The North Carolina Zoo Has Vampire Bats

A visit to the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, North Carolina, is a great experience. The zoo houses over 1,000 animals, and inside a cool little house for nocturnal animals in the Sonoran Desert pavilion that is also home to the cacomistle and coati, there is a display of vampire bats, Since these critters are more active at night, their display is kept fairly dark, but you can see them flying back and forth within the enclosure once your eyes have adjusted. They are normally flying to their feeders and back, so once you locate the feeders within the enclosure, you can usually find some activity.

Of course, this activity swells to a crescendo at feeding time, which the zoo does during visiting hours so that visitors can see it. As you could guess from the name, vampire bats drink blood. They usually take their meal from a living animal, such as a cow or pig, using a special anticoagulant in their saliva to keep the blood from clotting once it starts to flow from a bite of their tiny fangs, but of course at the North Carolina Zoo, the bats aren't given live prey. The zoo staff feeds the bats by pouring cows' blood (with an added coagulant) into, of all things, hummingbird feeders for the bats to dine upon. The North Carolina Zoo goes through 18 pounds of cows' blood a week to feed the bats! It doesn't sound like the most fun job in the world to pour smelly cows' blood into several feeders in a dark box with bats flying around your head, but I guess they are used to it!

Here's another post about the North Carolina Zoo, for your enjoyment: http://whatsgoodingreensboro.blogspot.com/2015/02/a-funny-thing-happened-at-zoo-and-i.html

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Vampire bat picture from Wikimedia Commons en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Desmodus.jpg

A Funny Thing Happened at the Zoo, and I Ain't Lyin'

The North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro is a popular, nearby destination for Greensboro residents and others in the area. I have a membership to the Zoo and have made frequent trips, myself. I thought I would share a story from a trip I made a few years back...

I was at the zoo once when a squirrel got into the lion enclosure. Unless it's feeding time, the lions are usually just lyin' (get it?) around and aren't the most exciting exhibit, but the presence of that squirrel made the lioness snap to attention! She jumped to her feet and started stalking the squirrel just like a housecat, and everyone in the crowd was transfixed with excitement and anticipation. You could see the tension in her hindquarters as she prepared to spring, and I thought we were all gonna see a "National Geographic moment", if you know what I mean.

Fortunately for the squirrel, there was a protective covering around the tree in the enclosure (probably to keep the big cats from scratching off all the bark), and the little guy got down inside that. As for the lioness, her prey, being out of sight, was soon out of mind, and she went back and flopped down beside her mate. Show's over folks! Move along...nothing to see here...

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Image from Pixabay http://pixabay.com/en/lions-animal-male-female-lions-175934/

The Glenn McNairy Branch, Greensboro Public Library's Newest Addition

A brand new branch of the Greensboro Public Library opened up on Friday, August 1, 2014, on Lake Jeanette Road in Greensboro, North Carolina. I was particularly excited about this, because it is only about a mile from where I live, so I can walk there when the weather is nice. It took a really, really long time for them to start building--I'm pretty sure the bond for it was passed back in 2006--but they broke ground last year, and I have been watching as the library building takes shape.

I was very excited to finally visit the branch once it opened, and I took plenty of pictures to share. This branch has so many unique features,it's hard to know where to start, so I'll just take you on a visual tour. When one enters, it's clear that this is not your standard dark and hushed "book crypt" (I'm looking at you, UNCG library)--the soaring, light-filled room is appointed with brilliantly-hued artwork and comfy couches. Stacks jut out into the room like those in a bookstore, rather than marching in uniform rows.

The children's section is wonderfully designed. It is dominated by a large pirate ship for exploration and play, and the stacks are actually bins, at a kid-friendly height. There is a computer hub with small chairs, and even a snack bar.

 One thing in I was disappointed to find was a very small number of desktop computers available for adults. There are only seven stations around a table for library patrons to use, and if those are full, the alternative is apparently not to use the kids' computers, no matter how empty that area may be. If you are not with a child, you will be asked to move.

Why so few PC stations? The answer is in the kiosk. This library branch is unique in that there is a large kiosk from which library patrons can check out laptops and tablet computers for use, and as you have seen, there are plenty of places to sit. Clearly the plan was for those to be in wide use, making the demand for desktop PCs rather low. However, the mouse rules over the touchpad, and the keyboard trumps the touchscreen; the kiosk gathers dust while the desktop stations are full. Hopefully the disparity will be rectified by adding more computers of the old-school style.

Except for the issue with the computers, this is a lovely and welcoming branch. It took eight years to come to fruition, but it is here in a big, bold way. And if the pirate ship, rental iPads and snack bar aren't enough of a draw, the Glenn McNairy Branch has a real live 3-D printer! Whether browsing the stacks, checking out the snack bar or just sitting on a comfy couch playing Fruit Ninja, you will enjoy your visit to the Glenn McNairy Branch on Lake Jeanette Road.

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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!

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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!

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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!