Durham County Department of Public Health loop

I put my name on the county waitlist for the covid vaccine, and they called Tuesday morning with a slot, so that was my loop walk for the day.

I received my shot in the DCoDPH building, where the process was running smoothly with an enthusiastic buzz in the air. Below: the DCoDPH building; note the giant yellow word "FUND" and the accompanying arrow painted on the road. The road was painted during the BLM protests last summer. 

N.C. Society of Engineers started right in this spot in downtown Durham in 1918, where an NC Highway Historical Marker reminds us of that auspicious occasion. 

Looking up the marker online, I learned that there's a historical marker database that lets you know what signs are "within shouting distance" of other markers, so maybe I'll plan a Durham walk built around historical markers. The NC Highway Historical Markers in Durham are listed here and mapped here (zoom out to see more markers). Such a walk would be enlightening both in terms of local history and in terms of how perspectives on local history change. For example, here's a glowing biosketch on Julian Shakespeare Carr. Carr is now remembered locally more for being a KKK-supporting lynching-celebrating white supremacist than for being an "eccentric," "generous," innovative tobacco magnate. The Carr historical marker is a block away from the Pauli Murray historical marker, and there are three Pauli Murray murals in town and no Julian Carr murals--signs of the changing times.

On to art! Mural at Main and Church, looking a little worn down by the covid-emptied parking lot.

On to advertising! Faded restored ads on the side of 107 E. Parrish. 

Pepsi Cola at founts or in bottles, Wrigley's doublemint chewing gum, and a barely-visible Piedmont Pentimento tobacco ad showing through behind the Wrigley's gum ad. Here's a color-altered image of the Piedmont ad. 

Chiclets Really Delightful: That Dainty Mint Covered Candy Coated Chewing Gum

Montgomery & Aldridge Recapping Plant Main Warehouse, viewed behind the Durham Centre Parking Garage between Foster and Roney:  

Back to art: the stunning recent Warli Mural at 313 Foster St.:

Here's some historic preservation, Durham style: part of the old Liberty Warehouse wall, with new apartment buildings behind it where the warehouse used to be. After receiving tax credits by promising the city they'd preserve the warehouse, the development company engineered a roof collapse through intentional neglect, opening up the opportunity to replace the historic warehouse with profitable new apartments. Read the gory details here.

People walk here:

I can't quite make out the text, but I'm guessing it says Liberty [Something? District?] Durham.

Neighbors have been helping neighbors during the pandemic; sign is at the corner of Bay Hargrove Park:

Peach blossoms--welcome spring!