Fall Closer To Jesus", with its double use of the word "fall" is so clever. Hopewell Weslyean Church is located at 2825 Pleasant Ridge Road, at the corner of Lewiston Road. Technically, it is located in Summerfield, as opposed to Greensboro. Somewhere along the way, a member told us that the church was over 100 years old. However, our efforts to uncover a church history online failed to yield results.

Regardless, the church is on a well-maintained lot, with a cemetery on the property. It is surrounded by cornfields. The gravel parking lot is lined with crepe myrtle and rose of share. The front entrance to the sanctuary has white mums about ready to open. Sunday services are at 11:00. Perhaps we could attend a service and learn more about the church history. As always, we encourage churches to document their history and, if possible, share it online. The connections people make when reading the history are often happy and unanticipated moments. Once the older members pass, a lot of history goes with them. Happy Sunday, happy archiving! And remember, it is fall; and for Christians, it is time to fall closer to Jesus.

Black Lives Matter

The signage at the corner of South Eugene Street and West Gate City Boulevard can be a lot to take in. There are street signs, billboards, signs for businesses, and the the signs crafted by the Forge Makerspace on Lewis Street. The BLACK LIVES MATTER sign is the latest in the series. The Forge is a non-profit makerspace that started in 2012, incorporated in 2013, and then found a space on Lewis Street. Their building is actually the green one visible from the above vantage point. The FORGE gives classes and workshops and provide machines for members to make things on. If you want to hone your maker skills, there are plenty of people around to give you pointers, too. We're betting that if you had a good idea for the next iteration of the sign, in all white capital letters, they would consider forging it! Happy Thursday!

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF FALL from DOWNTOWN GREENSBORO

Happy first day of fall. The above scene is of the start of the east side of the 500 block of South Elm Street. The mural on the side of the building celebrates Downtown Greensboro, with bright green as the dominant color. Downtown Greensboro has added so many murals and street art over the past few years. The above mural is one of the newest.

If you notice, the trees in the photo are starting to show color. Before you know it, they will be dropping their lovely leaves. However, for the next few weeks, strolling Elm Street will really have a feel of autumn. Mullled cider and pumpkin spice will start appearing on food and beverage menus. Cheesecakes by Alex will have cheesecakes in fall flavors.  Stores that sell clothing have some great fall sweaters. One way to keep up with some of the happenings downtown is to look for the hashtag #MYDGSO. Have a great Tuesday.

Available

If you've driven on West Market Street lately, chances are, you've seen this strip of about 6bbusinesses in the 700 block, just down from Plants & Answers. The businesses are located near Moore Music, Greensboro College, the Bryan Y, and Weaver Academy.  This space for rent is an end unit. It seems like this area has a lot of potential, if the right business goes in. However, it could be that once people get this close to downtown that they focus on their destination and not what they need along the way.

What could you imagine there?  The strip already has a frame shop, a hair salon, a tattoo parlor, and a convenience store.  It is fun to dream and imagine about what businesses go where. Happy Monday and tomorrow is the first day of autumn. We are starting to fall it in the air! Could be a good time to start a business!

Happy 50th Birthday, Jane

Happy 50th birthday, Jane. We have no idea who Jane is, but we do know that someone in the Kirkwood neighborhood of Greensboro. As we were driving through Kirkwood last week, just down the street from Independence Drive, this message was spray painted on the street. 

Kirkwood is a Greensboro neighborhood, nestled between Lawndale Drive, Cone Boulevard, and Cornwallis Drive. It came into being in the 1920s, but really got built up in 1946, just after WWII when soldiers were returning to Greensboro and starting families. In that year, 140 homes were built by contractors who had built barracks in North Carolina, using techniques of mass production that they had used in building the military buildings. If you want to read more about this neighborly neighborhood, read this article we used as a reference from the News & Record. After reading Andrew Barrow's 2015 article about Kirkwood, you will understand completely how it is that Jane's birthday is celebrated even in the streets!

Happy belated birthday, Jane and hopefully you are not shy about sharing your age with everyone.  May the next decade be the best one ever! We'll stop by in 2030 for your 60th!

Vanity Tags Duke & App

Vanity tags are like tattoos for your car. In North Carolina, they cost $30 above and beyond the renewal fee. The maximum number of characters is eight. The above car has Duke & App for tags. If you live in the North Carolina, you know that the car belongs to a family with fans of both Duke University and Appalachian. North Carolina has so many fabulous colleges and universities it can be hard to convince high school students to even apply to universities out of state. 

If you are traveling this summer, you are likely noticing vehicles and tags. It is always fun to see where people are from and, if they have vanity tags, how long it takes you to figure out what they mean. Some, like the one we're featuring today, are much more transparent than others. If you have a vanity tag, what does it say? If you don't have one but would get one, what would you select?  How wonderful that the above family values higher education! Happy Monday!

Sanctuary Deliverance Church Of The Living Word

Sanctuary Deliverance Church Of The Living Word is located at 3631 Summit Avenue in Greensboro. That location is really getting pretty far north of the city. The church sign above has a very powerful message, "Appreciate today because tomorrow is not a promise"! As we learned from their website, the church was formed in 1982. Vander D. Purcell Sr., and Vander D. Purcell, Jr. are the pastors. They meet at 9am on Sunday and are taking every precaution to keep COVID at bay. If you are interested in becoming d disciple through the word of Sanctuary Deliverance Church may be the spiritual home for you.

If you look at how nicely the lawn is maintained, you know that a lot of love goes into keeping this church looking nice- inside and outside! Happy day after the Fourth of July. If you are out on north Summit Avenue, stop by to see this church.

Congratulations 2020 Graduates!

Our 2020 graduates are having a year to remember. Living in quarantine is especially hard for high school seniors who were not able to have prom, an awards ceremony, or graduation ceremony. In North Carolina, colleges also finished spring semester remotely. One way to compensate is that schools are providing families with yard cards to recognize their graduates. The above yard in northwest Greensboro has two graduates. Andrew is graduating from Wesleyan Christian Academy, a private K-12 school in High Point. Elizabeth is graduating from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Congratulations to the two of you.

This year will be one to look back on,  and surely, something good will come from your sacrifices. Maybe this situation will help you define your career path. To all of our graduates, and others who are celebrating milestones in quarantine, in Greensboro and beyond, congratulations. If you know someone with a senior or see one of these cards in a yard, perhaps you can find some special gesture to help the graduates feel special. Happy Friday, dear readers!

Thank you Postal Workers

Yes, there is a street in Greensboro called Merlot Way. It is located in a neighborhood known as Laurel Park, across from the Spears Y, off of Horse Pen Creek Road. On one of the mailboxes in the neighborhood is a message thanking the postal workers. While that note is touching, it is especially heartwarming that the postal carrier left a response, "Loved your note. T(hank) Y(ou).

Driving a truck as a postal carrier can be an isolating, stressful job. Unless you have a permanent route, it can be hard to master the logic of a route. Now, in this era where we are supposed to remain home, postal workers are considered essential and continue to deliver the mail daily. Something as easy as expressing gratitude, orally or in writing, to these essential employees can bring great joy to the recipient. May we lift our glasses and join us in a virtual toast to this family on Merlot Way (even if we are only drinking grape juice). 

HERS in Her Car on the Highway!

It is always fun when we are out together and "Mr. Greensboro Daily Photo" says, "There's a photo for you." Such was the case recently when we were on the urban loop around Greensboro and he spotted the "HERS" car. Armed with only a cellphone camera, I snapped the photo as the car changed lanes and Mr. GDP navigated behind the wheel.

We immediately wondered if the family had a "HIS" or a "HERS2" car. It is fun to read vanity plates and see how quickly we can figure out the message and even the backstory that goes with the tag. Do you have a vanity/specialized tag? If so, what does it say? If not, and you got one, what would you want on it?

As for 421, please know that is what they have renamed Business 40 to and through Winston-Salem. For some reason, the signage takes a little getting used to. We're not sure if the car in front of us was headed on 421 to Winston, but what we do know is that it was HERS! Happy Tuesday!

Country Outbuildings

Country outbuildings can be so charming, especially to the people who spend time in them. This one is located on the southeast end of Summerfield, almost backing up to 220 north. The man who owns it got the driving range sign from his buddy in Monroeton, who got a new sign for his driving range. This little building looks like it could be quite the man cave.

The man who owns this property was so nice to talk to, a person who remembers the way things used to be, someone whose dog is always by his side, someone who takes time to stop and chat with passersby, and remembers the days when life was a little less hectic. Do you like outbuildings? Do you have anywhere fun to spend time when you want to get out of the house? Do you like to talk about old time ways? The more rural areas on the outskirts of Greensboro are so fun to explore. Today would be a good day to drive around and enjoy the serendipity of what you might find. Happy Saturday! 

All Welcome

On yesterday's walking tour of the artists' studios in Westerwood, we spotted this sign at 406 North Mendenhall. The people in the house seem like they are very inclusive. All, all, all, and all!

The house may be tired and in dire need of a paint job, but the people inside will make you feel loved. Regardless of your religion or belief system, they will embrace you. We'd love to talk to the people who put the sign up. In the meantime, it is great food for thought for a Sunday, the holiest of days for Christians!

 

Can you Read This?

It is Friday the 13th, there is a full moon tonight, and it is time to have some fun in Greensboro. The above Ford was spotted in town and we're wondering how long it takes for the average person to figure out what it means. If you live in the South, likely, you can read it fast.

As you are driving around this weekend look for vanity tags and let us know the most interesting ones you find. Scroll down to verify the meaning of this one. 

 

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I'm fixin' to!  Translation: I'm getting ready to (do something).

Woods of Terror

With autumn comes corn mazes and haunted houses to visit around Halloween. Woods of Terror is one such attraction. It bills itself as an American haunted theme park and boasts 15 attractions in one location on North Church Street. The above car, spotted in Summerfield in front of the recently reopened Golden's Antiques, is a mobile billboard for Woods of Terror. The vanity tag reads "Eddie Mc", so it must be Eddie driving around advertising for the attraction. The graphics sure are catchy and Eddie is a big part of the nightly monster parade at Woods of Terror.

If you like these places, you can buy tickets online. The first date is September 20th and tickets start at $25. Fall and harvest time have many unique traditions around the world: The Tomatina in Spain, Octoberfest in Germany, Sukkoth in the Jewish faith, Vendima in Argentina, and so many more. Right here in Greensboro, we have a great fall tradition that even has its own fan club! 

On the Road Again

If you are heading from Greensboro east to Burlington on East Wendover/Burlington Road/Highway 70, you may see these road signs for the bypass. They have been sitting next to someone's yard, in an area that is becoming increasingly less rural. The signs are not too far from Knox Road and Eastern High School. It will be convenient to zip around the city faster and to alleviate traffic closer to town; however, a new road comes at the cost of losing more green average. These signs appear so much larger when you are actually standing near them.

The road signs remind us that Willie Nelson was supposed to play in Greensboro tonight and he cancelled to to respiratory problems. Somewhere, recuperating, surely Willie is mentally singing "On the Road Again."  Willie, we just can't wait for you to get on the road again, and to hear you making music with your friends. And when you do, please reschedule for Greensboro. Just maybe, we'll have this road ready for you. Happy Saturday, everyone!

 

Greensboro Dance Theater

Greensboro Dance Theatre has left the building on Battleground Avenue, next to the Rainbow Car Wash, near Cone Boulevard. They are still enrolling for fall and classes will begin in September in their new building on Westover Terrace. It is located behind IHOP and Outback Steakhouse. The new building allows the dance studio to expand, update, and not be right on a main highway. We will miss watching the little ones attempting pirouettes while waiting at the red light.

We always wanted to do a photo shoot with this wall and sign in the background. Now it is too late, as you can see the building is being torn down. D&R Watts is in charge of tearing demolition. It will be interesting to see what goes up in its place. In the meantime, let's wish Greensboro Dance Theatre all the best in their new location as the young ballerinas glissade into the new school and dance year.

 

Fly GSO!

GSO is the three letter code for the Piedmont Triad International Airport. No other airport in the world uses this same airport identifier. So, when you are stuck in traffic or in a parking lot and see a car with a vanity plate reading, "IFLYGSO", you know that they fly in and out of the Piedmont Triad International Airport. What is not known is whether or not the person is a flight attendant, pilot, corporate person? Wonder what inspired them to spend the extra money to share this message. At any rate, this is what is considered to be a good vanity license plate; as it is easy to figure out. Wonder if there is an "IFLYGSO2"!

If you are in the car traveling this weekend, consider encouraging other people in the car to find interesting license plate messages, or ones from as many U.S. states as possible. This was such a popular activity, before cell phones took over our lives. Happy Thursday.

Kontoor, the New Name Around Wrangler

This is the Wrangler building on North Elm Street as it looks today. The word "Wrangler" remains and "Lee" has been added below, since Kontoor owns both brands. We don't know if Contour will add a sign more permanent than the vinyl banner, but for now, this is the view from the Tanger Center for the Performing Arts. Kontoor already has a box for special performances at the Greensboro Coliseum. We're wondering if they will have one at the Tanger Center. We already have an idea where employees will park while they go to performances across the street!

Have a happy weekend and try to carve out some time to explore Greensboro, especially downtown. It is changing before your eyes. Tonight's  free, outdoor movie at LeBauer Park is "Ralph Breaks the Internet."

Happy Graduation!

Between all of the colleges and universities in the Triad, there are about ten institutions of higher education holding graduation ceremonies this week. In the above photo an unidentified happy graduate is standing as several people are cheering him on. The sign they are standing in front of is located at the corner of Walker Avenue and Josephine Boyd Street. UNCG has great signage to define the parameters of the university's land. The signs and the plantings help frame a photo nicely.

Look between the end of the sign on the right and the dark tree near the middle of the photo, and you will see yet another group standing around their graduate. If you see or know of a recent graduate, be sure to congratulate them, maybe even treat them to a cup of coffee, a meal, or some kind of lesson about pacing oneself along the path of life! Congratulations everyone!

The City Billboard Project

The City Billboard Project is a joint venture between UNCG's Greensboro Project Space and The Forge. Located on the back side of a building between Lewis Street and West Gate City Boulevard (at Eugene Street), there is a sign that says "Three Deep Breaths." Imagine driving along after a difficult day at work or school, being stuck in traffic, looking over, and seeing this sign. The message hasa way of bringing calm, or at the very least taking one's mind off of the stresses of the day. 

36,000 daily commuters drive past this marquee daily. The message is changed when some new person's saying is accepted. Some previous sayings have been "Slow Is Fast," "Forgive Someone Who Hurt You," and "Kick the Clouds." The plan is to replace the marquee with a LED sign that can share multiple sayings during the same cycle.* Something about the old-school lettering is charming, and perhaps a little safer than signage that changes, possibly distracting drivers.

Have a good Saturday and go see this sign; maybe even submit a saying to be considered for the next round!

Reference and more information, and the opportunity to get your saying shared, here!

 

No Plaque in North Carolina!

Vanity tags on cars and trucks are so much fun when you can figure out what they mean. The above plate was instantly identifiable. Surely, the owner of this late-model vehicle is a dental hygienist. A quick google search yesterday revealed 22 hygienist positions open in the Greensboro area. If you see "no plaque" getting into her car, ask her about her career. Surely, she loves it and is dedicated to it. Likely, she has white teeth and no cavities and, well, no plaque!

Happy Tuesday. If you haven't been to get your teeth cleaned lately,  make that appointment. If you are from another state, have you ever seen a NOPLAQUE plate?

Country Side Market Stokesdale

In this era of giant chains like Sheetz or BP for gasoline and convenience store needs, finding a local pit stop, like Country Side Market is getting harder and harder. Country Side is located in Stokesdale, where Highway 68 and 158 meet.

While you won't find a Sheetz wrap or mac and cheese here, if you are local, you can bet you will find people who knew your grandfather and what kind of truck he drove. You will find people who knew where you went to school and who your teacher was. These little places are the Cheers bar of pit stops for gasoline and snacks. If you want to get a feel for local living in the Greensboro/Guilford County area, make a visit to one of these locally owned stores. Happy Monday!

The Wishing Tree

The 300 block of East Bessemer Avenue has a wishing tree. Just outside this brick duplex is a trunk of a tree with a sign, inviting you to make a wish and leave something behind. The tree could benefit from a little sparkle and bling. Perhaps if you get some Mardi Gras beads or find an old chandelier prism, you could make the tree look a little more sparkly. Even more important is for you to make a wish and keep your hopes alive.

Have you ever seen a wishing tree? Would you consider creating one? How would you react if your neighbor established one? This household also has one of the bottle trees that is a fundraiser for Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes. It seems like this would be an interesting household to get to know. Have a happy Tuesday, and... make a wish!

Create an Impact

"Everything you say and do creates an impact." Such is the slogan on the billboard, visible as you exit the Antique Marketplace on Burnt Poplar Road, at I-40 in Greensboro. It is hard to read the words in the lower right-hand corner to tell what the sign is advertising. They are hard to read even when on foot, not to mention how hard they would be when driving! Regardless, the saying itself is pretty impactful.

Think about it, "Everything you say and do creates an impact." As parents, children, teachers, students, employers, employees, politicians, constituents, everyone; all of us, we are all impactful. This is a great concept to ponder as we leave antique malls, drive along the highway, sit in a room with others, engage in conversation, and share messages on social media. While it isn't clear who sponsored this billboard in Greensboro, it is a great way to start out the new year, being mindful of the impact we are having on others.

#DGSO

Downtown Greensboro is an organized group that works to inform people about events happening downtown. Plus, the group works to bring people together and to build community. In an effort to encourage people to use the hashtag, #DGSO, a 3' tall, all-uppercase sign has been installed at Hamburger Square.

Located right across the street from Natty Greene's, the giant sign is highly visible from their pub. The letters continually change color- making it even more eye-catching. It looks like one of those signs found at ports of call at Caribbean cruises, conducive to great photo ops. As you can see, the above photo was taken at night and most everyone downtown was in a restaurant eating dinner. 

ARANCIA! or Bust...

Greensboro doesn't seem to be teeming with vanity tags on cars. However, if someone is willing to pay extra for a special message to be written on their vehicle tags, that something must be really important to the owner. 

Today, we're featuring ARANCIA! on an orange Subaru. "Arancia" is Italian for "orange." There has to be a story behind a person who drives an orange car with a North Carolina vanity tag that says "orange" in a language not widely spoken in Greensboro. And then, there is the exclamation mark. Historically, exclamation marks meant "note of admiration." About all we can say is that we admire this person's love of orange! Happy Friday, the start of the last weekend before Christmas. Honk if you love orange!

Near Merritt Drive

Today's photo was taken on Spring Garden Street, near Merritt Drive. This part of town has changed considerable, since the cotton mill was torn down, apartments for college students were built up, and Deep Roots Coop moved from this area into downtown. The above building has an auto repair shop. In front of the Calen Servicio Mecanico, a food truck is parked. Food trucks are now quite popular in Greensboro and finding a spot to park them isn't always easy.

The spot is bright and cheerful, especially since this photo was taken on a bright, sunny day, earlier in the year. As you are out and about this weekend, try driving some of the roads in Greensboro that are off your beaten path. You just may find a new shop or service that you want to try out. Happy Friday to our readers in Greensboro and beyond.