Greensboro Daily Photo

Salvation Army Prayer Line of Greensboro

As seen in the above photo, Greensboro's Salvation Army has a prayer line. This sign is located at the Salvation Army Family Store on East Gate City Boulevard- across from the Kotis property that was formerly Brooks Lumber. If you look on the telephone pole, you can see that I-40 and I-85, the two interstates that go through Greensboro, are not too far from the sign in the above photo.

The photo was taken yesterday when the air was crisp and cool, the sun was shining, and the sky was cloudless and blue. It was lovely. The sign reminds us all that if you feel alone, you can call and someone will reach out to you. This service is especially important at this time of the year when people can feel (and be) so alone. If you asked someone to pray for you, what would you want them to say? Even if you don't speak these words out loud, just thinking them can help clear one's mine. Thank you Salvation Army for all you do for the community. Support services are greatly needed.

PRAY4ME 51555.

Former Methodist Cemetery

The sign for the former Methodist cemetery is located on South Elm Street just down from Scuppernong Bookstore and across the street from Cheesecakes by Alex. The sign is pretty self explanatory. You have to love these old-school historic markers. In the digital age where we have QR codes and information at our fingertips, all we still erect metal, raised-letter signs? They have so much character. Today's sign has even more character. As you can see from the close-up below, somebody put a googley-eyed umlaut on the "o" in the word "original". Perhaps, the were trying to be original. 

Have a great Sunday! We hope you get out for a walk. Perhaps you can attend the Second Annual Triad Veg Fest at the Greensboro Farmers Market (see, here). You can also attend Moonbird Pottery's Art in the Yard event in Lindley Park from 11-5pm today at 2629 Beechwood Street. Perhaps you can walk along Elm Street to see if the googley eyes are still in place!

 

Color Outside the Lines

New York City is famous for its retail window displays, especially around holidays. The window sets the stage for letting the potential customer know what to expect inside. In addition to the well-known chains, like Apple and Anthropologie, Greensboro has some local businesses that set the bar high when it comes to window decorations. Thousands O' Prints and Oscar Oglethorpe on South Elm Street have some creative displays, with Thousands O' Prints changing their windows daily- and always with a theme. Design Archives actually rents out the window area as booth space. The owner of Just Be used to work at Anthropologie, so she follows design trends closely.  

The above photo is of Shelf Life, the art supply store located at 2178 Lawndale Drive. If you look at the reflection, you can see Outback Steak House and IHOP across the street on Battleground (at Cornwallis). Shelf life sells new and used art supplies and also frames art. Currently, their window reads "Color Outside the Lines."  That quote encourages us not to think and act in a way that confirms to set rules. However, it doesn't have to be perceived as anti status-quo, but as encouragement to think creatively and to innovate. Conforming and not conforming both have good and bad points. On the continuum of coloring within the lines and outside the lines, where are you most comfortable? 

Love, Westerwood Style

Christianity and the Bible have a lot to say about love. One of the first Biblical scriptures of love that comes to mind is 1 Corinthians 13:4-5: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs." Especially in this day and age, such love can be hard to sustain.

It is easy to understand agape love, the love of man for God and God for man. However, it seems that the harder love is "philia" or brotherly love as it is an unconditional love, friendship and affection. The sign in the yard above (enlarged below) is in a front yard in the Westerwood neighborhood of Greensboro. "No matter where you are from, we're glad you're our neighbor."

Now that is surely and example of not only brotherly love, but also agape. Imagine walking up to a buttery yellow house in an urban neighborhood with a friendly, buttery yellow feline, and seeing a sign that made you feel welcome. That feeling is the essence of a good neighbor and a great neighborhood; someone who understands love. Westerwood has several such signs; as do many of Greensboro's neighborhoods. Did you know that the opposite of "philia" is "phobia"? It has been said that love conquers phobias. Imagine if we could all find a way to fill ourselves with love.

Remember, dear readers, we love you.

Peluquería María

Peluquería y Salon de Belleza María has been located at 3004 Spring Garden Street for several years now, maybe even more than a decade. It is across the street from Kiosco Mexican Grill, on the corner at Holden Road. María's is open seven days a week and is especially busy on the weekend. 

According to a 2012 publication, City of Greensboro Growth and Development Trends, people of Hispanic origin represent 7.5 of Greensboro's population. This accounts for about 25% of Greensboro's growth during the early years of the 2000s.* Businesses like María's, that cater to Greensboro's growing ethnic populations, have been increasing over the last two decades, too. You can be sure, however, that regardless of your ethnicity, if you visit Kiosco to eat or María's for beauty shop services, you will be welcome with open arms. If you get a chance, visit a locally-owned business that is new to you this weekend.

* reference.

V is for VF Corporation

VF Corporation is an global apparel and footwear company headquartered in Greensboro. The original company was founded in 1899. VF has over thirty brands. Lee, Wrangler, The North Face, Timberland,  and Vans are some of the brands owned by VF. According to their website, they have a global workforce of more than 60,000 employees. Recently, VF published statement that they disagree with the response of the White House regarding climate change and VF expressed a commitment to limiting emissions and helping mitigate the impacts of climate change.*

Greensboro, with its robust textile industry in the 20th century, was known as the denim capital of the world. Many Greensboro residents associate VF with jeans. We are, after all,  a "jeans" town- even in our public artwork. Some communities have fiberglass pigs, bulls, horses, etc. Greensboro has fiberglass jeans, artfully painted, downtown.

If you are interested, here is a very thorough timeline of the history of VF, where you will learn facts like the fact that VF actually stands for Vanity Fair. Originally located in Pennsylvania, VF relocated to Greensboro in the late 1990's. Above is a photo of their corporate headquarters off of North Elm Street. Below is the sign at the entrance. Today is ABC Wednesday and "V" is for "VF." See our A-U Round 20 lineup, here.

* See the VF website for reference and more information (here). 

U is for Used (Books)

Greensboro has three bookstores that offer used books: Scuppernong on Elm Street; Pages Past on Spring Garden Street; and, Edward McKay on Battleground Avenue (featured above). Like many other brick and mortar businesses, used bookstores have had to either find a niche market or diversify. Scuppernong hosts a lot of community events; Pages Past focuses on rare books; and Edward McKay has DVD's, albums, and buys used textbooks. As people have access to just about anything they want to read via computers and phones and can have Amazon ship items with the click of a button, bookstores need to be destinations and gathering places. Finding a balance between being conducive to hanging out, yet enticing customers to make purchases can be tricky.

Hopefully, these bookstores will remain in Greensboro for a very long time and will depend on the reading habits of this younger generation of digital natives. For those who are committed to reducing waste in the environment, "used" is the new "new", new to the new owner, that is. And, with that trend, books just may be with us for a while longer. If you like to read books on paper, consider stopping by one of our great used bookstores. Today is ABC Wednesday and for Round 20, "U" is for "used."

Q is for Quaker Village

Quaker Village, a shopping center with a combination of locally owned and chain stores, is conveniently located across from Guilford College on West Friendly Avenue. Quaker Village opened in 1964 and thrived for many years until suffering bankruptcy in 2010. Quaker Village got a facelift in 2014 when a neighborhood Wal-Mart was added and many other changes were made. Based on long lines yesterday, it appears that business in the village is booming. We were there at dinnertime and several of the restaurants had lines out the door. 

Today is ABC Wednesday and for Round 20, Q is for Quaker Village. Since we've featured Quaker Village before, initially, we had planned to feature "Quilting by Linda" at 7349 West Friendly Avenue. The address led us to a business park near the airport, When we arrived in the complex, "Quilting by Linda" was no longer there. One of our previous posts for the "Q" round of ABC Wednesday was Dennis Quaintance; lucky for Greensboro, he is still here! We haven't featured Mr. Quaintance for six years. If we start planning now, maybe we can interview him for the next round. We also hope to meet the barbers at QV barber and style. It is nice to keep the ideas flowing. And, if you ever have ideas, please share! After all, you're the reason we are here.

The Rainbow Stops Here!

Parts of Greensboro experienced strong rains Thursday night and they continued into Friday. Today's photo was taken from Mill Street yesterday afternoon at around 4:00 pm When we entered the Starbucks at that corner, it was raining. Upon leaving a few minutes later, the eastward sky was filled with sun and a rainbow. It was still dark and wet to the west. We were struck by the billboard message about diabetes and the fact that the rainbow seemed to cut through the sign. Should we interpret that image as a sigh that beauty will trump the horrors of diabetes?

Today is April 1st, meaning it is time for Theme Day with the City Daily Photo community. This month's theme is wet. You know where there are rainbows, there is water. Yes, it was very wet to the west. Whether you are in Greensboro or elsewhere, may your weekend be filled with rainbows and joy.

See the CDP "wet" photos around the world, here.

Oak Ridge United Methodist Church

Our Oak Ridge series comes to a close today with the above photo of the marquee of Oak Ridge United Methodist Church, located just east of Oak Ridge Military Academy, near the J.L. Sawyer house.  Today's marquee is fairly typical of Christian churches with a cross and information about services for the week. Also typical are the crosses that have cloth, with the color representing the current cycle of the liturgical calendar. At the moment, Christians are in the Easter Cycle (Lent-Easter-Pentecost); the purple cloth is displayed during Lent. Purple represents royalty and penitence. For Easter, April 16th, the cloth will be white, symbolizing joy and festivity. This year, Easter for the Orthodox Christians as well as the other Christian denominations all fall on the same Sunday.

On the day we were photographing, winds were strong. On close inspection, we noticed it was plastic fishing line, not divine intervention, holding the cloth in place. Are you observing Lent? If so, we hope you are finding some creative fish dishes to serve on Fridays.

Gate City Redux

This billboard is located behind Thousands O'Prints, Chakras, and Schiffman's at the corner of Davie and East Washington Streets. The "Go. Reconnect." is a reference to travel by train. It is the closest billboard to the train depot a half a block away. Greensboro has a tremendous rail history. The nickname "Gate City" dates to the late 1800s when as many as 60 trains a day moved through Greensboro. Today, people are still able to travel to and from Greensboro by train, hence the above sign.

If you are interested in train travel, head down to J. Douglas Gaylon Depot at 236 East Washington Street and learn about your options. Sure, you could look online (www.ncbytrain.org); however, the building is beautiful, the interior is historic, and seeing people coming and going is an experience that can't be replicated virtually.

Home Style Cooking

Everyone loves a little "Throwback Thursday" once in a while. The above photo features a building in nearby Stokesdale that formerly housed a "Country Cooking" restaurant. It offered homestyle cooking; good, fresh, mom-and-pop style food. Currently, the building is for sale and, this past Sunday afternoon,  had no signs of life. Next door is a used car lot and across the street is a school. On a school or work day, you would think the restaurant would have the potential to be super busy.

Imagine people considering buying a used car and talking about finances over a slice of homemade pie and a cup of coffee. Or, moms meeting for breakfast after they dropped their child off at school. You would think home cooked food would never go out of style. Then again, the restaurant industry is a lot of hard word and it is not always easy to make a profit. While the nostalgia factor is high for the old-time restaurants, time can trump nostalgia, with customers wanting instant food and drive-through convenience.

At the end of the day, remember to vote with your wallet, and, vote often!

I is for International Women's Day

Today is the 106th year of International Women's Day. To quote the campaign's website, "March 8th is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity." Local initiatives in North Carolina include encouraging women to campaign for advancement and to stay home from work today to heighten awareness of how much women contribute to the workforce. At least one school district in North Carolina is closed today because of concern about not finding sufficient substitute teachers. The irony is that today is also the annual statewide tornado drill day. With or without their female teachers, at 9:30 a.m., all students in the State will move to safe shelter and assume the crouched, facing-the-wall position. 

On another note, today's photo is a poster at the city parking deck on Bellemeade and Elm Streets. It features Prlyanka Ruparella, a Ph.D. student at Greensboro's Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering. According to the school's website, out of fourteen full-time faculty, one nano science faculty is a female and one nano engineering faculty is a female. Let's hope that more women, like the one featured on the poster, decide to pursue these specialized science fields. To be sure, it is hard work. To be sure, women deserve equal pay for equal work. 

Today is ABC Wednesday, and for Round 20, "I" is for "International Women's Day", which has been celebrated in the USA only since 1975. In Cuba, Madagascar, and Uzbekistan, it is an official holiday. Here's to crouching and facing the wall at 9:30 and standing up and cheering at noon!

G Is For Greensboro

A proper entrance has a way of defining a space. In homes, it is known as curb appeal, that all-important first impression. In retail, the entrance is the first chance the business has to win over the customer; in restaurants, especially, it can determine if the diners will stay or leave. Cities can make first impressions, too. The above brick sign, located on Battleground Avenue at Westridge and Old Battleground, announces a driver's arrival into Greensboro.

This part of Greensboro, near Guilford Military Park, experienced tremendous construction in the late 1970s and early 1980s and was annexed in 1984.* We're betting the sign was constructed during that time. At any rate, it announces Greensboro in a part of town that has long been south of the city's actual northern limits. If you picked a new sign for a city today, what it would it look like? Perhaps it would be a vinyl banner in INTRO RUST or Sofia Pro font. 

Today is ABC Wednesday and in Greensboro, options abound for the letter "G".  For Round 20, "G" is for Greensboro!

* reference and interesting document, here.

SHEETZ on the Horizon

SHEETZ is a family-owned business out of Altoona, PA. In 1952, Bob Sheetz founded the company and it was not until 1963 that a second store opened; then a 3rd one five years later. Today, there are 500 Sheetz stores dotting the horizon. They are becoming so dominant on the east coast that they are gobbling up many of the locally owned gas stations and even some of the bigger companies. To date, Greensboro has eight of the 500 stores.

The above Sheetz, located on New Garden Road at Jefferson Road, is just a couple of miles west of Guilford Military Park, the site of the 1781 Battle of Guilford Courthouse. The scene reminds us of the terrain the Revolutionary War troops would have seen, less the SHEETZ sign on the horizon. And from this vantage point, one wouldn't even suspect there is an oasis of just about every color and flavor of beverage you can think of, and as many sandwich options as there are SHEETZ stores. We can't even imagine what those troops would think upon being told they had to click through multiple screens to order a meal.

Wonder what those birds on the wire are thinking. Perhaps they have their eye on some spilled popcorn!

Parkway Baptist

Since yesterday was the Moral March on Raleigh, we thought we'd share the above Frederick Douglass quote on the marquee at Parkway Baptist Church. Douglass was an African American social reformer, writer, orator, and statesman in the 19th century. He championed the cause of abolition and helped put an end to slavery in the USA. He believed in the equality of all people and was a staunch supporter of public education. Were alive today, we bet he would have been over in Raleigh marching yesterday, the eleventh year of the march for social justice, also known as HKonJ (the Historic Thousands on Jones St.).

Quoting Frederick Douglass is especially appropriate for Black History Month, and the above quote is appropriate every day. Parkway Baptist is located on Benjamin Parkway beside General Greene Elementary School. General Green is a science and technology school, known for building strong, well-rounded children. One of Greensboro Daily Photo's regular readers asked us to feature her church, Parkway Baptist. While on site photographing yesterday, the quote got our attention. We'll feature the church itself next week and, hope some of the members will see the post.

 

Armed Forces Career Center

Greensboro has a new recruitment office in to the 2900 block of Battleground Avenue. Based on the name, it appears to be a joint venture for all the branches: The Armed Forces Career Center. It is located relatively close to Grimsley and Page High Schools. As we reported last week, we have seen several military personnel at Green Joe's Coffee Company. Perhaps they are in the neighborhood checking the progress of the new facility. In addition to recruiting, we're betting they will be involved in the many holidays where veterans and active duty military participate. It will be a convenient place to visit to learn more about special events, like Veterans and Memorial Day.

North Carolina has military bases for four of the five branches of the United States armed forces: Army, Coast Guard, Marines, and Air Force (Fort Bragg, Base Support Unit Elizabeth City, Camp Jejeune, and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, respectively). North Carolina has 129,049 active duty and reserve members. Our State is third, just behind California and Texas.*  If you want to thank someone on active duty, consider sticking your head into the new career center and welcoming them to the neighborhood. Also, consider treating a soldier to a cup of coffee. Happy Tuesday!

*Reference, here.

You Are What You Ate

The vanity tag on this Prius reminds us to be mindful of what we eat. As we start the new year, many people are reflecting on mind, body, and spirit. You can learn a lot about a person not only by talking to them but also from the back of their car. We know from the above vehicle that the owners belong to First Lutheran Church of Greensboro; they listen to 94.1 KLOVE; they are mindful of energy consumption, (given their driving a Prius); and they feel ageless. Many of you may actually know the owners of this car. That is the fun of vanity-tag watching, knowing that the owners are a part of our community and we could see them at any time.

As we close out 2016, may we be especially mindful of what we drink on this holiday weekend. Here's to a great 2017. Stop back tomorrow, on January 1st, when everyone in the City Daily Photo community will post one memorable photo from their posts during 2016. It is always a hard decision to make and fun to think about the past year in Greensboro.

PEACE

Chakras Spa and Salon on South Elm Street is a place for pampering yourself-- from hair styling to full body massages to facials to pedicures, and more. As you head upstairs at Chakras, or slide into one of their "nests," they encourage clients to avoid using cell phones. As seen in the above photo, they also remind us to aspire for peace. Peace is defined as "1) freedom from disturbance; 2) quiet and tranquility; 3) freedom from or the cessation of war or violence."

Greensboro has a long tradition with aspiring for peace. The 1960 sit-ins were non-violent protests. Greensboro actually held a PEACE Festival in September this year. It was an international, interfaith festival downtown, sponsored by The Islamic Center of Greensboro. Then there is Peace United Church of Christ on West Market Street. Finally, UNCG has a Department of Peace and Conflict Studies.

When we hear of heinous crimes like the Russian ambassador to Turkey being assassinated while speaking at a photo exhibit, and then learn that people were purposefully plowed down in a Berlin Christmas market, we may all need to work harder to ensure PEACE on earth. At the end of the day, it is a lot easier to feel an inner peace when we have experienced the gentle touch of human hands. If you are looking for holiday gifts for that person who is anxious, angry, or even hostile, perhaps a good massage from a reputable spa is in order!

GHOE

Greensboro is brimming with visitors this weekend as it is homecoming at North Carolina A&T University. The event is referred to as GHOE, the Greatest Homecoming on Earth. Today is the parade and the football team is playing Florida A&M University. However, events have been going on all week and the celebration is well under way. On South Elm Street yesterday afternoon, we spotted the FROZEN-mobile-  parked in the south 200 block. The owner of this Chevrolet Corvette convertible is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. Alpha Phi Alpha is the first African American Greek lettered fraternity. Its aims are "manly deeds, scholarship, and love for all mankind." The organization emphasizes leadership, service, and working for important causes and social issues. Famous members include,  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Jesse Owens, Thurgood Marshall, Andrew Young and Lionel Richie.

We were curious about the meaning behind the vanity tag, as "FROZEN" is associated with the Disney movie of the same name. We waited around to see if the owner would return to the vehicle, but did not see him. There has got to be a great story behind this vanity tag. Perhaps he is associated with the movie. Regardless, we hope he is having a great homecoming and that he is living up to the great legacy of his fraternity. Have fun everyone, and drive safely. From 11:00 am to  5:00 pm today Elm Street will be filled with children out trick or treating at the downtown businesses. We're hoping for all treats and great weather!

Piedmont Natural Gas

Piedmont Natural Gas is a natural gas distributor serving North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. They get their gas primarily from the the Gulf Coast in the United States. The company began operation in 1951 in New York and merged with a North Carolina Company, coming here in 1994. At the beginning of the month, they were acquired by Duke Energy (October 3rd 2016). Between Piedmont's 1 million customers and Duke Energy's 8 million customers, the combined operation is serving about 9 million people. That is a lot of revenue from natural gas and electricity. As seen in the above sign at the facility on Greengate Drive, the cost of natural gas is currently 1.36 per unit. The gated corporate building is tucked between Randalman Road and South Elm-Eugene Street, off Corliss Drive.

Piedmont Natural Gas won a platinum award fitness award from the National Heart Association for the last five years. They earned this designation for their healthy work environment. Let's hope the fit-friendly trend continues now that they are part of an even bigger company. The above pole with the rectangular top, to the right of the company sign, is a solar panel. It looks like the company is energy efficient, too. If you really want to get to know Greensboro, we suggest you explore some of these off-the-beaten-path places. Thanks to ABC Wednesday, which motivates us to explore the A-Zs of our city, we get to see so many interesting businesses, places, people and venues in Greensboro. Today is ABC Wednesday and "P" is for Piedmont (our region between the mountains and the coast) and for Piedmont Natural Gas. If you want to look back on the A-O entries for our 2016 Alphabet series, see, here.

 

Old Battleground

It can be easy to forget about those workers not working at eye level. In the above photo, a worker was bundling the wires above Battleground Avenue. Until we saw him working, we'd never noticed the fact that Old Battleground Road has an arrow pointing left, since to the right, the road changes to Horse Pen Creek. Greensboro has several roads like that; turn one way and you are on one road, turn the other and it is a different street. Another example is Hobbs Road; it changes to Garden Lake Drive, once you cross New Garden Road. Double named roads tend to happen when a road gets extended or when a road changes from more urban to rural. The arrows are a nice touch. 

We parked at the BP station to take this photo. It must be interesting to be working from above and seeing all of the drivers down below. Oh the stories these workers could tell.. 

Did you know that there is a website/app called "See Click Fix"? You can register concerns and the app sends the information to the right government official. The app bills itself as a civic tech platform. Is there something in your neighborhood that needs to be fixed? Report it and when you least expect it, perhaps you will see the above worker in your neighborhood! He seems to be a very hard worker.

Summer is Winding Down

The above photo gives the false illusion that Greensboro is a sleepy, western saloon town. It was taken from Spring Garden Street, behind the old train depot. The building with the faded Security Van Lines advertisement dates to 1890. The advertisement really adds to Greensboro's vintage charm. Wouldn't it be great for someone to get a grant to refresh the paint job, using the same font.

The front of the Security Van Lines building faces Barnhardt Street and houses The WORX. The WORX is an eating establishment that bills itself as a place where "Bistro Meets Pub." The tall clump of dry grass in the foreground hints that summer is fleeting. Another sign that summer is winding down is the fact that tonight is the last First Friday before Labor Day and before public school resumes. We hope to see you downtown. If you are in town, remember that LeBauer Park is scheduled to open on Monday. If you are on the northern end of town, you could swing by and check on the progress.

Memorial Day 2016

Above is the War Memorial Monument that originally stood inside War Memorial Auditorium at the Coliseum on Gate City Boulevard. When the auditorium was torn down, this monument was moved to Lindsay Street near the Greensboro Historical Museum and Central Library. It has the names of all the soldiers in Greensboro who have given their life defending the United States-- since WWII. There is a flag for each branch of the military. The iron benches allow an opportunity for reflection.

If you have a veteran in your life, especially one who can't drive, please consider driving him/her to this spot today. Another meaningful outing would be a visit to the Carolina Field of Honor. They will have a service at 11:00 am today. (Read more, here). If you are only able to visit, here, virtually, we want to also share a close up of the above inscription so that you can read it-- below.

Happy Memorial Day. It is still hard to believe that Congressman Coble is no longer with us to give a speech today.

Sunday Quote

Signs at churches usually have messages that try to get you to pause, take notice, and think-- maybe even long after you've passed the sign. The above sign, found at Highway 150 in the very western end of the county, is no exception. And, it is pretty self explanatory.  Union Grove, was formed in 1911 and it is actually closer to Kernersville than Greensboro. 

We featured the church building seven years ago (in 2009, here) showing the acreage in front of the church that was planted in tobacco. We were surprised yesterday to see that no tobacco has been planted this year and it is already almost June. Perhaps the fields are having a year of rest. It is usually an indication that change is coming when fields stop yielding crops. As the rained stopped yesterday, the skies over the church brightened and everything is the area looked and smelled clean and fresh. Maybe that rain was a way of saying " and on the sixth day, the dust was washed from the Bibles," to help us all find a cleaner path. See, we are still pondering that message!

S is for Signage

As seen by the crowd on the street, Saturday was a busy day at the Carolina Theatre on Greene Street. How wonderful that this iconic Greensboro venue, known since 1927 as the "Showplace of the Carolinas," is still a vibrant and dynamic community resource. Tomorrow night, the 2,200-seat theater will have chandeliers and gilded railings glowing as country music fans come out in droves to see John Anderson perform. Likely, concert attendees will be heard walking to their seats singing, "Just a swinging."  

The above sign, advertising not only the Carolina Theatre, but also upcoming events, harkens back to the pre-digital days when signs had to be changed by hand. The all-caps, sans-serif letters, look the same as they did almost 90 years ago. By night, the sign lights up, showcasing events and adding to the excitement of the evening.

Today is ABC Wednesday and for our A-Z Urban Finds Series, "S" is for signage. While digital signs offer more advertising options and are easy to change, some buildings just call for the old-school, black block letters of our past.

Plymouth Nursery & Old Country Store

Plymouth Nursery, located in Stoneville, actually serves Greensboro and the surrounding area. The above photo features their display at Golden Antiques on 220 North, just north of Stokesdale, over the Rockingham County line. Not only does Plymouth Nursery have some fine looking plants here, they also have a cozy, country store inside. You can find snacks, candy, and soft drinks in glass bottles and you can sit a spell and enjoy being in a store with a yesteryear feel. Looking at the above display will five you an idea of the step-back-in-time ambiance. Indeed, at the little country store, tucked away in the back of the antique store, is a great place to visit after a busy work week when the 21st century seems just a tad hectic.

Plymouth Nursery partners with Hannah's Haven, a teen challenge center in Brown Summit. Part of the profits at the nursery help women through the Hannah's Haven ministry. As we enter this Mother's Day weekend, it is nice to thinking about making purchases for mom at places that we know do something for the local community. Whether you make a purchase or not, the people at the nursery and the Old Country Store will help you feel appreciated. Happy First Friday of May!

Tanger Center for the Performing Arts

The Tanger Center for the Performing Arts is a 3,000-seat facility, being built downtown. The façade will be glass and limestone and a rooftop terrace with a stunning view. The architect's drawings make it look very glamorous. It will make uptown sparkle. The project website reports that $35 million dollars of private donations have been raised so far-- the most ever for a single, public project in Greensboro.* So far, the construction crew is still leveling the lot. In the background, you can see the Wrangler headquarters. In the photo below, you can see beyond the constructing webbing. The mountains of sand currently dominate the property.

We hope to get inside the United Guaranty Corporation building to get an aerial view. For now, we'll have to pretend that we're in the desert, trapped between the dunes. We kind of hope they leave the some of the sand. It reminds us of Maya Lin's "Groundswell," dunes of glass sculpture, at the Wexner Museum at the Ohio State University. What would it take to arrange a photo shoot here? Imagine staging beach photos without leaving town!

 

* see reference and more information, here and here.

Auditorium, (Soon To Be) Formerly Known As Aycock

The Board of Trustees of the University of North Carolina Greensboro voted to remove the name of former Governor Aycock from its auditorium. In 1928, the university voted to honor Governor Aycock by naming the auditorium in his honor. While he did a great deal for education, and visited UNCG several times, it was determined that his beliefs, actions, and values, related to racial segregation,  are not aligned with the core values and mission of the university today (reference, here). 

As of yesterday, the name Aycock was still on the auditorium; however, we did catch the signage crew at UNCG  assessing what would be involved in changing the name. It will be interesting to learn what the new name will be, as well as how the name was determined. 

Ashes to Go... and So Much More!

Mardi Gras and Ash Wednesday have come and gone. In the above photo, taken yesterday on the campus of UNCG, just in front of the Elliot University Center or EUC, you see a sign advertising "Ashes to Go" in the Willow Room. A person of the cloth was available yesterday to help students honor the first day of Lent, without leaving campus. To the left, you see a student skateboarding to class and, in the far distance, a bus picking up and dropping off students. The red flags on the lawn are for raising awareness about "red flag" issues like domestic violence. In the distance, the white stacks of the Jackson Library, looking like an open book, are seemingly calling students to study.

These are a few of the many disparate images that merge on a college campus. In an instant, you can see many different things happening and talk to people from different walks of life. As education becomes more and more virtual, we're here to extol the value of an on-campus experience. We learn about ourselves and the world by interacting with others. The value of spending four years on a college campus is priceless.

 

You Are What You Ate

Well, we're snowed in here in Greensboro, so you get a post from our bank of photos. Even though we have over 80 thousand photos on file, there are days we look through them and wonder what on earth we are going to post. Anyone who is on social media is probably tired of snow pictures, so we dug up this vanity plate. Greensboro's drivers have some pretty funny vanity tags on their cars.

The above Prius owner reminds us, "you are what you ate." This is definitely food for thought as we prod along dealing with winter weather. With most of Greensboro snowed in and shut down, the determining factor of "what you ate" hinges on 1) how the supply is holding out and 2) whether or not one has power. So, this vanity tag is a little more relevant when we are not snowed in and can drive all over Greensboro buying and eating whatever our budget allows. As for us, we didn't realize how much we would miss bananas. Happy snowy, January weather, dear readers. We hope you are safe.

Wouldn't it be fun to follow the owner of this car through the grocery store. Seriously, we might learn a thing or two!

Father and Son Moment

On New Year's Day, this father and son were spending some quality time walking along North Elm Street stretching and practicing some calisthenics. Back and forth, back and forth, from the Chamber of Commerce building to Bellemeade Street. The signage for the Tanger Center for the Performing Arts matched the young boy's shirt perfectly and made us wonder if someday he might have the chance to attend (or be in) an event there. The scene reminds us that quality time can be had anywhere. All it takes is loving people, time, and a little creativity. Both father and son seemed to be strengthening their bond with every hop, lunge, and stretch.

If you are local, you, too, can make memories strolling along sidewalks in Greensboro. Recruit a friend or family member and head out tonight and see what the weekend brings your way. Try out a new coffee shop, tea shop, or bookstore. If you haven't been yet, Piedmont Winterfest skating is still open at Barnhardt Street and South Elm. It should be appropriately cold enough to skate tonight. Who knows, you might run in to this father and son or even the ONAQUEST-mobile from yesterday. Happy weekend!

On a Quest

ONAQUEST was spotted last week on New Year's Day, parked near Center City Park during the meditation event. It is amazing how much our bumper stickers say about us. From political candidates to position on issues, bumper stickers are a window into the personality of the person driving the vehicle.  Do you use bumper stickers or have a vanity plate? If so, what do they say about you? T-shirts with sayings work the same way. We love reading the t-shirts of Greensboro, too.

We hope ONAQUEST has a great year and that the search is not too long or arduous. Yet, if it were short and simple, it wouldn't quality as a quest! Our quest is to find the owner of this vehicle and interview her for GDP. Happy Thursday! The first work week of the new year seems to be flying by.

Let Us Give Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving. Let us give thanks for all that we have and reflect on the good things that have happened throughout the past year. As we enter into the frenzy of the upcoming month, let us pause today and find a way to enjoy a day with as little consumerism as possible. We took the above photo, at Anthropologie in Friendly Center six years ago, probably about the time that Anthro was just getting established in Greensboro. While the photo is old, the message is still fitting. We're glad we at Greensboro Daily Photo are here to bring you a photo a day of our great city. We're glad that we are in North Carolina on Thanksgiving and not having to travel. Can you see the outline of the state of North Carolina in the window? We're glad we can call North Carolina home.

If you want to hold out on the consumerism a little longer, tomorrow, on Black Friday, there will be a Really, Really Free Market at the corner of Grove Street and Glenwood Avenue in the heart of the Glenwood neighborhood of Greensboro. Greensboro's own Kathy Clark will be hosting this event, where you can bring things to give away, you can take things that you want or want to give as a gift. You can learn how to make gifts for people. What you CAN'T do is spend money, as there will be nothing to buy and you are under no obligation to trade things. Even if you are going to "cheat" and do some shopping, consider stopping by between the hours of 11:00 am and 3:00 pm to cheer Kathy on with this great undertaking. 

We're glad people like Kathy Clark are around to help us gather and enjoy each other's company without having to spend money. Finally, we're super thankful that you are reading our blog. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at GDP!

Persimmons Grove A.M.E. Church

Persimmons Grove African Methodist Episcopal Church is located on Dolley Madison, between Friendly Avenue and Market Street. It was founded in 1882 and named for a persimmon grove, near the church cemetery, off of Highway 421 (Market Street) near the airport. The denomination was founded in Philadelphia in 1816; so the Greensboro church was established less than 70 years after the denomination was founded and less than 20 years after the end of the civil war.  The above church building was erected in 1958.

Native persimmons used to be a seasonal fruit that people greeted with great anticipation at the time of the first frost. They were one of those foods that people could gather in the fields and take home
to use in their family's special recipes. Tomorrow, the Persimmons Grove is having a special homecoming event. Wouldn't it be wonderful if they served breads, soups, and puddings made with persimmons! Today, the congregation is rather small now and, on average, there are fifty people at a service. Everyone who attends, if not literally family, feels like family.  If you make the 11:00 service tomorrow, we're betting that the Rev. Debora Smith will make you feel welcome. We wish the church had a website and hope that someone is documenting the church history. We thought the name was unique to this North Carolina church; however, there is a Persimmon Grove in California, Kentucky, and Alabama (and maybe more).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roles Change

This billboard was seen between Burlington and Greensboro. It states that "Roles Change" and that AARP will be there to care for you. The photo is very thought provoking. We've been thinking a lot about visual literacy and the role of photos in helping people make meaning. Billboards have "flash text" on them; the reader needs to get the message in the few seconds they look up as they are driving. If you get a chance, show it so a child and see how long it takes them to understand the picture even if they can't read the Spanish. If they can't get it, tell them what it means.

Whether you are young or old, the sign is food for thought. While Greensboro has a lot of great options for senior citizens, it would be nice to know that family will be there when you need them. 

Happy Monday! Happy November!

 

Jewish Festival Today

Temple Emanuel's Jewish Festival will be held today, rain or shine, at the temple on Jefferson Road near the American Hebrew Academy and Hobbs Road. The event is open to the public. Not only will you have a chance to eat good food and baked goods, you'll have a chance to meet a cast of Old Testament characters: Moses, Abraham, David, Miriam, Sara, Esther, Ruth and Batya.  Like WFMY said, "they will bring the Old Testament to life."*

Temple Emanuel, while in a different location in Greensboro, was founded in 1907. For over a century, they have played a leadership role in the lives of some of Greensboro's prominent Jewish families. Temple Emanuel is working hard to descries their carbon footprint. One step was to install solar panels in 2011.

In addition to good music, food, and fellowship, the 50/50 raffle is always a big hit. Stop by if you have a chance. Here is the festival's website . Here are two pictures of the façade (here, too), in case you haven't driven past it before. Rain or shine, a good time will be had by all. And Moses (aka Ivan Cutter) is an amazing photographer. He can probably give you a few pointers, if you need some advice.

*reference and more information, here.

Got Doula?

While still less than 2%, according for the CDC* in Atlanta, out of hospital births have been on the rise since 2004.  In 2012, 1 in 49% of births to non-Hispanic, white women was an out-of-hospital birth. Home births are on the rise in Greensboro, too. However, we don't fit into the highest or lowest categories. Our community is lucky to have to experienced doulas. The word "doula" comes from the Greek, meaning "to serve." and doulas do so much more than deliver babies. They are there to assist families before, during, and after the birth. From belly binding to placenta encapsulation to spinning babies to reiki, doulas do more than you can imagine. 

From her website, we know that Sandra is the doula behind Greensboro Doula and she has been blogging about her profession and professional experience since July. We didn't get to meet Sandra yet, but we did get a chance to admire her very catchy vehicle. Maybe she'll be at Greensboro's next Baby Belly Bazar. Every dula we have ever met, has an air of calm about here. Maybe we'll hire one for all of the health and well-being aspects, even though no children or grandchildren are on the horizon.

Happy Thursday!

 *CDC data, here.

National Folk Festival

Have you made plans to attend the National Folk Festival, to be held in Greensboro on September 11-13, 2015? It will be fabulous. The other day, we went barreling downtown to the 300 block of Davie Street, thinking we'd found the national headquarters of the festival. As it turns out, the sign is an advertisement for the advertising and public relations business, King's English. Their website posts the statement, "20 years of words, pictures, and ideas & a bunch of clever people." Only, on their website, that statement is posted in multiple colors and a variety of fonts! Clever, clever, indeed!

As for the National Folk Festival. Let's all attend so there will be standing-room-only crowds and Greensboro will have more and more offers for these national events. If you like folk music and traditions, you will love the festival. Follow the link, here. You might even hear performers with dialects sounding similar to the King's English! In you go by the advertising agency, thank them for giving a shout out to a very important and FREE happening in Greensboro.

Greensboro is ready!

F is for Felicia

Felicia Brown is a massage therapist who loves helping others. For over two decades, she has worked in the massage and spa industry. Through diligent professionalism, she has not only increased her career's visibility, but elevated Greensboro's perception of the field. Above, she is photographed at A to Zen Massage Center, located at 523 State Street. Felicia has owned A to Zen for nine years. You may recognize her from Balance Day Spa, a business she opened and managed until she sold it in 2005. Felicia established A to Zen partly to continue massage therapy with her loyal following of clients, some of whom have been with her since the mid-1990's.

Felicia's first experience with the healing arts came in the 5th grade at the Greensboro Day School as her teacher was also credentialed in yoga and massage. The teacher offered an elective in relaxation therapy. In middle school, Felicia took the class, where they practiced yoga and learned about concepts like reflexology and massage. It is always wonderful when teachers open doors for students, especially in helping them establish careers! Over the years, Felicia has grown into quite an entrepreneur of the healing arts. She is also a business and marketing coach and educator. She is known for turning around troubled spas. She shares her expertise at conferences as far away as Poland. 

In her "spare" time, Felicia writes for her three blogs; promotes her books; trains as a triathlete; and spends time with her husband and beloved pets. One of her books, The Sunflower Princess, is a healing fairy tale that helps people of all ages manage grief and despair from the loss of loved ones. Those who spend time with Felicia realize her well of compassion, love, and empathy runs deep. 

To learn more about Felicia, start with her website, here.   Today is ABC Wednesday, for our A-Z Local People, "F" is for Felicia at, A-Zen!