Piedmont Triad Living

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.