Penguins at the Greensboro Science Center SciQuarium

I went to the Greensboro Science Center (formerly known as the Natural Science Center) to check out the new SciQuarium, which is housed in a brand new building added to the existing one. One of my favorite exhibits in the new SciQuarium was the penguins. They are so cute! This is one of the most interesting displays to watch, because there are plenty of birds in the exhibit--about a dozen or so--and so there is always some activity to watch. As you can see by the pictures, some are standing, some are swimming, and some are even diving! 

Penguins are very engaging animals, because besides being very cute, they are very social, and they interact with you to the extent they can. They come look at you and follow your hand movements if you wave. This particular exhibit really lets you see the birds quite close as they dive and swim up against the glass. It was a very nice display! 

Please excuse my photos, as one of the reasons penguins are great to watch is also what makes them hard to photograph--all that movement!

You can also find What's Good in Greensbroro? on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Whats-Good-in-Greensboro-848569635208317/ . See you there!

All photographs (c) Ali McCartney. Not to be used without permission.

Coups for Troops Supports Military Families

How Your Donations--of Expired Coupons!--Can Help

For over a year, I have been a volunteer for Coups for Troops, a charity organization that was founded right here in North Carolina to help military families. The way we help the families is by providing expired--yes, expired--coupons to groups of families living on overseas bases, where by special agreement, coupons that have passed their expiration dates can still be used for groceries and other items at the base's "PX", or post exchange, which is basically a big grocery and sundries store. I first heard about Coups for Troops two or three years ago when they were featured on the news, and I thought it sounded like a great program. At first I just donated coupons, but I noticed that their person in North Carolina was inactive, and so I volunteered to do it myself.

This is the way it works: people send in donations of coupons to us, the "satellite locations", and we process the coupons by cutting out the ones that haven't been clipped (sometimes people just send the full inserts) and getting rid of the ones we can't use, and then repack a box full of these "edited" coupons and ship them to "swap groups" at the overseas bases. Those groups then distribute them to the families for use. We can use any manufacturer's coupons, for things like soap, pet food, candy, frozen food--you know; pretty much anything you would buy at the store for your home needs. What we can't use: coupons specifically for stores or restaurants (remember, these folks are shopping at the PX, so a coupon for Harris Teeter or Chuck E. Cheese won't help) or coupons that are too old. Coupons that are still within six months of the expiration date are usable at the PX, but since it can take a couple of months to process, pack and ship each box, it's always best to start with coupons that are no more than two months expired.

If you would like to help Coups for Troops in the effort to make living more affordable for military families, please send your donation of coupons, the newer the better (non-expired ones are fine, too!) to any satellite address you choose on the list at www.coupsfortroops.com. Since we all pay our own postage to send things, it would be nice to send some stamps from time to time as well, if you want to, but please just do what you can. We appreciate any donations! 

You can also find What's Good in Greensbroro? on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Whats-Good-in-Greensboro-848569635208317/ . See you there!

Image from Pixabay http://pixabay.com/en/american-soldier-humanity-marine-381847/

The Streetlights on Elm Street Have a Split Personality!

We locals can tell you that even though Wendover and Battleground Avenues, Holden Road, Gate City Boulevard and Market Street are definitely power players on the commercial thoroughfare scene, the real "Main Street, USA" of downtown Greensboro is Elm Street. It extends all the way from I-85 to Lake Jeanette, where it gets spun into oblivion by a traffic circle that magically turns it into Bass Chapel Road (with a side of Lake Jeanette Road), but the section that runs through downtown is the main drag (sorry, Davie, Friendly and Eugene--you know it's true!)

Fairly recently, new streetlights were installed  in the "shopping district" of Greensboro (I'm gonna say "fairly" because I noticed them last year and I think they were pretty new, and I am unwilling to pester the nice folks at the Streetlight Department to demand details). These nicely compliment all the cool little stores and restaurants that are enjoying a resurgence of popularity. These lights have a charming, decorative feel, especially when their hanging planters are attached and full of flowers, thus:

See how nicely that goes with the old brick building behind it?

Now, if you go a few blocks up the street--north of Market, say--you will be in the "business district", where there are a preponderance of banks, attorney's offices and suchlike. There, you will find the "serious" streetlights:

They aren't plain, but they certainly aren't "quaint"! They have a much more architectural feel.

At first I thought it was a little weird, like changing horses in midstream, that the streetlights on Elm Street suddenly changed "personalities". But now, I think it's just part of our charm, here in Greensboro!

You can also find What's Good in Greensbroro? on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Whats-Good-in-Greensboro-848569635208317/ . See you there!


Images are my own. They were taken with a prehistoric cellphone out my car window as I was driving, and they are just barely sufficient to illustrate this story. Thank you!

Greetings to My International Audience!

So, this is my first blog, and I'm still geeking out over all the cool little bells and whistles that Google puts on behind the scenes. My favorite part is all the charts and statistics that show where the traffic is coming from, both the websites that direct people here, and the actual countries where views originate. There is even a little map of the world showing which countries have people who viewed my blog posts, and it's color coded; countries who have provided so much as one view appear in a pale green shade, and it apparently gets darker as more views are registered. The United States, as you might guess gives me the predominant number of views, is a very dark green.

But hi, Poland! Or should I say, "Cześć!" You were the first country to give me love. I was surprised to see those 2 views, and even more surprised when a third was added!

And Canada, O Canada, you showed up next. So far you have only favored me with one view, but that's understandable--I do write about Greensboro, North Carolina, after all. But thanks/merci (everything has to be in both languages by law, right?).

And then Indonesia came visiting - welcome (Selamat Datang)! And just today, India and Sweden joined the party (आपका स्वागत है and Välkomna!, respectively), with one view each. You are just pale green, now, my friends, but maybe your shade will deepen some day, as we get to know each other better. If you keep visiting, you might want to plan a trip here to Greensboro to see all the cool stuff I'm telling you about!

You can also find What's Good in Greensbroro? on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Whats-Good-in-Greensboro-848569635208317/ . See you there!

Image from Pixabay http://pixabay.com/en/map-world-globe-earth-planet-307405/
Translation provided by Google Translate and by my casual acquaintance with French.

Three Great Places to Take a First Date in Greensboro, NC

Not Just Dinner and a Movie

Everyone knows the first date is about first impressions. Even if you are going out with someone you have gotten to know somewhat either at work, school, church or a social group, the change of setting from the usual to a first date scenario shows you in a new and completely different light. So in this case, you still have to make a first impression on a different level: your date has graduated from evaluating you as a person in general to a person with whom he or she may want to form a more lasting relationship, so you want to pick a location for your first date that reflects your personality and shows that you put some thought into what might be fun and interesting for your first date.

So, dinner and a movie? Too predictable! What we need on a first date is something interesting to do. The conversation can sometimes lapse into uncomfortable pause over the dinner table if you don't know each other well enough to keep it going. Some people may welcome the respite from having to talk that a movie provides, but a shared experience will give you plenty to talk about. So, the following are great spots to take a first date:

Bicentennial Garden, 1105 Hobbs Road at Cornwallis -The lovely Bicentennial Garden is a perfect spot for a stroll, with plenty of gorgeous plantings and interesting scenery to check out and talk about. Winding paths take you through shady gardens, over a bridge, and past gazebos, sculpture and historical landmarks. There are picnic tables at which you can share a bite of lunch, and there is also a bonus-there is another park right across the street! Cross Hobbs from the Bicentennial Garden's main entrance and you will find the Bog Garden, which features a romantic boardwalk stroll through the trees and flowers to an observation deck overlooking the lovely lakeside from which you can feed the ducks, geese, turtles and fish. These great parks combine to make a nature lover's delight!

If you are feeling more playful, Celebration Station (4315 Big Tree Way, just off I-40 at the Wendover Avenue East exit) features a wealth of activities from go-karts and miniature golf to video games and air hockey, pool tables and more! Follow this link to learn about hours and attractions.

The Greensboro Science Center and SciQuarium at 4301 Lawndale Drive is an amazing combination of museum and zoo. Live animals range from petting-zoo sheep and bunnies to lemurs, a giant anteater, and even a pair of tigers! Peacocks stroll the grounds and display their lovely plumage. Or go inside and enjoy the many displays of gemstones, fossils, historical inventions or even catch a show in the planetarium! The Greensboro Science Center is full of interesting things to look at and learn about, and the accompanying SciQuarium (separate ticket required) is a fantastic experience featuring cute penguins, otters, a touch tank with rays and skates and even a huge shark tank. It's quite an experience!

If you are ready to follow up your outing with a meal and want some great restaurant recommendations, check out my post on romantic restaurants in Greensboro. Good luck and have a great time on your first date in Greensboro, NC!

You can also find What's Good in Greensbroro? on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Whats-Good-in-Greensboro-848569635208317/ . See you there!

Photo of the beautiful Serenity Falls at the Bog Garden, on Wikimedia Commons  http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BogGardenSerenityFalls1.jpg

Most Romantic Restaurants for a Dinner Date in Greensboro, NC

These Locations Offer Great Ambiance and Food Alike

Summer is in full swing, and love is in the air, is it not? Are you looking for a nice, romantic restaurant for your dinner date in Greensboro, NC? Don't worry; Greensboro has plenty of romantic restaurants for a lovely dinner date. Here is a sampling:

Mimi's Café, Friendly Center - Mimi's is a chain restaurant, but don't assume that means it is not intimate or romantic! Mimi's Café is based on New Orleans-style ambience, with parti-colored glass light fixtures, quirky artwork and decorations with a jazz theme, and even a dining room outfitted like a typical street in the French Quarter, complete with those distinctive New Orleans balconies. You can cozy up to your date in an intimate booth as you sample delicious food from the wide selection of fresh seasonal specials or the large range of permanent menu items. We love this restaurant, which must have a "No Screaming Babies" section, as we have never been plagued by kids running wild (always an important consideration for a romantic dinner date!), and the best part? The prices are great, which means this will not be out of range for even the pre-prom dinner daters among us.

Green Valley Grill, Green Valley Road at the O'Henry Hotel - One of our favorite restaurants in Greensboro. Green Valley Grill features Continental Cuisine, and like Mimi's, has seasonal items and daily specials. This restaurant is not a cozy, dimly-lit place like Mimi's, but despite the soaring, airy feel and dramatically open kitchen, the Green Valley Grill still appeals to the romantic with its large, lovely wall mural and classical music, cut crystal and elegant china, attentive service and delicious food. The staff will be happy to provide flowers for a special occasion. Expect to pay about $30 and up per person at this restaurant, but it is good value for the price paid.

Café Pasta, State Street - Café Pasta is, as you might guess from the name, an Italian restaurant, with menu items ranging from linguine with clam sauce to manicotti and all of your favorite romantic desserts, like tiramisu and fresh ricotta cheesecake. Café Pasta features live music some nights, so cozy up at a white-linen-clad table and enjoy the music as you canoodle over your cannoli. If you have time before or after dinner, you may wish to stroll the adorable boutiques along State Street, Café Pasta's quaint, somewhat European-feeling setting.

If you are a looking for a romantic place to take your date for dinner in Greensboro, the restaurants mentioned here offer a reliably romantic experience. Use the links (click on the restaurant names/addresses in bold) to find out more about hours of operation, specials and more. Bon Apétit!

You can also find What's Good in Greensbroro? on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Whats-Good-in-Greensboro-848569635208317/ . See you there!

Image from Pixabay http://pixabay.com/en/glasses-sparkling-wine-cheers-213156/ 

(Yeah, I know Greensboro doesn't have a beach. It's a nice picture!)

A Tornado Hits Greensboro, North Carolina

First-Person Account of Severe Storm

That night was scary, to say the least. Even though North Carolina is threatened far more often by hurricanes, they don't scare me nearly as much as tornadoes. For one thing, you can see hurricanes coming for days. You have plenty of time to evacuate. Even if one is bearing down on you, you know more or less how it's going to play out. It's going to be windy, then it's going to be real windy, then it's going to be insanely windy, then it's going to be strangely calm, then the cycle repeats in reverse. It's definitely life-threatening, but I can take measures.

But tornadoes -- good grief. Tornadoes are like ravaging beasts: wild, unpredictable, vicious, capricious; they seem to have a mind of their own. Obliterating one side of the street and leaving the other unmolested. Touching down without warning, sometimes hopping back up again to touch down again elsewhere, they basically pounce on you out of the sky, and the best meteorologists can do as far as warning you is to let you know the conditions are likely for tornadoes to form. I guess it's the uncertainty that gets me. According to city-data.com, tornado activity in Greensboro is historically 16% smaller than the overall U.S. average, but there has been at least one other one since I have lived here, so I am well aware of the possibility.

On May 8, 2008, a line of severe storms tore through North Carolina, and even though communities like Winston Salem suffered major damage to residential areas, it was Greensboro, hit by a lone but devastating tornado, that had the sad distinction of having a fatality: Donald Needham, a 51-year-old truck driver from Jackson Springs, N.C., who died when the high winds flipped his delivery truck. Three other people suffered injuries in the storm. I live in Greensboro, and the storm cell passed right over my house. It was a terrifying experience.

Earlier in the evening, while watching the evening news, I watched local meteorologist Lanie Pope describing the storm cell that was over Mt. Airy (that's "Mayberry" for you Andy Griffith fans) at the time. The pinkish-purple blob on the radar looked threatening indeed, but Greensboro wouldn't be in the path of that storm, and so I just hoped for the best for the people in the area and turned off the telly for the evening in favor of some reading. I glanced out the window, noting how amazing it was that the area northwest of us was dealing with a giant thunderstorm and high winds, while a barely perceptible breeze gently riffled the treetops in my backyard. The catch here is that I didn't bother to check the area radar for any coming storms that would hit Greensboro...

Hours later -- it was around midnight, and I was already in bed -- I was awakened by the storm. At first, it was just your regular summer thunderstorm. I usually find it quite soothing to lie in bed and listen to the rain and wind outside, but in my mind's eye, I could clearly see that ominous pinkish-purple blob on the radar screen, so I lay there warily, my ears attuned to the changing pitch of the wind. It started to get stronger; gusts began to buffet the sides of the house. Rain was falling steadily, but the wind made the most noise. Even though I had been asleep just minutes before, I was completely alert, practically vibrating with awareness. I can imagine that the hairs on my skin might well have been standing on end as I lay in the darkness with my eyes wide open.

Suddenly, the touch-lamp on my bedside table turned itself on. There must have been some sort of power surge from the storm; as you might imagine, this only heightened my anxiety. The wind grew stronger, and suddenly, I heard the noise that sent me down the stairs, calling to my husband to help me get the cats and to get into the downstairs bathroom, which is almost the perfect storm shelter. It is right in the middle of the lowest floor and doesn't have any windows. I say almost because there's no tub to hide in, but I'm fully prepared to hug the toilet like a long-lost friend if and when it comes to that. The noise I heard was shingles being torn from the roof! I couldn't yet hear the unmistakable 'freight train' noise, but there were only seconds to spare.

My husband, who fancies himself an expert in such things, asserted that we were in no danger because the power hadn't gone out. As I deposited our two cats in the bathroom, I reminded him that our neighborhood power lines were underground and switched on the television. The pink blob from my worst fears was directly over our neighborhood! And yet, the wind outside was dying down somewhat. My scoffing spouse retired upstairs, but I kept my furkids in the safe spot and continued to monitor the weather report. The tornado warning was in effect until 1 a.m., and it was only about 12:30 or so at this time. As I watched the news report that golf-ball-sized hail had reportedly come down in the area right near my home, I realized that that was what I had heard throttling the roof. I checked the deck and saw the hail, which was actually marble-sized.

At that point, things seemed to have calmed down outside and the radar showed clear skies beyond the storm that had just passed, so I let my fuzzbutts out of their temporary lockup. The weather reports seemed pretty redundant at that point, but there was no way I was going back to sleep, so I figured I would try to relax by watching my Thursday-night shows, CSI and ER, on my DVR. I was nonplussed to find that the entire evening's programming on both channels had been completely pre-empted by storm coverage, but when I returned to live coverage, the news that a tornado had actually touched down -- not far from my old neighborhood, actually -- made my inconvenience look very minor. The tornado struck a predominantly industrial area, so there's some comfort to be had in knowing people's homes were spared, but it certainly won't make the Needham family's grief any less. My heart goes out to them, and I know that even though I did not experience that kind of loss, I definitely felt the terror of the storm.

You can also find What's Good in Greensbroro? on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Whats-Good-in-Greensboro-848569635208317/ . See you there!

Amazing photo of a thunderstorm spawning a funnel cloud from Pixabay http://pixabay.com/en/thunderstorm-storm-rain-clouds-sky-358992/ (It's not Greensboro)

GTCC Will Not Be Mailing Live and Learn Catalogs for Fall 2014 Semester

I teach courses for the Continuing Education (Con-Ed) department at Guilford Technical Comunity College (GTCC), and my boss let me know that they will not be mailing out the familiar "Live and Learn" catalogs this semester. GTCC does plan to send out a tabloid-style mailer, instead, and all classes will be listed online, as always, at  http://www.gtcc.edu/continuing-education-(con-ed).aspx

You can view the fall catalog online as a PDF, here https://www.gtcc.edu/media/335791/LL-Fall2014.pdf

My boss asked me to get the word out to my students, if I could, and since y'all are potential students, consider this the word, getting out!

You can also find What's Good in Greensbroro? on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Whats-Good-in-Greensboro-848569635208317/ . See you there!

Image from Pixabay http://pixabay.com/en/apple-education-school-knowledge-256261/

Hey, I Got My First Follower!

I promoted my nascent blog to my friends on Facebook yesterday, now that I have a few articles to show them, and I just now logged in, curious to see what the views and other stats might show. Did they take a jump? Why, yes, they did! And not only that, I had views not just from my Facebook share, but from Google, which means actual internet traffic! Perfect strangers are reading my work! SEO, baby! And not only that, but I also had shares on G+ (I mean, besides my own)! And not only THAT, but I also have a follower, now--GemofaGirl! And it's true, she is a good friend of mine in real life, but the fact that she bothered to sign up and all was extremely cool. I don't know how to tag people in posts, but I guess she'll see this--thanks, Chickie! Friends are awesome.

As for the stats--I am a giant analytics nerd, and I  love how Blogger shows you where the views are coming from--I've never had that before, anywhere that I have written. I'm pretty happy with Google--now if I can just get the elusive AdSense on my blog, that will ice the cake. In the meantime, you early adapters can enjoy my content ad-free!

You can also find What's Good in Greensbroro? on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Whats-Good-in-Greensboro-848569635208317/ . See you there!

Image from Pixabay http://pixabay.com/en/girl-hat-happy-laughing-face-cute-204327/

Review of Ross Dress for Less Stores in Greensboro, NC

If You're Willing to Dig, You'll Find Deals

If you have not yet visited a Ross Dress for Less store, here is some information for the prospective shopper: Ross Dress for Less is a whole lot like the T.J. Maxx and Marshall's stores. If you have already visited those stores, you will know what to expect-great buys, no-frills atmosphere, some disarray, designer names alongside no-names, overworked but pleasant staff. Here is my review of the local Ross Dress for Less stores in Greensboro, NC:

Ross Dress for Less has two locations in Greensboro that I have visited-one is in the shopping center on Battleground Avenue at the corner of David Caldwell (close to Cone Blvd intersection), and the other, newer location is next to PetsMart in the shopping center at Wendover Avenue and Bridford Parkway, across the street from the Super Wal-Mart. Ross sells clothes, shoes, accessories, fragrance and gift items at deep discounts.

I love shopping at Ross because I have always found something cool to buy, but be aware of the following caveat: Check everything very carefully-some clothing may be damaged or made incorrectly, so go in with open eyes. Occasionally I am willing to invest in something like the pair of black pants with one pocket sewn completely shut that I picked up for about $3.99. Hey, it's not Bonwit Teller, but the clothing is new--just figure out what you're willing to work with. 

However, most clothing I have purchased at Ross has had no obvious flaws, unless I am very unobservant. If there is something that is damaged, it is usually marked down even further as a clearance item, but you can ask at the register if they will give you an additional discount since the item is damaged. Most times they will be able to offer an additional 10% off, with the provision that you may not return the item. You can, by the way, try this at any store, not just Ross. It never hurts to ask!

Shoes tend to be hard to shop for at Ross, because they are linked with plastic ties that are too short to allow you to walk without looking like a Chinese princess with bound feet. Skip it unless you really love the shoes, in which case ask someone to detach them for you so you can try them on properly. Ross accepts returns, but who needs to make an extra trip? Overall, this is a low-frills store and things tend to be a bit disorganized (I firmly blame careless shoppers, not employees, for this), but if you can wade through the mess and locate the right size , the prices are fantastic. I definitely recommend Ross Dress for Less, and I am happy with both Greensboro locations of these stores!

You can also find What's Good in Greensbroro? on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Whats-Good-in-Greensboro-848569635208317/ . See you there!

Image by ewucha at freeimages.com http://www.freeimages.com/photo/1402492

Fun, Free Things to Do in Greensboro, North Carolina

Greensboro, NC Has Lots of Free Summer Treats

Summer's here, and the living may be easy, but vacation plans in the current economy might be a little tougher for most people. More and more people are choosing a "stay-cation" that keeps them closer to home, not only saving money on travel and lodging, but also cutting down on hotel-room insomnia, backseat territorial squabbles and cries of "Are we there yet?", not to mention saving the planet from all the greenhouse gases our peregrinations normally produce.

But what if your activity budget is as limited as your travel budget? Take heart, Greensboro residents (and out-of-towners sleeping on their couches): There is much to see and do in Greensboro that won't cost a penny.

Things to Look at: Greensboro has a thriving art community, which results in a good number of galleries as well as public art pieces, most of which are concentrated in the downtown area. There is a nice mural at South Elm and Washington Streets, as well as a number of sculptural pieces in various outside locations as you stroll about. South Elm Street is also a hot spot for art galleries, including Ambleside Fine Arts (528 S. Elm), Artmongerz (610 S. Elm), Emmett Williams Gallery (Old Greensborough Gateway Center, 620 S. Elm), Emmett Studio (1009 S.Elm), Heart of Living Home Gallery (320 S. Elm),Metamorphosis Interior Design and Fine Art (524 S. Elm), South Elm Pottery and Gallery (500 S. Elm), and Yew Tree Gallery (604 S. Elm). Elsewhere Artist Collaborative (606 S. Elm) is not technically a gallery but a presentation space for ever-changing displays of visual and performance art; there is no charge, and the artists like it when people come to see what's up.

Just a few blocks from South Elm Street is the Greensboro Cultural Center at 200 N. Davie St, which houses the Center for Visual Arts, the Green Hill Center for North Carolina Art, and the Guilford Native American Art Gallery. The Green Hill Center hosts ArtQuest, a fun, interactive spot in which your kids can create art of various types. A donation is suggested to help them cover supplies, but the amount is up to you. If you have a car and just can't get enough art, Guilford College, A& T University andUniversity of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) all have very nice art galleries.

There is even a free museum in Greensboro! The Greensboro Historical Museum is located at the corner of Summit Avenue and Lindsey Street, close by the Greensboro Cultural Center (above) and the Greensboro Public Library (entrance on Summit Ave.) The historical museum is open Tues-Sat, 10a-5p and Sun 2-5p. The public library, which has a small art gallery, a cool children's section and internet access (you need a library card to use the computers, but ask a librarian for a temporary passcode if you are just visiting), is open Mon-Thurs 9a-9p, Fri-Sat 9a-6p, and Sun 2-4p

Places to Play: There are several public parks in Greensboro with free admission. If you are touring the arts district downtown, make sure to stop by City Park on North Elm Street (on your way from the galleries of South Elm to the Cultural Center

Other public parks include Country Park, with entrances off of Lawndale Drive and Pisgah Church Road,Battleground Park, entrance off of Old Battleground, which connects Country Park and Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, scene of the historic Battle of Guilford Courthouse (we're talking Revolutionary War, here, not Civil War), at 2332 New Garden Road, which provide walking and biking trails and historical information (the most kid-friendly of these three is Country Park, which has a beautiful lake with ducks and geese to feed, and a large play area.

Another good park for kids is Lindley Park, off Wendover Avenue at West Market Street, which has picnic and play facilities, a basketball court and the Greensboro Arboretum, a beautifully-landscaped 17 acres that features over 2,500 ornamental trees, shrubs and other plants native to the Piedmont.

Events: There are tons of free activities in Greensboro sponsored by local clubs: Good Ole Volks VW owners and enthusiasts, gather every Thursday at 6:30p at Herbie's Place, a local VW-friendly restaurant on Battleground Ave near Westridge Rd; Carolina Dog-Training Club meets Thursdays 8-9p at the Lewis Recreation Center (at Country Park, above), the Mystery Book Club, Fiction Book Club and other book-discussion groups meet regularly at the Kathleen Clay Edwards Family branch of the Greensboro Public Library at Price Park off of Hobbs Road between Jefferson and New Garden Road, and all branches of the library regularly host storytelling, presentations and other entertaining activities for kids and adults alike-for more information and schedule of events, go to the library website.

There are new events-everything from free concerts and movies to arts and crafts shows and demonstrations-occurring all the time in Greensboro, and a good source for schedules and locations iswww.gotriad.com.

It is amazing how much free stuff is available in your community, once you start looking. Now if you will excuse me, I think I am going to run out and take advantage of some of it!

You can also find What's Good in Greensbroro? on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Whats-Good-in-Greensboro-848569635208317/ . See you there!

Another gorgeous shot of the Greensboro Arboretum by Ptncsu12 from Wikimedia Commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Greensboro_Arboretum_2.JPG

Downtown Greensboro, North Carolina, is Really Happening!

Get to Know the New Hot Spots Downtown

Wow, Greensboro's downtown sure has changed since I moved here! It used to be a few restaurants struggling amidst stuffy old used bookstores and secondhand shops. Most of the downtown "life" occurred during the day, when people were at work in all the office buildings and the few restaurants that existed mainly to serve them were open for lunch, but once 5 o'clock rolled around, the sidewalks basically got rolled up as folks drove back out to their suburban homes. Oh sure, there were a few interesting things, like Triad Stage and Carolina Theater, and a couple of neat little places like Thousands o' Prints and the yarn store, but there weren't a lot of reasons to hang around.

Cue the development blitz! Buildings were renovated into condos, and with people actually living downtown, there was a built-in customer base. More places started opening. More galleries! More stores! A good half-dozen actual nightclubs opened, as well as plenty of bars and restaurants. They finally finished restoring the old Woolworth store--the historical one, where the Greensboro Four, black college students from local A&T University, led a "sit-in" at the Woolworth lunch counter, which was segregated at the time--and turned it into the International Civil Rights Museum, thus adding to our downtown museum count, which also includes, among others, the Children's Museum, Blandwood Mansion, and the Weatherspoon Art Museum at UNCG (see my review of that here). We even have a spa downtown! And a bakery! 

All this has happened over the last decade or so, but in just the past couple of years, the momentum for new places seems to be growing--so many cool little boho stores, galleries and restaurants have opened on South Elm Street, I can barely keep track, and even more are coming. If you haven't visited downtown Greensboro in a while, you should come back and check it out. We'll keep the sidewalks unrolled for you! 

You can also find What's Good in Greensbroro? on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Whats-Good-in-Greensboro-848569635208317/ . See you there!

Nighttime cityscape by Turboknowledge, from Wikimedia Commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Greensboro_City_Scape.jpg

Welcome to my new blog, What's Good in Greensboro?, in which I'll take a look at some of the neat stuff you can enjoy around the city I call home. 

Reporting, reviews, and recommendations are some of the things that I plan to feature, as well as an occasional heads-up about the community (for example, today I learned from Greensboro Police Department's Officer Jim Cayton that most burglaries in the city occur during the day, while people are at work, and that it's also not unheard of for people to actually break in through the FRONT of the house, so make sure you are secure and careful!)

You can also find What's Good in Greensbroro? on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Whats-Good-in-Greensboro-848569635208317/ . See you there!

Photo of Greensboro Arboretum by Ptncsu12 from Wikimedia Commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Greensboro_Arboretum.JPG