#MeetupMonday with Piedmont Triad Living

By Jessica Thomas Lewis

We're starting the conversation with #MeetupMonday.  Let's get together and talk about our neighborhoods and our nation.

In recent months our nation's need for community has become clearer than ever.  We want to ensure every American can be part of a strong community that will let their voice be heard.  That's why #MeetupMonday was launched.

Who:  Open to the public, please bring a friend.  Well mannered children are welcome.

What:  A guided discussion designed to bring the community together by fostering greater understanding, empathy and respect.  Tell your story.  Meetup with neighbors.  Be heard.

When:  The second and fourth Monday of each month.  7:00-8:00 PM

Where: The Cokesbury Room in Craven Hall, Maple Springs UMC, 2569 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem

Why: To create a sense of shared destiny and common purpose

#MeetupMonday Community Guidelines

#MeetupMonday seeks to promote a forum for community engagement, civic discourse, and open dialogue about local and national issues.

#MeetupMonday supports members that are trustworthy, honest, and respectful of their fellow members and the mission of #MeetupMonday at large. 

Each #MeetupMonday event should meet the following requirements: 

• Promote civic and social responsibility
• Support #MeetupMonday mission with integrity 
• Build local community 

#MeetupMonday Discussion Guide

Created by Citizen University

Goals

These Monday conversations, launching Martin Luther King Jr. Day, are made possible by Meetup and facilitated by partners like Citizen University and others.

Our hope is for participants to:

• see and hear each other more fully
• build trust and empathy
• create a sense of shared destiny and common purpose

Rules

We’ll follow a simple 60-minute “talking circle” format. Form circles of 6-8 people. Agree on a timekeeper to guide the process. 

Participants introduce themselves by answering, in 3 minutes or less, a simple question: Why did you show up today?

Everyone gets a chance to speak for 3 minutes to the topic you choose (see next section).

Participants respond to each other with questions or reflections.

Each participant commits to a next step, like volunteering or getting involved in local issues or organizing more gatherings.

Here are some ground rules for productive conversations:

• listen deeply and compassionately – don’t interrupt to disagree or comment
• respect the circle – turn off devices; don’t speak for more than allotted time
• everyone gets heard – no one speaks a second time until all have spoken once
• “yes, and” – don’t respond with “no” or “but”; try to bridge with “yes, and”
• disagree well – don’t accuse others or be defensive; assume good faith

Topics

Here are a few possible questions that may start and center our conversation. 

• What is your dream for America now?
• How can citizens like us build what King called “the beloved community”?
• How do we convert protest to empowerment?

Each time round the circle, unexpected human connections will emerge. Listen for them. If the conversation drifts, return to the topic. There’s no “correct” outcome—but if everyone commits to sustaining the conversation, you’ll come up with ideas. And you’ll be practicing the kind of citizenship our country needs today.

Thursday, December 11, 2014: Rally & Speakout in Winston-Salem

SPEAK OUT

(sidewalk near) 550 N Martin Luther King Jr Dr

Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Protest Signs go up @ 5 

RALLY/SPEAK-OUT at 5:30

MARCH a little after 6

This Thursday Winston-Salem will send a message to the PTB that we will NOT stand for any Eric Garners or Michael Browns .We will NOT stand for police brutality. We will NOT stand for racial profiling. We will NOT stand for generations of Black & Brown youth being lost to a system of brutal inequity and incarceration. 

We are seeing a watershed moment now where people are taking the streets to show that our self-preservation in a system that seeks to crush us will be dependent our undying resistance. 

An injustice to ONE is an injustice to ALL. 

#blacklivesmatter

#brownlivesmatter

#workingpeopeslivesmatter

#icantbreathe

Calls for Help: Winston-Salem

An emergency cold weather shelter for the homeless opened yesterday, and will be open every day until February 28.  Located at First Baptist Church on Fifth Street in Winston-Salem, check-in begins at 8:15pm, guests will wake up no later than 6:15am and the gym will be cleared by 7:00am.   A meal and clothing ministry is also being provided  by Centenary UMC’s Loaves & Fishes, also located on Fifth Street.

The shelter has specific needs for community involvement.  They are asking for new or gently used blankets, that will be washed between each use.  Your donated blankets can be dropped off at First Baptist on Fifth at the Spruce Street entrance any evening after 8:15pm.  Overnight volunteers are needed, as well as check-in and hospitality volunteers.

The shelter's most urgent need is volunteers that are able to provide food.  A simple prepared meal for 35 people is needed daily (except for Wednesday and Sundays).    

Examples of a meal:

• Sandwiches, pasta salad and a cookie
• Chili and bread with a cookie
• Soup and bread with a cookie
• Pasta salad, mixed fruit and a cookie

For more information about meal drop-off time, location, and other volunteer opportunities at the shelter go here.

More calls for help:

Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC: If you've got time during weekdays, we could really use your help. We've got food drive donations to inspect, sort and repack and thousands of donated eggs to be regraded before we can make them available to our partner programs.   Find out more about volunteer opportunities at Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC here.

The Winston-Salem Rescue Mission is asking for volunteers to fill and distribute tote bags to the homeless men that they service.  For more information, as well as a link to needed items, please go here. 

The Shalom Project has a need for clothes.  All clothing is accepted, but they currently have a specific need for men's clothing, men's shoes sizes 10-13, and children's clothing, socks and underwear. Two regular volunteers are also needed on Mondays from 9:30am-12:00pm.   For contact information please go here. 

The Salvation Army is in desperate need of breakfast cereal.  They are also out of baby diapers.  You can drop at 1255 N. Trade or 130A Stratford Ct.   

Winston Mutual Building: Today and Yesterday

Trees are the Earth's endless effort to speak to the listening heaven. --- Rabindranath Tagore

I caught this amazing view on my way towards Downtown Winston-Salem this morning.  Don't see it?  Look closer.  From across a parking lot,  a lone tree was lending it's shadow across the entire expanse of this five story building.  Wow, wow, wow.  I have never seen anything like this; it truly was a wonder to witness.

The low-rise building holds great historical importance for our Black community.  It has been a source of economic and civic pride for African-Americans since it was built by Winston Mutual Life Insurance Company in 1969.  Businesses set up shop, and the building has been used by community leaders to discuss social and political issues.  The Winston Mutual Building is within sight of the city's newest historical marker, dedicated to the Winston-Salem Chapter of the Black Panther Party.  

Think of the history that has taken place on this corner, close to the intersection of East Fifth Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.  1969 is the same year the city's chapter of the Black Panther Party was organized, working to feed poor children and infusing a spirit of black pride into the community. That same year, Winston-Salem State College was designated by legislative approval as Winston-Salem State University.  

Nationally, in 1969 Richard Nixon was inaugurated as President, Woodstock was billed as three days of Peace and Music, Neil Armstrong became the first man on the moon, and Sesame Street first aired.

And this weekend, within a half mile of this spot, we are planting our own trees and creating our own history.  Saturday is Community Roots Day, and we will come together  for this annual tree planting project.  Just this morning I passed the City trucks as they began preparation.  I'm excited to be a part of the day, and we'll do our part to Keep Winston-Salem Beautiful.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed it's the only things that ever has. --- Margaret Mead

Shop Local Saturday: Frank Myers Auto Maxx

I had the pleasure to hear Tracy Myers of Frank Myers Auto Maxx speak yesterday at ConvergeSouth, a conference for technology and creativity in business.  Tracy is an amazing speaker, and an incredible asset to our community; he and his family have been local business owners for over 83 years!

I personally purchased a vehicle from Frank Myers Auto Maxx in Winston-Salem six months ago, and my children still recognize Tracy as "the guy who gave us the hat".  You know, the big red white and blue Uncle Sam hat that "is" Frank Myers Auto Maxx.  

It's definitely a different car buying experience at Frank Myers.  It was fun, with a good atmosphere for the kids (free popcorn, cookies, video games).  And the people were all very friendly.  Not vulture friendly; genuinely friendly.  The customer service at Frank Myers is phenomenal.  And, most importantly, I love my car! 

Support this local business that supports our community... and tell them you heard about Frank Myers here!  

Local Restaurant Reviews: Urbanspoon Piedmont Triad

Hellllllooooooo Piedmont Triad!  

This may be an old secret, but I have just found a wonderful local blog with awesome reviews 
(by real people)
 of hundreds of restaurants right here in the Piedmont.  
Check out Urbanspoon Piedmont Triad here!

Bridges-- A Way to Connect in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County

If you live in Winston-Salem and the surrounding area, here's a new way for you to connect with the community!  It's called Bridges, and it's an Interactive Community Conversation, with a focus on living, shopping and connecting locally.  (Much like us here at Piedmont Triad Living.)

Check it out.  I think you'll like it.  You can enter here. 

Shadows of a Pedestrian Bridge