Piedmont Triad Living

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Zumba Flash Mob & Health Fair

It's almost time for another Zumba Flash Mob!

This labor of love is fun! and includes FOUR Zumba Flash Mobs, gift certificates to stores at the Mall, free health screenings and more.

For more info contact lindsay_cheryl@bellsouth.net

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Treasury: Guest Curator Jennifer Walker of The Air Castle

This week we're doing something a little different for Treasury Tuesday; we're featuing a treasury of North Carolina artists, curated by a North Carolina artist.

Jennifer Walker, of Winston-Salem, is a polymer clay artist that specializes in wedding cake toppers. Be sure to stop by her shop, The Air Castle, here.

Monday, January 28, 2013

See a Problem in Winston-Salem? There's an App for That!

Winston-Salem has a brand new mobile application for iPhone and Android that will instantly connect you to the City's 24-hour citizen service center to report problems you see around town.

The CityLink 311 service automatically records GPS location (which can be disabled to report for a different area), and you can also take a photo and submit it with the service request. Your report is sent to the appropriate department, and you can track your issue until it is resolved. Citizens are able to view a map showing all service requests, and see if a issue has already been reported and action is being taken. The app can also connect you directly to a live CityLink agent.

The app is free and and is available through Apple’s App Store and Google’s Google Play. To download the app, search the App Store or Google Play for “CityLink 311.”

For more information, please go to the City of Winston-Salem .

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Great Backyard Bird Count: Local Events

After 15 years of success in North America, the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) will open up to the entire world for the first time in 2013. Anyone, from anywhere on earth, can participate by visiting www.birdcount.org and reporting the kinds and numbers of birds they see during the 16th annual count, February 15–18, 2013.

A joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, with partner Bird Studies Canada, the four-day count typically receives sightings from tens of thousands of people reporting more than 600 bird species in the United States and Canada alone.

Red-breasted Nuthatch,
Christine Haines,
WA, 2012 GBBC

“This year’s count will give us a whole new perspective as sightings pour in from around the globe in real time,” said Marshall Iliff at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. “Millions of people encounter birds every day all over the world. Imagine what scientists will learn if each one of us shares observations from our own area!”

During the 2012 count, participants reported 17.4 million bird observations on 104,000 checklists. Snowy Owls thrilled many participants when these striking birds-of-prey ventured south from the Arctic in record numbers. In 2013, scientists predict that U.S. and Canadian bird watchers will see an influx of Red-breasted Nuthatches and winter finches (such as Pine Siskins) because of scarce food supplies on their northern wintering grounds.

“The GBBC is an ideal opportunity for young and old to connect with nature by discovering birds and to participate in a huge science project,” said Gary Langham, Audubon’s Chief Scientist. “This year, we hope people on all seven continents, oceans, and islands, will head out into their neighborhoods, rural areas, parks, and wilderness to further our understanding of birds across the hemispheres.”

Participating is easy. Simply watch birds for at least 15 minutes at the location of your choice on one or more of the count days. Estimate the number of birds you see for each species you can identify. You’ll select your location on a map, answer a few questions, enter your tallies, and then submit your data to share your sightings with others around the world.

The global capacity for the count will be powered by eBird, an online checklist program for all of the world’s 10,240 bird species. Participants will be able to view what others are seeing on interactive maps, keep their own records, and have their tallies recorded for perpetuity.

“The popularity of the Great Backyard Bird Count grows each year," said Dick Cannings, Senior Projects Officer at Bird Studies Canada, "and with the new features, participation will be even more exciting.”

The Great Backyard Bird Count is sponsored in part by Wild Birds Unlimited.

The Forsyth County Public Library has several events planned in celebration of the Great Backyard Bird Count.

Walkertown Branch

Wednesday, February 13, 3pm. The Great Backyard Bird Count is happening February 15-18 and we're celebrating with a fun, bird-friendly afternoon storytime. Come listen to stories about birds, sing songs, and make a take home bird craft. For toddler and preschool ages.

Saturday, February 16, 10:30am-11:30. Did you know that Walkertown is a Bird Sanctuary? Come to Walkertown Library and learn how to attract birds to your yard, identify birds at the feeders, and do the count. We’ll go outside and try to spot and count birds! Presented by Liz Schmid, Wild Birds Unlimited of High Point. Family friendly event.

Clemmons Branch

February 12, 10:30 am Toddlers (ages 18 months-3 years) — Join Jason Slayton, Children's Librarian, as he reads about favorite bird friends.

February 13, 4:00-5:00 pm Family (all ages) — Presentation about the Great Back Yard Bird Count with Bill Gifford. He will show us how to count and identify birds. Participants become instant experts in identifying some local birds. The group will tour the grounds and discover what birds are in the neighborhood.

February 14, 10:30 am Preschoolers (ages 3-5 years) — Participate while Jason Slayton, Children's Librarian, reads more stories about birds.

Saturday, January 26, 2013

WS Women Connect: Free Event February 23, 2013

February 23 will mark the third year for WS Women Connect, a wonderful FREE event that brings women together as they meet, mingle, shop, connect and learn. The founders of Women Connect, Angela Levine and Beth Mack, created the event as a way for women to put a face to their business, talk one-on-one with potential customers and build mutually beneficial relationships. WS Women Connect inspires and encourages the growth of small, local business.

All photos courtesy of Lisa Miller at Simply Southern Photography

This year's event will feature more than fifty businesses and partners... and still growing! Ranging from service providers to retailers, this is an easy way for you to learn about, connect with and support women in the Triad. You may be surprised to find out that your favorite business is woman owned! Several businesses have participated every year, including Luxury Travel, Accessorize This, Reynolda Farm Market, A Step Ahead, Heavenly Cheesecakes by Becky and Winston-Salem Jazzercize. There is a nice mix between service, selling and sampling, and there is only one business representing a business category. Go here to see the full list of 2013 participants.

“When a woman is empowered to achieve success, she gives back exponentially to her employees, family and neighborhood. Supporting women-owned businesses not only improves our economy, it improves our community. ” ~~ Hillary Peterson, owner of partner business Old Winston Social Club

There will be learning centers; small group workshops where you can get a little more in-depth. Each free workshop will last 45 minutes and topics range from interior design to saving money to trying pilates to understanding social media.

Forsyth Medical Center is a natural partner for WS Women Connect, and they will be onsite with a Women's Health Center. There will be free health screenings available for blood pressure, cholesterol, bone density and body mass index. You'll have a chance to talk about the results and get a referral if needed.

There will be a whole room devoted to make-overs. Whether you want a new look for your hair, your wardrobe, or your home, this room will be filled with experts ready to share their knowledge and suggest ways to make the most of your new look!

The first 400 attendees will receive a goody bag and there will be door prizes all day. The event will be from 9am-3pm and is taking place at The Village Inn in Clemmons. Spend the day or spend an hour... your time will be well spent at this one-of-a-kind event.

View Larger Map

We'll be attending the event ourselves! Look for a follow-up after the event!

Friday, January 25, 2013

Flower Bulbs for W-S Residents to Plant and Enjoy!

Daffodils tend to bloom before Springtime is truly here, and seeing them always gives me a case of spring fever!

The City of Winston-Salem has received a donation of more than 400,000 daffodil and tulip bulbs and is making them available to groups or individuals that would like to plant them in public areas such as street right of ways, parks, schools, or any other place visible to the public.

The bulbs will be distributed first come-first served while supplies last. If you are interested in this project call George Stilphen with Keep Winston-Salem Beautiful at 336-403-7824 or send an email to georges@cityofws.org.

Modern Live Edge Dining Tabl... awoodstudio $3900.00	Black and red Penland Potter... JustaBunchofBa... $250.00	Winston-Salem Pine w Lichen ... tanjasova $49.00	Home Sweet North Carolina gr... thispapership $15.00
A Hummingbird in Flight Agai... JohnHarmonGall... $15.00	With A Flourish Large Raku F... WondrousStrang... $10.00	North Carolina Pottery Cole ... kitchensinkant... $15.00	women's tshirt - Pineapp... flytrap $26.00
You Are Loved pescadoyamor $28.00	Birdsong Heart Dichroic Pend... gildedlilyglas... $30.00	Rustic Doll Bed With Mattres... MissAnthonysAt... $48.00	Small Cotton Burr Wreath All... CottonHousePri... $12.00
LARGE Box Green Variety Fres... ByLightOfMoon $18.00	Isle of Trees - North Caroli... OriginalArtPri... $29.00	Copper Blue Ceramic Nesting ... elementclaystu... $172.00	The Happy Yellow Collection,... bramblepie $59.00