Thursday, November 27, 2014

Feed the City; An Annual Thanksgiving Outreach in Winston-Salem


By Jessica Thomas Lewis

So grateful for this opportunity. 

By 11:30am, we had packed more than 800 meals for shut-ins, the indigent and homeless. 

These were hot meals; turkey, stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and a roll.  Packed by volunteers in hopes of touching the lives of those who wouldn't otherwise have a Thanksgiving meal.


All told, we fed 1,400 people through Feed the City, an annual Thanksgiving outreach.

Organized by Flow Automotive and St. Paul UMC, this initiative brings Flow employees, church members and others together to quickly prepare and deliver the meals to such places as Crystal Towers and Healy Towers on Thanksgiving Day.  The group of volunteers included young men from Winston-Salem Preparatory Academy.  I was there with my daughters, ages 6 and 10.  Everyone had a specific duty.  I carried two trays at a time down the line and each food item was ladled in as I went.  My daughters were at the end of the line with another young girl, placing a sheet of parchment across the food, and added a roll and packaged utensils.   A piece of pie went out with each meal.  

It does this Mama's heart proud that my children thanked me for bringing them today to pack those meals.  





From there, we went to my sister's house, where she hosted her first Thanksgiving and we found out that they're expecting their second child!  So excited for this new niece or nephew; we'll have a full baseball team of cousins and we're blessed to be close.   

 Be grateful, give back and be blessed.  Happy Thanksgiving, y'all.




Wednesday, November 26, 2014

La Casa Lopez Mexican Grill

By Denton Gerow

I got spoiled in California with fresh, family made Mexican food.  I found some okay places around but none of them could match up in flavor or that 'you're home' kind of hospitality I had come to enjoy.

Then I found La Casa Lopez Mexican Grill, 3028 Healy Dr. Winston Salem.  The Lopez family runs this corner restaurant in the strip plaza just off of Stratford Rd.    They make you feel like you are a long lost friend the first time you walk in the door and it only gets better from there.  They respect when you need some quiet time and they make a large group feel like they each are important to them.

Their menu has something for everyone.  From the best ChoriQueso dip to vegetarian options, to seafood and a wide range of classic dishes, everything here that I have tasted has been delicious.

Among of my favorites to order are the Lunch Special Nachos, a pile of chips, with the meat of your choice, covered in cheese dip, homemade guacamole, salsa and creme fresh with lettuce and tomatoes.  

If you are hungry, can't make up your mind, or want to split something, try the Special Dinner.  It takes up to three plates to be delivered, You get a burrito, chalupa, chili relleno, beef enchillada, beef taco, refried beas, and rice  All for $10.49.  

On a quest for trying different flavors I once ordered the Burrito a la Roqueta.  Two burritos filled with tender delicious carnitas (pork), covered in verde sauce and served with pico de gallo and rice.  This dish is awesome and I highly suggest it.

On a warm day or nice night, be sure to ask to sit on the patio, smoking allowed.  Oh and don't forget they have inexpensive draft beers.

I don't miss those spots in California anymore.

Welcome New Contributor Denton Gerow!

Denton was born in Charlotte, but has lived all over the eastern seaboard and in California.  An avid Foodie, he prefers to eat at local joints, hole in the walls and the oft missed.  Denton loves to cook and share his passions for food, cigars, beer and more.




Friday, November 21, 2014

Bethabara Concert Band Performs at Maple Springs UMC to Benefit the Food Insecure

We had the pleasure of attending last night's Bethabara Concert Band Holiday Concert at Maple Springs United Methodist Church on Reynolda Road in Winston-Salem.  

Food Donations were accepted for the Food Pantry Ministry at Maple Springs.  This ministry effort regularly offers food assistance to over 400 individuals and families who live in our local area each month.   North Carolina has the second highest rate of food insecure children under 5 years of age in the nation.  For all age groups, North Carolina is ranked as the 4th worst in the nation for food insecurity. (Source: hungernwnc.org)   As you can see, the generosity is also great and much food was was donated . 

The Bethabara Concert band is in it's 28th season, with the season typically running from June-November.  Most performances take place outdoors at the Park Pavilion at Bethabara.  Families bring blankets and picnic dinners and there are hay rides, children's games, ice cream and hot dogs.

Last night's concert was fun-filled, with familiar songs such as Sleigh Ride and Hallelujah Chorus.  Soloists Candy King and Jeff Williard joined the band for Irving Berlin's Christmas and A Holiday Sing-Along.  The band also performed a few not-so-familiar songs such as Christmas in the Highlands, A Renaissance Christmas and Chanukah is Here.  And of course, Santa himself made a visit!  The children in the audience were called up and they listened intently as Santa read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.  There were approximately 125-150 people in the audience enjoying the music.


Mark your calendar now for the 
2015 season of the Bethabara Concert Band!

Summer Kickoff - June 11 - 6pm-8pm
Independence Concert - July 9 - 6pm-8:30pm
Back to School - August 13 - 6pm-8:30pm
September 11 Remembrance - September 10 - 5:30pm-8:00pm
Dark in the Park - October 8 - 5:30-8pm
Holiday Concert - November 19 - 7pm


Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Civility ~ An Op-Ed by Stephanie Barclay

I've become acutely aware lately, due to my likes of several radically different pages on my favorite social networking website, that people of different groups are drawing in on themselves, increasingly ignorant of and uncaring about the humanity of people who belong to groups other than theirs. That seriously disturbs me. We are all put here on this planet to make it a better place, and in my opinion part of that is how we treat our fellow human beings, even if they look, worship, or live differently than us, no matter how much or how little they earn, no matter what station of life they're in. In short, I feel like civility and respect has flown out the proverbial window. People seem to be concentrating so hard on how different others are that the things we all have in common are ignored.

So let me break it down to you. No matter what the color, creed, culture, religion, gender orientation, political affiliation or national heritage, every single one of us human beings desires to be loved, to have a roof over our heads, to have enough to eat, to be recognized as a human being of worth. We're all helpless as babies and none of us have control over where or how we're born. The differences we see in other human beings, even if they seem major, are but a trifle compared to those things we have in common. 


I hope this strikes a chord, that on your day's journey today you recognize the human being in someone different than you and you treat them with civility and respect. It's good for your health to let go of and negative associations, which in turn is good for your soul. Best of all, it's free. And we all like free things to do, don't we?



Thursday, November 13, 2014

Piedmont Triad Living Welcomes Stephanie Barclay




Stephanie sings backup for Big Daddy Love at their October 4, 2014 CD Release Party at Ziggy's
Photo Credit: Jenny L Viars, Dancing Lemur Photography
Piedmont Triad Living is very excited to have Stephanie Barclay as a new contributor!  Stephanie is an amazing artist/singer/writer and we're thrilled that she is joining us.  She has a witty, insightful and raw style that will bring a great perspective in observation of our area and it's events.

Born in Upstate New York, Stephanie Barclay has lived in the Piedmont Triad since 1979.  Now in her 40s, Steph enjoys downtown art events and the occassional karaoke.  From early childhood, she has always been most in her element when involved in one creative process or another.  


Stephanie's loyal transportation for many years.  Below is a detail of the side artwork.

Side Artwork, in detail, by Stephanie Barclay


Some know Steph's old truck from the side, many more know it from the rear.  


Stephanie has lived and worked in the Downtown Winston-Salem area for most of her adult life.  She currently has artwork displayed at West End Coffeehouse, 390 N Broad Street in Winston-Salem.   She will also soon be on display at the Clubhouse Salon for Men at 505 N Cherry Street in downtown Winston-Salem.


"Leftover Pizza" Hand Done by Stephanie Barclay

















Stephanie's writing style will captivate you as she explores and enjoys what makes the Piedmont Triad home.  Living laughing loving playing and shopping local. 

Welcome, Stephanie!








Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Northside Lanes and Parkland Park





What a great day!  We began our day at Northside Lanes.  Northside has been been around forever.  My parents bowled the Sunday league for a few years when I was a kid (25-30 years ago) and the lanes itself haven't changed that much.  The grill is good; we ordered lunch and got our lanes.  Our food was delivered right to us while we bowled.  We took a break and enjoyed our burgers, fries and onion rings.  I definitely recommend the onion rings; they have the perfect fried crunch.

After bowling, we decided to go to Parkland Park. The sun was shining and as usual in the Piedmont Triad, the weather was perfect.   When we arrived there were about 10 kids playing on the playground equipment and a pick up football game getting started.  Two brothers arrived with their soccer ball while their mom walked the track, same as me.  There are swings and climbing playground equipment.  

Parkland Park is located at 1660 Brewer Road in Winston-Salem, NC.  There are also tennis courts.  There are restrooms, which were closed.  (Park restrooms typically "close for season" during fall the fall/winter months.)  There was a porta-potty.


 

This little guy saw me taking pictures, stood still, looked right at me and said, "Cheese!"  How could I not take his picture?  His name is Brysan and he's 2.  What a sweet little face!  











Most of the kids at the park on this day were around the ages of 2-10.  School was out today so there may have been more people than  usual on a weekday in the fall.   The playground equipment is mostly climbing related and small children should be supervised closely.  There are swings, including two for the little ones. 












Brysan climbs up the ladder while his sister and friends look on. 




Parkland Park is conveniently located off Peters Creek Parkway, around the corner from Parkland High School and Parkland Pool.     


Click here to see location of Parkland Park on google maps.



Top 9 Facebook Posts of the Week for the Triad

I love Old Salem Museums & Gardens. When is the last time you visited?
Another picture-perfect morning at Old Salem

Photo: Another picture-perfect morning at Old Salem
Photo above and below from Old Salem Museums & Gardens


Old Salem, including the Heritage Bridge, has been decorated with lighted Moravian stars and pine garlands.  
So pretty!  It's the perfect time of year to visit!

Photo: The Old Salem Facilities staff has been busy decorating the historic district--including Heritage Bridge--with lighted Moravian stars and pine garlands.  Check it out this Saturday during the Shops at Old Salem Holiday Open House.  Details here:  http://www.oldsalem.org/retail-open-house.

This is exactly what PIedmont Triad Living stands for. 
Live Laugh Love Play Shop Local.
 #supportlocalbusinesses
Photo: #supportlocalbusinesses #supportlocalbands and if you are a kind soul, "like" Josh Doyle to support an independent musician with a day job and family to support. Put YOUR local business in the comments!!

FREE DOWNLOAD DAY!! Snag a couple of my songs today for FREE! Which ones? http://www.reverbnation.com/joshdoyle/songs

P.S. Thanks for making this post go viral and please keep spreading the word! 54,591 shares!

P.P.S Find a local band near you to support @http://bit.ly/1tC14sv

Fleet Feet is moving and expanding!

"We are on the move! Excited to announce that we will be moving to the new HanesTowne Village on Stratford Rd. in March 2015! 7200 square feet, a community room dedicated to training programs, educational clinics, and community fitness building, and state-of-the-art retail design! And best part.....direct access to the BEST LOCAL RUNNING ROUTES, right from the store!"

Photo: We are on the move! Excited to announce that we will be moving to the new HanesTowne Village on Stratford Rd. in March 2015! 7200 square feet, a community room dedicated to training programs, educational clinics, and community fitness building, and state-of-the-art retail design! And best part.....direct access to the BEST LOCAL RUNNING ROUTES, right from the store!
Fleet Feet Sports, Winston-Salem

The Triad's only hot glassblowing studio with public viewing daily. Check out The Olio, they just celebrated their grand opening this weekend!

Photo
The Olio

Loving these cute little gingerbread men by Angela Cable! Be sure to check out the KACG holiday store, filled with handmade items by local artists.


We played a little game.  

Who can tell me where this spot is? 
Next question ~~ what stood on this spot in 1923? 
Give you a hint ~~ 
if you follow#piedmonttriadliving on instagram you may already know the answer (to the first question, not to the second)!

Photo: Okay, let's play a game.  Who can tell me where this spot is?  Next question ~~ what stood on this spot in 1923?  Give you a hint ~~ if you follow #piedmonttriadliving on instagram you may already know the answer (to the first question, not to the second)!
 ˙lood Ζƒuıɯɯıʍs ΙΉoopΚ‡no ǝΙ₯Κ‡ pǝʞoolɹǝʌo ǝɔuo ʇɐΙ₯Κ‡ oıʇɐd ǝΙ₯Κ‡ Ι―oɹɟ 'suǝpɹɐƃ ɐplouʎǝɹ ʇɐ uΗΚžΙΚ‡ sɐʍ oΚ‡oΙ₯d sΔ±Ι₯Κ‡


COMING SOON to Greensboro Science Center. 

SKYWILD - Survival of the Physically Fittest - Opening April 15, 2015.

Photo: COMING SOON to a Science Center near you. Very near you! SKYWILD - Survival of the Physically Fittest - Opening April 15, 2015.
Greensboro Science Center
Winston-Salem is getting its first art-themed public park!  

 See the Winston-Salem Journal's Article Here
See the Winston-Salem Journal's Article Here









Sunday, November 9, 2014

Reynolda House in Autumn

This Sunday afternoon in the Carolina's was about as pretty as it gets.  A sunny day with temps in the lower sixties, perfect and comfortable and begging for a day in the outdoors.

To Reynolda Village we went, a place we love to explore.  With the changing, falling leaves it was a beautiful place to be.

The boathouse at Lake Katharine.

Leading up to the patio.
The next photo, below, was captured from the patio itself.

We've been at this spot several times before.  It's a good stopping point for the girls with a small waterfall and a couple of benches.  While we were there, we found out that there was previously a pool in this spot;  we were incorrectly told by a passerby that a diving board used to be where I was standing on the patio. As you'll see in the photo, it was actually a slide!!

My photo, above, was taken from the spot where the slide attached at the patio.  If you look closely, you can see the holes the top of the pool edge where the ladder handle was attached.  You can see that ladder handle just behind Smith Reynolds.
Isn't this awesome!  This photo is from the estate archives and labeled 1923. Outdoor swimming pool with sliding board, patio with awning, and Lake Katharine in the background. Smith Reynolds stands at side of pool with Mary and Nancy Reynolds in the water.

By the way, if you're out exploring these woods yourself, you don't want to take the path that you see leading away.  You'll walk a long way only to realize you have to turn back around.  If you want to loop around, you'll follow the path that continues behind the patio.

Want to see more of Reynolda Gardens?  Check out these photos!

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Abebi Stafford and the 90.5 WSNC-FM Fall Fund Drive

Photo Courtesy of Eric Xavier, Founder of Wayne County Jazz Showcase


Piedmont Triad Living is happy to welcome local composer and jazz pianist Abebi Stafford to our staff!  Abebi will bring a different perspective to the local music scene.

Having a broad range of experiences,  Abebi Stafford has played with Russell Malone, accompanied vocalist Deborah Brown, given Kenny Garrett a piano lesson and has been solicited by Andre 3000 from Atlanta based outkast for his musical expertise. Born in Minnesota, Abebi relocated to Winston-Salem two years ago.  Abebi has headlined in two major jazz festivals (Atlanta Jazz Festival and the Minneapolis Jazz Festival 2002).  After he and his group "Bayorhythm" won the "Future of Jazz Competition" in 2004, Abebi went on to perform internationally in cities such as Berlin, Munich, Nuremburg, Frankfurt, Paris and Prague and toured the Southeast United States as a performer.  Abebi has produced three albums compiled of mostly original works.  He is currently working as a solo artist and featured artist at such local venues as Crown and Cork, Tate's, Krankie's WS Shuffle, Arts on Sunday, Kernersville's Spring Folly and the Wayne County Jazz Showcase.  Abebi is working on his fourth album.




Abebi says, "On Tuesday October 28th, I was interviewed by 90.5 WSNC radio for their biannual fund drive. The station is locally driven and is located on the campus of Winston Salem State University. The day I was interviewed was a sunny and clear day just shy of eighty degrees; it would have been an ideal day for golf! I parked and walked to the studio and was greeted by the friendly staff members of the station. We started the interview discussing my musical and educational background. There were also pitches for the fund drive mixed into the show, spearheaded by out of town guest, Alice Ferris, as well as music from my most recent album, “Are Changing” which came out earlier this year.

The show host Jim Steele played the whole album over the hour and a half that I was on the show. We also discussed the local jazz music scene and WSNC’s commitment to promote and play local artist on its station. I had a gig that evening as a special guest of Matt Kendrick in downtown Winston Salem at Tate’s, a venue that features a jazz band on Tuesdays."

The format of 90.5 WSNC-FM is jazz, including blue, R&B, gospel, and world music, plus NPR news and public affairs programming.  Piedmont Triad Living is a proud donator to the WSNC Fall Fund Drive 2014.  While the on air portion of the fund drive has finished you can always make your own donation to this genuine jazz station here.  

You can hear Abebi play live this Sunday, November 9 at Crown and Cork in Reynolda Village (by the silo) from 2-5pm.

You can purchase any of Abebi's albums on cdbaby.  

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Monday, November 3, 2014

Whimsical Women Fall Art Show

Whimsical Women Fall Art Show

November 22, 2014
10am-3pm
2233 Vienna-Dozier Road
Pfafftown, NC

Admission $1 for adults



There will be 115 artists at this Fall Show on November 22


You have to check their Facebook page to see the eclectic collection of  talented artists that will be selling their awesome 
art, jewelry, home decor, stained glass, mixed media, and more. 




Sunday, November 2, 2014

Saturday Art Jam at Unleashed Arts Center

Saturday Art Jam

Get the kids out of the house for a creative, fun afternoon!  

There is a different ART project each week.  
All ages are welcome & it's a free community ART class!

You do not need to register, 
just show up & bring your imagination!!!

1st and 3rd Saturday of every month.

Unleashed Arts Center
102 West 6th Street, Downtown Winston-Salem Arts District
12:30-3:00 PM

Photo by Jessica st Lewis

Top 7 Facebook Posts of the Week for the Triad



Cake-ΓΈ-rama is right.  

Camino Bakery

Doesn't it seem a little early to see THIS in North Carolina?
Four inches of snow at Elk Knob State Park in Watauga County this morning.
North Carolina State Parks and Recreation

Lower Cascades at Hanging Rock State Park shows just a teasing touch of fall color.

North Carolina State Parks and Recreation


Crowders Mountain State Park

North Carolina State Parks and Recreation

 The ice rink is coming, the ice rink is coming!  The beginning stages of the wfmy2 ice rink at The Railyard in Downtown Greensboro.  



This great new place, The Fit Station, is on Stratford Road as it crosses Silas Creek Parkway ~~ where the old Wendy's used to be.  In the same little shopping center there's a mattress place and

Serena says, "Checked out The Fit Station in Winston-Salem today and it is a "Like" for me! Pre-packaged, refrigerated (NOT frozen), affordable items for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The meats are organic and the veggies are local. They make the dishes in Greensboro daily. Got the sesame shrimp and it was yummy! Can't wait to have the pumpkin pancakes tomorrow morning! Oh and they open at 7:00 a.m., so I can go there on my way to work (don't have to stop working except to heat it up:)"



Each Wednesday 8am-1pm
Including November 26, Christmas Eve Day and New Years Eve 

Shared from Triad Local First's Facebook Page














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