// 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.

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//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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//What’cha Cravin’? January 21, 2021//

Is it tacos? It’s tacos, right?
Plus exciting new developments, our very own YouTube star, and sunsets!

// The Good News //

Downtown is growing, but there’s still tons of potential. This is a photo of downtown Greensboro from the front entrance of the J. Douglas Galyon train depot. The lot across the street and adjacent buildings (including the former News & Record offices) is a huge piece of land. Imagine tourists getting off the train and walking out of the station doors and seeing…??? What would you like to see in this space to lure visitors to Greensboro?

// Local Flavor //

Everyday is Taco Tuesday for us! So today we sampled the Big Tacos at Taco In The Box. Drive thru only, head to 3204 E. Bessemer Ave and grab a three-pack. We loved how they grilled the cheese on homemade tortillas. Try the pork Big Tacos with a side of green sauce.

// Did You Know? //

Greensboro has a famous YouTuber? PeterDraws (aka Peter Deligdisch) has almost 1 million subscribers to his channel where he records himself drawing these beautifully intricate pen-and-ink fantasies, speeds it up, and adds commentary over it. You’ll be mesmerized by his talent, soothed by his meditation-worthy voice, and laugh at his dry rumination on whatever he’s thinking about that day, which is sometimes… leggings?

// Spaces //

This week it’s… O-U-T-E-R S-P-A-C-E
Last week we took our telescope and headed to the top floor of one of Greensboro’s parking decks to catch the rare conjunction of the planetary trio Jupiter, Saturn and Mercury. Though we weren’t able to see all three planets, we still enjoyed a beautiful sunset and camaraderie with other planet watchers atop the parking deck. Here are some other cool space and sky events happening in 2021.

// Progress Report //

This may not look like much, but it is a very exciting development! It’s the site of the old USPS sorting facility on the corner of E. Market St. and S. Dudley St. catty-corner to the NCA&T campus. They’re moving dirt, and it’s soon to become Bailey Village at New Downtown East, a multi-use project including shops and apartments, connecting NCA&T to downtown! Interesting history about the restoration of the East Market Street corridor here.

// Parting Shot //

//What’s Cookin’? January 14, 2021//

And the answer is… bananas. Plus new businesses, hot drinks, outdoor spaces & Project Slugger !

Hello, Greensboro!

// The Good News //

Downtown Greensboro is anticipating six (SIX!!!) new businesses opening up soon, and they all sound delicious. Here’s the list:
Bourbon Bowl (531 S. Elm St.)
Lewis & Elm wine bar (600 S. Elm Street)
Radici (214 S Elm St.)
Seafood Destiny (106 Barnhardt St.)
Savor the Moment Bakery (124 N Davie St.)
One Thirteen Brewhouse + Rooftop Bar (113 N Greene St.)
And open now:
Oh Goodness Bakery (631-A S. Elm St. *Shown above!)
Luxe Soulfood and Cocktails (403 N. Elm St.)
and…

// Local Flavor //

Cookie’s Café is now open serving coffee, tea, mochas and snacks outside the International Civil Rights Center and Museum, on the corner of Elm Street and February One. Go say hello to Cookie and get a “Judy’s Hug” – a cup of hot Russian Tea – perfect on a cold winter’s day!

// Did You Know? //

The term “banana republic” was coined by Greensboro’s own O. Henry? After “borrowing” money from the bank he worked at to pay for his wife’s medical bills, he hid out in Honduras. While there, he watched as corrupt government officials taxed the bananas exported by American companies, pocketing the cash, and then ended up deposed by coups backed by those same corporate interests. That sparked the idea for a term that’s stuck. Bananas, right?

// Spaces //

This week’s space is the outdoors. Greensboro has a great system of nature trails, and the west entrance of Laurel Bluffs enchants you with a stroll through this bamboo forest! Located on the right just past the entrance to Lake Brandt Marina if you’re coming from downtown. Click the link for more info on this and our city’s other great hiking trails!

// Progress Report //

The building at First National Bank Field, home of the Greensboro Grasshoppers, is now open for use. Businesses have started moving in to the “Project Slugger” building along with an FNB branch on the first floor with available corner retail space. This office building is the latest change to Greensboro’s cityscape. The newly completed city parking deck to the left will service demand from the building and an anticipated hotel.

// Parting Shot //

We’re going to miss the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade this year! Our favorite part every year is experiencing the High School marching bands. If you’d like some ideas on how to spend this National Day of Service, check out The Volunteer Center of the Triad.