Greensboro Daily Photo

Western High School Art... Polaroid Mural

2012-02-11T05:30:00-05:00

Western HIgh School, located between Friendly Avenue* and West Market Street, is one of Greensboro's directional schools.** The student body consists of approximately 1,300 students. The above photo is a series of several photos painted on the hallway walls. The Polaroid paintings of clouds rest in front of recognizable tourist spots. The above photo covers the Statue of Liberty. Butterflies anchor the Polaroid to the wall. As the butterflies morph from egg to larvae to pupae and adults, so do the high school students..... freshman, sophomore, junior, senior..... when both are ready to fly away and forge a new life.

Art in public schools is so inspiring and hopeful. The Polaroid mural is the kind of art that allows you to notice something new every time you look at it. Is there inspiring art at your alma mater. It is the weekend so we're out in search of more art.

*Thank you, Jane, for catching this error. We meant Friendly Avenue, NOT Center.

** We also have Northwest, Northern, Northeast, Eastern, Southeast, Southern, and Southwest. Taking the last point on the compass rose, Northern High was the last of the directional schools to be built.

Dudley's Panther and Tyca Clowning Around

2012-02-10T05:30:00-05:00

Tyca the clown and the Dudley Senior High School panther-mascot were out entertaining children during the MLK parade in January. Tyca the Clown was incorporated in 2007. He is frequently seen around town twisting balloons into all kinds of shapes for children to enjoy. Children know him by name and respond gleefully to his rainbow hair, outfits, expressive face paint, as well as to his animated persona in general. His address is listed online as 4425 South Danby Castle Road, Greensboro NC, 27407. Unfortunately, we didn't see a website or phone number. However, SOMEBODY must know how to get in touch with Tyca as he is seen working everywhere!

The suited panther, represents the royal blue and gold Dudley High School off of East Lee Street. Children enjoy waving and interacting with that furry larger-than-life creature. When you see him, you can be pretty sure that the Dudley band or sports team is somewhere nearby!

Happy Friday folks. Also, happy Skywatch Friday. We're sharing this photo with the rest of the sky-loving world.

Groundhog Day 2012

2012-02-09T05:30:00-05:00

Groundhog Day 2012 has come and gone this week. Do you know the origin of the holiday? Do you follow the results? According to the predictions of both Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania AND Sir Walter Wally's in North Carolina, there will be six more weeks of winter. Ironically, good weather on any given February 2nd, Groundhog Day, indicates winter will linger. In the USA, we have been maintaining this tradition for over 125 years. Pennsylvania's early settlers brought the following saying from Europe: "For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day, so far will the snow swirl in May..."* Candlemas is the 40th day after Christmas. So, historically, Groundhog Day is linked to Christianity.

Information related to North Carolina's groundhog-predictor is archived through the State Climate Office of North Carolina. Check here on March 15th, if you want to follow up on the accuracy of Sir Walter Wally's 2012 prediction. On the same website, archived through NC State University, you can check the groundhog's record in previous years. Last time we checked, the Greensboro's own Natural Science Center had "Woody" the Groundhog on the prediction circuit, too.

As for the above groundhog, also known as a woodchuck, whistle-pig, and land-beaver, he was seen frequently in our yard in Greensboro this summer. We're guessing he'll be back...... sometime after March 15th. As far as we can tell, he's never poked his head out on February 2nd. Care to name him?

*Huffington Post reference here.

D is for Dogs, People and Paws for Hope

2012-02-08T05:30:00-05:00

In the above photo, we see the building that formerly housed the Central Carolina Convalescent Hospital at 710 Huffine Mill Road, between Summit and Bessemer Avenues. We drove by this weekend to see the former hospital again because there was a question about its location during Eugene Pfaff's recent book talk about the Civil Rights Movement in Greensboro. During the sit-ins, the above facility served as a place to detain protestors. However, it was initially built in 1948 to quarantine and treat polio victims.* One woman vividly remembered it was "somewhere out off of East Market Street" said when her parents drove her past this facility, she held her breath for fear of catching polio.

This facility is so important to the history of Greensboro, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Great Mid-Century Polio Epidemic. It is always larger in our memory than it is when we actually visit it in person.** Surprisingly, nobody has pursued getting it on an historic registry. While, a few years ago, it appeared to be abandoned and deteriorating, there is hope for its upkeep, however.

On Sunday's visit, we learned that the facility currently houses People and Paws for Hope. This non-profit organization helps youth between the ages of 5-18 with Animal Assisted Therapies and Activities. They also help dogs be socialized with humans so that they can be adopted into forever homes. So, as serendipity would have it, our trip to the polio hospital brings us in a round about way to today's ABC Wednesday cause: D is for dogs, our canine companions. As People and Paws for Hope reminds us, we need dogs and dogs need us! Good luck to this organization. Good luck to 710 Huffine Mill Road!

*read an interesting article about the polio hospital (here).

**Last time we were there it was painted blue.

Green Hill Center for North Carolina Art

2012-02-07T05:30:00-05:00

Green Hill Center for North Carolina Art is located in the Cultural Arts Center on Davie Street. Since 1974, they have been showcasing great art in the Triad. Approximately 175 North Carolina artists a year either show their art, share their knowledge through workshops and events, or sell artwork through Green Hill. The center also has an extensive community outreach program and an interactive gallery for children, ArtQuest. Currently, they are featuring an exhibit of four artists, entitled, Word Maps. If you are looking for something to do, head on over and immerse yourself in art*

In the above photo, the double doors on the right lead to the gallery, the art in the front is available for purchase in the gift shop. The table and chairs in the foreground are for the public to come and relax and are also used during special events. The man on the left is trying to get a couple of minutes of alone time while his children were at a birthday party held at ArtQuest. Fun was had by all and visual stimulation was everywhere.

*For hours of operation, directions, and other details, access Green Hill's website here.

Meadowood Street

2012-02-06T05:30:00-05:00

Here we see a photo of a construction site at the intersection of Meadowood Street and Cox Place-- a stone's throw from Costco. There is no signage indicating who is building what; however, from the looks of the structure in the distance, this will be an apartment complex. We've noticed several construction sites in Greensboro as of late. Seeing new construction is an indication that the local economy is improving. Construction taking place in already developed areas usually causes little controversy. This project seems to be going up almost unnoticed near a block full of single family homes that have been constructed within the last two years.

Greensboro is in the heart of a clay belt. Here you can see the red menace in all of its glory. Imagine being a farmer having to work fields of clay. Imagine being the person who has to try to get clay stains out of work clothes! Clay actually has nutrients that are good for plants. However, it is dense and creates drainage problems. No problem here as, soon, this clay will be sporting a top coat of asphalt. Happy Monday all!

Shiloh Baptist Church

2012-02-05T05:30:00-05:00

Here we see a view of Shiloh Baptist Church located at 1210 South Eugene Street, near where the street turns into Elm-Eugene. According to the News and Record's archives, Shiloh Baptist has been experiencing internal strife for the last fifteen years as evidenced by their frequent turnover in leadership. However, Shiloh Baptist, located in the Warnersville community, has a rich history and held a legendary place in the civil right struggles of the 1960's (reference and here). It would be great if the church would develop a website and post their history and share photos from their archives.

Shiloh Baptist has such an interesting roofline and adds to this view of a sunny Greensboro sky full of fluffy clouds. Have a great Sunday everyone.

International Civil Rights Center and Museum

2012-02-04T05:30:00-05:00

Black History Month is in full gear and what better place to stop and reflect on the past and hope for a harmonious future than the International Civil Rights Center and Museum? The museum, located in the former F.W. Woolworth Company on South Elm Street, houses permanent exhibits and sponsors events all year long. Today, story hour begins at 11am featuring, When Marian Anderson Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson. The 2012 Gala is happening today at the Koury Convention Center Imperial Ballroom and the museum's website indicates the topic is Today's Sit-in: Economic Justice (more here).

We're sharing this post with the Weekend Reflections meme; the participants will love all of the reflections on the windows. Note the iconic, seemingly ubiqutous, Jefferson Standard/Jefferson Pilot/Lincoln Financial Group building peeking out from behind the leafless tree.