free
winter 2015
We Are Keep It Local
consider this an alternative
A Holiday Hypothesis
Jasmine’s holiday challenge
BECOME THE miracle
The power is within each of us
Volume: 04
ISSUE: 02 wearegreensboro.com
EDITORIAL Managing director /editor
Tony Bates | tbates@wearegreensboro.com
creative director
Arthur Bates Jr. | abates@wearegreensboro.com Non-profit coordinator
Veronica Bates | vlb@wearegreensboro.com staff writer
Carol Bates Morris | cmore@wearegreensboro.com
ADVERTISING advertising manager
John Graham | jgraham@wearegreensboro.com
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From all of us to all of you... From the very bottom of our hearts we thank each and every one of you for your continued support, and hope you all have the most joyous holiday season and an absolutely wonderful new year! images - by t. bates cover - greensboro’s official city christmas tree, downtown - center city park this page - keeping it busy downtown - South. Elm St.
invest in greensboro • keep it local 03
I
t’s hard to say goodbye to a friend. Even when they’ll be just around the corner, somehow you know it won’t be quite the same. After nine years as one of the cornerstone businesses in the art/antique rich “South End” section of downtown, Jules Antiques and Fine Art is closing its doors at the end of December. While Gary and Agnes will remain in the area operating their other businesses (appraisals and interior design respectively), South Elm Street, in fact all of Greensboro, is losing the very epitome of what we think of in terms of antiques; one of the best is leaving us. In this case however, Jules is making their parting a sweet sorrow. Having given so much to the community, Gary and
Agnes are continuing this pattern with an incredible sale going on until they close their doors for good. With every item at least 50% off, this is the parting gift makes their closing almost palatable… Almost. While you will still be able to reach them in their new space at HQ Greensboro around the corner on Lewis Street, stopping by the store in December is the perfect opportunity to find those pieces you’ve been looking for at incredible prices. So whether it’s your first or fiftieth time, drop in, say hi (goodbye just doesn’t seem right) to Gary and Agnes and enjoy some time in Jules while you can. Shops and people like this don’t come along every day!
530 South Elm Street • Greensboro, NC 27406 • 336.389.9934 • www.julesantiques.com
In the “South End” Historic District
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Contents
GREENSBORO SCIENCE CENTER AQUARIUM MUSEUM ZOO
4301 Lawndale Dr • (336) 288-3769 greensboroscience.org
c o n s i d e r t h i s06
Become The
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Miracle
09
b elie v e
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Consider This
Giving Miracles
Slight changes in how we spend money that we ALREADY have to spend can yield enormous befits to ourselves and our community.
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Sometimes the smallest gift can become the biggest miracle in someones life.
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Social Networking
Few things keep us in touch like social networking. Is it possible that those same tools are working to keep us apart?
A Holiday Hypothesis
Jasmine Nehilla has a hypothesis and challenges each of us as a method of proving it.
A Holiday Hypothesis 12
16
12 Believe
The vast majority of religions hold the same teachings dear, proving we have much more in common that the little that divides us.
22 Photos
Some old... Some new... ALL friends... All around the town, east, west, north and south, WE ARE GREENSBORO!!!
2400 16th St • 336. 373.3272 greensborosportsplex.com
CENTURY SECURITY CORPORATE • COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL
PROTECTION YOU CAN COUNT ON GREENSBORO, NC • FAYETTEVILLE, NC
336.302.2421
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consider this Tony Bates
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e live in what is an ever more elusive fusion of metropolitan vitality and suburban community. In addition to our diversity, much of our distinctiveness, what gives Greensboro such flavor, is due in large part to the vibrant small business and art communities that thrive here. However, without our help these communities could vanish, taking with them the heart of Greensboro itself. Likewise, what would Greensboro be without the farms that dot the surrounding countryside or colleges and universities that call the “Gate City” home? This is not some rhetorical question with no basis in the realm of possibility. Quite the contrary, the hypothetical scenario brought to mind here has enormous potential to become reality. Simply put, if we as consumers continue to bypass small locally owned shops and boutiques on our way to large, corporate one-stop, megastores then the need for and by extension the existence of small shops would cease. The same holds true for the arts community, local farms and institutions of higher learning; in general much that makes Greensboro unique, but it doesn’t have to happen. The power to ensure that it doesn’t resides within each of us, and it starts with a very small promise.
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By committing to spend a small portion of our shopping budgets to locally owned stores; for arguments sake, let’s say 10%, we will greatly improve our economy. This is not a random determination lacking evidence to support it. Cities all across the country have already begun to calculate the benefits to local economies if everyone shifted just 10% of what they will already spend. At the Arizona website “www.shiftarizona.com” even nonresidents can use the calculator on their site to determine the additional amount that would recycle back into the local economy if they committed just 10%. For instance if someone shifted 10% of an annual $5,000.00 spending budget (food, clothing, artwork, whatever they would normally buy) they would add an additional $150.00 to the local economy. Based on this accepted formula, if just 100,000 of the roughly 280,000 residents in Greensboro made the 10% shift, the local economy would be boosted by approximately $15,000,000. That’s right, if a little more than 1/3 of the people in Greensboro made slight changes to the way they spend the money that they already need to spend, there would be fifteen million additional dollars available in the local budget. This is not small change. How many roads could be fixed or schools could be properly staffed and supplied with $15,000,000? How many additional police officers or firefighters would $15,000,000 pay for or how much could each of our tax bills be reduced if this were to become a reality?
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there’s no magic to how this concept is possible There’s no magic to how this concept is possible, in fact it’s an idea that we’ve discussed here before. Although the figures vary slightly, it is a widely accepted fact, verified by numerous state impact studies that up to 45% of money spent at locally owned/independent businesses is recycled back into the local economy compared to 14% for large chains and franchises. To be fair, other studies have place the figures as close as 68% (local) compared to 45% (national chain) depending upon the community make-up, but still that’s a minimum 23% more for the community, amounting to as much as $68 of every $100 spent. Regardless, the benefit is clear, spending locally helps and North Carolina is already on board with this concept. NC State University sponsors a website committed to this idea. “www.ncsu.edu/project/nc10percent” proposes that each of us commit 10% to buying locally grown food and they will even help track the results and keep participants abreast of the progress. What’s more, the benefits don’t just stop at the initial increase. Through what is known a “multiplier effect” the initial money recycled into the economy continues to be returned, again and again. For instance, local businesses create more jobs and support more local suppliers than chains (per dollar). The additional jobs then pay employees who spend those wages, in turn creating the need for more goods and services and in turn more jobs and so on and so on. Monies spent locally remain in the community longer and have greater benefit and the beauty of it is that it won’t cost us any extra. On any given day the masses drift in and out of Walmart, Target, Macy’s and the rest of the “big box” stores found in almost every city. Each with our own reasons, we search for sales, and of course the convenience of various items in one place. But what do we give up? Instead of making an extra stop or two to visit a locally owned store, we opt to buy the artwork for our living room from the same store where we purchased our toilet seat. Are we really to believe that the best artwork for the price will be found there? Are we truly getting the best quality or price? There are benefits to having the availability of large big-box stores around and no one is suggesting that we avoid them all together. But 10% is not asking a lot, it’s only one out of every ten purchases. (continued on pg. 17)
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rom the smallest, seemingly most inconsequential event, to the massive occurrences t h e that flood the media, miracles happen ev- b e c o m e ery day. Yet, in what is perhaps the most misunderstood part about miracles, most of us downplay just how large a role we all can play in them. No, I’m not referring to parting the seas or turning water into wine; neither do m i r a c l e I mean miracles in terms of what we, ourselves need. Tony Bates While many of us go about our daily lives absorbed in ourselves and those in our immediate circle, there are many more desperately in need of what can only be de- the obvious place, has to be “within ourselves”. Each of scribed as a miracle. Kind words to someone who has us have different causes that concern us the most, so it recently suffered a loss or a small donation to someone only makes sense that these are where we will feel most who lost a job can often make all the difference in the comfortable devoting more our resources. Similarly, world… And THAT is where miracles begin. I speak once we’ve found “that cause” that compels us to give, of the power that each of us has to become the miracle we have to decide what it is that we can afford to donate. While money is always a good choice, many times for others. it is simply not feasible and besides, quite often there is By its very definition, a miracle is an otherwise unex- something we have to offer that holds even more value; plained, yet surprising and welcome event. How then our time. to explain what possesses a person (or family) to give of themselves while seeking no tangible reward? Joining Yes, our time can be and often is more valuable than Big Brothers, spending time at a retirement commu- many of us ever imagined. Just think of the benefit to nity, or volunteering at a hospital brings no monetary educators when a parent volunteers in the classroom or reward or unusually high regard for the giver, but can library, proctors a test or chaperones a field trip. How warm the hearts of those who have been helped. Giving much more beneficial is a teacher’s time spent one-onone with a student during a lunch period than acting is itself a miracle. as a glorified babysitter in the cafeteria. The same value Whatever it is, whatever we are passionate about, what- of time can be applied to food banks; long term care ever causes motivate us enough to act, if care enough; facilities, animal shelters and even specific local orgathere are ways to get involved. For some it may be nizations that benefit each of us in one way or another. health concerns while others may find their fervor in Local organizations such as the Women’s Resource Cenfeeding children, but whether we care deeply for the en- ter and the Welfare Reform Liaison Project just to name vironment, animals, education, historical preservation two remain perpetually understaffed. or the many in need, Greensboro is home to local notfor-profit organizations that span the entire spectrum If you are so inclined and capable of doing so, by all means write a check. However, if your finances are such of assistance. that a monetary donation is not possible or you simply Not that there aren’t many wonderful national and in- want to get even more involved, give time. Moreover, ternational charitable organizations that do great works, this is not an either/or proposition, especially this time but “we are Greensboro” and as such if that old adage of year. You can certainly donate time or money, but “we cannot help others if we cannot first help ourselves” now “tis the season”; make someone’s holiday (includever applied, it most certainly applies here. If we can ing your own) brighter by giving both. Sometimes it’s ensure the wellbeing of the members of our community as simple as helping someone get their groceries to their first, see to it that our fellow citizens are fed and healed car or just returning the shopping cart for them, but and gainfully employed and that our young are cared kindness of any kind, the act of making someone’s day for and properly educated then we will have made great a little better, is a miracle unto itself. If in the end, all strides in ensuring that they are in a position to give you may have to show for your time and/or money is the smile on someone’s face and the knowledge that you back and in turn help others. have helped them; but then, that smile is really saying... But where to begin? The simplest answer and perhaps you have become the miracle.
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Background Image - “A Helping Hand” Courtesy of PaulZNL via Deviant Art
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W
hen was the last time you visited State Street? No, not just a quick drive through, but a nice relaxing look. If it’s been a while (or if you’ve never been), then you have no idea what you’re really missing. The shopping, the dining, the spas, salons and yoga... things here are better than ever and keep evolving and growing. Here is where you find that wonderful spot right between the tried and familiar and the fresh and exciting. With new places opening all the time and the vibe here better than ever, isn’t it time you took...
a stroll down State
Street
501 State Street • 336.274.4533 • YamamoriLtd.com
500 State Street • 336.574.0100 pinkribbonchic.com Footwear, Apparel & Accessories 507 State Street • 336.275.7645 • lillobella.com
414 State Street • 336.609.4207 • vidapourtea.com
307 State St •279-1124 www.tylerwhitegallery.com
Eclectic by Nature experience the magic & escape the ordinary
414 State Street • 336. 373.0733 • eclecticbynature.com
500 State Street • 336-274-2003 • pinkribbonchic.com
309 State St. • 336.230.2266 • Find Us On Facebook
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believe Common Ground
Tony Bates This article has been reprinted from our August 2014 issue... Today it seems as relevent and needed as ever.
F
or many the reflections on how we’ve lived as well as the hope for what lies ahead are often manifested in faith and if there’s one thing we have plenty of in Greensboro, it’s faith. With a population serving more than 45 different religions and spiritual affiliations, Greensboro is as diverse a city as any in the U.S. Yet as powerful as religion and diversity can be in terms of societal growth and stimulation, both must come with understanding, because without understanding, without taking the time to know our friends and neighbors, we can never hope to achieve any level of unity and without unity what can we hope to accomplish at all? There are over 1000 Christian churches alone in the greater Greensboro area and although primarily comprised of Southern Baptists, Christianity is itself an amalgamation of dozens of different denominations including but certainly not limited to Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox not to mention the many subdenominations and sects of each. Add to that the wealth of Greensboro’s other religions and divine inspirations which include Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and a host of others, and the wide variety of belief systems and those that participate in them becomes even more apparent. Absorbed in one’s own convictions it becomes easier to underappreciate or even overlook entirely the beliefs of others. Yet with such a spiritual variety, appreciation and understanding are exactly what we need. We hear the term “tolerance” used quite often when discussing the religion of others. But tolerance is only the beginning as it implies the minimal degree to which we can abide something. When we “tolerate” an ideal, a person or anything else the suggestion is that we are merely “putting up” with it, but we need to go further. Wouldn’t it be more beneficial to be accepting? Not necessarily accepting in the sense of changing our beliefs,
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but accepting in terms of another person’s faith and their right to practice what they believe in. After all, who among us would not agree that freedom of faith was and is still considered one of the foundational principles of our country? It’s one thing for us to take another person’s religion at face value, even if we claim to be tolerant of it and accepting of their right to practice it. It’s quite another however to take the time to learn about it and in doing so learn more about our neighbors. For far too long the discussion of religion has been, along with politics, considered a taboo subject by many in our society. Perhaps we’ve been afraid of exposing our differences. On the other hand, if we learn more about others while sharing a bit more of ourselves, we open the doors to the discovery of our commonalities and begin the process of building a unified foundation that can only benefit us all. In terms of this common ground, even the most cursory look into the beliefs of others reveals that far more of our ideals are shared than any that may differentiate us. Virtually every religion or spiritual belief system imparts tenets that we can all appreciate. Such doctrines as the belief in something greater than ourselves, the Golden Rule (do unto others…), love thy neighbor, don’t steal, do no harm, speak the truth and most of the other basis’ of the faiths that we hold dear are common in all religions. All of the “Religions of Abraham” (Christianity, Islam and Judaism) as well as most if not all eastern religions (Hinduism, etc.) embrace these as part of their core values. In this light it is easy to understand that we have much more in common than that which divides us. Make no mistake; we are all in this together and we must make an effort to act like it. What is good for one of us is generally good for all of us and a stronger sense of our shared common ground can only fortify our bonds and in turn our city.
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�
we have much more in common than that which divides us
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The Village at Golden Gate (Golden Gate and Cornwallis Drives)
Oriental Rugs 2274 Golden Gate Dr. 336. 545.3003 • linneasboutique.com
Carriage House
2224 Golden Gate Dr. • 336.355.9550
2256 Golden Gate Dr. 336.279.8118
Antiques & Home Decor
2214 Golden Gate Dr. • 336.373.6200
Vera’s Threads
2274 Golden Gate Dr. • 336.545.3003 linneasboutique.com
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2268 Golden Gate Dr. • 336.450.2102 airfunpark.com
2270 Golden Gate Dr. 336.617.4664 meltkitchenandbar.com
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A Holiday Hypothesis Jasmine Nehilla Staff Writer
Every year on NPR I catch the story of the anon Secret Santa. It’s a true account of a man garbed in a red hat who approaches complete strangers and delivers them crisp $100 bills in the most unsuspecting places. The history of Secret Santa began in the ‘70s with a homeless man. Hungry and penniless, he entered a diner and sat. The diner’s cook noticed him, reached down, appeared to pick up a $20 bill off of the ground and said, “I think you dropped this son.” Thankful, the homeless man pledged to pay it forward. And sure enough, he became wealthy in telecommunications and bePhoto courtesy of: Heather LaShun Photography • heatherlashun.smugmug.com gan giving money to strangers during the holidays. Before he died, he awarded over a million dollars. His legacy has conhe holidays are in full effect. We’re helping our son with his science fair project tinued on as Secret Santas anonymously call in from all that he terribly fumbled—procrastination over the country. It’s a beautiful movement. Here’s the karma. And the hardest part for him was issue: once cookies are dispersed and gifts are given, we elaborating the steps of scientific method. just let the holiday cheer, the spirit of generosity and free We spent hours formulating a hypothesis which is writ- love dissipate only to be stirred up again in another 337 ten: “If _____[I do this] _____, then _____[this]_____ days. Why can’t we let this zeal for generosity continue will happen.” We concluded his hypothesis was correct on throughout the year? and he gleamed in excitement as he ate his experiment— we studied the relationship between different sugars and I challenge you to yeast when baking bread. He loves being right, I mean focus on channeling what 11-year-old doesn’t? As I’m writing this we’re finishyour holiday zest... ing up the experiment, rapidly billowing into Thanksgiving and it’s ugly step-sister Black Friday. I love a good sale or super clearance item as much as the next penny- As we close out the year, I invite you to reflect on how pincher. But with horror stories of shopper stampedes you can make this upcoming year better than the last. and overworked employees missing memorable family Instead of reserving your optimism and kindness for the time, Black Friday is my least favorite holiday event. It’s holidays, make alterations to give a little positivity each day. Rather than making resolutions for the New Year a contradiction of the “holiday cheer.” that you’ll abort before winter’s end, I challenge you to In the 28 days from Thanksgiving to December 25th, focus on channeling your holiday zest and become a betall over the country we let the holidays transform us. ter you. Make adjustments to complain less, shell out Somehow we find the time to adorn the exterior and in- compliments indiscriminately, and volunteer a helping terior of our homes with bright lights, menorahs, rein- hand more often. Simply put, you’ll feel better. Your atdeer and cut pine trees. We set budgets to ensure each titude will be better. Ergo, you’ll be a better person. I’ve family member, co-worker and acquaintance receives a heard it takes 21 days to form a habit. Now that you’re wrapped or bagged trinket. We’re more accepting, loving, contemplating this challenge—my hypothesis is if you generous, thoughtful...and encourage others to follow start now, this holiday season will be your best one yet. suit. We tend to be a little more hopeful and complain You will find that your holiday cheer will become exa little less; all while continuing to go to work (probably ponentially greater because you’re focusing on enhanced overtime), attend to our families, maintain our homes for living. Your family dinner banter will be authentic and incoming guests and oh yeah...subsist. Not to mention, genuine, and for some, the holidays be a lot less painful we magically prepare an intricate family dinner involving and discouraging. When your day to day living becomes a magnitude of sides and desserts. Let’s face it, we are at your joyful holiday living and less bah humbug then you our productive prime during the holiday season! And yet, will appreciate the holidays even more. there is something counterfeit about it all.
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lishments in Greensboro. Suddenly if becomes easier to envision what an additional shift of 10% would do for each one of us. So while we’re considering things, consider this, since it would be so easy to commit 10%, how about we up the stakes for our city. If we can make a resolution to commit not 10 but 15% Oscar Oglethorpe Eyewear and Mack and Mack Clothing to our locally owned independent busiare perfect places to “keep it local”. nesses (you know, the ones owned by our friends, our neighbors and our rela(Consider This ... continued from pg. 7) tives) imagine the precedence we could set, the inspiration we can be and all the good we can do. Our city has needs. Detractors will argue that large corporate chains being bigWe can continue with business as usual by ignoring some ger hire more people and pay a larger amount of taxes, and of them and relying on ever increasing taxes or cuts to critithat’s true. But, and this is the real point, dollar for dollar cal services to fix the rest, or we can choose to be proactive more of the money spent at locally owned stores is returned and self-reliant by making the changes happen ourselves to be recycled throughout the community. Meaning that without spending an additional dime. This year make some every dollar we choose to spend at the local store will return of the gifts you give benefit the community as well. Then, at least $.68 compared to only $.45 from the chain, an adcarry that commitment into the New Year with a resolution ditional $.23 per $1.00… $23 per $100.00… $230,000 per that A) can be kept and B) will do some real good both for million. According to the data at CLR Research (clrsearch. yourself and the community. Shop small, invest in Greenscom) in 2010 over $700,000,000 was spent in retail estabboro… Keep it local!
524 S.Elm St. Greensboro, NC Triedandtruenc@gmail.com
336-274-1010 “like” our facebook page
GREENSBORO
CHRISTIAN BUSINESS GUIDE
Connect with businesses within the local christian community
facebook.com/GreensboroCBG
Coming Soon “Faithfully Serving the Community ”
Downtown greensboro 220 South Elm St. • 800.279.6480 • mamclothing.com
Mechelle’s Boutique Everything a girl could want!
200 S Elm St, • 336.763.0944 • mykoshary.com
227 South Elm St • 336.574.4496
219-A South Elm St • 600-C Battleground Ave 336-265-8859 • 336-273-0030 www.eatcrafted.com
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229 South Elm St. 336.272.0862 chakrasspa.com
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verything a vibrant downtown should be, Greensboro is alive and South Elm St. is it’s pulse. And for those of you who have forgotten (or have yet to discover), the flow doesn’t stop south of the railroad tracks. South End (S. Elm St., south across the railroad tracks to Gate City Blvd.), is one of our favorite locations to shop, dine and explore. Infused among the city’s highest concentration of amazing antique shops are beautiful art galleries, furniture and home decor shops, a theatre, brewery, museum and a wide assortment of dining options. And thats only the beginning; ice skating in the winter, the GSO City Market spring, summer and autumn, and an all around fun time the First Friday of each month, all year long. In fact, the only way to experience it is to head downtown and experience ALL of it for yourself.
Ambleside Gallery
Original Paintings • Sculpture • Custom Framing • Restoration
5 28 S. Elm St • 336.275.9844 amblesidearts.com 530 South Elm St • 336.389.9934
julesantiques.com
600South Elm St • 336.279.8525
table16restaurant.com
117 W Lewis St. 336.763.7087 gibbshundred.com
524 S. Elm St • 336.274.1010 triedandtruetattoocompany.com
The Sweet Shop Homemade Pound Cakes by Margaret Elaine, LLC
Lion’s Crown 607 S Elm St • 336.378.8877
An i t que s
631 South Elm St • 336.790.0242 facebook.com/sweetshopnow
104 Barnhardt St. 336.275.5765
Welcome to
South End 19
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Social Networking A Gift or A Curse? Twi Brown
Contributing Writer
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ou see it every day, it’s all around us and completely unavoidable. Whether it’s Tweeting your friends, FaceTime from your iPhone, updating your Facebook status, or checking in on Foursquare, social networking has had and continues to have a daily impact on our lives, even the lives of those who don’t use it. Watch any news program and you will see politicians and celebrity’s Tweets becoming increasingly more newsworthy and quoted during broadcast. “Did you see what so-and-so posted on Facebook” is common water cooler talk in any office around the world. While social networking has allowed us to be more connected than ever before, it has also inhibited our daily interactions in the more conventional sense, in person. Why even go through the stress of making that trek across the country to go to your cousin’s wedding when you know you can just log onto Facebook and see the videos and pictures while avoiding the hassle of trying to stuff that taffeta gown into a carry-on bag? What’s the mystery and excitement in going to your 10 year high school reunion when you’ve already been timeline stalking your high school sweet heart via Twitter for the past four years and already know every minor detail about him, down to how much his hairline has receded since winning prom king? Though social networking has many positive aspects and allows us to share ideas and connect with each other in a way never before possible, it is important for us to remember that life isn’t lived behind a screen. You can’t taste the amazing cake your Nanny made for the wedding behind a screen or smell the beautiful roses she ordered by sniffing your phone. Likewise, you can’t hug that favorite teacher who changed your life when you were an awkward ninth grader via a Tweet. Life isn’t always about convenience, sometimes it’s simply about living.
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friends... old and new
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Fun and excercise? Bounce around at Air Fun Trampoline Park
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"Smoking Old Man"
ONE MAN EXHIBITION
Ambleside Gallery
Original Paintings • Sculpture • Custom Framing • Restoration 528 South Elm St. Greensboro, NC 27406 336.275.9844 www.amblesidearts.com