Commercial Roof Repair in Greensboro, NC

The ACC men's and women's basketball tournaments are over and visiting ACC fans have left Greensboro. But there's another chance this weekend for city businesses to capitalize on March Madness.

Greensboro is one of eight cities to play host to the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament. Though no in-state teams are coming to the Greensboro Coliseum, the city should expect to see an influx of fans from the eight teams assigned to the site, including Kentucky, a team with a reputation for bringing a strong contingent of fans on the road.

Of course, restaurants and bars would already expect high traffic this weekend with Friday's St. Patrick's Day celebrations. The regional will feature four games Friday and two on Sunday. So there's not as much need for special NCAA promotions.

"Let's face it, it's St. Patrick's Day," said Stacy Calfo, director of marketing of downtown Greensboro Inc., with a chuckle. "We'll be fine."

The Greensboro Convention and Visitors Bureau estimated the impact for a Greensboro NCAA weekend at $5 million prior to the 2020 NCAA Tournament scheduled for the coliseum that was canceled by the Covid-19 pandemic that arrived during the week. Kentucky's inclusion in 2023 should be a boost to hotels, restaurants and businesses.

The overall 2023 NCAA impact may be hard to figure due to St. Pat's Day revelers.

The Greensboro Coliseum Complex with sponsors such as Greensboro Sports Foundation, and the Greensboro Convention and Visitors Bureau, has managed an online site, tournamenttown.com, that lists fan experience, hospitality and entertainment options geared for visitors during the past two weekends of ACC basketball tournaments. The site remains up for visitors in town for this weekend's NCAA Tournament South Regional. T

Henri Fourrier, CEO of the CVB, said several restaurants will have foldable "table toppers" welcoming NCAA visitors to the city with information on local attractions and activities including Saturday's Block Party featuring a free concert from Michael Ray at Hamburger Square Park at 361 South Elm St.

The teams playing in Greensboro on Friday include Kentucky, Kansas State, Providence, Montana State, Iowa State, Kennesaw State, Xavier and the winner of Tuesday's play-in game between Pittsburgh and Mississippi State. The winners will play Sunday with the two winners moving into the Sweet 16.

Clarence McDonald, commercial banking market executive for Wells Fargo in the Triad and Western North Carolina, has issued tips for small business owners to take advantage of another weekend with visiting basketball fans, including an increase in marketing efforts.

"Your city and your business are about to see a massive influx of visitors who would love nothing more than to buy local," he said. "Take advantage of this! Find out if your local Chamber of Commerce will play any role in the tournament and see if they have promotional opportunities you can be a part of. Connect with the facility hosting the games in your city and talk to them about marketing your business during the games.

"Also, connect with other local businesses and outlets to market together and maximize your reach – there’s power in numbers! And get creative and consider hosting a viewing party, create a March Madness bracket contest, or a basketball-related promotion. Find out what teams are coming to your area and get to know the players to see if they have any connection to your area.

McDonald suggests considering discounts such as extending happy hour deals, offering food or drink specials during games and discounts to large parties.

"As visitors start arriving in town and frequent your location, put your best foot forward," McDonald said. "Encourage repeat visits by promoting specials, extra hours, and by adding additional ways for them to watch."

Fourrier said the CBV is leaving specific retail promotions to individual businesses. The Sports Foundation has provided kits with coasters, yard signs, posters, buttons and fan guides to local hotels.

GREENSBORO, NC (WGHP) — Deanna Wynn loves bringing the wonder of life sciences to her students in the Early College at UNC-Greensboro.

This summer, however, she will find her role reversed when she and four of her colleagues switch from being educators to students. They’re heading to Morocco as Fulbright scholars!

“As teachers, as educators, we are lifelong learners and we want to encourage our students to continue to be lifelong learners,” says Wynn. “It doesn’t, it doesn’t stop once you start your career, that this is a continual thing, and this will be life-changing for us.”

The trip is a month-long program of professional development like they’ve never had before.

“Being able to be immersed in a culture is, is an amazing opportunity for us. It takes us beyond just being tourists. We will have survival Arabic lessons as far as asking basic things, ‘where’s the bathroom,’ how do we order on a menu, how to greet other Moroccans. And so that’s going to be exciting to be able to immerse ourselves and go beyond the tourist site to be able to actually live and be a part of the culture is what is what’s most exciting for me.”

Janis Antonek knows how beneficial it can be. As a foreign language teacher, she has won a Fulbright grant before and has traveled a lot.

“Nothing replaces learning in context. So, you can study about a country or a culture or a place, but when you’re actually in the context, it’s a very, very different, situation. And I think it is much more beneficial,” Antonek says.

Each of the educators is from a different discipline and they hope traveling together will give them a much more rounded viewpoint.

“I am going to focus on climate change and how it is affecting their crops, as well as the textiles that they use for their clothing,” Wynn says. “We are focused on women and democracy, and I want to see how Moroccan women are becoming part of that political climate.”

Antonek will be learning a new language herself.

“Since I teach Spanish, it’s easy to forget how hard it can be to learn a language. So the fact that I’m going to be learning Arabic, and we have some students in our school who speak Arabic who are willing to help me learn. And it gives me empathy, reminds me of how hard it can be to learn a language.”

April Dunovant is looking for the more social sciences aspect. As a Social Studies teacher she says she knows, it will be a little different. “A learning experience for me about education, Moroccan and women in democracy. How does that fit in a global aspect? How can I bring that to my classroom? Cause I teach civics and economics or civic literacy now I teach African American history in AP US history and how can I fit that idea of what the place of women and what women do here in the United States.”

Keisha Brown is the principal, and her focus will be more from an administration point of view.

“We have a lot of students of Muslim faith and students that come from Morocco and in different parts of Africa. And so now I get to look at it from a school leader’s perspective, and then perhaps some curriculum development, some school programming, some partnerships actually with the school district in developing curriculum beyond the classroom,” said Brown.

All of the educators agree this will be the experience of a lifetime.

“I think it just opened my eyes to how the world works in so many different ways and bringing that worldly view to the classroom will definitely help me become a better teacher in my class. And bringing in the curriculum, kids love to hear what you’re doing and what’s going on and your experiences too. So bringing that real-life experience in the classroom helps with connections and relationship building with students too,” Dunovant said.

Which makes the classroom experience better for everyone.

There’s plenty to see in Greensboro, N.C., this weekend if you’re among the University of Kentucky basketball fans traveling to see the men’s team play in the NCAA tournament Friday.

Known as Tournament Town, Greensboro is hosting its 23rd year of the ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament and the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament for the 29th year in a row, according to its official website.

This year, Greensboro is also a key site of the men’s NCAA tournament, as it will host the first two rounds of tournament play.

But Greensboro has more to offer than the thrill of March Madness. It’s the birthplace of the sit-in movement for Civil Rights, home to a science museum where you can meet a penguin and host of a thriving food scene. (You can even attempt to eat a 5.5-pound sandwich in under an hour.)

Here’s what to know if you’re following the UK men’s team to Greensboro and a little about what to see and do if you have some time to kill.

The Greensboro Coliseum is the site of Friday’s game and it’s located at 1921 West Gate City Blvd. Tip off is at 7:10 p.m. Friday and is followed by three other tournament games throughout the weekend.

The complex has more than 6,000 on-site parking spaces, and parking fees range from $5 to $25, depending on the event, according to the coliseum’s website.

All on-site parking opens at least one hour before the start of events and remains staffed until 60 minutes after the event. Visitors are advised to contact the coliseum at 336-373-7400 for updated parking lot times for each event.

According to the coliseum’s website, tailgating is allowed provided it’s done responsibly.

North Carolina law prohibits consumption of liquor in the parking lots or any public parking area. Tailgating is also limited to directly in front of or behind your vehicle, and patrons are allowed only one parking space per vehicle. Glass containers or bottles and kegs are not permitted.

Yes, although you will need to get permission first.

To do so, you should fill out and submit this form via email to ColiseumParking@greensboro-nc.gov. According to the application form, the rate is $50 per day, per RV. Additional vehicles or trailer parking is $10 for a three-day weekend.

If you show up at the coliseum Thursday, you can catch the Cats practice during the open practices running from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free, and doors open at 10 a.m.

Outside of basketball, the International Civil Rights Center and Museum is something you really shouldn’t miss. Once the site of the segregated Woolworth’s lunch counter that sparked the sit-in movement for Civil Rights in 1960, it’s now a museum that tells the story of the four Black college students that made history more than half a century ago.

If you’re looking for a distillery, check out Fainting Goat Spirits for a tasting.

You can also visit the local Bog Garden, sip a latte and pet a cat at the Crooked Tail Cat Cafe or checkout what else the city has to offer.

Do you have a question about Kentucky for our service journalism team? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form or email ask@herald-leader.com.

This story was originally published March 14, 2023, 11:23 AM.

Today, Friday and Monday

All jobs will alternate lane closures from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

*Haywood Street between South Josephine Boyd Street and Dillard Street – street milling and adjusting structures

*Portland Street between Haywood Street and Oak Street – street milling and adjusting structures

Today through Friday (continued from last week)

All jobs will alternate lane closures from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

* Winchester Drive between Corliss Street and Lakefield Drive – paving

*Woodlea Drive between Glenview Drive and W. Vandalia Road – paving

*West Montcastle Drive between S. Elm-Eugene Street and Lakefield Drive – paving

*Emory Drive between South Elm-Eugene Street and Woodlea Drive – paving

*Winchester Court between Winchester Drive and the cul-de-sac – paving

*Stonehaven Drive between West Montcastle Drive and Woodlea Drive – paving

*Lakefield Drive between Largo Drive and Webster Road – paving

Today through Friday, and Monday-Tuesday

All jobs will alternate lane closures from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

*Berkley Place between S. Chapman Street and South Elam Avenue – street milling and adjusting structures

*Sylvan Road between Kensington Road and South Elam Avenue – street milling & adjusting structures

* Camden Drive between Waverly Way and Berkshire Street – street milling & adjusting structures

Thursday and Monday-Tuesday

Job will alternate lane closures from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

*Erwin Street between South Elm-Eugene Street and Randleman Road – adjusting structures and paving

Thursday and Tuesday

All jobs will alternate lane closures from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

~ McCormick Street between W. Florida Street and Linwood Street – adjusting structures and paving

~ Linwood Street between Glenwood Avenue and Willomore Street – adjusting structures and paving

Monday-Tuesday

Job will alternate lane closures from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

*South Holden Road between W. Gate City Boulevard and Patterson Avenue – milling

Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes to avoid work areas or follow detour signs and adhere to traffic flagger directions.

Work schedules for each job depend on on weather conditions and material/equipment availability.

Visit www.greensboro-nc.gov/RoadProjects to learn more about lane and road closures and subscribe to receive email notifications about upcoming work on city streets.

College-bound students are presented with an exciting (yet somewhat tedious) checklist in the march towards higher learning. Narrowing college options and completing admissions applications mark the beginning. Once students have committed to a college and completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), it’s time to crunch numbers.

Charting a Path from FAFSA to Tuition

The distance between receiving FAFSA eligibility and paying that first tuition bill can be traversed by many different routes. At UNC Greensboro (UNCG), the Financial Aid department is the “Google Maps” equivalent for Spartans determining how to pay for college.

If you don’t know the way, consult Financial Aid early, so they can help you make a plan that works for you and your family. But first, consider the following questions to help you determine the best route for your specific journey.

1. Are there Other scholarships that I qualify for?

Students who complete FAFSA applications will be notified of all state and federal funding they are eligible to receive, but this doesn’t include private scholarships.

There are search tools online that can help you find national scholarships to apply for, but these are highly competitive. John Lucas, director of Financial Aid and Scholarships at UNCG, recommends students search their local area for privately funded scholarships from businesses and private foundations.

“Many of our donor funded scholarships have specific requirements which can make it difficult to qualify for these awards. High schools are notified of scholarships available to college-bound seniors, so incoming freshmen should start there,” he advises. “Financial need and merit are the biggest qualifiers driving selection criteria.”

Applications and interviews may be involved but approach the project like you would a job search that could yield a nice pay-off toward educational expenses.

2. Should I consider a student loan?

Lately, there’s been much buzz about the weight of student loans, but Financial Aid cautions students to not immediately disregard this option. For some, it’s a worthy investment in a promising future.

Student loans are guaranteed by the government without a credit check. The key is to consider the impact of interest rates on what you’ll owe when you finish college – specifically six months after graduation.

For some students, it makes sense to defer payment until school is behind them. Rather than stressing about the financial burden while in college, these students prefer to pay the loans back with interest when they are earning a substantial salary.

Lucas debunks the worry that terms for student loans are ‘set in stone’ for all four years and emphasizes that flexible options should be considered based on your changing financial status.

“It’s up to the student to decide if she wants to accept the full amount of the loan, decline the loan, or accept a smaller amount to cover what she needs,” Lucas explains. “The good news is once you make your decision – even if you accept the full amount – you can decide later that you don’t need it, and the loan can be reduced. Many students decline a loan because they aren’t aware that they can accept a smaller amount.”

3. Should my parents consider a loan

For dependent students whose parents are helping to fund education, PLUS loans are the next tool in the box. Because of their age and economic status, parents qualify for different loan terms than students.

A credit check is required to determine a parent’s terms and benefits, but if parents apply and are denied, dependent students will then qualify for the equivalent of an independent student’s loan amount.

PLUS loans have reasonable interest rates, and long-term repayment options keep future payments low. Like student loans, payments can be deferred while students are enrolled, but interest payments will apply.

“A parent who’s trying to figure out how to pay for their first child to go to school might be having a different conversation at home than if it’s a third child,” warns Lucas. “And this is why options are important for students and their parents.”

Lucas offers this advice: when debating a parent versus a student loan, consider how much your parents make now versus how much your starting salary will be after graduation. Check out the PLUS Loan Application Instructions on Spartan Central before the loan applications open in June.

4. Should I use a payment plan to spread the cost of tuition over time?

If the thought of interest rates and deferred payments makes you nervous, the Cashier’s Office has another option to make educational funding more palatable. Consider UNCG’s payment plan options.

Payment plans allow families to pay tuition in monthly installments throughout the semester rather than in one lump sum. While no interest rates apply, there is an enrollment fee. This option can be used when money is tight for a shorter period of time. Consider payment plans to bridge income gaps or if you are balancing your studies with a job to pay for tuition.

5. Should I work while I’m at school to help pay for my education?

Whether or not students need to work to pay for their tuition and expenses, working is usually beneficial. Part-time jobs are a great way to establish social and professional connections, improve time management, and get a jump on career-building experience. Students can consider on- and off-campus jobs.

Federally funded work-study positions exist at UNCG, but the program only employs about 2 percent of our students. Outside of this small program, other jobs are available to students within different university departments. Consult the Career and Professional Development Center for more information about work-study jobs and other campus positions.

Lucas explains, “I don’t want a student to say, ‘Oh, I didn’t get a work study position. I guess I can’t work on campus.’ No, you still can. Continue to look for jobs if you want to work.”

Beyond campus jobs, UNCG’s convenient location and Greensboro’s public transportation offer many opportunities for flexible part-time work around the city that can enhance your professional networking as well as help fund your college expenses without interrupting your studies.

Navigating a Road to Success

In Chancellor Gilliam’s December 2022 commencement address, he noted that 51 percent of UNCG’s graduating class were first-generation college students, 63 percent received financial aid, and 80 percent worked while pursuing their education. This is a testament to the hard work and resiliency of UNCG’s students. But it also demonstrates the ways UNCG’s staff and departments like Financial Aid provide routes for students of all kinds.

As you consider the journey ahead and begin to map your way, find explanations and instructions on Spartan Central that walk you through financial aid applications and responsibilities of each benefit. Use the Bill Estimator Tool to kick off your number crunching, discover the All Types of Aid page with deeper dives into the options discussed in this story, and find multiple ways to contact financial aid representatives at UNCG. They can answer specific questions and make sure your road to educational funding is a smooth one.

Photography by Sean Norona, University Communications.

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