Shark Tank at the Greensboro Science Center Aquarium - SciQuarium

Last stop on my visit to the Greensboro Science Center's new "SciQuarium" aquarium was the shark tank. This very large tank houses several sharks as well as schools of fish in varying sizes. Since sharks are always active and swimming around, this is a very interesting exhibit to watch, although it was admittedly rather hard to get a decent picture of the swiftly-moving sharks with my phone. 

This section of the SciQuarium is rather dimly lit, so that the tank, which is lit from within, stands out even more. It's kind of like watching an ever-changing movie or live show. There are benches provided so that you can sit and rest while watching the fish swim at length. It is very relaxing, just like having a nice aquarium at home, but with far less trouble about cleaning and feeding and water changes. If you want to sit, though, prepare to be patient, because a lot of people want to stand right up next to the glass to get a good, close-up view!


This could be a different shark, or the same one swimming in a different direction.

They seemed to all be the same kind. This photo is the best one of the other fish in the tank.In this picture, you can see another one of the sharks in the background (upper left corner--click photo for a larger view), which will give you an idea of the great size of the tank.

All photos taken, rather poorly, by me. Clicking will get you a larger view, which might help!

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

Crafted! The Art of the Taco, is Not a Mexican Restaurant. But Oh, What it Is!

Crafted! is located at 219-A South Elm Street (near the intersection with February One, across from Inferno nightclub). Open 11am - 2pm Monday, 11am - 10pm Tuesday through Saturday; and 11am – 3pm Sunday.


I had the great pleasure of visiting downtown Greensboro's very own Crafted! and meeting and speaking with co-owners Rhonda Fuller and her daughter, Kristina Fuller. Rhonda, vivacious and bubbly, socializes easily with customers and handles the business side of things, and Kristina, full of knowledge and expertise about food, is the culinary wizard behind the amazing menu. They emphasize that Crafted! is not a Mexican restaurant, but a restaurant that features “globally-inspired creations, housed conveniently in a tortilla shell.” Kristina is a big advocate for the tortilla, deeming it to be a more or less perfect container for all kinds of great food.

Of course, even though Crafted! is well-known for its fantastic tacos, whimsically named after hipster gear (the Fedora, Bow Tie and Messenger are as de rigeur to eat as they are to wear, now!), there is so much more available on the menu: The restaurant features mouth-watering burgers, such as the immensely popular One and Only, a beef burger topped with aged white cheddar pimento cheese, bacon and caramelized onions, and such cool appetizers as the Stuffed Avocado and the Mason of Bacon, a mason jar full of sliced applewood bacon with salted caramel, cracked pepper and spicy chocolate that often ends up as dessert selection, as well! The food is complimented by selections from the bar—best-sellers include the bacon bloody mary, the jalapeno margarita, and the orange-ginger margarita, which sounds amazing.

Although tacos like the Fixie and the Big Truck are perennial faves at Crafted!, Kristina also recommends the Oxford, which contains fried chicken, spaghetti squash slaw and spicy Asian mustard. I personally enjoyed the Bow Tie, a fried fish taco with roasted corn and poblano salsa, sweet chipotle aioli and honey mustard, garnished with fresh cilantro. The fragrance of the fresh cilantro, the crisp snap of the sweet corn and the crunchy, flavorful fish were an incredibly delicious combination of sweet and savory tastes, and although I am fairly sensitive to spicy food, Scots-Irish gal that I am, the heat from this was only a whisper, just enough to add personality. I washed my meal down with a Diet Pepsi, which was served charmingly in a mason jar.

The whole restaurant is charming, really—the colorful walls and funky artwork, including recycled-materials sculpture, the upbeat music and friendly atmosphere all combine to make it an awesome place for hanging out, maybe after a show at Triad Stage or a mani-pedi at Chakras. And don't forget Sunday brunch! Downtown Greensboro is really waking up on weekends, these days and a great way to kick off a day of shopping and gallery-hopping downtown is to stop in at Crafted! for Sunday brunch. The menu differs from their regular offerings and can be viewed here http://craftedtheartofthetaco.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Crafted-Brunch.pdf. What better excuse to try a bacon bloody mary? Crafted! is a great place for everyone, regardless of dietary restrictions, as the menu was created to be hypo-allergenic (no nuts in anything), vegetarian- and vegan-friendly, and even offers gluten-free options. Kristina says that 85% of the menu can be made vegan, and it still offers plenty of savory meat substitutes and proteins, like seitan, tofu and falafel.

I was excited to hear that, in February, Rhonda and Kristina plan to expand Crafted! to another location, across from Deep Roots Market in the old Steele and Vaughn building. In addition to the restaurant, there will be a brewery, and there will be more open space and much more seating (about one and a half times as much, including outdoor seating) at the new location. They will also have an area that can be reserved for private parties as well as regular restaurant patrons. Speaking of private parties I'll bet you didn't know that Crafted! offers catering, as well, so if you want their fantastic food at your wedding, graduation party or business meeting, they can bring it to you, and even set it up and serve it. They offer a range of selections, from a simple-yet-tasty taco bar to a more “designer” menu, fully-customized to your needs.

Above all, the gospel at Crafted! is quality, freshness, and great taste. The kitchen staff arrives early in the morning to begin prep work for the 11am opening. All the food is freshly prepared from fresh ingredients, the choicest-quality meats are braised overnight for tenderness and infusion of flavor, and all of this passion for quality shines through in the food, from the appetizing presentation and delicious fragrance to the burst of flavor in every delicious bite. All of this comes at a very reasonable price, so stop in to Greensboro's finest taco joint and have some of the yummiest food around. Tell them Ali sent ya!

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

Cheesecakes by Alex Serves Up Happiness

Cheesecakes by Alex is located at 315 S, Elm Street (just south of Washington Street, across from Blu Martini and Scuppernong Books). Hours are Tuesday & Wednesday 7:30am – 9pm, Thursday & Friday 7:30am – 11pm, Saturday 9am – 11pm, and Sunday 10am – 9pm.


Alex R. Amoroso, Jr. loves what he does. You can tell by the way he delightedly greets guests, schmoozing and joking with the regulars, and by the sparkle in his eye when he talks about his business, the eponymous Cheesecakes by Alex. From a hobby pursued at home to a booth at the Greensboro Farmer's Curb Market on Yanceyville Street to an honest-to-goodness bakery cafe that has become a Greensboro institution with its cheerful awning, gorgeous brick patio with al fresco seating and its fabulously long hours (I have been known to crave cheesecake at 10pm, and I'll bet you have, too). With the bustle of activity at the counter, the smells of pastries and fresh-brewed coffee wafting through the air and Frank Sinatra on the sound system, this place feels like your favorite hangout in New York City, except—lucky you!—it's right here in Greensboro.

As one could guess, Cheesecakes by Alex offers specialty cheesecakes in a wide variety of flavors (they currently offer 20 different flavors, and Mother Murphy's Extracts makes custom flavors just for them), but the store is also a genuine patisserie, with pastries such as muffins, eclairs, and traditional scones (moist, biscuit-looking treats, not those horribly dry triangles you find at other places). Also popular are the layer cakes, sold whole or by the slice, and there is a large menu of specialty coffees, as well as a selection of other beverages. Even the cheesecakes themselves come with various options: Alex offers sugar-free cheesecake, sweetened with xylitol (although xylitol is perfectly safe for humans, please don't share with your canine companion, as it can be harmful to dogs). In addition, Cheesecakes by Alex also makes gluten-free cheesecake. See? There's no reason to miss out on the goodness!

Cheesecakes by Alex was established at the former location of Simple Kneads in December of 2002 as a natural outgrowth of Alex's very popular booth at the Farmer's Curb Market, which he supplied by baking his treats at home. But now that he has a commercial baker's kitchen, he can serve the needs of more cheesecake-craving, scone-munching customers. However, business is so good that another expansion is in the works, planned for Spring of next year, which will physically expand the current location into the building next door. Not only will this provide more seating, including a banquet room for private parties, it will also allow Alex to increase his product line. Currently, Cheesecakes by Alex offers homemade bread only at the Farmer's Curb Market (try the sourdough, a fan favorite), but the expansion of the kitchen facility will enable the bakery to produce fresh bread on location. In addition, Alex anticipates being open seven days a week at the new location, for those of us who slink wistfully by the place on Mondays.

Cheesecakes by Alex is in full swing for the holidays, with special new seasonal treats: Currently available is an egg nog cheesecake and a bourbon butter pecan cheesecake, and Alex is developing a pineapple sage layer cake, coming soon. You might be pleasantly surprised to learn that in addition to being a wonderful bakery cafe, Cheesecakes by Alex can also provide made-to-order baked goods for private parties and events (they will work with your caterer and will even deliver your order to the location). They also ship nationwide, so if Great Aunt Sheila in Idaho needs her cheesecake fix, some yumminess from Cheesecakes by Alex could be a great Christmas present—order soon!

I loved the ambiance of this shop. The sales area is open to the kitchen, so one can watch the staff busy at work while waiting on line, and the indoor dining room is filled with wonderful original artwork. It was a little cold during my visit for outdoor seating, but the lovely and spacious brick patio with its charming Mediterranean feel looks like a great place to sit and visit with friends over a post-shopping scone or late-night dessert. It's no wonder that Alex loves his work, because he is in the business of making people happy, and he is doing a smashing job.

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

Chakras Spa is a Delight for the Senses and a Business with Heart

Chakras Spa is located in downtown Greensboro at 229 S. Elm Street ( across from Triad Stage, near the intersection with Washington Street). Hours: 8:30am – 5pm Monday, 8:30am – 8pm Tuesday through Friday, and 8:30a - 5pm Saturday; Currently, extended holiday hours for Saturday and Sunday are 8:30am – 8pm Saturday and 12pm – 5pm Sunday.

Simply walking into Chakras Spa is an amazing sensory experience. The eyes are drawn immediately to the striking, twenty-plus-foot sculptured waterfall fountain that dominates the main floor, but casting a look around, there are plenty of other visual delights to take in, from attractive product displays, stylish furnishings, and colorful, yet tasteful, Christmas decorations to the building itself, a beautiful old Greensboro classic that has been painstakingly appointed under the aegis of owner Timothy Smith. The soaring ceilings, hardwood floors and artfully-exposed brick lend an air of elegance and style.

But the treats are not all for your eyes: The ears delight at the burbling splash of the fountain and perk up at the kicky, alterna-pop music playing (think She Wants Revenge, Passion Pit, The Bird and the Bee). Delicious fragrances waft through the air, spicy and redolent of green florals; definitely not the chemical smells that permeate some salons. But Chakras Spa is so much more than a hair and nail salon. Chakras is a full-service spa, offering massage therapy, facials, wraps, and other skin treatment, hydrotherapy, and aromatherapy, as well as a full range of beauty treatments, from hair and nails to waxing and professional makeup consultation and application. Chakras doesn't limit these beauty treatments just to women, either; it is the only spa to offer a Brazilian wax for men, and men are also welcome to visit for a makeup consultation, whether they be transgendered and in transition to female, or just want to learn how to enhance their appearance with cosmetics, either for play or for daily wear.


I spoke with Operations Manager David Simthong and owner Timothy Smith about the products and services available at Chakras, as well as a bit of the history and the community relationships that the spa has built (the other Operations Manager, who was off at the time, is Rachel Harvell). Chakras has been at its current location since 2000, but was born of a salon on State Street named Panache. When the original owner of that salon passed away, it was inherited by then-manager Sheila Paquette, who moved it to the Elm Street location. In 2011, she sold it to Timothy Smith. Timothy, who went to school in Paris, brings insider knowledge of the top-quality European products that many Americans have yet to discover—until they step into Chakras, that is. In addition, Chakras has a generous charitable spirit, working with organizations like earlier.org to raise awareness and promote early testing; Chakras also works with cancer patients to help them cope with the skin and hair changes brought on by chemotherapy, and the salon donates complementary haircuts to the women of Delancey Street every year. Timothy mentioned that he is open to the idea of hosting a cancer support group at Chakras, so if you are an organizer of such a group, you should touch base, and you should find him quite receptive.

I was treated to a full tour of Chakras, and it's truly an enjoyable place, from the large, airy salon on the first floor to the more hushed, tranquil atmosphere of the second floor, which is lushly furnished with antiques and currently hosting myriad beautiful holiday decorations. The second floor features the spa services, and I was particularly impressed with the hydrotherapy room, the couples massage area, and “The Nest”, a comfy window seat piled with pillows where clients fresh from their massages or skin treatments can curl up in a fluffy robe, sip some tea and read a magazine or gaze out over Elm Street. There is also a parking lot for the spa located behind the building (off Davie Street), so it's not necessary to fight the crowds for a primo spot on Elm Street.

The most popular service at Chakras Spa is the “Go Deep” massage, a deep-tissue massage that relaxes and refreshes, but another service that  is recommended highly is the Rossiter stretching technique, a two-person stretching session conducted by senior massage therapist Scott Hunt. David and Timothy both offered testimonials to its effectiveness in alleviating long-term discomfort and giving a feeling of rejuvenation. All of the massage therapists at Chakras Spa are fully licensed and have many years of experience—a minimum of ten years' experience is required before Chakras will even consider accepting an application for a massage therapist position. The hair stylists at the salon are highly trained, as well, studying with master stylist Oribé in New York, as well as training with House of Bumble. The Oribé and Bumble+Bumble product lines are carried at Chakras, as well as the popular Aveda line.

In light of all this luxury and pampering, you might think that getting a salon or spa service at Chakras is only for the wealthy few, but there are some services that are very affordable. Hair services start as low as $30 for a cut or $55 for color, and there are options for 30-minute massages as well as for hour-long sessions. There are new lower prices on manicures and pedicures, including an “express service”. Of course, spa treatments are always a welcome gift for those special loved ones who could use a bit of pampering, and with the holiday season upon us, it's nice to have an oasis of relaxation to step into. Timothy says to look for some special developments coming soon in the new year, and keep Chakras in mind after the holidays, as well—when First Fridays start back up again in the spring, join your friends at Chakras for live music, food and wine. Sounds divine!

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

Rays and Skates in the Touch Tank at the Greensboro Science Center Aquarium - The SciQuarium

I've already introduced you to the penguins at the SciQuarium  http://whatsgoodingreensboro.blogspot.com/2014/08/penguins-at-greensboro-science-center.html, but while you can get a pretty close look at the penguins, you can't actually touch them. However, you can satisfy your urge to interact with the marine creatures by visiting the SciQuarium's touch tank, a large, attractive pool that winds through the center of it all, allowing aquarium attendees access to touch and pet the resident skates and rays as they swim by. 

Rays and skates are relatives of sharks, and a definite resemblance can be readily seen in the cownose rays, who look very much like bonnethead sharks. These critters don't mind being touched, and most will swim up so closely to the wall that they flop up out of the water, as can be seen in both the photos (in the top photo, one of the cownose rays has a "wingtip" protruding from the water surface. Any animals who aren't feeling sociable at the moment are certainly welcome to stay deeper in the water or more toward the center of the tank.

This skate looks like he's ready to come out of the tank completely! Definitely very social.

Like their shark relatives, rays and skates do tend to stay in motion, which makes this an interesting exhibit to look at, and as they continually circle the tank, they provide multiple opportunities to reach out and touch them. I have petted rays and skates and even a shark, before. Have you visited a touch tank and petted a stingray?

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 photos taken by me at the SciQuarium. Click the pictures for a larger view! 

Well-Stocked, Attractive and Service-Driven, All Pets Considered is a Large Store with a Boutique Feel

All Pets Considered is located at 2614 Battleground Ave (at the intersection with Cone Boulevard, next to the UPS Store). Hours: 9am – 8pm Monday through Saturday and 12pm – 6pm Sunday; Grooming Salon hours are 8am – 5pm Monday through Saturday

All Pets Considered has been open in Greensboro since 1992, providing a wide variety of quality pet foods and supplies, as well as a large selection of gifts, from general pet-themed gifts to breed-specific items. They have a great assortment of such gift items as tee shirts, mugs, funny welcome mats and plenty of other cute and clever accessories, all arrayed in attractive displays throughout the store. 

I spoke with store manager Alison Schwartz and store owner Kristine Godfrey, who described All Pets Considered as having a “boutique” feel, with a selection of hard-to-find items on offer as well as the normal brands that you recognize, and with a strong emphasis on personalized customer service. I would agree wholeheartedly, as I was greeted and asked if I needed help as soon as I was in the door, and several employees interacted with me in a friendly way while I looked around. The staff at All Pets Considered are proactively friendly and helpful, and Alison and Kristine told me that they are also highly trained so that they can give the best advice on the right kind of food for your pet. In essence, they really are consultants as well as sales staff.

And oh, do they sell pet food! It is clearly the best-selling item at All Pets Considered; it comes in bags, cans, pouches, and there is even a bulk section for dog treats. But don't let the huge assortment overwhelm you; it's all neatly organized, and there are always staff members on hand if you need help. All Pets Considered places an emphasis on items made in the USA—no pet food made in China, here—and on locally-made items, as well. They have a popular line of dog treats that is made by a supplier in Kernersville, for example.

It's a lovely store; with its specialty items and upscale décor, we joked about it being “The Fresh Market” of pet stores, but the boutique feel may give people the impression that All Pets Considered is expensive. That's not the case at all, as All Pets Considered has very competitive pricing—so much so that other stores call them to check price points for their own stock! With a selection to rival that of the “big box” stores and prices lower than other independent stores, it's clear that All Pets Considered has found the sweet spot. Speaking of sweet, homemade dog cookies, anyone?

All Pets Considered also places an emphasis on animal rescue, and they are currently featuring “Wrapping for Rescues”, an ongoing charity event that places volunteers from local rescue groups like Animal Rescue and Foster Program of Greensboro, Triad ASPCA, Ruff Love, Red Dog Farm, Merit Pitbull Foundation and others to be in the store, offering gift-wrapping services for a donation (minimum donation $2) as well as holding adoption events throughout the holiday season. The Wrapping for Rescue event happens every weeknight from 4pm – 8pm, Fridays from 12pm – 8pm and Saturdays and Sundays during regular store hours, so get your gifts at All Pets Considered, then visit the volunteers to get them nicely wrapped and support animal rescue all in the same visit. Very time-saving!

Another upcoming event of note for the holidays is the Jingle Mob, a holiday-oriented “cash mob” supporting local businesses that will be happening at All Pets Considered on Tuesday, December 9^th, from 6pm to 8pm, as well as at other participating businesses. All Pets Considered will be joined by Farmer Brown's Provisions and will be featuring in-store specials, so stop by and get “mobbed up” to support local business! Check All Pets Considered's Facebook page for even more information on special holiday events and sales. 'Tis the season to be animal lover!

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

After Christmas, Chocolate Pops Will Bid a Sweet Farewell to Its Greensboro Customers

Chocolate Pops is located at 2913-C Church Street (two blocks north of Cone Boulevard, next to the Classic Car Wash). Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday 10am – 5pm, Saturday 10am – 2pm (closed Sunday)

Chocolate Pops is everything that a candy store should be: bright, colorful, whimsical, and oh-so-wonderful-smelling! Owner Wendy Hayton, as cheery and welcoming as the store itself, was hard at work making her delicious confections, but she took a break to chat with me while popping up occasionally to wait on her devoted regular customers. I asked her about the store, and we also chatted about her other pursuits.

Chocolate Pops opened in its current location on Church Street on Greensboro in October of 2007, and for the last seven years, while raising five children and going to school, Wendy's been minding the store, baking and candy-making and shining her sparkling personality on all who meet her. If this doesn't sound like quite enough work for one woman, she has also has done catering, delivering her in-demand sweets to the International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, and oh yeah—she wrote a book in her spare time (what spare time?). The book, called Race Records, is a story of love and music in America's Jazz Age, and besides being a fascinating look at American history and a compelling story of forbidden relationships, it also has a personal connection, being the story of Wendy's own family. The book is available as a Kindle download or hard copy from amazon.com, at Scuppernong Books on Elm Street (see my recent writeup of Scuppernong here), or at Chocolate Pops—Wendy has a stock on hand. “I sell them out of my car trunk,” she says, cheerfully.

Wendy also does all of the displays at Chocolate Pops herself, and they are so creative and attractive, I believe I photographed every inch of that store. She actually did a stint as a department-store window display designer, and her experience shows. She also designs the various gift bags and arrangements that she sells at Chocolate Pops. These would make great holiday gifts for teachers, coworkers, and service people who make our lives easier—just think how much nicer a bouquet of moist, yummy cake pops would be than just another candle or Christmas ornament.

Hands down, the best-selling item at Chocolate Pops is, of course, the chocolate-dipped cake pops from which the store takes its name (“It's food on a stick!” Wendy exclaims, declaring that more food should be on sticks). Wendy bakes these daily in large quantities and great variety—there are between 10-15 different flavors featured daily—but she suggests that you also try the turtles, confections of caramel, pecans and your choice of milk or dark chocolate. I've had one of each and can definitely say they are both delectable! The turtles are also conveniently on sticks, and adorably molded in the shape of an actual turtle, with pecans sticking out like little feet.

Something people might be surprised to learn about Chocolate Pops is that every item that is sold there is made right in the store, and as I mentioned before, the place smells divine! There is always something new and interesting, and of course the store's strong point is its flexibility: Customers can stop in for single-serving delights or to grab a ready-made gift arrangement, or they can call ahead to make a larger order for an office meeting or birthday party. People also like to call in to see what the special flavors of the day are, as well.

Of course, you are wondering: Chocolate Pops is established and well-loved, so why is it closing its doors? Wendy tells me that due to various changes in her life—positive ones, actually, including her recent graduation—she will be closing the shop after Christmas. She just has so many things that she wants to do, and that she can do, that it's time to move on to new adventures. Still, she has a love of creating and bringing joy to people, as well as a work ethic that just won't quit, and I suspect that we are going to have more opportunities to see her in the future. She has announced the store's closing on the Chocolate Pops Facebook page, and from the comments, it's clear that this will be a loss for the community. But until Christmas, Chocolate Pops is up and running full speed, so be sure to stop in and visit her, and make sure to stock up on all those sweet goodies you love before they are gone!

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

Full of Charm and Warmth, Scuppernong Books on Elm Street Builds a Sense of Community

Scuppernong Books is located at 304 South Elm Street (just south of the intersection with Washington Street). Open 10am - 9pm Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday; 10am – 10pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday; and 12pm – 6pm Sunday.

The ambience at Scuppernong is wonderfully inviting. I stepped out of a cold, dreary morning into a warm, convivial atmosphere, appointed with attractive displays, festive décor, upbeat music, and smiling faces. Those would be the faces of store owners Brian Lampkin and Kira Larson, as well as some happy customers who were enjoying noshing at Scuppernong's food and wine bar and chatting on the comfy couches at the rear of the store. Everywhere you look, there is something interesting going on, from the decoupaged cafe tables to the striking original art on the walls (a new artist's work is featured each month, and yes, it's for sale).

Scuppernong Books opened in its current location on Elm Street in Greensboro on December 21^st, 2013. It is that very rare creature these days, an independent book store, but it is much more than that: An “eclectic literary bookstore”, as Brian puts it, Scuppernong is a seller of new books, from national best-sellers to books by local authors; a purveyor of fine comestibles, from organic coffee and tea and wine by the glass to hearty homemade sandwiches and sides (Brian gave me a menu, and I'm drooling over items such as the Smoked Gouda and Apple Sandwich and the Tomato Basil Salad); and a good place to find periodicals, reading glasses and other accessories, cards and notebooks. Everything a dedicated bibliophile might want, basically.

A best-selling item at Scuppernong Books is children's books. You might think a bookstore with a wine bar would cater to literary snobs who sip and read in a rarefied atmosphere, but think again; Scuppernong welcomes all, and is known for being kid-friendly, with story time every Tuesday morning, as well as other events that will appeal to children. The popularity of the kids' section is a given, but Brian suggests you also take time to check out the extensive poetry section, built with dedication and discernment by Kira. Scuppernong also hosts poetry events, as well. You may discover a new literary treasure!

Something people might be surprised to learn about Scuppernong Books is how “big city” this shop feels—not in that oh-so-happening urban-sophisticate way, but in the way that most large cities, like New York, Chicago, and Charleston, have some eclectic shops that are far more than just shops and more like social centers, with something going on all the time. Scuppernong captures that kind of cool-slash-boho vibe: trendy but not pretentious, smart but not snooty. Brian says that he has heard many new customers remark about how surprised they are that a place like this exists in Greensboro.

 Every month is packed full of events, from book signings and presentations to musical evenings, book club meetings, and Wit & Spark Trivia Night. Notable upcoming events include the Festival of Lights on December 5th, featuring “A Percussive Christmas” with marimba player Nathan Daughtrey and Friends, an afternoon with Marietta McCarthy, author of The Philosopher's Table, at 2 pm on December 7^th, and on December 22^nd at 6:30 pm, Scuppernong hosts Music Monday, featuring the Jazz Nomads.

Scuppernong offers memberships that entitle members to:

10% off new books;
20% off Scuppernong best-selling hardback books;
10% off coffee drinks;
periodic members-only specials; and
“an annual members-only party with tuba accompaniment”.

Sounds intriguing! If you are fond of tuba music or just like saving money on books and coffee, these memberships are available for $20 annually, or $100 for a lifetime membership.

If you haven't yet visited Scuppernong Books, be prepared to be delighted. Just a glance at the store's Facebook page speaks volumes about the great relationship they have built with their dedicated customers (one might easily call them “fans”), and Brian can't say enough about his enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff, who truly enjoy what they do. Scuppernong is busily gearing up for the holidays, so stop in and discover this local gem. You'll be glad you did!

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 photos (c) Ali McCartney

City of Greensboro Issues Recycling Guidelines for 2015

The City of Greensboro has released the new recycling guide for 2015, and I notice a lot of great changes! recyclables are still picked up on an every-other-week schedule, but the scope of recyclables accepted has been broadened, especially for plastic. Remember when you could only recycle #1 and #2 plastic? While that was great for milk jugs and soda bottles, it still left us with yogurt and pudding cups, microwave-dinner-plates and margarine tubs knocking around.

Well, not any more! According to the handy 2015 recycling guide, you can now recycle almost any kind of plastic, from small food containers (empty and dry, please!) to big ol' plastic lawn chairs, jugs, and buckets. They do not take garden hoses, plastic sheeting, or plastic bags, but you can recycle bags at many area grocery stores, donate your old hose, and...why would you give up plastic sheets? Use them for dropcloths! And to settle the age-old debate of whether or not to leave the caps on the plastic bottles, the official word is that it's fine (although I would recommend leaving the caps off of milk jugs so that they can dry out and won't smell oogy, but that's a personal choice)

Greensboro also accepts most kinds of metal--aluminum, steel and tin cans, pots and pans, and even aluminum foil, which used to be persona non grata in a recycling program. As with the plastic containers, please make sure they aren't all gloppy with food. Rinse them out. The city even takes aerosol spray cans; just remove the caps. Please do not put cords, car parts or electronics out for recycling (that stuff is hazardous waste).

Paper and glass are easy--all kinds of glass bottles and jugs (no lids), just no mirrors, windows or dishware. All kinds of paper, cardboard and chipboard (stuff like cereal boxes) is acceptable (even pizza boxes!), just don't put paper towels, tissue or diapers in there. That's biohazard stuff!

All in all, I would say we have an excellent recycling program here in Greensboro. The best part, besides the handy curbside pickup, is that you don't even need to sort the things into separate containers--everything that can be recycled just goes into the brown container and to the curb, and they take care of it from there, bless their hearts. Now there is no excuse whatsoever not to recycle, so go for 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!

Image from Pixabay http://pixabay.com/en/woman-girl-black-female-rubbish-160281/ This girl isn't as lucky as we are, because she has to sort stuff.

My Trip to the Weatherspoon Art Museum

I have been embarrassed that I have lived in Greensboro for so long without having gone to the Weatherspoon Art Museum, on the campus of UNCG at Tate and Spring Garden Streets. I've been to the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh about half a dozen times, but sometimes it's easy to put off seeing something in your own home town, figuring you'll get to it. I'm afraid I was doing just that with the Weatherspoon, even though I've heard from many people that it's a fantastic art museum in its own right.
Last weekend, however, my failing was finally rectified when a friend suggested we go see the current exhibit by Lesley Dill called "Faith and the Devil", a stunning gallery exhibit comprised of large wallhangings (and one fabric sculpture and a mannequin) that uses striking imagery and typography to share stories--sometimes shocking, but all deeply introspective--about the nature of humanity's light and dark sides. It was a thought-provoking display, and I would recommend it. It will be in the museum until December 7th.

We also saw the Al Held and Robert Mangold exhibit, "Black and White to Color", which also runs through December 7th, and the delightful Art on Paper 2014 exhibit, which takes up a couple of large galleries on the second floor of the Weatherspoon and features work by dozens of artists who use paper both as medium, creating sculptural works by folding, twisting, cutting, embellishing and even weaving the paper, and also as support, producing fantastical images with a wide variety of media, from graphite and charcoal to acrylic, colored ink and gouache. This was my favorite exhibit, but of course it is the nearest and dearest to my heart, as I received my BFA in Illustration.

To finish, we checked out the remaining galleries that feature a rotating display of pieces from the Weatherspoon's permanent collection, including a large painting and a smaller work on paper by famed artist Willem deKooning. I had heard about the deKooning and was happy to finally see it.

The Weatherspoon Art Gallery is free (donations are accepted and appreciated), with ample parking in the lot behind the museum, so there's really no excuse not to go. Don't put it off, like I did--it's a wonderful experience!

Here is the website for the Weatherspoon, with much more information about hours, location, and exhibits: http://weatherspoon.uncg.edu/

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

Photograph of the Weatherspoon Art Museum is from Wikimedia Commons:  http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Weatherspoon_Art_Museum.JPG

Tigers at the Greensboro Science Center

Whenever I go to the Animal Discovery section of the Greensboro Science Center, I always look forward to seeing the tigers, Axl and Kisa. At first, I had thought that these two tigers were mates, but they are actually twins, brother and sister, who were born here in North Carolina at the Conservation Center in Mebane. They turned ten years old in August. The reason I thought they were mates, other than being a male and a female housed together, is that Kisa fusses at Axl sometimes, and it is very much like how wives fuss at their husbands for various things!

The tigers have a large enclosure, and Axl usually paces around it (as in the above picture), marking his territory, while Kisa usually reclines somewhere. Occasionally they both walk around, and it is fun to see the way they interact with each other. The enclosure has some wonderful big rocks to climb on and lots of greenery to explore.There are two glassed-in viewing areas that protrude into the enclosure, and both tigers will walk very close by, allowing for some excellent pictures. 

The only thing the tiger habitat seems to be missing is a water feature. Tigers are adept swimmers, and they like to swim and play in the water. Maybe the keepers were afraid they would get too playful and splash the zoo visitors! 

Axl interacts with a keeper who has come to check on him. Tigers act just like our kitty cats at home, but they weigh 400 pounds and can kill us, so that's a BIG difference!

The magnificent enclosure features a large rock feature. As Axl walks by, you can see Kisa lying atop the highest rock.

A closer look at the beautiful Kisa

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 photos were taken by me (c) Ali McCartney

Greensboro City Offices Closed November 11 in Observance of Veteran's Day

The city of Greensboro closes its municipal offices on Tuesday, November 11th, in observance of Veteran's Day. Trash pickup that would normally be done on this day will be done on Wednesday, November 12th.

Also, the city offices will be closed for two days to celebrate Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 27th, and Friday, November 28th. Although trash pickup for Thursday the 27th will be moved forward one day to Wednesday the 26th, Friday's collection will stay the same.

Here's to all the veterans out there: We appreciate your sacrifices, and we pray that those of you who are still deployed come home safely and soon!

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/soldier-saluting-salute-man-person-294476/

Giant Tortoises at the Greensboro Science Center

On Monday, we visited the Greensboro Science Center, which has an outdoor zoo area called Animal Discovery in addition to the SciQuarium mentioned in my previous article http://whatsgoodingreensboro.blogspot.com/2014/08/penguins-at-greensboro-science-center.html . One of the animals housed in this outdoor exhibit is the giant tortoise. The Greensboro Science Center has two kinds of tortoise, the Aldabra and the African Spur Thigh. 

There are several turtles in the exhibit, and although they aren't quite as huge as, say, the Galapagos tortoise, they are pretty sizable--MUCH bigger than anything you will find crossing the road, that's for sure! (I always stop to help tortoises cross the road, and I hope you do, too). According to Wikipedia, the Aldabra tortoise is powerful enough to knock trees over while foraging, but no worries: they're vegetarians, and you could outrun them, anyway! 

One of the Aldabra tortoises relaxing in the pool. Note the distinctly saddle-shaped shell. Aldabra tortoises are named for their place of origin, the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles islands. I think he's cute! 

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

Photos are my own. (c) Ali E. McCartney