The Greensboro Cultural Center

The big red bow on The Greensboro Cultural Center reminds me of the “gifts” the Arts community provides,

through visual art, performing arts, musical concerts, etc.

Below are just some of the organizations housed within the Greensboro Cultural Center:

African American Atelier

Art Alliance

Bel Canto Company

Center for Visual Arts – Greensboro

City Arts

City Arts Dance

City Arts Drama Center

The Community Theater of Greensboro

Eastern Music Festival

Green Hill Center for North Carolina Art

Greensboro Ballet

Greensboro Oratorio Society

Greensboro Symphony Orchestra

Guilford Native American Art Gallery

Music Center

United Arts Council

Tanglewood Park's Festival of Lights

While recently trying to get into the holiday spirit, I took my children to Tanglewood Park's Festival of Lights on its opening night and despite the 35 minute drive, the trip was well worth it!!  The almost 4 mile drive through 180 light displays was beautiful!!  Midway through the display, we stopped at the Gift Village where there were some great gift ideas made by 97 area artisans.  We also went outside for a cup of hot apple cider and we roasted marshmallows over the HUGE marshmallow pit!  Our visit to Gift Village was topped off with a visit to Santa and Mrs. Claus!  We left Tanglewood with a promise to return with out of town visitors for some more holiday fun and when the weather is warmer to enjoy this beautiful park with its many activities!

Career Exploration Fair

Guilford County Schools sponsored a Career Exploration Fair last night at the Greensboro Coliseum.  My children and I attended the fair and were surprised with the amount of valuable information, from Career Interest Assessments, to local businesses and local colleges.  My son was able to narrow down some of his interests after speaking with the business partners and school representatives, he is even considering a high school that he wasn't previously considering, based on information provided at the fair.  Participants were entered into a contest to win a laptop computer.........Adam's fingers are crossed!  :)

http://www.guilford.k12.nc.us/news/news_detail.aspx?n_id=1495

Nascar Days 2010

This street festival has a life of its own.  It was so packed with people through Downtown Randleman, that you could barely walk without bumping into someone.  There were booths with Nascar merchandise, crafts and my favorite, the food booths!  My son and I enjoyed spending the time browsing the various vendors, listening to the live music, watching the kids enjoy activities just for them and enjoying the beautiful fall weather.

From the Randleman Chamber of Commerce website:


Every October, NASCAR excitement invades Randleman, NC. If you can imagine 40,000 people coming together to celebrate racing, you will get the picture. An enormous amount of fun happens in Randleman during NASCAR Day Festival.

In 1989, when the Chamber of Commerce launched the first NASCAR Day, little did they realize the celebration would grow to such large attendance and change to include a Festival. Each year, from 9 AM until 7 PM, Main Street is transformed by its vendors to include something for everyone. There is a large selection of things to see, buy or do . . . handmade crafts, food booths, live bands and entertainment, NASCAR show cars, drag cars, vintage antique automobiles, official NASCAR souvenir vendors and games for kids. Visitors especially enjoy the opportunity to meet and visit with members of the Winston Cup Old Timers Club, and admire the collection of vintage race cars on display. A highlight of this annual event is the glittering fireworks display near the downtown festival area that is sponsored by Richard and Lynda Petty.

Also, the Richard Petty Museum is located within one block of Main Street and visitors enjoy touring the 12,000 square foot facility, rich with mementos the Petty family has collected during several decades of racing. Racing highlights include awesome automobiles, an intimate video theater, as well as numerous awards won by Richard Petty. Apart from racing, the museum even includes Lynda Petty’s fabulous doll collection.

Pilot Mountain State Park

While driving North on US Route 52 from Winston-Salem, you can't miss this peak as you round a bend.  The peak rises 2,421 above sea level and is part of the Sauratown Mountains.  Trails range from mild to difficult and the mild trails really are "mild".  We enjoyed watching the borderline dangerous rock climbers prepare for their descent, from a peak on the mountain.  The view is amazing from Little Pinnacle.  There are many activities to enjoy at Pilot Mountain, including canoeing, picnicking, fishing, hiking, rock climbing, cycling and tent camping. 








From the NC Division of Parks and Recreation website:

Pilot Mountain State Park  »  History

Like the rocky escarpments in nearby Hanging Rock State Park, Pilot Mountain is a remnant of the ancient Sauratown Mountains. A quartzite monadnock, this rugged mountain rock has survived for millions of years while the elements have eroded surrounding peaks to a rolling plain.

Pilot Mountain is capped by two prominent pinnacles. Big Pinnacle, with walls of bare rock and a rounded top covered by vegetation, rises 1,400 feet above the valley floor, the knob jutting skyward more than 200 feet from its base. Big Pinnacle is connected to Little Pinnacle by a narrow saddle. Visitors have easy access to the top of Little Pinnacle where the view encompasses hundreds of square miles of the Piedmont and the nearby mountains of North Carolina and Virginia.

To the native Saura Indians, the earliest known inhabitants of the region, Pilot Mountain was known as Jomeokee, the "Great Guide" or "Pilot." It guided both Native Americans and early European hunters along a north-south path through the area. The Sauras were driven southward by the Cherokees, who subsequently occupied the area. Further settlement in the area was led by Moravians, but the population remained sparse during colonial times due to frontier turbulence created by an alliance between the Cherokees and the British.

The mountain was mapped in 1751 by Joshua Fry and Peter Jefferson, father of President Thomas Jefferson. Pilot Mountain became North Carolina's 14th state park in 1968, due in large part to the efforts of a group of local citizens. Prior to that time, the mountain was a commercial tourist attraction. The Pilot Mountain Preservation and Park Committee proposed the establishment of Pilot Mountain as a state park in order to protect it and the surrounding area from further commercial development. Working with the conservation-minded owner of the property, Mrs. J.W. Beasley, the group secured options on the land and raised matching funds that made it possible to purchase the land with federal grants. In further support of the park, the committee acquired more than 1,000 acres of land along the Yadkin River that was added to the park in 1970. Additional acreage was later acquired, bringing the park to its present size of 3,703 acres. Today, Pilot Mountain stands as a monument to the desire and concern of a citizenry dedicated to preserving the natural resources of North Carolina.

Learn about rural life in the past by visiting Horne Creek Farm. This state historic site is adjacent to the Yadkin River section of the park. Currently being restored to appear as it did in 1900, the farm is an educational center dedicated to preserving North Carolina's rural heritage. Visitors may experience North Carolina's agricultural past by participating in hands-on programs held on Saturdays and Sundays, April through October. Special tours and educational programs may be arranged throughout the year by calling (336) 325-2298.

Victory Junction

In October 2000, five months after Adam Petty's death at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, NH, his family partnered with Paul Newman and the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp to begin the Victory Junction Gang Camp in Randleman, North Carolina, as a memorial to Adam. The camp has received support from many NASCAR drivers, teams, and sponsors, including Cup Series sponsor Sprint, which has placed a replica of Adam's 1998 car in the camp. The Victory Junction Gang camp began operation in 2004, and is an official charity of NASCAR.   

• Victory Junction has enriched the lives of more than 11,000 children and families since opening in 2004 and welcomed children from 47 states and three countries.
• The cost of sending a child to camp is valued at $2,500, but no child or family incurs that cost thanks to generous donors.
• Since 2004, 9,234 volunteer positions have been filled. Last year, volunteers sacrificed an estimated 76,222 hours to assist at Victory Junction.
• Victory Junction serves 24 chronic medical conditions and serious illnesses such as, but not limited to, Autism, Cancer, Craniofacial Anomalies, Diabetes, Hemophilia, Sickle Cell and Spina Bifida. For a full list, please visit www.victoryjunction.org.
• Twenty-seven hospitals partner with Victory Junction to deliver exceptional health care to campers with a variety of needs.
• The camp, located in Randleman, N.C., is built on 84 acres and donated by Richard and Lynda Petty. The Kansas facility will be housed on approximately 71 acres.
• The construction process for the Midwest camp is expected to begin in 2010.

This camp is a beautiful place for all children with special needs, they literally think of EVERYTHING!  Once a year, Victory Junction holds an open house for families and race fans to come out and see their facility ~ this is usually held in conjunction with Nascar Day in Downtown Randleman, NC, it is also their chance to help raise some funds to keep this camp going.  If you ever have the chance to visit this place or if you have a child with special needs, or if you know someone that does, please contact them to inquire about their camping opportunities.

Go Triad's ~ Reader's Choice 2010

=== FOOD AND DRINK ===

BEST NEW RESTAURANT
Winner: Josephine’s
Runner-up: Southern Lights Bistro
Honorable mention: Iron Hen Cafe

BEST OVERALL RESTAURANT
Winner: Village Tavern
Runner-up: 1618 West Seafood; Table 16 (tie)
Honorable mention: Salvino Cucina Italiana; Fincastle’s Diner; Lucky 32; Green Valley Grill; Liberty Oak; Bianca’s (tie)

BEST PATIO DINING
Winner: Village Tavern
Runner-up: Cafe Europa
Honorable mention: Green Valley Grill

BEST DATE RESTAURANT
Winner: The Melting Pot 
Runner-up: Undercurrent Restaurant; Green Valley Grill (tie)
Honorable mention: Table 16; Bianca’s (tie)

BEST RESTAURANT THAT USES LOCAL INGREDIENTS
Winner: Iron Hen Cafe
Runner-up: Lucky 32
Honorable mention: Sticks and Stones

BEST BAKERY
Winner: Delicious
Runner-up: Simple Kneads; Maxie B’s (tie)
Honorable mention: Ganache

BEST CUPCAKES
Winner: Delicious
Runner-up: Maxie B’s
Honorable mention: Yummy Goodness

BEST DOUGHNUTS
Winner: Krispy Kreme
Runner-up: Dunkin’ Donuts 
Honorable mention: Donut World

BEST BAGELS
Winner: Bruegger’s 
Runner-up: Panera Bread
Honorable mention: Lox, Stock & Bagels

BEST BUFFET
Winner: Golden Corral
Runner-up: Saffron Indian Cuisine
Honorable mention: K&W Cafeteria

BEST BREAKFAST
Winner: Tex & Shirley’s
Runner-up: Smith Street Diner
Honorable mention: IHOP

BEST BRUNCH
Winner: Village Tavern
Runner-up: Green Valley Grill
Honorable mention: Lucky 32

BEST 24-HOUR DINING
Winner: Jake’s Diner
Runner-up: Jan’s House 
Honorable mention: IHOP

BEST COFFEE
Winner: Starbucks
Runner-up: Green Bean
Honorable mention: Tate Street Coffee

BEST DELI
Winner: Lox, Stock & Bagels
Runner-up: Jason’s Deli
Honorable mention: First Carolina

BEST DINER
Winner: Smith Street Diner
Runner-up: Carolina’s Diner; Jake’s Diner (tie) 
Honorable mention: Fincastle’s Diner

BEST LATE NIGHT
Winner: Cook-Out
Runner-up: IHOP
Honorable mention: Jake’s Diner

BEST TAKEOUT
Winner: Cook-Out
Runner-up: China’s Best
Honorable mention: Phoenix Asian Cuisine

BEST STEAK
Winner: Ruth’s Chris Steak House 
Runner-up: Outback 
Honorable mention: Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse

BEST BARBECUE
Winner: Stamey’s
Runner-up: Country Barbecue
Honorable mention: Carter Brothers Barbecue

BEST RIBS
Winner: Shane’s Rib Shack
Runner-up: Smokey Bones; Chili’s (tie)
Honorable mention: Carter Brothers Barbecue

BEST WINGS
Winner: East Coast Wings
Runner-up: Buffalo Wild Wings
Honorable mention: Minj Grill

BEST HAMBURGER
Winner: Cook-Out
Runner-up: Five Guys
Honorable mention: Fincastle’s Diner

BEST ICE CREAM
Winner: Yum Yum Better Ice Cream
Runner-up: Coldstone Creamery
Honorable mention: Bruster’s

BEST PIZZA
Winner: Elizabeth’s Pizza
Runner-up: Mellow Mushroom
Honorable mention: Mario’s Pizza

BEST SEAFOOD
Winner: Bert’s
Runner-up: 1618 West Seafood
Honorable mention: Red Lobster

BEST SUSHI
Winner: Sushi Republic
Runner-up: Asahi; US Sushi (tie) 
Honorable mention: Wasabi

BEST VEGETARIAN
Winner: Boba House
Runner-up: Vietnamese Garden
Honorable mention: Jack’s Corner

BEST CHINESE
Winner: P.F. Chang’s; Phoenix Asian Cuisine (tie) 
Runner-up: China’s Best
Honorable mention: Golden Dragon

BEST MIDDLE EASTERN
Winner: Zaytoon
Runner-up: Jack’s Corner 
Honorable mention: Ghassan’s

BEST GREEK
Winner: Mykonos Grill
Runner-up: Acropolis
Honorable mention: Opa Taverna

BEST INDIAN
Winner: Saffron Indian Cuisine
Runner-up: India Palace
Honorable mention: Tandoor Indian Cuisine; Tumeric Indian Restaurant (tie)

BEST ITALIAN
Winner: Elizabeth’s Pizza
Runner-up: Bianca’s
Honorable mention: The Olive Garden

BEST JAPANESE
Winner: Arigato Japanese Steakhouse 
Runner-up: Asahi Japanese Steakhouse and Restaurant
Honorable mention: Kabuto Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar

BEST MEXICAN
Winner: San Luis
Runner-up: Mexico
Honorable mention: Poblano’s

BEST THAI
Winner: Taste of Thai
Runner-up: Rearn Thai
Honorable mention: Thai Pan

BEST VIETNAMESE
Winner: Pho Hien Vuong 
Runner-up: Saigon
Honorable mention: Binh Minh

BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR
Winner: Fisher’s
Runner-up: Fishbones
Honorable mention: Natty Greene’s

BEST GAY BAR
Winner: The Q Lounge
Runner-up: Warehouse 29
Honorable mention: Thrive

BEST BEER SELECTION
Winner: Bestway 
Runner-up: Natty Greene’s
Honorable mention: Mellow Mushroom

BEST MARTINI SELECTION
Winner: The Mix
Runner-up: Village Tavern; Much (tie)
Honorable mention: Green Valley Grill

BEST WINE LIST
Winner: Green Valley Grill
Runner-up: Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse
Honorable mention: Rioja; Cafe Europa (tie)

BEST VINEYARD
Winner: Childress
Runner-up: Shelton Vineyards 
Honorable mention: Stonefield Cellars

=== SHOPPING AND SERVICES === 

BEST SHOPPING MALL/CENTER
Winner: Friendly Center
Runner-up: The Shoppes at North Elm
Honorable mention: Hanes Mall

BEST LADIES’ APPAREL STORE
Winner: Belk
Runner-up: Chico’s 
Honorable mention: Anthropologie; Sylvia’s Outlet (tie)

BEST MEN’S APPAREL STORE
Winner: Belk
Runner-up: Brooks Brothers
Honorable mention: Jos. A. Bank

BEST LOCALLY OWNED CLOTHING STORE
Winner: Mack and Mack 
Runner-up: Sylvia’s Outlet
Honorable mention: Design Archives; Songbirds; The Hub; First Class Clothing (tie)

BEST CHILDREN’S CLOTHING STORE
Winner: The Children’s Place 
Runner-up: Polliwogs Children’s Boutique
Honorable mention: Gymboree; Carter’s; Lollipop Shop (tie)

BEST JEWELRY STORE
Winner: Schiffman’s Jewelers
Runner-up: Mark Holder
Honorable mention: Sisters Jewelry & Gifts

BEST VINTAGE CLOTHING STORE
Winner: Design Archives
Runner-up: Wild N Crazy Vintage
Honorable mention: Goodwill

BEST CONSIGNMENT CLOTHING SHOP
Winner: Songbirds
Runner-up: Rubenesque for Less
Honorable mention: Bargain Box

BEST THRIFT STORE
Winner: Goodwill
Runner-up: Carolina Thrift
Honorable mention: Bargain Box

BEST SHOE STORE
Winner: DSW
Runner-up: The Shoe Market
Honorable mention: SRI Shoe Warehouse

BEST ANTIQUE STORE
Winner: The Red Collection
Runner-up: Thrill of the Hunt
Honorable mention: Antique Marketplace

BEST CONSIGNMENT FURNITURE STORE
Winner: The Red Collection
Runner-up: Consignment First
Honorable mention: Consignment Furniture Emporium; Adelaide’s Vintage Home and Garden (tie)

BEST RETAIL FURNITURE STORE
Winner: Ashley Furniture
Runner-up: Furnitureland South
Honorable mention: Rooms To Go

BEST FRAME SHOP
Winner: Thousands O’ Prints 
Runner-up: Michaels 
Honorable mention: Hang Ups

BEST USED BOOK STORE
Winner: Edward McKay Used Books and More
Runner-up: Pages Past
Honorable mention: Empire Books; Goodwill (tie)

BEST COMIC BOOK STORE
Winner: Acme Comics
Runner-up: Parts Unknown
Honorable mention: Edward McKay Used Books and More

BEST FARMERS’ MARKET
Winner: Piedmont Triad Farmers Market 
Runner-up: Greensboro Farmers’ Curb Market 
Honorable mention: Downtown Farm Market

BEST FLORIST
Winner: Send Your Love Florist & Gifts; Plants and Answers (tie)
Runner-up: Clemmons Florist 
Honorable mention: Farmer’s Wife

BEST GARDEN CENTER/NURSERY
Winner: New Garden Landscaping and Nursery
Runner-up: Guilford Garden Center
Honorable mention: Lowe’s

BEST HEALTH FOOD STORE
Winner: Earth Fare
Runner-up: Deep Roots
Honorable mention: Whole Foods Market

BEST WINE SHOP
Winner: Total Wine
Runner-up: Zeto Wine & Cheese
Honorable mention: The Vino Shoppe

BEST DOGGIE DAYCARE
Winner: Dog Days
Runner-up: Dog-Gone Fun
Honorable mention: Best Friends Bed and Biscuit

BEST BIKE SHOP
Winner: Cycles de Oro
Runner-up: Recycles Bike Shop
Honorable mention: Revolution Cycles; Higgins Cycle Shop (tie)

BEST SPORTING GOODS STORE
Winner: Dick’s
Runner-up: Omega Sports
Honorable mention: REI

BEST GIFT SHOP
Winner: Evy’s Gifts
Runner-up: Just Be 
Honorable mention: Fleet Plummer

=== PEOPLE AND MEDIA ===

BEST LOCAL TV ANCHOR (MALE OR FEMALE)
Winner: Neill McNeill (WGHP, Fox 8)
Runner-up: Cindy Farmer (WGHP, Fox 8)
Honorable mention: Julie Luck (WGHP, Fox 8)

BEST LOCAL SPORTS ANCHOR
Winner: Kevin Connelly (WGHP, Fox 8)
Runner-up: Danny Harnden (WGHP, Fox 8)
Honorable mention: Brian Formica (WFMY, News 2)

BEST LOCAL METEOROLOGIST
Winner: Van Denton (WGHP, Fox 8)
Runner-up: Eric Chilton (WFMY, News 2)
Honorable mention: Lanie Pope (WXII, 12 News)

BEST TV NEWS STATION
Winner: WGHP (Fox)
Runner-up: WFMY (CBS)
Honorable mention: WXII (NBC)

BEST LOCAL RADIO PERSONALITY
Winner: Chris Kelly and Chris Demm (Two Guys Named Chris, Rock 92 FM)
Runner-up: Jack Murphy (WKZL, 107.5 FM) 
Honorable mention: Chuck & Leanne (93.1 The Wolf)

BEST MORNING RADIO SHOW
Winner: Two Guys Named Chris (Rock 92 FM)
Runner-up: Murphy in the Morning (WKZL, 107.5 FM) 
Honorable mention: Brad and Britt in the Morning (WZTK, 101.1 FM)

BEST LOCAL RADIO STATION
Winner: WKZL, 107.5 FM
Runner-up: Rock 92 FM
Honorable mention: 93.1 The Wolf

BEST COLLEGE RADIO STATION
Winner: WQFS, 90.9 FM (Guilford College)
Runner-up: WUAG, 103.1 FM (UNCG)
Honorable mention: WNAA 90.1 FM (N.C. A&T)

BEST LOCAL COLUMNIST
Winner: Jeri Rowe
Runner-up: Lorraine Ahearn
Honorable mention: Mike Fuchs; Ed Cone (tie)

BEST LOCAL BLOGGER
Winner: Cecelia Thompson (modmealsonmendenhall.com) 
Runner-up: Ed Cone (edcone.com)
Honorable mention: Stewart Pittman (lenslinger.com)

BEST TWEETS
Winner: Anastasia Faust
Runner-up: Danielle Hatfield
Honorable mention: Philip Jones; Chris Berg; Michael Driver (tie)

BEST VISUAL ARTIST
Winner: Bill Mangum; Anthony Keever (tie)
Runner-up: Kat Lamp; Frank Russell; Connie Logan (tie)
Honorable mention: Jordan Grace Owens

BEST BAND
Winner: Daughtry
Runner-up: Sinners For Saints
Honorable mention: Walrus

BEST SINGER/SONGWRITER
Winner: Daughtry
Runner-up: Bruce Piephoff 
Honorable mention: Laurelyn Dossett

BEST THEATER DIRECTOR
Winner: Preston Lane
Runner-up: Joe Nierle
Honorable mention: Mitchel Sommers; Richard Whittington (tie)

=== ENTERTAINMENT. ARTS AND CULTURE ===

BEST ART GALLERY
Winner: Weatherspoon Art Museum
Runner-up: Fat Cat
Honorable mention: Green Hill Center for N.C. Art

BEST HISTORICAl MUSEUM/HISTORICAL SITE
Winner: Greensboro Historical Museum
Runner-up: Guilford Courthouse National Military Park
Honorable mention: International Civil Rights Center & Museum

BEST MUSEUM FOR KIDS
Winner: Greensboro Children’s Museum
Runner-up: Natural Science Center of Greensboro
Honorable mention: Children’s Museum of Winston-Salem

BEST COMEDY CLUB
Winner: The Comedy Zone
Runner-up: The Idiot Box

BEST DANCE CLUB
Winner: Inferno
Runner-up: Heaven
Honorable mention: The N Club

BEST MUSIC VENUE
Winner: Blind Tiger
Runner-up: Somewhere Else Tavern; Greensboro Coliseum Complex; Carolina Theatre (tie)
Honorable mention: Greene Street Club

BEST THEATER COMPANY
Winner: Triad Stage
Runner-up: The Broach Theatre
Honorable mention: Open Space Cafe

BEST DANCE COMPANY
Winner: Greensboro Ballet
Runner-up: Daliana & Troupe Bellysima 
Honorable mention: Fred Astaire Dance Studios

BEST MOVIE THEATER
Winner: The Carousel 
Runner-up: Grande Stadium 16
Honorable mention: Palladium Cinemas 14

BEST BARGAIN MOVIE THEATER
Winner: Sedgefield Crossing’s Cinema 
Runner-up: Cinemark Brassfield Cinema 10
Honorable mention: The Carousel

BEST PUBLIC PARK
Winner: Country Park
Runner-up: Center City Park
Honorable mention: Guilford Courthouse National Military Park

BEST GOLF COURSE
Winner: Bryan Park
Runner-up: Grandover Resort
Honorable mention: Sedgefield Golf Course

BEST BOWLING ALLEY
Winner: Brunswick Triad Lanes
Runner-up: Gate City Lanes
Honorable mention: AMF All-Star Lanes

=== HEALTH, BEAUTY AND FITNESS ===

BEST DAY SPA
Winner: Balance Day Spa
Runner-up: Chakras
Honorable mention: Grandover Resort

BEST HAIR SALON
Winner: Leon’s Salon
Runner-up: Chakras
Honorable mention: Salon Medusa

BEST HEALTH CLUB/GYM
Winner: The Rush
Runner-up: Planet Fitness
Honorable mention: Downtown Greensboro YMCA

BEST MASSAGE THERAPY
Winner: Balance Day Spa
Runner-up: Massage Therapy
Honorable mention: Kneaded Energy

BEST MANI/PEDI
Winner: Buff Natural Nail Bar 
Runner-up: Balance Day Spa
Honorable mention: Hollywood Nails and Spa

BEST PILATES STUDIO
Winner: Core Integrity Pilates
Runner-up: Get Fit Pilates 
Honorable mention: Mind/Body/Fitness Yoga

BEST YOGA STUDIO
Winner: Mind/Body/Fitness Yoga
Runner-up: Triad Yoga
Honorable mention: Family Yogahttp://gotriad.news-record.com/content/2010/10/13/article/readers_choice_2010