// Where Ya Headin’? March 18, 2021//

This week we take to the streets, get some Bubble Tea, check out new art, and honor those lost to gun violence.

// The Good News //

DGI sponsored Open Streets returns this Saturday from 5-10pm. Elm Street from Market Street to Lewis Street will be shut down to car traffic and open for pedestrian use. Local shops and restaurants may also use the open road to set up additional outdoor shopping and seating options. Open Streets will be every Saturday from now until…

// Did You Know? //

There’s a memorial set up on the grounds of the Governmental Plaza to honor the record-setting 61 lives lost to gun violence in the city of Greensboro last year. Mothers Standing Against Gun Violence placed the memorial and held a gathering last month to highlight the lives lost and the work we need to do to end gun violence.

// Local Flavor //

Whenever we’re craving a bubble tea we head over to The Lao Kitchen at 2601 West Gate City Blvd around lunchtime (and pick up some lunch to go along with it!) Our favorites are the #3 Combo Bánh Mi sandwich (if you like pâté – get the #2 Roast Pork if you don’t), the Spicy Basil Ground Chicken stir fry, and of course Bubble Tea (we like the Milk Tea flavor). While you’re waiting you can shop the Aounemay Asian Market at the front of the building for noodles, spices, produce, and more!

// Progress Report //

Greensboro has a new mural! This giant gold rose is on the side of the former Orrell Design building (now Salon 440) on Eugene St. across from the ballpark.

// Parting Shot //

A reminder to drive safely.

@coolgreensboro

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// Hello Greensboro! March 11th, 2021 //

This week we find our city’s strategy, good burgers,
world class art, and new amenities!

// The Good News //

Downtown Greensboro Inc. has released a draft of their 10 year strategic plan for the downtown area. Read the plan for exciting ideas about the future of Greensboro as well as timelines for implementing these ideas.

// Did You Know? //

Greensboro has a world-class art museum! A recent outing to the Weatherspoon Art Museum on the UNCG campus had us seeing a Matisse sculpture and a de Kooning among many works by recognized artists. The works even flow outside into a sculpture-filled courtyard. The museum is open to the public Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, is free to enter, and has free parking behind the building.

// Local Flavor //

We’re always craving a good burger, and our latest find comes highly recommended by @greensboroeats (along with their Bloody Mary’s, too!)
Find this and plenty more impressively original bar food treats at Rascal’s Tavern in Golden Gate Shopping Center.

// Progress Report //

The Murrow Blvd. section of the Downtown Greenway now has benches, trash cans, and guardrails on the stairway access points! Excited to see this coming together (and for the recent landscaping trees to sprout their leaves!) This new section brings the greenway to 3 completed miles of the 4 mile loop.

// Parting Shot //

@coolgreensboro

Thank you for signing up for CoolGreensboro’s weekly newsletter. We hope you like it. Can you forward it to a friend and help us grow?

Know something interesting about Greensboro we should share? Email us!

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//We Found (A) Spring! March 4, 2021//

This week, we found a secret entrance, chalk art,

homegrown plays, and yummy pastries!

// The Good News //

We found the entrance to Narnia! (Well, it might be, but we weren’t brave enough to go too far inside.) This magical-looking entryway sits over the entrance to a storm drain under a road in one of our city parks. Can you guess where it is? Have you found any other magical spaces in Greensboro?

(take a photo and tag us on Instagram)

// Things To Do //

Greensboro Parks and Rec is having a ChalkWalk art competition at the Arboretum on March 13-14th. Feel like creating a Mary Poppins-inspired work of art worthy of disappearing into? Register to compete by Friday, March 5th! Price is $10 for a 5×5 space and you must supply your own chalk. Register as an adult, youth (17 and under), or as a team. The public will be invited to vote on their favorite piece of art on Sunday, March 14th from 11am-1pm.

…and…

Creative Greensboro (formerly the Drama Center) is presenting an evening of six short plays written by members of the Creative Greensboro’s Playwright’s Forum on March 5th and 6th from 8-9pm. Tickets are a suggested donation of $10 with multiple streaming options.

// Local Eats //

We recently tried a variety of baked treats from Dolce & Amaro Artisan Italian Bakery and they were as delicious as they were beautiful. Check them out at 1310 Westover Terrace near the World of Beer.

// Parting Shot //

@coolgreensboro

Thank you for signing up for CoolGreensboro’s weekly newsletter. We hope you like it. Can you forward it to a friend and help us grow?

Know something interesting about Greensboro we should share? Email us!

Get this from a friend? Subscribe here.

//What’cha Reading? February 25, 2021//

Good books, apples for the offering, a historic graveyard, and fresh Mediterranean eats.

// The Good News //

Exciting news! The Greensboro Bound Literary Festival announced their 2021 lineup of authors and are going virtual this year with 21 live and pre-recorded interviews available to the public for free.

Put it on your schedule for May 13-16! Get on the mailing list and look forward to hearing from some of your favorite authors (or soon to be favorites!), from Roxane Gay (Bad Feminist), to Allan Gurganus (Plays Well With Others and Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All). Grab your copies at Scuppernong!

// Did You Know? //

There’s a tradition at UNCG where students place apples, notes, and other offerings, at the base of the Minerva statue on campus for good luck at the start of the semester or to do well on upcoming exams. A recent walk through campus saw painted stones, plushies, and apples with bites taken out of them along her pedestal. Good luck students!

// Local Flavor //

We are excited to hear that Zaytoon Mediterranean Grill has returned to a physical location in downtown Greensboro. They join fellow restaurants Poke Bowl, Midori Japanese Hibachi and Flaviano’s Mexican Restaurant in the food court hallway of the Piedmont Building at 114 Elm Street.

// Spaces //

There’s a Union Cemetery on the corner of South Elm Street and E. Whittington Street and it is the oldest African American Cemetery in Greensboro, established in 1880. There are about 45 gravestones in the cemetery, though it is thought as many as 400 people may be buried there. Old family names can be seen on the markers that are familiar to Greensboro such as Nocho.

// Parting Shot //

@coolgreensboro

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//What’s Hot Right Now? February 18th, 2021//

Melting ice, beastly ghost burgers, and cleaning up our city,
plus history made and presented.

// The Good News //

The good news is that the weather will be warming up next week, putting this icy cold in the rearview. Who’s ready for sunny 60º days?!?

// Local-ish Flavor //

If you have pre-teens, you’ve probably heard about Mr. Beast, the NC YouTuber that grosses about $8 million/month on their videos and merchandise. They’ve expanded their empire to include burgers – and without all the overhead of owning a kitchen. Enter: ghost kitchens – utilizing extra capacity in already established restaurants to serve up your personalized menu. We found Mr. Beast Burgers on the Uber Eats app and tracked it to the Bravo! restaurant at Friendly Shopping Center.

// Spaces //

The Greensboro History Museum has a powerful new exhibit called Pieces of Now that showcases the historic events that took place in Greensboro during 2020. Curators have compiled and displayed artifacts from the Black Lives Matter protests, the economic crisis, and the pandemic as it affected the lives of Greensboro residents. You can tour the exhibit in person for free Tuesday-Saturday 10am to 5pm, or take a virtual tour.

// Things to Do //

Greensboro Beautiful is sponsoring a Winter Wipeout program to help wipeout litter around Greensboro. You can sign up to clean up specific litter “hot spots”, then upload before and after shots to Greensboro Beautiful’s Facebook page to show the great work you did! Without leaves on trees and bushes, trash is easier to see, which means your efforts will make a huge difference!

(PS – it’s a great excuse to get kids outside and teach them
about taking care of our community, too!)

// Parting Shot //

@coolgreensboro

//What’s Bloomin’? February 11, 2021//

Flowers, parks, fire pits, and walking tours.
Plus, there’s help when you need it…here’s the 211!

// The Good News //

You may have noticed, tucked in shaded or wooded areas, these little plants have started blooming – they’re called Hellebores or Lenten Roses. We’re more than halfway through Winter and these little beauties are brightening up our day! They do well in water if you wanted to put some in a vase. Native to Greece and Turkey, they grow quite well here in Greensboro. These little evergreen plants spread by dropping their seeds in the fall, or can be dug up and divided if you wanted to give one to a friend – which is good news because they can run $18-25 per plant!

// Did You Know? //

When you need help, the United Way of North Carolina is making it easier for you to find it. With its newly established 2-1-1 service you have just one number to call to speak with a live person that can direct you to resources that can get you or a loved one the help you need. Times are tough and we may find ourselves in situations we wouldn’t have expected. Dial 2-1-1 to:

Locate a food pantry near you.
Find the nearest shelter if you need a safe place to sleep at night.
Access counseling services and emotional support hotlines.
Receive accurate and vetted information during disasters when there is information overload.
Find rent assistance programs when you’re struggling to pay your rent.
Locate places in your community to volunteer or make a donation.
Find utility assistance to help with the electric and water bills.
Understand eligibility requirements for government assistance.
Find services for senior citizens, including transportation and housing.
Discover after school & educational opportunities for your child or dependent.
Find services for veterans and military families.

// Local Flavor //

Summerfield Farms is more than just a source of locally grown, 100% grassfed beef. And it’s more than a beautiful event space for your barn-themed party. It’s also a really cool outdoor space for hanging out in the evenings. Their Well Truck serves beer, wine, and delicious mixed drinks, and a rotating caravan of food trucks every Wednesday through Sunday help get you out of making dinner. There’s lots of open space for socially distanced fun in the great outdoors, with multiple fire pits to keep you warm!

// Spaces //

You never know what you might find when you head out on one of Greensboro’s trails. These colorful rocks were spotted on the trail in Guilford Woods near the Underground Railroad Tree.

//Progress Report//

There’s turf grass at the LoFi park at Joymongers! Just a couple weeks ago, it was nothing but dirt. Now it’s a super green spot for hanging with friends and enjoying a tasty beverage! There’s still a few rough edges, but the park is ready for action, even after a hard rain!

// Things to Do //

This coffee cup sculpture is one of seven in the downtown area called the Coffee Cup Collaborative and you can experience them all on a 1.2 mile self-guided walking tour on the GPSMyCity app. You can create your own tour on the app, too…what kind of tour would you create for Greensboro?

// Parting Shot //

@coolgreensboro

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