Greensboro Daily Photo

Eugene Street Parking Deck

This is a night view of the Eugene Street Parking Deck. It opened in June 2021 at the corner of Eugene and Bellemeade Street. According to the Greensboro News and Record, it is the first downtown parking deck in 30 years. The deck has an electric vehicle charging station and parking is available by the hour or the month.

The above photo was taken recently after an event at Tanger Center. We were talking a woman to her car. She was from out of town and was having trouble finding her car. Thanks to helping her, we realized that this parking deck is due west, and within sight of Tanger and beside the baseball stadium. We were struck by the attractiveness of and lighting in the parking deck. It fills a very real need for more parking downtown. We love the fact that the business "Local Honey" is peeking out from the right side of the photo. We encourage you to explore downtown.

Happy Wednesday!

MID NGEN Corvette 2024

We're pretty sure this is a 2024 Corvette. It looks brand new, but then again, people who drive Corvettes have a way of keeping them looking brand new. The color is rapid blue and it is a beauty. When we saw it recently, it was headed north on North Battleground Avenue and it is stand-out beautiful. When Mr GDP is driving, I am in a position to snap photos and wish more of the car had been captured. At the time, we were focusing on the license plate. Whereas I struggled to figure out the meaning of the vanity tag "MID NGEN" trying to decipher the code, the Mister got it right away; mid engine as the engine is located in the middle of the car- between the front and rear axles. According to Car and Driver, this placement is said to improve acceleration, breaking, and handling.

This is one of those old-school games you can use to engage children and help pass time when traveling. Now, with devices in hand, they have any information they want about a car at their fingertips, as well as a camera to document what they are seeing. Many adults love playing the license game, too. Do you have a favorite? If you see MID NGEN cruising around, can you verify that is a 2024 and ask them how they decided on that specific expression over all the other limitless possibilities. We're betting Terry Labonte Chevrolet on Bradford Parkway and  Bill Black Chevrolet on Bessemer Avenue know all the details. Hey, maybe one of them is driving it!

Happy Tuesday! 

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!

Jaguars of East Greensboro

We love going for Sunday drives around Greensboro and this beauty, a Jaguar XK, is what we found in East Greensboro near Bennett College. The rainbow, holographic chrome wrap is definitely a show stopper. There is a Jaguar dealership in Greensboro at 1205 Bradford Parkway; however, the above vehicle has a temporary tag, registered in South Carolina. There was also another vehicle with a purple, holographic vehicle wrap in front of this one. These wraps are designed out of adhesive polyester.

Several companies in Greensboro offer the wrapping service and the wrapping of a luxury car like this can cost well into the thousands. It must be a fascinating process to watch and probably requires a lot of skill. To be sure, this is not a car that goes unnoticed, whether it is parked on a quiet, city street or causing up and down Elm Street on a Saturday night! We're on the lookout for it, now that we've seen it!

Happy Wednesday!

North Carolina Rowing Center

The North Carolina Rowing Center offers rowing for all ages from middle school 7th graders to adults. They are located in Greensboro and the above photo was taken yesterday at Lake Higgins where they practice. Fall is time for distance rowing and at regattas, the distance if 5,000 meters, as opposed to 2,000 meters in the spring. Here we see Pearl helping with navigation as Scott, one of the coaches, is guiding the launch (the coaching boat) to shore. Rowers were in single, double and quad shells sculling (using oars on both sides). The focus of the North Carolina Rowing Center is to develop skills and technique, with the option to compete against other teams in regattas in the southeast.

As we enjoy this last week of summer, walking around Lake Higgins and seeing the lake being used by all of these athletes was so lovely. There is absolutely no time for "screen time" when rowing. Soon, these teammates will be lucky enough to watch the fall leaves change from the water and, with all of the deciduous treen around Lake Higgins, the view from the water will be glorious. You can already see a hint of color change; just wait until October!

Happy Thursday!

 

Meet Watts @ Revolution Cycles

Today's photo features Watts Dixon, owner of Revolution Cycles, located at 1907 Spring Garden Street. Watts, originally from Atlanta, came to Greensboro to attend college. However, his passion for bicycling and working at Friendly Bikes helped hone his career path, as he bought the business in 2007. Seven years later, he moved the shop and changed the name.  Once at the current Spring Garden Street location, Watts added beer on draft and in cans to the shop- in addition to selling bikes and merchandise and making repairs.*  Stop by and partake on any day of the week, but especially at the Shop Social gathering every Friday, when people drop in and share their biking plans for the weekend.

This independent bike shop is the go-to place locally for those interested in bike-packing adventures, touring, biking on gravel, and mountain biking. If you need a bag for your bike or any specialty item, if he doesn't have it in stock, Watts knows exactly where to get it. Biking is such a great way to get from Point A to Point B while getting exercise and reducing your carbon footprint. Once you start, it becomes a lifestyle. Just ask Watts!

Happy Wednesday!

 

*reference and more information HERE.

Saints & Sinners Tavern

Saints and Sinners is located at 536 Farragut Street beside Jerry's Artarama and I-40. Sinners and Saints is sometimes billed as the best biker bar in Greensboro. It is owned by a husband and wife team and patrons say the owners work hard at building community. We were there a couple of weeks ago at the time a ride was departing. The roar of all of those Harleys heading out at once was deafening; however, you could feel the energy, camaraderie, and sense of community resonating through the parking lot. By chance, we were in the way of their high noon departure and had to remain motionless. There was no use trying to even pull over, as the roll out had commenced. However, not one motorcycle honked at us. They just drove around us. At Saints & Sinners, they host concerts. the next one will be on September, the Billy Creason Band. Rest assured, bikes will come out in droves. It is interesting to see all of the many ways riders outfit and customize their bikes. 

On another note, we missed the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb on September 11th at the Eugene Parking Deck this past weekend. It honored the public safety personnel who perished at the World Trade Center. People were encouraged to climb 11 times, representing the approximately 78 flights of stairs, the highest flight of stairs firefighters reached in the World Trade Center. We're betting there were some bikers at the event.

 

Heart-healthy Greenway Fun

Saturday is a great time to explore the great outdoors in Greensboro. We have so many trails, around our lakes, and along the greenway. The above photo was taken between Bur-Mil Park and Summerfield. You can ride at. your own pace or even walk. Northbound is more uphill than heading from Summerfield back towards town. This, the Atlantic- Yadkin Greenway actually leads to Guilford Courthouse National Military Park. If you head out and ride the greenway in the morning, you will certainly be ready to eat at a food truck downtown and listen to some music at the NC Folk Festival.

Just look at this peaceful scene and imagine yourself here. Moving more is a big part of being fit for life. Have a happy Saturday, regardless of how you decide to spend it.

DISCO4ME

So, it is Fun Friday (not to be confused with First Friday) and we went around looking for something fun to post. First, we saw the school bus yellow car and pulled into the above parking lot when. Even better, we drove around to see what kind of car this was (Buick Sentra) and look at this license plate: DISCO4ME. Who is this DISCO4ME person? Surely, they are a lot of fun. Were they really around in the 1970s when disco was all the rage? Truly, this person has a sense of humor to post a bumper sticker saying they brake for flea markets, thrift shops, and stuff left on the curb. I guess it is a good thing their vehicle is bright yellow as they make frequent stops.

Regarding disco dancing in Greensboro, the best we could find is Silent Disco (see HERE) where you wear headphones while you dance. We hope you have a great weekend and we are counting on good weather so that we can get out and take lots of photos and attend the last MUSEP concert of the year! Oh, and, get ready to see lots of school bus yellow starting on Monday.

Happy Friday!

Model A Car at Ozzie's

While we were at Ozzie's Ice Cream on Old Battleground Road recently, we ran into the Silers. Mr. Siler was standing in front of his 1931 Model A Ford. The vehicle is absolutely beautiful inside and out. While almost everything is restored to authentic fidelity, it does have air conditioning. An admirer of the vehicle and friend of Mr Siler said that he can fix anything. This summer, the car had the adventure of a lifetime. The Silers drove it to a show in Hamilton Ohio, 479 miles and it drove just fine up at cruising speed.

Mr. Siler recommended the ice cream highly. We hope to see him again there, sometime when he drives down from Bethany. Maybe he will even bring another vintage car. Greensboro has a lot of vintage car aficionados, as well as organized car shows. Then, there are the people who just show up with their vehicles and, like Mr. Siler, most are proud of their vehicles and eager to answer any question you may have.

Happy Saturday! 

Exterior of Hopper Trolley

After featuring Greensboro's Hopper Trolley yesterday, with the driver, we had a couple of requests to show the exterior of the trolley. So, here you have it. It is well marked and very distinct from the city busses. Of course, this is one of four trolleys and they run up and down Elm Street from 12 noon to 12 pm on Thur-Sat and until 10 pm on Sunday. It is so beautiful inside and out. We especially love the inside. It is clean and spacious. There is a map of Greensboro on the ceiling.

The above trolley was photographed in front of Natty Greene's just as it was turning onto Hamburger Square. Hamburger Square is a really convenient place to catch the Hopper Trolley. Today would be a perfect day to give it a try. If you want to combine a ride with a baseball game, the Grasshoppers* will be home for Thirsty Thursday and the trolley will be running. Mark your calendars. 

Happy Saturday, make it a great one!!!

 

* see schedule HERE.

Downtown Free Hopper Trolley

The Free Hopper Trolley is such a fabulous service for Downtown Greensboro. It has been up and running for about four weeks now and is super convenient. It runs the length of Elm Street from Fisher Street in the north to Carolyn Coleman Way, just south of East Gate City Boulevard. There are four trolleys running from 12 noon- 12 midnight from Thursday to Saturday and from 12 noon- 10 pm on Sunday. When we were riding yesterday, we had the good fortune to ride with Lorraine. She has been a public bus driver for over 30 years, with much of her career in New York City and Boston. She is so personable and so careful.

The only thing the trolley needs is passengers. Lorraine said that it gets really busy when there are events downtown, like baseball games or First Friday. People who live in or near downtown report really finding it convenient. Let's hope it catches on. While the drivers will try to stop if they can do so safely, look for the round Hopper Trolley signs. The stop at Hamburger Square is convenient to Natty Greenes. The stop at North Eugene/Smith Street is convenient to the baseball stadium. Today would be a great day to try the Free Hopper Trolley. If you see Lorraine, thank her for her service!

Happy Friday!

Black Patriots of Revolution

The above photo features the GTA bus that honors the Black men who fought at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. These were men who served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary Battle in Guilford County. The bus operates across routes citywide. If you want to learn more about the research that went into uncovering the story of the experiences of enslaved and free people of color at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. It is fascinating to learn how people of Greensboro come together to research information and bring history to light. This video is over an hour long and even if you don't watch the video, it is nice to know that information gets archived. So from an idea to the process of researching the Black men who participated to putting this history on a bus for all to see has been a lengthy process that came to fruition this summer. 

If you are looking for something to do as summer wanes, spend some time at the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park and try to learn more about the people whose names are found on this bus. Happy Tuesday!

Treva at cycles de ORO

Tuesday is the day for the group bicycle ride that leaves from Cycles de Oro on Hill Street at 6:30 pm. It is a slower paced ride where someone rides in the back to make sure that everyone makes it through the ride. Above, is Treva, one of the store employees at Cycles de Oro. Treva usually rides on the rides and is so fun to talk to. When we first met her, she had just purchased a new bicycle and took it on an inaugural ride on the Tuesday ride. Treva also helped us find the perfect helmet and lighting system so that we could ride more safely. If you want to find a bike store and a person who will help you on exactly the level needed, find Treva at Cycles. 

While riding with her, we learned that during Covid, she retired from nursing, left her home at the North Carolina coast, and bicycled all the way across country to Oregon. Can you imagine? Coast to coast!. She has so many adventures and memories from that cycling adventure. We asked about her route and she said there were two states she avoided, due to the mountains, West Virginia and Colorado. Her smile in this photo is insight to her sunny disposition. 

Sheldon Herman, Bicyclist and Volunteer Extraordinaire

As we continue our posts about biking in Greensboro during National Bike Month, we would be remiss if we did not feature Sheldon Herman. Sheldon was co-owner and business manager for Lotus Center on Lawndale Drive. In retirement, Sheldon has not slowed down in the least. He works tirelessly with the bike community to get people riding and to make cycling safer. He also helps get bikes for people who have no means of transportation to work. In 2021, Fox News featured Sheldon's efforts to make bikes available to Afghan refugees, others in need, and children who need to experience the joy of riding a bike  (read more here). Bikesboro, a local biking network and group of volunteers, donated more than 400 bikes to adults and children. Through the Bikesboro group, you can become part of a great biking community.  Sheldon is also one of the founders of the bicycle shop in Barber Park, which is where the above photo was taken.

The bicycle shop in Barber Park is located in an older brick building at the bottom of the hill, just beyond the enclosed sports complex. There, people bring bikes to donate, volunteers come to learn to repair bikes and get them road ready. While the bike shop at Barber Park has been open for a while now, they have started a new initiative: The "Bike Library." Every Sunday from 1:00pm- 4:00 pm, people can check out bicycles to ride around the park. The volunteers make sure the bike is the right size and even give lessons for those who have not yet learned to ride or who need a refresher. The grand opening of the "Bike Library" will be this Sunday, May 21st from 1:00pm- 4:00 pm. The opportunity borrow a bike is free! A heartfelt thank you goes out to Sheldon and all of the other volunteers. See you at Barber Park on Sunday!

Happy Friday!

Happy National Bike Month; Happy Times on the Greenway!

National Bike Month was established in 1956 by the League of American Bicyclists.* Communities coast to coast have events to promote connecting communities, making streets safer, and connecting people with resources for biking. Last night, there was a great event downtown. It was called "Tune in and Tune Up."  Those involved with last night's event included, The Downtown Greenway Department of Greensboro Parks and Recreation, The Community Bike Shop at Barber Park, Bicycles in Greensboro (BIG)  and volunteer bike mechanics and enthusiasts. Partiicpants came together to at the Cairn's Course spot on the downtown greenway to help bicyclists with simple tune-ups and to receive pointers on  basic bike maintenance.

We had our bikes tuned up, got air in our tires,  and rode the gravel greenway path. The weather was perfect and the sense of community was wonderful. We learned about the Tuesday Beginner Bike Ride that meets at Cycles D'Oro at 6:00 pm. Nobody gets left behind on that ride and there is help if you need it. We also learned about a big event at the  Community Bike Shop at Barber Park on Sunday, May 21st. The bike shop is open every Sunday  from 1-4pm; however, Sunday, May 21st will be extra special there. At the bike shop in Barber Park, you can borrow a bike. Yes, Greensboro has a bike "library"! You can learn about making repairs, about opportunities to volunteer, and more.

Last night was so much fun. We can't wait to bike on the greenway some more. While it will be a couple more years until the downtown greenway is completely paved and finished, for now, the gravel path is a good start. Chelsea Phipps (not photographed) is the Greenways & Gardens Program Coordinator in the Park Operations Division of the City of Greensboro. While she was in attendance last night, we didn't get a chance to include her in the photo. Most days, you can find Chelsea out doing something on the ever-expanding greenway! Chelsea is committed to making  Greensboro's  greenway a space that gets used and loved by the community, be it for bicyclists, runners, walkers, and more. 

 

Happy Thursday! Happy National Bike Month!

 

* Read more HERE.

Golf Season Is Upon Us

In Greensboro, North Carolina, golf can be a year-round sport*. There is, however, seasonality given it is an outdoor sport and the weather must be conducive to playing a round. It can't be too wet, or the turf and greens can get damaged. It can't be cold or golfers have trouble with their swing. There are times of the year when certain courses are dormant because they need to be repaired. In Greensboro, the answer to when golf can be played is, "it depends." For sure, yesterday was a nice day for playing golf it was sunny but not too hot.

The above photo was taken at the The Farm Course of the Greensboro Country Club. We love to walk on all of those roads off Carlson Dairy. They are very walkable and it is fun to see golfers in the distance playing golf. Greensboro and Guilford County have golf options at all price points and public as well as private. Courses really look nice this time of year, before it starts getting too hot. Hope to see you out there playing.

Happy Tuesday!

 

*See this article telling when golf season begins by state.

Enjoying the Trains on South Elm

Greensboro still remains a great train town. People who live, work, and travel on South Elm Street are keenly aware of how often trains travel through town. Often, train aficionados hang out near the tracks at Hamburger Square, just to admire trains going by. Of course, for impatient pedestrians and drivers, it is possible to go under the tracks at Wast McGee Street. However, there aren't many places where one can get this close to trains and legally cross the tracks in Greensboro. To help orient you to our vantage point, the white water tower in the center of the photo is located by Bennett College.

While the above aren't passenger trains, it is interesting to note that at the peak of passenger travel through Greensboro in the 1940s, more than 40 passenger trains came through the J. Douglas Gaylon Depot on East Washington Street daily. As of 2022, annual station ridership was 114, o46 and annual ticket revenue was over $4,000,000.* Needless to say, rail travel for people and freight remains big business for Greensboro. If you are looking for something to do this summer, consider having an adventure on Amtrak, even if you are only able to arrange a "day-cation."

Happy Monday!

 

* reference and more information.

Waiting for the Spartan Chariot

Today's photo shows students waiting for the Spartan Chariot bus, just outside of the Bestway Marketplace on the campus of the University of North Carolina Greensboro.  The Bestway Marketplace brings food to students living on the part of campus that has extended just south of Gate City Boulevard into the Glenwood neighborhood. This photo was taken on the Glenwood Avenue side of the store. Bestway at Spartan Village is the grocery store's second location in Greensboro, with the "mother store" located on Walker Avenue at Elam. 

The Spartan Chariot is an efficient form of bus transportation for UNCG students. UNCG has experienced great growth over the last decade, and the northernmost points of campus that extend to West Market Street is about a mile and a half from the above point, one of the southernmost locations. Also, UNCG students have options for parking remotely. The Spartan Chariot helps cut down on travel time, making it possible to get to and from class in a timely manner. This view of Greensboro gives it a "big city" view. Let's hope public transportation, on and off Greensboro's college campuses continues to grow. 

Happy Saturday and happy first day of April!

Train on Tracks

Yesterday afternoon, we were fascinated to watch a freight train stopped at South Elm Street for at least an hour. We asked a young man who was waiting and photographing it. He said he had been waiting for 50 minutes and that usually a stopped train indicates another one is on the track. He appeared to be quite a train aficionado. Greensboro is a great city for train lovers. We have both freight and passenger trains. As a matter of fact Greensboro got its nickname, Gate City, for being a gateway rail city. Here is a North Carolina rail map showing which freight and passenger trains travel through Greensboro.  

The above view is of Hamburger Square. Notice how nice the train trestle looks. The green and white paint makes it a stand out. Fortunately, with this underpass, pedestrians and cars can move through Elm Street, instead of having to wait for trains. People who work downtown probably know the train schedule by heart!

Happy Thursday, from the Gate City!

Heavenly Buffaloes

Heavenly Buffaloes is a brick and mortar restaurant at 356 South Elm Street. However, they also have a truck that always catches our attention, especially when we see it parked on W. McGee Street downtown. Heavenly Buffaloes got their start in Durham, NC in 2014, but now also has locations in Chapel Hill and Greensboro. They pride themselves on using high quality ingredients, local and for the chicken wings, antibiotic free. They also have vegan (soy nugget) wings, made from a recipe they perfected over a year. They offer many flavors of sauce and levels of heat. 

It is nice to see a local (well, down the road) business doing well and, who knows, they could keep growing and expand to other states, like Biscuitville and Cook Out. Sundays- Tuesdays, HB is only open until 10:00 pm, but other nights until midnight. It is always nice to be able to grab a late night snack. We're always looking for new places to get a quick bite to eat when downtown. 

Happy Thursday! 

Vanity Tag: 1VIOLIN

Today, we have a little fun with a vanity tag. In the state of North Carolina, a vanity tag, or personalized plate, costs $30 above the other fees. It is really fun to see what people put on their vehicle tags. They say if people can't figure out the message in a few seconds, it just might not be a good investment. You have up to a combination of eight letters, numbers, spaces, and special characters to get your message across. We're betting the above person plays the violin, and plays it well. Likely, they tote it in their hatchback and, with a four-wheel drive, may do some mountain driving. We're betting they are passionate about music.

Here is a link to the DMV.  You should be able to search and see if the name or saying you want is available. Be careful though. If it is not an official site (and it may LOOK official),  you will be taken to an outside site that is probably not secure. Do you have a vanity tag? What does it say? Would you consider one? What would it say? Honk if you like violin music!

Happy Tuesday!

Appreciating the Prius Perspective

What does your vehicle say about you? We love reading bumpers. You can learn so much about a person by noticing the back of the car. We saw this Prius at the Greensboro Curb Market on Yanceyville a few weeks ago and stood there reading every single bumper sticker: Make America Green Again; I brake for birds; Trees Please: Wander; Boycott Bottled Water; live simply that others may simply live; and, SKIP the STRAW. Additionally, the tag is a "First in Forestry" tag! $20 of the $30 fee collected for the plates goes forestry education programs in North Carolina. Follow that link if you want one of the NC Forest Service tags. And of course with a Prius, the owners are minimizing their use of fossil fuels.

We didn't see the owners of the car, but we can tell they are caring people for whom environmental issues matter. We've blocked out their tag number because it is not a vanity tag. When someone has a vanity tag with a recognizable word, we figure it is fair game; however, a series of numbers did not contribute to what we wanted to say about the bumper. We hope you have a great Saturday and that you find random things like cars filled with stickers to bring you joy! We're betting the owners of this Prius would love talking "environmental care" with any of us! 

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! 

 

 

Looking North, Between Ground and Air

The above photo is a view of the area just north of Greensboro. The road below is 220 north; to the left is Lake Higgins and to the right, Lake Brandt. The water in Lake Brandt is noticeably muddier than in Lake Higgins. There is a good view of the Lake Higgins Marina in the upper left corner, and Strawberry Road curves off to the right off of 220. On the horizon, you can see the Belews Creek Power Station, Duke Energy's largest coal-burning plant in the Carolinas. To the left of the columns of steam, you can see the Sauratown Mountains, including Pilot Mountain and Hanging Rock.

As we look towards the new year, let's remember to not only look at what is right in front of us, but also what is on the horizon.  Stokes and Surry counties can seem so far away from Guilford County; however, from the view of a plane, they seem so close. Maybe we'll get lucky the next time we are airborne and get a seat on the other side of the airplane with a good view of Greensboro proper. Happy Tuesday! We hope you had a good Hanukkah, Christmas, and that Kwanzaa is off to a great start for all who celebrate!

International Women's Day

Pull up a chair, or sofa, and join us for International Women's Day which began in 1911. Women's Day was first celebrated in Europe and in 1975, it gained traction when it started being celebrated by the United Nations. Today's photo was taken at the Greensboro Cultural Arts Center on Davie Street. This painting on the wall above the sofa is part of an exhibit at the Center for Visual Artists (CVA). The wall mural, Eve Genesis,  was painted by Kidd. The title of the whole, multi-artist exhibit is "The Eve Gene." The exhibit is curated by Virginia Holmes who is a local artist and activist.  

Purple and white are the colors of International Women's Day. If you read this before you get dressed for the day, please consider wearing purple and white, whether you live in Greensboro or elsewhere. If you want to learn more about IWD, read this BBC article. Also, the Greensboro History Museum is going a presentation at noon today. The CVA is open from 12pm- 5:00 pm today. Come sit on the big blue couch with us and reflect on all of the art in the room and on all of the great things the women of Greensboro have done.

 See more information, here.

HOPE

Well, today is the last day of February. It is hard to believe. Today is a bit of a "fluff" post, but we like it. This weekend, we stopped at the post office on Battleground Avenue (where Aldi is located, former Earthfare space). As we were getting back in the car, we noticed the car parked in front of us was "Hope '99". We stuck around a while in the hope that the owner would come out, so we could ask for the back story on the Hope vanity tag. Also, we were wondering the significance of '99. We were thinking the owner of the vehicle may have been at Starbucks and were tempted to walk around looking for Hope.

It is always fun to see vanity tags and even more meaningful to get the back story. Is the owner named Hope? Does the owner have hope about something? Maybe a little of both. Given some of the current events in the world, we all need to work hard to spread a little love and HOPE!

Happy Monday! To our ever faithful reader, Ginny, all the way in Wisconsin, Happy Birthday!!!

Liquid Nitrogen

Have you ever driven behind a truck full of liquid nitrogen? It is so interesting. That black sign below the green one reads, "venting of vapor is normal during operation." We're sure people have called on more than one occasion saying that a truck was "smoking." If you look at the street signs on the left, you can see that the vehicle was at the corner of Josephine Boyd and Oakland Avenue. The truck was quite large and the driver masterfully made that left turn. It took a while, but he did it. Airgas uses cryogenic storage dewars (vacuum flasks) to transport very cold liquid gasses.

Here is a link to learn about all of the uses for nitrogen. Sometimes while out driving, it is easy to hyper focus on getting from Point A to Point B; however, when you stop and observe just what vehicles are around you and what they are doing, it is really interesting. We've never seen an Airgas truck before, but then maybe we've just never noticed. According to the internet, there is a store on East Market Street. Since this large truck was turning onto Oakland between UNCG and the railroad tracks, we're betting they were filling an order for UNCG. Actually, just possibly, it was turning because it would not fit under the underpass over Josephine Boyd. At any rate, it was interesting waiting behind the truck that looked like it was vaping!

Happy Tuesday.

Street Scene along McGee and South Elm Street

Last time we were downtown shopping at Just Be (corner of McGee and South Elm Street), we looked out the window and this scene just struck us a memorable view of winter. And, since the groundhog saw his shadow yesterday, we guess we should brace ourselves for 6 more weeks of winter.* Something about the festive wind chimes, the snow, that brand new Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, and the lights from the Green Bean Coffee House all came together for an instant and made a beautiful scene. If you look at Greensboro Daily Photo regularly, you know that yesterday's vehicle was Carolina blue. Perhaps it is only fitting that today we feature one that is closer to Duke blue!

Enjoy your Thursday and, if you get a chance, head downtown and enjoy the shops and restaurants. If you get a chance, wash your car. There has been a lot of salt on the road. Maybe the rain today will help with the salt!

 

*By the way, regardless of what the groundhog did and didn't see, February 2nd is precisely six weeks away from the spring equinox.

Vintage VW at Greensboro Farmers Curb Market

Today's photo was taken on Saturday after another weekend snow.  This vintage Volkswagen was parked outside the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market on Yanceyville Street while its owners were inside shopping. The farmers market is on the east side of Greensboro, just north of NC A&T University. If you look in the background, you can see the JP/LFG building, Greensboro's iconic landmark.

If you are from North Carolina, you recognize that the car is painted Carolina blue for UNC Chapel Hill. No, that is not an original VW color, but it really fits the vintage car and its owners. We are thinking it is a 1970-ish Volkswagen square back. The VW may be small, but it looks like it could hold a lot of fresh produce. While some times of year, the farmers market is open on Wednesday, it will not be open today, you'll have to wait until Saturday. Do you think the VW will be back? Eating healthy is so addictive and the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market is a great way to do so! It has bringing us great, local food products since it was founded in 1874!

Happy Candlemas! Happy Groundhog Day! We're headed out to see if the groundhog sees his shadow. 

Gilley Small Engine Service

Giley Small Engine Service is a small business off of the northern end of Guilford County and Southern end of Rockingham County. Their address is specifically listed as Stokesdale. If you drive up 220 north, just south of Highway 158 on Spotswood Circle, just east of Highway 73. If you are out driving around, it is fun to seek out these old-time mom and pop businesses. Gilley is one of those places where the owner does most of the work. If you need your chainsaw or lawnmower repaired, chipper shredder or pressure washer, this would be a good place to take your small engine . It is getting harder and harder to find places that make repairs. Sometimes, it is almost easier to buy something new than to repair.

If the weather holds out this weekend, it is fun to drive around town, but it is also fun to drive 10-15 miles in any direction of the city and explore a little. We hope the weather holds out so we can can get out and explore some more places this weekend. Happy Friday and stay warm!

Piedmont Triad International Airport: Wrangler Jeansboro Statues

The Piedmont Triad International Airport was started in 1927 and, the 112 acre facility has been evolving and changing ever since. One of the latest efforts has been to enhance the facility with public art.

In 2018, four Wrangler Jeansboro statues were installed at Piedmont Triad International Airport. The above statue is by Jerry McGuire of Pfafftown. It is called "Slice of Heaven." This statue is located is baggage claim, one of the public areas of the airport that you can actually view even if you are not traveling. You don't need to go through airport security to see it. The statue itself is made out of fiberglass. The first installations of the jeans statues were in 2016. They are located not only at the airport, but also around town. Wrangler sponsored them as a nod to Greensboro's history with denim and jeans.* At one time, Cone Mills in Greensboro was the largest denim maker in the world. Wrangler actually coined the term Jeansboro in 2015. Many of the jeans statues were painted by students of Guilford County Schools.**

When we were at the airport Saturday night, we were only picking up a traveler, but it sure made us want to do a little globe trotting. However, at the end of the day, it sure was nice to return home and hunker down for the Sunday morning snow storm. Happy Wednesday 

 

*reference and more information, HERE.

** another great reference.

Gas Prices Exxon 801 East Market Street

This Exxon station at 801 East Market Street, open 24 hours, is one of the closest gas stations to town. As you can see, in the background, the Lincoln Financial Group building is not far away; it is one of the most iconic buildings in Greensboro. We jokingly say that, in Greensboro, all roads lead to the JP/LFG building. 

We like to check in at this Exxon once in a while to document gas prices. When we were there on December 5th, regular gas was $3.18 a gallon. It will be fun to see the price this time next year. The last time we did this, June 16, 2017, gas was $2.35 a gallon. As you can see, the price is up 83¢ a gallon in 4 1/2 years. This gas station will be even more in demand when Bailey Village is completed across the street.  This Exxon seems like an island and in a way, it is. You can access it whether heading east or west through town.

Happy Monday. Only five more days until 2022, can you believe it?

Pretty In VW Pink: Wink, Wink!

Some vehicles are just so cute. Such is the case with this pink Volkswagen Beetle. If you are out and about in Greensboro, be on the lookout for VW Beetles with eyelashes. We have seen one at the Red Collection on Mill Street. This one, with North Carolina tags, was spotted out shopping at Golden Antiques on north 220 this past Sunday. The pink color is perfect with the lashes.

The Beetle has been around since the 1930s when commissioned by Adolph Hitler and designed by Ferdinand Porsche. Unfortunately, 2019 was the last year they were made. Flow Volkswagen on Roanne Way sells VWs. Likely the have some used Beetles on the lot. We're wondering if the above WV Bug makes it to Herbie's Restaurant on Thursdays for WV night. We wonder if they made it to the "Break the Record" night for the most number of VW's to come to Herbie's in August. We're wondering is this car has a name. It should. Have a great Tuesday and, if you can, get any groceries you will need for Thruday, today. So many stores will be closet on Thursday and some are closing early on Wednesday. Wink if you like cars with eyelashes!!!

1953 Buick Riviera and a Great Conversation

Yesterday, we headed just over the Guilford County line, to Kernersville and struck up a conversation with the owner of this 1953 Buick Riviera. The conversation started with asking for permission to take a photo of the car and ended with a great story. The car is owned by Rodney Robles, photographed above. Mr. Robles inherited the car from his grandfather 30 years ago, when his grandfather, John Wesley Lowery, died at the age of 104. Mr. Lowery, a horticulture and forestry major,  was the first Native American to graduate from Virginia Tech. Mr. Lowery left his vintage cars to Mr. Robles because of his grandson's love of cars and his willingness to "talk cars" with anyone interested- like us. Not only did Mr. Robles talk about his vintage cars (he has more than one), he let "Ms. Greensboro Daily Photo"  sit in the driver's seat and get her picture taken. If you attend antique car shows, you may already know Mr. Robles, or at least recognize his cars. They are the ones painted in Virginia Tech colors as grandfather was a proud and loyal alum.  While Mr. Robles still works, he is retired from his career as a state trooper. 

On another note, Greensboro is preparing for Tommy Orange's visit here to talk about his book, "There, There" and how wonderful it would be if Mr. Orange would have an opportunity to meet Mr. Robles and his family. In his book, Mr. Orange articulates the west-coast, Native American experience masterfully. After a few short minutes of talking with Mr. Robles, we are confident he could share some great east-coast, Native American stories. He and his family are originally from Lumberton, NC. Both men would enjoy each other tremendously. Mr. Robles, ever the gentleman would have stayed and talked longer, but he was on his way to take dinner home to his wife. Her dinner will arrive in style and be delivered with a smile! 

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.

STOP!

Today's photo is of the Wal-Mart parking lot on North Battleground. This store is not as busy, or hectic,  as some of the others around town. There is a kudzu lot between Wal-Mart and the Big Lots Plaza. If you time it right, as you leave the store, you have a fabulous view of sunset. In the above photo, we'd missed the actual sunset, but we still saw that magical glow that  lingers a few minutes after the sun has dipped below the horizon. Part of the fun of photography is finding a way to freeze a little beauty, a slice of life, in a frame. What does "STOP" look like upside down? do's? dots? At any rate, looking at STOP from this orientation slows us down. 

Today, we just had a little parking lot fun. We hope you are having a great day and that when you can't stop and smell the roses, you can stop and maybe catch a sunset. From this orientation, it looks like the Wal-mart is surrounded by woods, which is part of the beauty of Greensboro. Let's work hard to keep it green!

Happy Tuesday!

"Bestway" on Market Street

Sometimes in a city there are people in our lives, we may not know much about them, but we come to take for granted that we will see them. Sometimes they bring us joy, sometimes the feeling is more neutral, and sometimes it is even negative- but we know we will see them. As we were walking to the opening of the North Carolina Folk Festival last week, someone walked past this man on a scooter and said, "Hi Bestway." We kind of looked at the man walking by and he said to us, "That's the guy that plays music out in front of Bestway. We see him all the time." Then we realized that we, too, recognized him and had seen him on many occasions out in front of the Bestway Grocery Store on Walker Avenue. When we asked him if we could take this picture downtown, we tried to interview him, but he had to go park his scooter and get settled into the festival.

Seeing him reminded us of how often we see him, really enjoy interacting with him, and also enjoy his musical talent, without really knowing much about him. Perhaps that is OK. Sometimes, people don't want us to know that much about them. However, we intend to let "Bestway" know we appreciate his talent and that seeing him in front of Bestway when we shop there is something we've come to expect. If he is not there, we wonder if he is OK. The gig economy is really unpredictable. You can be sure next time we walk past when he is playing, we'll drop a few bills in his instrument case, let him know how much we appreciate his music, and.... most importantly..... ask him his name!

Tabernacle Church at 544 South Mendenhall

Today's photo is the "Power for Living" Tabernacle Church at 544 South Mendenhall Street. The church is located in the College Hill neighborhood, very near Church of the Covenant. We featured this church the first year we started Greensboro Daily Photo  in 2009 (see here), and just checked back in here a few weeks ago. The church still has the same pastor, T.J. Patterson, and, unfortunately, still doesn't have a website or much of an internet present. The same blue door is there, but the brick is no longer bright white; it is more almond color. In 2009, the electric scooter industry was not on the radar screen. In 2021, it people can ride scooters to church. Oh, how times are changing. 

Happy Sunday and may you find a spiritual home (if you are seeking one). Greensboro has plenty of options from small like Tabernacle Church to churches with thousands of congregants. There is something for everyone, regardless of your religion.

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!