​The night sky has a special treat in store for Piedmont Triad families this week! A remarkable "great planetary alignment" or "planet parade" is occurring, with all seven planets in our solar system (excluding Earth) gathered on the same side of the sun. This alignment reaches its peak on Friday, February 28, 2025—a celestial event that won't happen again until 2040! This offers the perfect opportunity for an evening of backyard astronomy and wonder with your children.

​​What's Happening in Our Sky?

​This rare alignment features Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune all visible in the western sky shortly after sunset. While astronomers use the term "alignment," the planets won't form a perfect straight line in space. Instead, they'll appear clustered in the same region of the sky from our perspective on Earth—still an impressive sight!

​The alignment has been building for weeks, but February 28th will offer the best opportunity to witness this astronomical gathering at its fullest. This is truly a special moment to share with your children, as they'll be teenagers or young adults before they have another chance to witness all seven planets gathered like this.

​​Making It a Family Event in Your Own Back Yard

​​This rare astronomical alignment offers a perfect excuse to create memories with your children.  You can go to an open park, or enjoy the view in your own back yard!  Here are some ideas to make your planetary viewing an event to remember:
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Prepare a Cozy Viewing Spot

• Set up blankets or lawn chairs with a clear view of the western horizon
• Bring pillows and warm blankets 
• Pack hot chocolate or warm apple cider in thermoses
• Consider bringing dinner outside for a twilight picnic while you wait for darkness to fall

Turn It Into a Learning Adventure

• Print out a simple planet identification chart (available online)
• Challenge kids to spot each visible planet and check them off their chart
• Share fun facts about each planet as you identify them
• Ask younger children what they think each planet might be like to visit

Equipment Recommendations: Since not all planets will be visible to the naked eye, consider these viewing aids:
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• Binoculars are sufficient for seeing Saturn and possibly Uranus
• A small telescope will help spot Neptune
• A smartphone sky map app can help you locate each planet
• Red flashlights (or regular flashlights covered with red cellophane) preserve night vision

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​Tips for Successful Viewing

​For the best chance of seeing this alignment:
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1. Timing is key: Head outside just after sunset (approximately 6:15 PM in late February for our region), facing west. The viewing window is relatively short, as some planets will set below the horizon within a couple of hours.
2. Know what to look for: Venus, Mars, and Jupiter will be the easiest to spot with the naked eye. Venus will appear as an extremely bright white "star," Jupiter as another bright light, and Mars with its distinctive reddish hue.
3. Start with the visible planets: Begin by finding Venus, Mars, and Jupiter—the most visible planets. Use these as reference points to locate the others.
4. Mercury challenge: Mercury will be the most difficult to spot due to its proximity to the sun. Look for it very low on the horizon just after sunset, but be careful never to look directly at the sun.
5. Be patient: Give your family's eyes about 15-20 minutes to adapt to the darkness for the best viewing experience.

​Why It Matters

​In our busy lives filled with screens and schedules, taking time to look up at the sky connects us to something larger. For children especially, witnessing planets aligned across millions of miles of space can spark curiosity and wonder about our universe.

This spectacular gathering won't happen again until 2040, so don't miss your chance to experience this celestial show with your family. It's a free, accessible activity that combines education with the simple joy of discovery—and it might just become one of those magical family moments your children remember for years to come.

So bundle up, head outside, look west, and prepare to be amazed at the cosmic neighborhood we call home. Even if you can only spot a few of the planets, knowing that all seven are gathered there makes this a truly special astronomical moment.
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Want more family-friendly activities? Check out our complete calendar of free events here!
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Our city is reeling this week. Ms. Esther—known to many as "Whoopie" or simply "the bicycle lady"—was assaulted in a parking deck and now lies in critical condition at 85 years old. For those unfamiliar with Winston-Salem, this might seem like just another tragic headline. For us, it's personal.

Ms. Esther has been a constant presence in our community for at least three decades. I first became aware of her when I was a teenager, and I'm now in my fifties. During my late teens, I had the privilege of brief interactions with her when she would occasionally visit the gas station where I worked. Those moments, though fleeting, left an impression that has stayed with me all these years.  She was quiet.  She didn't want to be bothered.  She had a serious mistrust of men and specifically wouldn't take help from them (she tore up a $20 bill in front of me, that had been given to her by a man, because she didn't trust it).  But above all, she was kind.

What makes her story remarkable isn't just her longevity on our streets, but the relationship our city has maintained with her. Over the years, residents have offered assistance—a new bicycle to replace her weathered one, permanent housing solutions. Ms. Esther consistently, politely declined. She has family—sisters, from what I understand—who are aware of her situation. But Ms. Esther has always insisted she was "fine, just fine" on her own.

Winston-Salem respected that choice. Despite knowing her struggles with mental illness, we collectively honored her autonomy. She never asked for attention or charity, in fact, she actively shunned it, preferring to live quietly on the periphery of our busy lives. Kind and unobtrusive, she simply wanted to mind her own business, away from the public eye.

In return, we gave her something increasingly rare in how we treat our homeless population: dignity and space. We acknowledged her presence without forcing our help upon her. We saw her humanity without demanding she conform to our notions of what her life should be. Most importantly, we respected her profound desire for privacy.

This recent attack has shattered that quiet understanding. Our community is shocked not just by the violence itself, but by the violation of this unspoken pact we had with one of our most vulnerable yet fiercely independent residents.

As Ms. Esther fights for her life, Winston-Salem is confronting difficult questions about how we protect those who wish to remain independent while ensuring their safety. But we're also remembering what she taught us—that sometimes respect means accepting someone's choices even when they differ from what we believe is best.

In a world that often demands compliance and conformity from those on the margins, Ms. Esther reminded us that dignity sometimes looks like an 85-year-old woman on a bicycle, wanting nothing more than to be left in peace, away from the spotlight that she would undoubtedly find uncomfortable even now.

Winston-Salem is holding its breath, hoping for her recovery, and reflecting on the quiet wisdom she brought to our community simply by being herself. And in honoring who she is, perhaps the greatest tribute we can offer is to remember her desire to remain out of the public eye, even as we process our collective concern for her well-being.
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​Hey there, Triad families! Ready to shake off those winter blues? We've got an amazing lineup of totally FREE events that'll get you out and about this weekend and beyond!

Friday, February 21

🎬 School of Filmmaking Legacy Celebration Screening
📍 1533 S Main St, Winston-Salem
🕕 7:00 – 9:00 PM

Saturday, February 22

🥕 Greensboro Farmers Curb Market
📍 501 Yanceyville St, Greensboro
🕗 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Fresh local produce, artisanal goods, and community vibes!

🛍️ Cobblestone Farmers Market
1007 S Marshall St, Winston-Salem
🕣 8:30 – 11:00 AM
Start your weekend with fresh, local goodness!

🎨 Sensory-Friendly Snow Painting
📍 Little Red Schoolhouse, High Point Museum
🕙 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
A specially designed session perfect for kids who prefer a quieter environment!

🎨 Snow Painting Workshop
📍 Little Red Schoolhouse, High Point Museum
🕛 12:00 – 2:00 PM
Get creative with this unique winter-themed craft activity!

🌟 Deep Sky Astronomy
📍 6068 N Church St, Greensboro
🕕 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Explore the winter night sky with fellow stargazers!

Sunday, February 23

🎉 Last Sundays at Robinhood Plaza
📍 3458 Robinhood Rd, Winston-Salem
🕛 12:00 – 5:00 PM

🎵 Salem Band Winter Concert
📍 Fine Arts Center, Winston-Salem
🕒 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Enjoy beautiful music with this beloved community band!

Tuesday, February 25
☕ Moms' Morning Meetup
📍 Kyles Coffee, Kernersville
🕤 9:30 – 11:30 AM
Connect with other local moms in a cozy coffee shop setting!
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Remember, every single one of these events is FREE to attend! Stay tuned to our calendar for more fantastic family activities across the Triad! 🌟