TCB Jan. 27, 2015 — Bait & Switch

Greensboro / Winston-Salem / High Point triad-city-beat.com Jan. 27 – Feb. 2, 2016

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BAIT & SWITCH

The optics and symbolic power of North Carolina’s immigration debate PAGE 16

Wayne’s world PAGE 12

Snow stories PAGES 3, 7 & 14

Bathtub gin PAGE 23

Jan. 27 — Feb. 2, 2016

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A winter tale

by Brian Clarey

24 UP FRONT

OPINION

FUN & GAMES

3 Editor’s Notebook 4 City Life 6 Commentariat 6 The List 7 Barometer 7 Unsolicited Endorsement

14 Editorial: Spellings’ test 14 Citizen Green: Our winter wonderland 15 It Just Might Work: Right-sizing the weather 15 Fresh Eyes: ‘That’s so Winston’

26 GSO College’s gentle giant

COVER

28 Chestnut Street, Greensboro

16 Bait & switch: The optics of immigration

ALL SHE WROTE

NEWS 8 Voter ID trial gets underway 10 Council finalizes Bardolph building sale 12 Police reforms raise hopes, concerns

CULTURE

GAMES 27 Jonesin’ Crossword

SHOT IN THE TRIAD

30 Game changers

22 Food: Flavors of the Phillipines 23 Barstool: Making gin at home 24 Music: Low Counts blow up

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

In my view, all that legislation was designed for one thing — a palm card in the Republican primary that someone at the polling place could hand out in March so they could get the most conservative parts of the electorate to support them. For the incumbent, it’s a way to be able to say, ‘I was hard on immigrants.’

— Guilford County Register of Deeds Jeff Thigpen 1451 S. Elm-Eugene St. Box 24, Greensboro, NC 27406 • Office: 336-256-9320 BUSINESS PUBLISHER Allen Broach

ART ART DIRECTOR Jorge Maturino jorge@triad-city-beat.com

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EDITORIAL EDITOR IN CHIEF Brian Clarey

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ASSOCIATE EDITOR Eric Ginsburg

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For a good day the snow had settled in, been pushed into piles by shovelers and plows, coalesced into slurry crystals and packed into ice. And yet, after more than a day, and twothirds of the 7-hour Godfather Epic, we felt the desire — the need — to get out of the house.

And so it was that the wife and I made our way down a well-plowed South Elm-Eugene Street to the TCB offices where I would answer my compulsion to check the mail and she, a fellow small-business owner, would indulge me.

Sometimes I call this stretch the Public Housing District, though any reader should be quick to remind me of the difference between low-income housing and straight-up projects. Still, the neighborhoods on the west side of the road are places where the infirm, the underemployed and the socially insecure can still afford shelter in Greensboro.

There are more pedestrians out here, though very few sidewalks and crosswalks to accommodate them. Almost every night on the way home from work I see someone waiting to make the dash across the street to one of the two gas stations that serve as the only places of commerce in the walkable radius.

There’s some crime happening here — more than 100 arrests have been made within two miles of my desk in the last three months, according to the Greensboro Police Department’s website. But also about a dozen churches conduct services; hundreds of workers fill factories, plants and mills; thousands of families make their lives here. In its way, this neighborhood is as important as the coliseum or the performing arts center. Every city has an underclass, and this is where much of it lives.

There’s no shame in crossing the street at night on South Elm-Eugene, and people understand that sometimes we’ve got to lean on each other, because each other is sometimes all we’ve got.

The roads were pretty good out this way by midafternoon.

The main road was clear, though inroads remained treacherous. I saw that fresh snow still covered the Nussbaum Center lot, so I sped up to make it over the hump of icy snow created at the entrance by a north-moving plow. I bashed through the barrier, and that’s where I stayed: stranded in the ice, tires spinning like seaside pinwheels, kicking up snow and grit.

The plan was to push the car over the ice back onto South Elm-Eugene, but before I could plant my hands on the hood and my feet in the slush, a minivan pulled to the side of the road and a dude in Pittsburgh Steelers gear bent in to help, his kids peeping at us out the back window.

Another minute brought another family, three generations of men in church gear, to the cause — by the time we loosed the Hyundai we had three men on the hood, one scouting traffic and another working the tires. It didn’t take but another minute, this task that would have been near impossible for us to do alone, a moment of warmth on a cold, cold day.

triad-city-beat.com

EDITOR’S NOTEBOOK

CONTENTS

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Jan. 27 — Feb. 2, 2016

CITY LIFE January 27 – February 2 WEDNESDAY Pop Art @ Weatherspoon Art Museum (GSO), all day In the late 1950s, a new art movement began gaining traction in America. A reaction to the then-dominant ideas and techniques of abstract expressionism, pop art challenged traditions by showcasing commercial techniques and representational imagery derived from popular culture. For more information, see weatherspoon.uncg.edu

by Daniel Wirtheim

THURSDAY Books, Bars and Baristas @ Scuppernong Books (GSO), 7 p.m.

Part of the Greensboro Fringe Festival, playwrights in the area will have readings of new plays. For more information, see greensborofringefestival.org.

Jon Pardi and Brothers Osbourne @ Cone Denim Entertainment Center (GSO), 7 p.m.

California native Jon Pardi will tell the tales of himself through storytelling and music. Brothers John and TJ Osbourne will perform live. For more information, see cdecgreensboro.com.

Tattooed Men @ Tattoo Archive (W-S), all day An exhibit of tattooed men as sideshow attractions in the early 20th Century and more historical content will be on display at the downtown archive. For more information, see tattooarchive.com.

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January Salon Series @ New Winston Museum (W-S), 5:30 p.m.

Bryan Dooley, Winston-Salem resident and national disability advocate, will begin the series with Institution to Revolution: The Dark Days, a review of life before the Americans with Disabilities Act and a personal account of his family’s journey as early beneficiaries of the ADA. See newwsinton.org for more.

triad-city-beat.com

FRIDAY

It’s All About Hue @ Greenhill (GSO), all day An exhibit with four artists who explore color and gesture in works that utilize variations of hue to ravish the eye. Participating artists include Donald Martiny, Carolyn Nelson, Margie Stewart and James Williams. The Gallery at Greenhill is free and open to the public. Visit greenhillnc.org for more information.

Bourbon and Wine Dance @ 1618 Wine Lounge (GSO), 10 p.m.

Sarah Poole and DJ Jessica Mashburn host food, bourbon cocktails and a night of dancing from music of the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and present. 1618winelounge.com has more.

SATURDAY

Seed Swap and Potluck @ Old Salem (W-S), 11 a.m.

Slow Food Piedmont, with support from Old Salem Horticulture and Forsyth County Master Gardener volunteers, holds its annual Seed Swap and Potluck which includes a pot luck lunch. This event is free and open to all. This is the fifth year that Slow Food Piedmont has held the Seed Swap at Old Salem.

For more information, email slowfoodpiedmont@gmail.com.

Met Opera Live @ SECCA (W-S), 12:45 Swedish dramatic soprano Nina Stemme sings her first Met performances of the demanding title role of Puccini’s Chinese ice princess, with Anita Hartig in her company role debut as the angelic slave girl Liù. Marco Berti sings Calàf, the suitor who risks his head for Turandot’s hand, and Alexander Tsymbalyuk sings Timur. Paolo Carignani conducts Franco Zeffirelli’s 1987 production.

Check out SECCA.org for details.

AML Wrestling @ W-S Fairgrounds (W-S), 6 p.m.

AML Wrestling comes back for wrestling performances, with an early meet and greet and featured performers AML Wrestling Champion Greek God Papadon, King Shane Williams, Caprice Coleman, Vordell Walker, Washington Bullets, Damien Wayne, Zane Dawson and other special guests. For ticket information and more, visit AMLWrestling.com.

Mozart Birthday Concert @ UNCSA (W-S), 2 p.m.

UNCSA faculty artists come together in a program of chamber music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in celebration of his 260th birthday. See uncsa. edu for more.

SUNDAY

Community Arts Day @ Centennial Stations Center (HP), 2 p.m.

High Point Arts Council are presenting its community arts day featuring ballet and concert performances, plays, exhibits and more. Free and open to the public. For more information, see highpointarts.org.

Amor Brujo Postmoderno @ UNCSA (W-S), 2 p.m.

Famed Spanish designer Agatha Ruiz de la Prada leads to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Manuel de Falla’s masterwork, El Amor Brujo, with music curated by Oskar Espina-Ruiz; costumes by Ruiz de la Prada; and original sets, lighting, animation, choreography and dance. For more information, see the UNCSA website.

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Jan. 27 — Feb. 2, 2016 Up Front News Opinion Cover Story Culture Fun & Games Games Shot in the Triad All She Wrote

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Let politicians run the schools, not bureaucrats

Paul’s comments are on point [“Old foes rematch in hot school-board primary” by Eric Ginsburg; Jan. 20, 2016] In particular, I see the [Guilford County School Board] as “managed” by the chief of staff and board attorney to the point they defer every matter to these two non-elected and unaccountable to the people of Guilford County bureaucrats. I suggest the new board elected in November clean house starting with these two positions as priority number-one.

Andy Stevens, Greensboro

Bishop Curry and same-sex marriage

Bishop Curry is truly in the right place at the right time [“Citizen Green: The Episcopal Church, from elite to rejected”; by Jordan Green; Jan. 20, 2016]. He is far more gracious than I could ever hope to be!

Angel Schroeder, High Point You neglected to mention that homosexuality is outlawed in a number of countries in the global South. At the Lambeth Conference in 1998, a resolution was passed taking a hard line against homosexuality. So, it shouldn’t have been a surprise to have some sort of disciplinary action taken against the Episcopal Church. As a cradle Episcopalian, I’m sorry it’s come to this and am very proud of Brother Curry for his grace-filled response to the primates.

Hattie Aderholdt, Greensboro Well, first thing he needs to learn is that the Anglican Communion has rules and they take them very seriously.

He can’t change doctrine with the Anglican Communion and decide he is going to let priests officiate same-sex marriages. He got spanked and sent off in the corner for three years. People are not going to be happy if he gets the church expelled from the Anglican Communion.

Silver, via triad-city-beat.com Well, Silver, thank you for your input. But I’m not sure why you think Presiding Bishop Curry does not take the “rules” of the Anglican Communion “seriously.” Nor do I agree that he has “changed doctrine.” Which people are you thinking of who “will not be happy if he gets the church expelled from the Anglican Communion”? He was elected and confirmed as presiding bishop and primate of the Episcopal Church last year by his fellow bishops and the House of Lay and Clerical deputies. These representatives from the several dioceses of the Episcopal Church were well aware of Bishop Curry’s teaching with respect to marriage among other subjects. Peace be with you.

Jim Prevatt, Greensboro

6 Japanese anime movies for your starter kit

by Tori P. Haynesworth 1. Akira Set in futuristic neo-Tokyo 2019 (a little creepy, since that’s a few years away), biker gang teenager Tetsuo Shima receives psychic powers and fights against other characters with telepathy, while biker leader Shotaro Kaneda helps government officials save his fellow comrade and to keep imprisoned the psychic Akira.

2. Ninja Scroll During the Tokugawa Shogunate era, demonic ninjas known as the Eight Devils of Kimon are plotting to take over the Japanese government. Main protagonist Jubei Kibagami, accompanied by shogun spy Dakuan, goes through a whirlwind of adventures to stop them.

In addition to having a graphic-novel series, this franchise also has an animated show.

3. Ghost in the Shell Cyborg federal agent Maj. Motoko Kusanagi trails the “Puppet Master,” who illegally hacked into the minds of cyborg-human hybrids. With her partner (Akio Otsuka), Kusanagi corners the hacker, but curiosity about her identity sends the case in an astonishing direction. There are also sequels Ghost in the Shell: Innocence and Stand Alone Complex.

4. Vampire Hunter D Based on a graphic novel, a badass, half-human vampire named D becomes the hero of a village town haunted by vampiric and demonic entities. A young girl asks for his help, but D also has to rescue her from the clutches of Count Magnus Lee. There’s a sequel to this one too, entitled Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust.

5. Crying Freeman A Japanese assassin is hypnotized and trained by the Chinese mafia to serve as an agent to complete their missions. Every time he kills someone, he sheds tears (hence the title). There’s also a spot of romance with Emu Hino, who Freeman is appointed to kill. This became a live action movie in 1995.

6. Perfect Blue Pop-idol singer, Mima Kirigoe, wants to break away from the singing life and the group CHAM to pursue acting. Her transition is anything but smooth. Add in another twist of dealing with psychotic fans, as she begins to lose trust in the people she’s come to know.

triad-city-beat.com

Do you support NC’s voter ID law?

A lawsuit challenging North Carolina’s omnibus voter ID law is back in court in Winston-Salem this week, and we want to know what you think of it.

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80

70

News

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Jordan Green: Sorry, I get to opt out on this one. Read my coverage in the News section on page 8.

Opinion

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Eric Ginsburg: Is anyone surprised that my response is no? It’s easy for some to think that obtaining a photo ID is no big deal — many of us already have one, and just need to remember to bring it to the polls. To us, the idea of not owning a smart phone, let alone a cell phone, might seem impossible.

But the reality is, thousands of residents have neither, and just because we’re disconnected from that reality doesn’t mean we have a right to make it harder for them to cast their ballots.

Especially because, as Brian pointed out, voter fraud doesn’t really exist.

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Cover Story

30

20

10

No

19% Yes

5%

Unsure/maybe

Games

The North Carolina snow day

All She Wrote

the violent clanging of the wind chimes, which ring out the only noise for miles except for the whipping wind. Later, with tea, I surprise myself by sidestepping a TV show in favor of a novel I’ve never read. A slower medium for a slower day.

The city can’t stop forever. Eventually the tracks of sled routes down hills will melt into grassy skids, the roads will no longer be terrifyingly unsafe, and eventually I will run out of hibernation cereal rations. But for one blissful extended weekend, I am exiled in my apartment, at the mercy of weather I have no control over, with permission from the universe to move through time at the speed of my own quiet and private existence.

Shot in the Triad

by Joanna Rutter

extended siesta from regular life.

More than just permission to hibernate, snow days carry their own transformative magic. Time slows, and I can measure the passing of the day in pots of coffee instead of hours. Cooking can become gentler, carefully slicing each potato for a curry by the muted white light coming through the window, which casts a peaceful glow over my actions.

The whole city takes on a different feel in the silence.

A walk in the arboretum while a layer of sleet comes pelting sideways is like a journey in a space landscape; my roommate and I venture out to plod through the trails, creating the only footprints in the whole park, and listen to

Fun & Games

76%

New question: What’s your favorite Winston-Salem tower? Vote at triad-city-beat.com.

Culture

Readers: A solid 76 percent of you said “no,” and with 5 percent saying “unsure/maybe,” that leaves 19 percent for “yes.” Jason Heyman wrote, “I don’t support anything that puts more obstacles to vote,” on our Facebook page, and Tony Fonda simply said, “F*** no.”

The anticipation builds in the days before, a groundswell of glee brought on by friends’ eager retweets of dire predictions with fluorescent maps detailing the storm, urgent auto-texts from well-meaning robots warning about the danger ahead. Grocery stores become battle zones for the last loaves of bread, which are never so highly prized until they’re seen as apocalyptic necessities. And when the first flakes start to descend, the roads empty and the city falls silent, waiting.

Snow days in North Carolina are something of an anthropological mystery to me. I’ve observed the shutting down of the whole town as an area-wide exhale: permission to not show up, a day where hiding is okay. It’s an

Up Front

Brian Clarey: No, I do not support the North Carolina voter ID law, because it’s stupid. The ostensible point of the thing is to stop voter fraud, which doesn’t really exist in this state — a massive state Board of Elections investigation last year revealed just 31 suspicious cases of alleged voter fraud between 2000 and 2014. I’ll remind you that there are 6 million registered voters in NC. We all know why the GOP wants this. It would be nice if they just said it out loud. Like Trump.

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Voter ID trial gets underway in federal court this week

by Jordan Green

All She Wrote

Shot in the Triad

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Opinion

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Up Front

Jan. 27 — Feb. 2, 2016

NEWS

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Rosanell Eaton, a plaintiff in the lawsuit against North Carolina’s restrictive election law, leaves federal court in Winston-Salem.

A new provision requiring voters to present photo ID at the polls is being challenged in federal court in Winston-Salem this week.

North Carolina’s new voter ID provision goes on trial this week, with opponents and lawyers for the state making opening arguments in federal court in Winston-Salem on Monday.

The trial in Judge Thomas Schroeder’s courtroom marks a sequel to three weeks of hearings last July on the wide-ranging provisions in North Carolina’s restrictive voting law, which passed in 2013. Deliberations on the voter ID provisions, which go into effect during the upcoming March 15 primary, were set aside until now, at the request of the plaintiffs. Schroeder has yet to rule on the case, which is expected to have national ramifications, possibly setting

the stage for an eventual showdown on voting rights in the Supreme Court.

“The state should be making it easier to engage in the fundamental right to vote, not harder,” said Michael Glick, a lawyer for the North Carolina NAACP, in his opening argument. “The photo ID requirement imposed by North Carolina law makes it more difficult for African Americans and Latinos to exercise that fundamental right, and it offers them less opportunity than whites to participate in the political process, and it does so without any valid countervailing state interest. For that reason, the photo ID requirement violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act as well as the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the US Constitution.”

The United States, as a co-plaintiff with the NAACP, is arguing that the vot-

JORDAN GREEN

Thomas Farr (left) is the lead attorney for the state of North Carolina.

er ID provision was motivated at least in part by discriminatory intent — a legal bar set by the US Supreme Court in the 1977 case Village of Arlington Heights v.

Metropolitan Housing Development Corp.

“Hundreds of thousands of voters lacked ID and a disproportionate number of them were African Americans when the General Assembly enacted the law,” said Catherine Meza, a lawyer for the United States. “They had clear evidence that African Americans disproportionately lacked photo ID, yet they proceeded to enact the law anyway.”

Thomas Farr, the lead attorney for the state of North Carolina, disputed the plaintiffs’ claims.

“The evidence doesn’t rise anywhere close to showing intentional discrimination,” he said, while expressing confidence that the plaintiffs won’t be able to

JORDAN GREEN

prove that North Carolina’s election law discriminates on the basis of race.

Farr assailed the reliability of socalled no-match reports submitted by the plaintiffs that compare registered voters against the Division of Motor Vehicles’ list of people with state-issued photo IDs. “It does not show that they did not have voter ID; it only shows that there were not able to be matched,” Farr said.

“We are talking about a very small group of people who may not have photo ID,” he continued. “They may not have a car. They may not want to vote. The process of obtaining an ID is no more burdensome than many other processes.”

Barry Burden, a political scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison who was called as an expert witness for

there and vote. It’s not a problem? What about me? I can’t vote. A lot of people will say, ‘I need an ID? I’ve got a voter registration card.’ There’s gonna be a lot of disappointed people.”

During cross-examination, Phillips half jokingly told Farr: “I was thinking about adding an O to my birth certificate. Would it be wrong? I’m spelling my name.”

Farr can be heard laughing with Phillips on the videotape.

“Would it be wrong?” Phillips asked again.

“I hear you,” Farr replied.

Up Front

issue an ID to him because his name is spelled “A-L-ON-Z” on his birth certificate, which was issued in New York. It turned out that he didn’t actually need photo ID to obtain food stamps, so he didn’t pursue it any further. Until, that is, he learned that he would need it to vote in the 2016 election.

Phillips said he believes he would have to travel to New York to get his birth certificate straightened out, but he planned to try his luck next time the mobile DMV comes to the senior center in Scotland Neck at the beginning of May. “It’s just an obstacle,” Phillips said. “Now you’ve got to have an ID when you used to be able to walk in

triad-city-beat.com News Opinion Cover Story Culture Fun & Games Games Shot in the Triad All She Wrote

the plaintiffs, testified that the voter ID requirement hits black and Latino voters with a “double whammy.”

“Blacks and Latinos are less likely to have the ID, so the burden of obtaining one falls more heavily on them,” he said. “And it’s also harder for them to obtain ID because they have fewer resources.”

Based on a cost-benefit analysis of participating in elections, Burden testified that lower levels of education discourage prospective black and Latino voters from navigating bureaucracies, while they are also less likely to be able to take time off from work to appear in person at the Division of Motor Vehicles to obtain ID. The court heard from three elderly, African-American witnesses who testified via videotape about hardships experienced while trying to obtain photo ID from the DMV when it turned out their birth certificates contained incorrect name spellings and dates of birth.

Rosanell Eaton, a 94-year-old resident of Louisburg, testified that she had to make 10 different trips to state DMV and federal Social Security offices over the course of 21 days in January 2015 to get her documents straightened out so she could obtain a photo ID and vote in the upcoming election. She said the DMV at first declined to issue her a photo ID because her birth certificate displayed her maiden name, but the Social Security number on file for her married name didn’t match the birth certificate. “It was stressful and difficult,” Eaton testified. “A headache and expensive.”

Judge Schroeder is giving each side 18 hours to present evidence. The plaintiffs have predicted the trial will wrap up at the earliest on Thursday, and possibly continue into next week.

Alonzo Phillips, a 61-year-old African-American resident of Scotland Neck in Halifax County, presented a stark profile in how rural poverty can create nearly insurmountable obstacles to accessing the voting booth under the new law. Phillips said in videotaped testimony taken last April that he moved to Scotland Neck from New York to take care of his mother in the early 1990s. His last ID was lost when he was robbed in New York, Phillips said. Neither he nor his mother drive, and Phillips said he relies on friends for monthly rides to the doctor’s office. Money for gas to pay for rides and cigarettes comes from a meager income eked out of mowing and painting jobs. Neither he nor his mother own a computer or a cell phone.

Phillips spoke about his support for James Mills, a successful candidate for mayor in Scotland Neck, as a reflection of how important voting is to him.

“He was the first black guy who ran,” Phillips said.

“He said he wanted to go for it, so I said, ‘I’ll support you.’ A lot of people supported him. They were looking for a change, a little progress, jobs. It’s very important for the black community to be able to vote.”

Phillips testified that he attempted to obtain a photo ID 10 years ago because he was told he would need one to receive food stamps, and he made the 30-mile trip to the DMV in Roanoke Rapids with his uncle. Although he presented his Social Security card and voter registration card, Phillips said the DMV refused to

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by Joanna Rutter

Cover Story

A last-minute attempted upset bid fails to dissuade Greensboro City Council from selling a building honoring a former council member to developer Marty Kotis.

All She Wrote

Shot in the Triad

Games

Fun & Games

Greensboro City Council voted unanimously to sell the Dorothy Bardolph Building to developer Marty Kotis with the condition that a marker or plaque near the building honor the former city council member who is its namesake.

Culture

Opinion

News

Up Front

Jan. 27 — Feb. 2, 2016

Greensboro City Council finalizes Bardolph building sale

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The Greensboro City Council unanimously voted to finalize the sale of the Dorothy Bardolph Building to developer Marty Kotis on Jan. 19.

During the discussion of the item, Mark Schweibinz of Property Resources of Raleigh — represented on the floor by attorney Nathan Duggins — presented a partially executed offer of $1 million and asked the council to consider reopening the upset bid period.

Council moved ahead with the vote as scheduled, though the building had been appraised by the city at $1,035,000 and Kotis made the highest offer at $900,000 in October. No one had made a higher offer during the ten-day upset bid period.

Councilwoman Sharon Hightower had not been aware of Schweibinz’s offer until that evening, she said.

“I don’t like being slammed like that, right here,” she said.

“We’re late to the game,” Duggins said. “[But] you’re selling a building at

$21 per square foot. This is nice office space.”

Chuck Winfree, an attorney representing Kotis, followed Duggins’ offer by asking the council not to reopen the bid.

“My client, as you may know, owns quite a few properties in Greensboro, and is in the process of selling other properties to focus their investment in Greensboro,” Winfree said. “Opening rebidding at this point, not only would it be unfair… it may make it not feasible for them to be a viable contender for the building.”

Councilman Justin Outling and Assistant City Manager David Parrish both mentioned the extent of city’s advertising campaign, which they said adequately publicized the building when the offer period was open.

“A number of large developers expressed interest in the property, but for whatever reason decided not to place a bid, and [Kotis] made the highest offer,” Outling said.

Mayor Pro Tem Yvonne Johnson introduced a motion to include a condition to the sale to honor Dorothy Bardolph’s life and accomplishments on a plaque or marker near the building.

Bardolph served on city council in the 1970s and is remembered as a champion for racial justice, according to her obituary in the News & Record.

“I certainly would hate for us to recognize somebody for their service for so many years and then just wipe them off the building,” Johnson said. The condition passed unanimously.

In the discussion on honoring Bardolph, Mayor Nancy Vaughan suggested that the revenue from the building’s sale could be used for community services in a fund in Bardolph’s name. The funds are currently planned to go back into maintenance for other city-owned facilities.

“I think it should be focused on where it can do the most community good,” Vaughan said. “We have a lot of competing needs and I think this would be a good revenue source for those.”

Funding for those competing needs, specifically for service providers for the homeless, had been the main topic during the public comment period earlier that evening.

Lindy Garnette of the YWCA and Michelle Kennedy of the Interactive Resource Center, supported by orga-

JOANNA RUTTER

nizers from Black Lives Matter Greensboro, asked the city for $80,000 to offset costs of running their warming centers for the homeless in order prevent deaths caused by extremely cold temperatures.

Currently, the organizations are using funds from their existing budgets, which Kennedy said is not sustainable.

During the public comment period, the mayor suggested the speakers to bring the need before the county commissioners as well. Later, during the discussion of using the revenue from the Bardolph building, Hightower echoed that concern.

“Don’t get me wrong, I want to help as many community agencies as possible,” she said. “We’re just opening the door for the county to say, ‘Oh, guess what, they’re going to [give] some more help,’ and they ain’t gonna do anything.”

“Well, we’ve been doing that since 1808,” Vaughan said, smiling.

Council will vote on the amended paragraph detailing usage of the funds — and how they could be allotted to city building maintenance or community service providers — at the next meeting on Feb. 2.

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Jan. 27 — Feb. 2, 2016 Up Front News Opinion Cover Story Culture Fun & Games Games Shot in the Triad All She Wrote

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Potential police reforms raise hopes, concerns

by Eric Ginsburg

Greensboro is considering a resolution aimed at protecting residents from police overreach similar to one adopted in Charlotte, but the recent purchase of a long-range acoustic device is causing some confusion about the city’s intentions.

authorities of equipment for crowd control purposes (including but not limited to tasers, tear gas, pepper spray, and Long Range Audio Devices (LRADS)) shall require prior notice to the public, a meaningful opportunity to comment, and the affirmative approval of the city When Robert Dawkins heard that the council,” the proposal reads.

Greensboro Police Department bought The Greensboro Police Department a long-range acoustic device, or LRAD, had been discussing the possibility of it immediately raised a red flag for him. acquiring an LRAD for almost a year by Dawkins doesn’t live in Greensthe time Greensboro City Manager Jim boro — he’s the statewide organizer Westmoreland received the draft ordiwith a group called SAFE Coalition nance upon request from the Charlotte NC “working to build public trust and city manager’s office on June 2. accountability in NC law enforcement” But on June 19, Chief Wayne Scott — but he’s seen a LRAD deployed hadn’t yet been convinced that the defirst-hand. vice was worth the cost, according to inThe device includes several functions, ternal emails obtained by Triad City Beat. one of which is a “deterrent tone” deShortly thereafter, a few weeks after signed to force a crowd to disperse.

Westmoreland had forwarded Scott the “It’s piercing noise that makes your draft ordinance, Scott did approve the ears ring, to the point of bleeding in purchase of an LRAD 300x available some situations,” Dawkins claimed in a at a discounted rate. The department recent interview. finalized its buy in July using operational The department purchased an funds from the new fiscal year.

LRAD in July 2015 but didn’t publicly Greensboro hadn’t made any comannounce its acquisition until Nov. 2, mitment to specific provisions in the 2015. And that process, maybe more suggested ordinance at the time — and than the purchase itself, is what conit still hasn’t — but the decision to buy cerns Dawkins. an LRAD without input from the counIn early June, SAFE Coalition NC cil or public concerns Dawkins. reached out to the “It was surprising city of Greensboro to me when they To see Clark’s analysis of bought LRAD,” he with a draft ordinance called “Local how the suggestions line said. “That’s trouCivil Rights Resblesome. They’ve up with existing policy, toration Act” that come to the table; visit triad-city-beat.com. we’ve been talking proposes numerous city policies around about things that we police surveillance, profiling based on could do… At the same time, they turn race, religions and political speech, around and buy this noise equipment.” transparency, data collection and imIn the department’s November migration enforcement, among other announcement for the device, it emthings. The coalition first proposed the phasized that an LRAD has numerous act to Charlotte, and the Queen City’s functions that will enable police to comcity council adopted a version of the municate more effectively across long changes last summer. distances, helping in situations ranging The 10-page draft ordinance is from a missing person to a barricaded sprawling, including clauses about free suspect. speech zones, police checkpoints, mass Dawkins said city staff had expressed arrests, undercover infiltration and use interest in pursuing aspects of the ordiof force. But one point towards the end nance and acted open towards commustands out given Greensboro’s purchase nity meetings on the matter. But a major of a $13,000 LRAD device. focus of the proposed Local Civil Rights “Any purchase by law enforcement Restoration Act is demilitarization of

The Greensboro Police Department bought a long-range acoustic device (above) after reading the sample ordinance that calls for public input.

the police, and if the city is serious about reform, the LRAD acquisition is “perplexing” and somewhat contradictory, Dawkins said. He’s concerned that the city might be committed to dialogue, but not implementing change.

“We’re not seeing it translate yet into actual reform,” he said.

But that change may be coming. Before Dawkins’ coalition reached out, the city was already reviewing its policies and directives “with the intention of making improvements where needed,” city spokesperson Donnie Turlington said via email, and “embrace the opportunity as a way of building community confidence.” He said staff could have recommendations related to the proposed ordinance ready for city council’s review as early as February.

Turlington said “there are definite intentions to propose some form of civil liberties actions on our end,” later adding that “in general, many of the provisions of the Charlotte resolution already exist in [Greensboro police] policies or laws which directly control enforcement” but that the city is determining where it could “supplement or clarify existing GPD policies and decide which of the provisions should be adopted as policy by GPD to clarify or improve its practices.”

Dawkins said that on the whole, the statewide coalition, which includes

FILE PHOTO

organizations like the ACLU of North Carolina, has been satisfied with Greensboro’s willingness to meet and discuss potential reforms. The group’s point-person on the ground for Greensboro is the Rev. Nelson Johnson of the Beloved Community Center, who has been meeting regularly with Mayor Nancy Vaughan and other community leaders to discuss police reforms, Dawkins said. Because of that ongoing dialogue, Dawkins said the coalition has been hopeful as it awaits potential reforms.

Johnson couldn’t be reached for an interview and neither could Vaughan, but the mayor said via email that she only recalled “a brief conversation” about the proposed ordinance.

“I’m surprised it’s coming up so soon,” she wrote. “I don’t know that anyone is aware. I wasn’t until you mentioned it, except for a brief mention from staff.”

But despite Dawkins’ concerns and Vaughan lacking substantive information about the ordinance, the city didn’t wait until recently to delve into the matter. In an Aug. 28 email to Johnson, Dawkins, Westmoreland and Scott, Assistant City Manager Wesley Reid provided a comparison of the ordinance with existing city policy. The review, conducted by Greensboro police Attorney Jim Clark, found that “many of the

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provisions of the Charlotte Resolution already exist in GPD policies or laws which directly control law enforcement,” Reid wrote.

“I have asked GPD to develop a resolution to be reviewed at a future public safety committee meeting and then for full council consideration,” he wrote in the email.

The committee, a subset of city council, has yet to review the ordinance.

Clark’s review notes in several places that existing policy is more comprehensive than what is suggested, and citizen-developed, too, as in the case of a section prohibiting arbitrary profiling.

Other practices the proposed ordinance discourages are already prohibited, such as citizenship status profiling, Clark wrote. On some items, Clark wrote “substantially similar provisions.”

But on others, such as one about the confiscation of recording equipment designed to protect people who are documenting police actions, he simply wrote “no equivalent.”

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Jan. 27 — Feb. 2, 2016 Up Front News Opinion Cover Story Culture Fun & Games Games Shot in the Triad All She Wrote

14

OPINION EDITORIAL

Spellings’ test It’s unsurprising that incoming UNC System President Margaret Spellings commissioned an exhaustive study of the entire organization before she takes office in March, because it’s possible that she has no idea what the UNC System is.

She’s the first president of the system not to hold an advanced degree since the 1950s, the first to have no connection to any of the system’s schools and the only one who has ever worked for Karl Rove.

It was a blatantly political appointment that saw the resignation of the man who made it happen — former UUNC Board of Governor’s Chair John Fennebresque — immediately afterward.

She was President George W. Bush’s secretary of education, remember, responsible for that bait and switch that was No Child Left Behind, an enabler of access for for-profit universities to the federal student-loan program and self-appointed protector of the nation’s youth who, without her official interference in 2005, would have been subject to a children’s television program in which one of the characters had two mommies.

That episode of “Postcards from Buster” never aired, but it looks like the UNC study is a go. The Boston Consulting Group got the contract — a behemoth corporation that provides market analysis, advice, consultations and data to two-thirds of the Fortune 500, and thousands of other clients worldwide in both the private and public sector. This is also not a surprise because Spellings worked there after she left the White House.

The BCG absolutely understands the difference between business and government — the former exists solely to make a profit, while the latter exists mainly to enforce laws, provide services and do the things for citizens that they can’t do for themselves. But like Spellings, they seem to have a preference among the two.

BCG’s study of the New Orleans school system after Hurricane Katrina resulted in one of the largest charter school systems in the country, educating most of the children in the public school system in privately managed facilities that exist outside the realm of pubic education yet are still funded by it. They urged the same thing in their study of Philadelphia’s pubic school system, advising that 40 percent of the students should be in privately managed charter schools. They’ve proposed similar schemes in Memphis and Little Rock, Ark., where the Walton Foundation — they of Walmart — hired them to assess the public school system.

Of course, this line of thought goes against everything the UNC System — the oldest public university system in the country — stands for. And BCG’s disdain for public education should be alarming to all who hold dear the traditions and values of this system.

What’s most alarming is the way this farce is being allowed to play out by people — namely the UNC Board of Governors — who should and do know better.

Unless, that is, BCG’s report, due out next month, doesn’t float the idea of privatization of our UNC System. That would be the only surprise here.

CITIZEN GREEN

The precarity of our winter wonderland Adverse weather plans, preferably ones that don’t involve leaving the conditions can bring out house. Completing assignments is only part of the the best in humanity, challenge: I also find myself worrying about how the but I think the first great snow hampers collections, and will certainly depress snowstorm of 2016 pickups of our paper. revealed my petulant A reporting assignment in Winston-Salem on streak.

Monday morning means that we’re praying that our First, a big thank daughter’s daycare will be open. If it’s not, hopefully

by Jordan Green you is in order to the her grandmother can come from her third-shift many police officers, doctors, nurses, utility workers nursing job to take over, assuming the roads aren’t and road crews who are absolutely indispensable, too icy. If that’s what we need to do, it’s essential that who show up for work to provide essential services a path be cleared up our sloping driveway so she whether the roads are clear or not. Thanks also to can walk up to the house safely. the restaurant servers and bartenders who pull shifts We become closely attuned to the exactitudes of so people can get a hot meal or just enjoy the comsunlight and temperature. A couple days of snow pany of others, and to the people stocking shelves will teach you that the best opportunity for snowand manning cash registers so the rest of us can stay melt lies in the relatively tight window between noon supplied with bread and milk. and 4 p.m. Consequently, those four hours provide Most everyone else should and did stay home the best opportunity to scrape the solid layer of during the three-day snow-in. I admire people who sleet and snow off the driveway. One hopes the follow the promptings of the weather to throw sunshine will melt off the stray slush and that any together a soothing potato soup, settle in for a melt-water will drain off before nightfall so it doesn’t nice stretch of Netflix binge-watching, or drag a refreeze into a clear film of ice. It seem like a lot has snowboard out to the nearest to go right just to make sure backyard or park slope. But for the new workweek is on track.

As with an earthquake, the the most part that’s not me.

I realize none of these While putting out a weekly hardship we experience is circumstances are particularly newspaper is by no stretch an special or unique. We’re lucky a function of our resiliency in so many ways. We kept our essential service, at the same time the work must get done power. No one fell or froze. before the storm. in order to have a paper ready We had adequate provisions. for production on Tuesday And in fact the situation of evening. Winter wonderland be damned — this is our family and the small business that provides half stressful! Our household functions like a symphony, of our household income is probably completely where timing and instrumentation are everything, so typical. Like many North Carolinians struggling to the slightest change of plans can throw everything survive in this tepid recovery, we’re hanging on. into chaos.

The three-day snow was a relatively tame weather We rely on my mother-in-law to watch our 2-yearevent. But it taught me firsthand that, as with old daughter two days of the week to defray the hurricane or earthquake, the hardship we experience cost of daycare. Considering that my wife risks when adverse weather hits is only partly a result of losing her job if she doesn’t show up for work, it the magnitude of the storm but also a consequence obviously fell to me to handle childcare when the of the economic resources that we had or didn’t snow prevented my mother-in-law from coming on have beforehand. In other words, the storm only Jan. 22. Some reporting work can be done by phone reveals the ways we were already vulnerable and or internet, while juggling feeding, diapering and exposes our pressure points. clothing a 2-year-old, but even on her best days the And, yes, there is some magic in exposing a kid gets cranky if she isn’t entertained and cajoled 2-year-old to a real snow. She squealed with delight by an adult. when we pushed her around the backyard on a Regardless of the snow, the pages of our paper plastic garbage-can top, and next year we’ll have to still need to be filled with content. For our small get a real sled. But this is a kid who can find endless crew of staff and interns, this means that when fascination in a couple rolls of wrapping paper meetings and events are canceled over the weekstashed in a corner, so what really intrigued her was end we find ourselves scrambling to make backup licking snow off the picnic table.

Right-sizing the weather

Cover Story Culture Fun & Games Games Shot in the Triad All She Wrote

Andrea Littell is a freelance writer and photographer living in Winston-Salem. Find her latest stories and handpicked Winston-Salem happenings each week at TowniesWS.com.

Opinion

tirelessly alongside city and state officials to ensure the new bridges capture the city’s devotion to arts, culture and innovation.

The coalition’s master visionary plan creates pedestrian bridges and vehicular overpasses that double as public art while enhancing accessibility and connectivity with neighborhoods adjacent to downtown. The plan’s projects include Research Parkway betterments and the Twin Arches Bridge at US Highway 52, MLK Jr. Drive betterments, the Strollway Pedestrian Bridge, the Green Street Pedestrian Bridge and the Peters Creek Parkway Bridge.

Commissioned designers include Donald McDonald, best known for designing the Cooper River Bridge in Charleston, SC, the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and the retrofit of the Golden Gate Bridge; Larry Kirkland, whose portfolio includes noted public art projects at the American Red Cross Headquarters and New York’s Penn Station; and Walter Hood, a North Carolina native whose projects span from Oakland to the Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta. Local landscape-architecture firm Stimmel and Associates rounds out the project.

Two of the most noteworthy designs are the Twin Arches Bridge and the Strollway Pedestrian Bridge.

The Twin Arches Bridge design draws from the arches of the Moravian community, which settled in the area more than 250 years ago. It was designed to be an iconic gateway into Winston-Salem. Similar to the High Line in Manhattan, the Strollway Pedestrian Bridge will include 12-foot-wide walkways to allow both pedestrian and bicycle traffic and will re-link historic Old Salem with downtown Winston.

It is believed to be the first urban land bridge in the United States.

Half of the project’s overall expense will be financed through a combination of city, state and federal funding petitioned for by the organization.

Creative Corridors is responsible for securing the balance of the funding.

Currently the iconic bridge projects are in the DOT pipeline and the corridor projects are underway with the city. Creative Corridors needs $5 million to complete the project. To complete funding, Creative Corridors launched its final phase, the community campaign, on Jan. 14 with a crowd-funding effort to raise at least $50,000 from fellow residents.

“Every great city has a defining aesthetic,” French said. “This is Winston-Salem’s opportunity to define itself.”

And as they say, “That’s so Winston.”

News

“That’s so Winston.”

This phrase pops up regularly during my conversations around town.

A group of rock-androll renegades defied establishment to setup an artist collective and music

by Andrea Littell venue in an abandoned part of downtown. That collective eventually grew into a noted coffeehouse, roasting operation and café, and is now a beloved local institution.

“Yeah, that’s so Winston.”

A homegrown nonprofit that supports local artists and public art is awarded a monumental $2 million grant, decides to invest in the city’s future by creating a public art park using local materials and talent.

“That’s so Winston.”

Thing is, there was a time when “That’s so Winston” didn’t resonate so positively. Following a shift away from a historically tobacco-driven economy, the city’s energy and growth slowed for years. But things have certainly changed in my hometown.

Today, “That’s so Winston” has become a sort of mantra that speaks to the community’s connectedness and desire to set the Camel City apart.

This year the state Department of Transportation is slated to start rebuilding a one-mile stretch of Business 40 in downtown Winston-Salem. The project will close down a portion of the roadway for two years, and includes replacement of 11 aging bridges.

This is one of the most substantial infrastructure projects brought to Winston-Salem in decades.

But there is more to this story than just the closing of a major corridor and an investment of $200 million. After dedicating nearly 9 years worth of time, patience and talents, the Creative Corridors Coalition will finally witness what they are calling a “once-in-a-generation infrastructure project” come to life.

The Creative Corridors Coalition is a volunteer-run, nonprofit organization founded in 2007.

The group, formed two years after the DOT originally announced plans for Business 40, was created to provide a voice and a process for residents of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County to influence the design of roadway infrastructure projects in and around downtown Winston-Salem.

Early on, Creative Corridors organizers had a vision to turn this routine roadway project into an economic, aesthetic and social-capital GAIN for the city; GAIN stands for Green, Artful, Iconic, Network. As Chairman Lee French said, “This is our chance to become a proper 21st Century city.”

Since 2007, volunteers have initiated and participated in hundreds of community meetings, organized dozens of community events, and worked

Up Front

I blame it on TV news.

We all know it’s January, and we all know that winter weather, even here in North Carolina, is a near certainty every year. Sometimes we get some snow. It’s not all that big of a deal.

by Brian Clarey But TV news has hours and hours of airtime to fill every day, and a garden-variety winter snowstorm, it seems, is capable of filling them all.

They talked about it for days on all four local news stations: animated maps, dire warnings, suggestions for surviving the snowfall, ghastly predictions about the roads and the power lines.

Who can blame the yokels for freaking out?

But really, we got a couple inches. And I’m pretty sure nothing exploded.

And yet the snow coverage continues: B-roll of sledders and salt trucks, instructions for scraping ice off the car, endorsements of fireplaces and hot chocolate and other inanities.

It doesn’t seem to be designed to give people an accurate picture of what’s coming, more like a means to make people so afraid that they don’t change the channel.

So can we cut a deal here? I say that TV news dials down the winter Can we dial down fearmongering just a the fearmongerbit, forsaking breathless ing just a bit, and doomsaying for some levelheaded weather forsake breathless reporting: an estimate doomsaying? of predicted snowfall, some comparisons to previous storms, maybe some straight-up dope on what roads are open and what schools and businesses are closed — most of which can be accomplished by the information crawl on the bottom of the screen.

Not every storm is the Big One, but when every storm gets the Blizzard of the Century treatment, the TV news is not fulfilling its mission of keeping people informed via the public airwaves. They’re not even keeping people safe, which is the way one local TV news station describes its mission, because of the frenzy created among the viewers, who then stampede the local stores for French toast makings and ammunition.

I’m not saying omit storm and weather coverage altogether; I’d estimate half the viewership tunes in for that stuff. But TV stations need to remember that they are purveyors of news — that’s why they’re allowed to use the public airwaves to make money — and not in the business of selling generators.

When creativity became ‘so Winston’

triad-city-beat.com

IT JUST MIGHT WORK

FRESH EYES

15

Jan. 27 — Feb. 2, 2016

BAIT & SWITCH

The optics and symbolic power of North Carolina’s immigration debate

by Jordan Green

Cover Story

It was the second to the last day of the legislative session, and Rep. George Cleveland, a conservative Republican lawmaker from Jacksonville, was eager to get a final vote on a bill restricting IDs carried by undocumented immigrants and banning so-called “sanctuary cities.”

16

Titled the Protect North Carolina Workers Act, HB 318 also tightened up the state’s E-verify program and cut off food stamps to able-bodied adults without children. Some of the chamber’s more mainstream Republicans, including Speaker Speaker Pro Tem Skip Stam and Rep. Harry Warren of Salisbury, made it clear they would only support the bill if it carved out a key exception for law enforcement.

The provision related to ID cards seemed squarely focused on making life more difficult for undocumented people who live in North Carolina. The measure prohibited the courts, law enforcement officers and government officials the use of the matricula consular and other documents issued by foreign consulates and embassies.

Going even further, the proposed law took aim at ID cards issued by “any person, organization, county, city, or other local authority.” The language seemed tailor-made for the ID program launched in 2012 by the Greensboro nonprofit FaithAction International House.

As the House prepared for its final vote on HB 318 on Sept. 28, local police officials from Greensboro and Burlington joined clergy for a press conference in front of FaithAction International House in Greensboro to express support for the community program under threat of elimination by the proposed law.

“Over the last several years we’ve been working hard to build relationships with that community, and we feel like the FaithAction ID has helped,” Burlington police Capt. Jeff Wood said at the press conference. “If they limit the kind of IDs we can accept, we’re going to have a whole lot more people arrested and thrown in jail tying up our law enforcement resources.”

Since 2006 — when the General Assembly changed the law to prevent people without legal status from obtaining driver’s licenses — carrying some type of ID recognized by local authorities has become a crucial factor for undocumented people seeking to keep their families together and survive day to day.

“If you interact with the authorities and you end up in jail, there is a risk you end up in deportation, just because you were stopped because your license plate is expired,” said

Hernando Ramirez-Santos, the executive editor at Qué Pasa newspaper, who has closely followed the progress of HB 318. “It’s happened with the majority of undocumented people. They have to drive with an expired license plate and expired registration.”

By the time the bill came up for a final vote in the House on the evening of Sept. 29, the sponsors had already reached an agreement with the NC Association of Police Chiefs and the NC Sheriffs’ Association to carve out an exemption so that law enforcement officers could continue to accept the FaithAction IDs. The fix would be handled as an amendment to a separate “technical corrections” bill — a mechanism used sometimes by members of both parties to tweak legislation when the close of the session leaves little time to send bills back to the other chamber for concurrence. The amendment wasn’t even out of drafting when Rep. George Cleveland, a Republican from Jacksonville, asked his colleagues to give final approval to the legislation.

Stam and Warren made it clear they were only voting for the original bill because they had been assured that the concerns of the police chiefs and sheriffs would be addressed.

One Democratic lawmaker asked Cleveland to explain the objective of the original bill.

“The objective of this bill is to address the illegalities of that we have floating around our state in relationship to illegal aliens,” Cleveland said coolly, “and also to address the identification cards that are being produced to give these people of semblance of propriety, a semblance of belonging here.”

Ramirez-Santos was taken aback by Cleveland’s transparency.

“They want them to feel unwelcome, like they can’t be integrated in the community,” Ramirez-Santos reflected.

“They were telling the undocumented to get out of this state. I was amazed when he said that.”

In alarmist language reminiscent of Trump’s appeals to xenophobia and nativism, Cleveland charged on the House floor that undocumented immigrants in North Carolina jails have “committed murder, they’ve committed rape, they’ve committed child abuse, and they’re here because we allow it.”

He argued that taxpayers are footing the bill for services that undocumented immigrants use.

“You can be as kind and considerate as you want,” Cleveland admonished his fellow lawmakers, “but eventually they’ll overrun you and you won’t have the life that you have now. We don’t need the mentality from the other parts

of the world in our state, at least in our state, so they will not assimilate.”

Several Democratic lawmakers raised objections.

Rep. Pricey Harrison of Greensboro told her colleagues that the FaithAction ID program was a model for other cities around the country.

Rep. Ed Hanes of Winston-Salem quoted from Henry David Thoreau’s On Civil Disobedience, while Rep. Graig Meyer of Hillsborough recited the Emma Lazarus poem inscribed at the base of the Statue of Liberty.

Rep. Rodney Moore of Charlotte said he was disturbed by the rhetoric from the House floor.

“I heard about the rampant criminal element,” Moore said. “I won’t call them illegal because this is a nation of immigrants. All of us here in this chamber are descendants of immigrants, whether we came here by Ellis Island or we were forced into ships to come over here, whether we were forced immigrants or we were volunteer immigrants, all of us were immigrants, so let’s just take this out of the equation now.

“You’re not talking about an android, representatives,” Moore continued. “You’re talking about human beings, people who for whatever reason, whether it’s for opportunity, whether it’s to flee religious or political persecution, have come to this country, the country who is the example shining on the hill, as we say.”

Rep. John Blust, a Republican from Greensboro, detected a note of hypocrisy in his Democratic colleagues’ desire to de-link local law enforcement from federal immigration control.

“When we discussed the bill on the magistrate opt-out and now we see this clerk in Kentucky and the controversy up there, I have heard those of your persuasion just so angered that public officials will not follow the law,” Blust said. “And I’m just wondering why does that bother you for some laws that won’t be enforced by public officials, but other public officials that don’t enforce other laws are given a pass?”

Meyer responded: “Because, Rep. Blust, some of us believe in being consistent, and in being welcoming and loving towards those who have been hurt and oppressed.”

Blust alluded to the effective function of the bill — framing a national issue that Republican candidates expect to play well with their base electorate in 2016 — in remarks just before the bill received final approval on a strict party-line vote of 70 to 43.

“Hopefully, we’re seeing in the presidential race, this is becoming an issue,” he said.

triad-city-beat.com

A drive by the Greensboro nonprofit FaithAction International House to sign up hundreds of people, including undocumented people, rubbed some Republican lawmakers the wrong way, but an exception in a new law allows law enforcement to continue to accept the IDs as a last resort.

But Blust’s Republican colleague, Rep. Harry Warren, spelled out the actual implications of the legislation.

“The net effect of this bill, in my opinion, will force folks who are here illegally — it will force them to seek out and purchase counterfeit documents,” said Warren, who unsuccessfully filed legislation earlier in the year to create a restricted, one-year driving permit for undocumented immigrants who pass a criminal background check. “I think we’ll see an increase in that. I think we’ll probably see a corresponding increase in identity theft.”

Ramirez-Santos predicted a similar outcome in a recent interview.

“If the government agencies cannot accept [the IDs], it’s

a great obstacle,” he said. “If you rent a place, you need to pay the water. How are you going to do it? They’ve been living in that situation for many years, but it’s getting harder.

They will have to use another person to open a water account or turn on the electricity.”

Speaking on the House floor, Warren went on to list several other concerns.

“Without having some form of established and verified identification, this makes it harder not only for law enforcement if you don’t have it,” he said, “it also makes it difficult for the [Department of Public Instruction] and those in the educational field, those in the medical field because by federal mandate we’re required to provide education,

COURTESY PHOTO

FaithAction holds an ID orientation and drive on Friday, starting at 9 a.m., at the Mullin Life Center of First Presbyterian Church, located at 706 N. Greene St. in Greensboro.

The cards cost $10 and are valid for one year. Call 336.379.0037 or visit faithaction.org for more information.

17

Jan. 27 — Feb. 2, 2016 Cover Story

18

not issued by the state or federal government) for determining the identification or residency for law enforcement purposes.” Likewise, a group called North Carolinians for Immigration Reform and Enforcement that is dedicated to “stopping the flood of illegal aliens into North Carolina” reported that under the new law “ID cards created by cities, counties or religious organizations are no longer accepted forms of ID by NC law enforcement or local/ state agencies.”

Coverage in the state’s Spanish-language media, whose audience critically depends on accurate reporting about immigration issues, conveyed a much clearer picture.

Fluency in Spanish isn’t necessary to get the implications of front-page news photography showing smiling police officials in Winston-Salem, Greensboro and Asheboro either holding up FaithAction ID cards or answering questions during orientation sessions in rooms packed with hundreds of immigrants.

“In every article that we publish, we say, ‘You’re going to get a ticket because you’re breaking the law, because you’re driving without a license,’” Qué Pasa Executive Editor Ramirez-Santos said. “This [FaithAction ID] prevents the police from taking you to jail. But there’s still a possibility that you can go to jail if you lie to the officer.

We try to explain in every article so that people can be as safe as possible.”

As the legislation awaited Gov. Pat McCrory’s signature, the partisan dimensions of North Carolina’s rural-urban divide came into further relief when Greensboro City Council passed a resolution opposing the bill by an 8-1 vote, with the council’s sole Republican dissenting.

The governor’s decision to sign the bill in Greensboro Coverage of HB 318 and the FaithAction IDs in Spanish-language media has emphasized the legitimacy of the IDs by on Oct. 28 was read by many as a slap-down of the city’s showing photos of law-enforcement officers speaking to residents liberal municipal government. The bill signing took place in the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office, with Sheriff BJ immunization and emergency medical care for folks who While most coverage by leading news outlets like Barnes, a longtime political ally and a popular Republican are here illegally. It’s absolutely critical we have some form WRAL News and the News & Observer made at least local elected official, seated at his right. Cleveland, Millis of ID and because this bill denying a matricula consular glancing reference to the law enforcement exception and Rep. Debra Conrad of Winston-Salem, another bill card or a municipal ID — which I fully support doing away tacked onto the bill, the fact was largely lost in the mix of sponsor, were also on hand for the photo op, along with with them — but to do away with them without having polarized rhetoric from both supporters and opponents.

Rep. Jon Hardister of Greenssome form of ID is not going to drive people who are An Oct. 7 column by Susan boro. here illegally out of the state; it’s going to exacerbate the Ladd in the Greensboro ‘The objective of this bill is to adBefore putting pen to problem.”

News & Record belatedly dress the illegalities of that we paper, McCrory railed against Warren went on to say he was supporting the bill only reported that the FaithAction sanctuary cities, calling them have floating around our state in because of the technical amendment.

ID remained valid, while a a “breakdown” of order and Rep. John Faircloth, a Republican and former police subsequent story in the paper relationship to illegal aliens, and “contrary to the oath every chief in High Point, urged his colleagues to adopt the later that month quoted a also to address the identification law enforcement officer and amendment.

Greensboro police captain as elected official” took “to Far from a limited tweak, the amendment wrought suggesting otherwise. cards that are being produced to uphold the Constitution.” a substantial change, stating that documents “created It seems not to have suited give these people of semblance of The governor’s language by any person, organization, county, city, or other local the political purposes of opmixed alarm over crime with propriety, a semblance of belongauthority… may be used by a law enforcement officer to ponents to acknowledge that appeals to nativist resentment assist in determining the identity or residency of a person the worst harm of the bill was ing here.’ against undocumented immiwhen they are the only documents providing an indication mitigated, while conservatives — Rep. George Cleveland, (R- Jacksonville) grants on economic grounds. of identity or residency available to the law enforcement may have been reluctant to “We have cartels; many officer at the time.” admit they achieved anything of these are international cartels,” McCrory said. “We In other words, police could continue to accept the less than a full victory. have gang violence that continues to go up, sometimes FaithAction IDs as a last resort — which has always been An Oct. 28 article posted on the website of Rep. Rena because of international gangs.

We have schools that are their essential function anyway.

Turner, a Republican lawmaker from Statesville, claimed becoming overcrowded.

We have drug trafficking. We erroneously that the bill “specifically prohibits the use of have hospital emergency-rooms that are flowing over consulate or embassy documents (or other documents

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with patients. And most and worst of all, we now have the scourge of human trafficking of primarily young women, who are being taken advantage of. And it’s an issue that this society and our state is not talking enough about.”

The governor’s rhetoric flew in the face of testimonials by the local police officers at the press conference at FaithAction a month earlier.

“Half of the homicides were domestic violence,” Greensboro police Capt. Mike Richey, head of the criminal investigation division, said at the time. “We have had people tell us: ‘We wouldn’t have come forward if we didn’t have the FaithAction ID.’ We’ve made arrests in a human trafficking case and a child exploitation case — which most everyone would agree is the most heinous type of crime — and those came to fruition because people cooperated with us.”

Whether he was aware of the amendment in the technical correction bill or not, McCrory made no mention of the provision in his remarks at the bill signing. The governor’s office did not respond to questions for this story before press time.

Some of the governor’s comments could have been construed as referencing either the ID restrictions or the E-verify provisions in the bill.

“There’s something else that we’re dealing with today, and that’s the verification of assuring that the people that are here, we know their true identity, just like other countries do when we visit their countries throughout the world,” McCrory said.

Barnes made a similar point in remarks during the bill signing.

“When I go to other countries I go legally and adhere COURTESY PHOTO Hundreds of people lined up from SouthEast Shopping Center to Waughtown Street to the laws,” he said. “Can we not, as the greatest nation in in southeast Winston-Salem in early January so they could obtain FaithAction IDs. the world, expect others to do the same?”

If Barnes’ comparison between undocumented resithe taillight situation: If that person is driving, aren’t they is accepting the IDs, while Winston-Salem police Lt. dents living and working in North Carolina with internaresponsible for that car?” the sheriff asked. “That probably Tyrone Phelps said his department supports the IDs, while tional tourists seemed confusing, he clarified in a later means they’re driving without a license and they’re driving noting that officers may use their discretion to make an interview that what he said was exactly what he meant. without insurance. So they’ve broken three laws. Don’t you arrest for a minor traffic violation if they do not feel confi“They’re not here legally,” he said. “They’re not adthink they need to be here dent that they know the identity of the individual. hering to the rules. They’re legally? You’re excusing bad Despite his contention that undocumented immigrants not doing the things that a ‘You want to start with Durham, behavior. Why are they drivare breaking the law by their very presence, Barnes said civilized, law-abiding person Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Carrboro. You ing without a driver’s license?” his agency will not deny them the service of public-safety would do. Whenever I go to Barnes said he was well protection. another country, the only way know where those liberal bastions aware of the exception carved “They get all the protection that they should require I go is legally. I don’t drive cars are. And if you have policies like out for law enforcement in the or need,” he said. “All they have to do is call. If someone in other countries because I ID provision, but indicated he calls me up or one of my officers and say, ‘We have been that, who in the world could stand don’t have a driver’s license. holds little confidence in the beaten up,’ we don’t go out there and ask them, ‘Are you I don’t attempt to vote over up and say, ‘That’s okay. We want validity of the FaithAction ID. here legally?’ That’s not what we’re going to do. We’re there. I don’t try to avail “If they tell us and show us going to find the person who who beat them up and stole to be a sanctuary city.’

We need to myself of their services other that identification, and that’s their property, and we’re going to arrest that person.” than what a normal tourist punish them. If I could, I’d take their the only kind of identification Earlier in the month, the US Senate Democrats had would receive.” charters.’ we have, we’ll use it,” Barnes blocked an effort to pass federal legislation banning soThe fact that a passport said. “Once we get them to called sanctuary cities. With McCrory’s signature, North — Sen. Jerry Tillman, (R-Archdale) reflects an undocumented jail we’ll try to identify who Carolina became the first state in the union to do so, person’s country of origin they truly are.” as Trump and other Republican presidential candidates rather than their place of residence only underscores Other local law enforcement agencies have indicated stepped up their rhetoric against the concept. Just two Barnes’ conviction that they shouldn’t be here in the first they are accepting the IDs. days earlier, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott had issued a letter place.

Public Information Officer Susan Danielsen confirmed to Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez bluntly stating, “If that person doesn’t have any identification at all, in early January that the Greensboro Police Department “Sanctuary city policies like those promoted by your that would be the same thing you’re talking about with

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An ID drive hosted by FaithAction International House drew 700 people in Winston-Salem in early January, but the agency was only able to process 575 people.

recent decision to implement your own case-by-case up a list of so-called North Carolina sanctuary cities immigrant detention plan will no longer be tolerated in during the legislative debate in late September, as reportTexas.” Soon afterwards, Abbott vowed to pursue legislaed by North Carolina Public Radio. tion outlawing sanctuary cities when the state legislature “You want to start with Durham, Chapel Hill, Charlotte, reconvenes in 2017. And the Wisconsin legislature is Carrboro,” he said. “You know where those liberal bastions currently considering a similar measure. are. And if you have policies like that, who in the world Speaking at the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office, could stand up and say, ‘That’s okay. We want to be a McCrory made it clear that he sanctuary city.’ We need to was well aware of the national punish them. If I could, I’d ‘Even though they know the ID has implications of the new North take their charters.” limited use, they say it’s better Carolina law.

What passes for a sanctuary to have this ID than nothing. It’s a “We’re gonna find a way in city policy in Carrboro, as an North Carolina to find out a example, does not reference matter of belonging. ‘I am part of national solution for this very the term. The resolution, this town. I live here.’ It’s a state of complex issue because we approved in May 2006, simply need to find one,” McCrory states that “it shall be the polmind.’ said. “We want to be the icy of the Carrboro Police De— Qué Pasa Executive Editor Hernando model of how to do things partment not to arrest or take Ramirez-Santos right in North Carolina and in into custody persons when our country.” the sole basis for arresting or The term sanctuary cities has no legal meaning, but taking such persons into custody is that they have or may generally refers to local ordinances geared towards have committed a civil immigration violation.” encouraging undocumented people to cooperate with law enforcement by providing assurance that they won’t Republican politicians quickly found a visceral issue be targeted for deportation if they report a crime or that tapped into conservative voters’ fears about minority commit a minor traffic offense. Policies in cities across the crime and disdain for liberal big-city politicians when country range from simply de-emphasizing immigration a 32-year-old woman named Kate Steinle was shot to as a concern of local law enforcement, to outright refusal death at a crowded tourist site on the Embarcadero in to cooperate with federal Immigration and Customs San Francisco on July 1. Police quickly apprehended a Enforcement. homeless undocumented immigrant named Juan FrancisState Sen. Jerry Tillman of Randolph County offered

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co Lopez-Sanchez. It came to light that Lopez-Sanchez had been deported on five different occasions and had a string of felonies. The San Francisco Sheriff’s Office had released him from jail after dropping a 20-year-old marijuana charge, but had declined to honor a federal detainer from ICE. Predictably, Donald Trump was the first presidential candidate to make an issue out of the case.

“This is something that never should have taken place,” he said in a July 4 interview on Fox News’ “Fox and Friends.” “He was sent out of the country many times.

He was a violent person. And we have many cases like this. Nobody wants to talk about it. It seems like I’m kind of a whipping post because I bring it up. And I don’t understand. Whether you’re liberal or you’re conservative.

Whether you’re Republican, Democrat, why wouldn’t you talk about a problem? There’s tremendous crime. Illegal immigration is just incredible. You talk about terrorism and the terrorists, they’re gonna come in on the southern border, too, because it’s the easiest thing — you just walk right in.”

Putting an exclamation point on his tirade, Trump concluded, “The crime is raging, raging. And it’s violent. And people don’t want to talk about it. And if you talk about it you’re a racist.”

Lost in the froth of Trump’s comments, and those of his Republican rivals and other politicians, was the fact that none of Lopez-Sanchez’s prior felonies were for violent crimes: Two were for illegal entry into the country, while others were for drug offenses, according to various news reports. The weapon used in Steinle’s killing was a

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County Sheriff’s Office, told Triad City Beat earlier this month. Qué Pasa has played an active role in publicizing the ID drives and covering them as they take place in Greensboro, Winston-Salem and Asheboro. A Jan. 9 ID drive in Winston-Salem took place in a vacant storefront next door to Qué Pasa’s statewide headquarters on Waughtown Street. The shopping center that houses Qué Pasa and the site of the facility used for the ID drive is owned by the newspaper’s publisher, Jose Isasi.

“We thought we were going to get 200 people because it was Friday and it was very cold; people were working on Friday,” Ramirez-Santos said. “More than 700 people showed up. It was incredible. Inside the shopping center, all the way to Waughtown Street, it was a huge line maybe seven blocks long. It was amazing that people stayed in the line all day waiting to get to the room.”

FaithAction also signed up 375 people in Greensboro in December, and the agency has another drive scheduled for Friday at the Mullin Life Center of First Presbyterian Church in Greensboro. Recent meetings in Asheboro have drawn an enthusiastic response from both the police and immigrants.

The benefits of the ID to people in the immigrant community go far beyond the practicalities of navigating daily life, Ramirez-Santos said.

“Even though they know the ID has limited use, they say it’s better to have this ID than nothing,” he said. “It’s a matter of belonging. ‘I am part of this town. I live here.’ It’s a state of mind.”

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After Gov. McCrory signed HB 318 into law in Greensboro in late October his staff found themselves performing damage control over the governor’s comments about

serious crime committed by undocumented immigrants.

An undated letter from the governor’s community and constituent affairs office deflects responsibility for creating a climate of fear, while seeming to take a subtle shot at the news media.

“We understand there is much fear and concern by the Latino community in regards to the Protect North Carolina Workers Act,” the letter reads. “We believe it is essential that everyone clearly understand the bill, rather than through speculation and rumor. We have decided we would provide actual facts about that bill that other outlets may be misinterpreting and creating an atmosphere of fear to our immigrant communities.”

Hernando Ramirez-Santos, the executive editor of Que Pasa, said in his opinion the primary purpose of the law is “to create a bigger negative environment for the undocumented community.” He noted that undocumented people make up about a third of the overall Latino population in North Carolina.

“There are more than 300,000 undocumented residents in North Carolina, but there are almost 900,000 Hispanics,” he said. “A lot of this community has family and close friends, relatives that are undocumented.

To have that environment and the policies that Gov. McCrory promotes be so negative to Hispanics and the immigrant community, it’s just absurd to create that environment. To fuel that sentiment with the anti-immigrant community and the white community that is so conservative is sad.”

The governor’s clarification letter noted that the law does not require local law enforcement to collect information on an undocumented person and that law enforcement officials may still accept community IDs if the individual has no other valid identification documents. But McCrory stuck to his guns on his preference for passports. The letter states that while matricula consular cards and ID created by local nonprofits might be more convenient, the validity of a passport is “incomparable.”

That misses an important point, Ramirez-Santos said.

“The problem with a passport is it says who you are, but it doesn’t say where you live,” he said. “With that in mind, when a police officer stops you, they will see who you are but not where you live. In the mind of the authorities, [the passport] says you are an undocumented person. Not all law enforcement know that they are not immigration authorities. ‘I don’t know who you are, so I will take you to jail.’

Once you are in jail, you can be checked; it will review with ICE if you are undocumented or documented. Of course, it will show you are undocumented.”

Relying in part on the guidance from the governor’s office, local law enforcement agencies around the Piedmont region have continued to cooperate with FaithAction to roll out the ID program.

“It may make the difference between someone getting a citation and someone having to go to jail,” Lonnie Albright, the police attorney for the Forsyth

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firearm stolen from an unattended federal Bureau of Land Management vehicle. Adding another layer of nuance, a ballistics expert hired on Lopez-Sanchez’s behalf testified that the shooting was accidental because the bullet bounced off the ground before striking Steinle, according to a story in the San Jose Mercury News. The same report said the prosecution contends the shooting was intentional, arguing Lopez-Sanchez was just a “lousy shot.” The defendant has pleaded not guilty to murder.

Trump’s Republican primary rivals quickly joined the chorus against so-called sanctuary cities, with all three candidates using Fox News to broadcast their appeals in early July.

Arguing on the House floor on July 23, Rep. Trey Gowdy of South Carolina subtly placed the killing of Kate Steinle in a racial context by drawing a corollary with a statement by President Obama about Trayvon Martin, the black unarmed Florida teenager who was killed by a neighborhood-watch volunteer in 2012.

His voice trembling with emotion, Gowdy said, “Burying a child is what each of us who has ever been called ‘mom’ or ‘dad’ fears the most. After Trayvon Martin was killed, the president said, ‘That could have been my son,’ Mr. Speaker. And when I see a picture of beautiful Kate Steinle, smiling, that could have been any of our daughters.”

State Sen. Jerry Tillman echoed the same appeal as HB 318 moved through the NC General Assembly in late September.

“32-year-old, beautiful, talented Kate Steinle would probably be alive today if San Francisco had any guts about them whatsoever, which they don’t,” he said.

And with HB 318 ratified and placed on Gov. McCrory’s desk on Sept. 30, Trump continued to amplify the call on the campaign trail in New Hampshire.

“We have to get rid of these sanctuary cities,” he said.

“It’s disgraceful. Because I’ve had so many friends that I’ve made. First of all, Kate magnificent Kate, shot in the back and killed in San Francisco.

“I’ve become very, very friendly with a lot of people because it’s become an important issue for me,” he continued. “The whole thing with illegal immigration and crime, it’s far worse than anyone in this room understands. Far worse. Far worse.”

While HB 318 sets the pace for a national wave of anti-sanctuary city legislation, it also insulates incumbent Republican lawmakers in North Carolina against primary challenges from the right.

“In my view, all that legislation was designed for one thing: a palm card in the Republican primary that someone at the polling place could hand out in March so they could get the most conservative parts of the electorate to support them,” said Jeff Thigpen, the Democratic register of deeds in Guilford County. “For the incumbent, it’s a way to be able to say, ‘I was hard on immigrants.’”

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CULTURE The flavors of the Philippines at Mequeni

by Eric Ginsburg

I didn’t know when I ordered the “adobo” that 1898, when Spain “gave” the country it’s considered the national dish of the Philipto the United States as part of a pines, I just knew that of the six dishes I could peace treaty. Rebels who had fought see, it looked the most promising. the Spanish took the fight to the I walked into Mequeni Pinoy Mart & Lutong Bahay damn Yankees, but didn’t become an knowing almost nothing about Filipino food; all I had independent nation until 1946. to go on was the recommendation of a friend I trusted, The US established the Philippines who said to try the “sinigang.” Operating on blind as a semi-autonomous territofaith, without so much as asking Siri what the word ry, known as a commonwealth, meant, I showed up for lunch. beginning in 1935 before surrenderSometimes that sense of adventurism backfires, ing direct control, and during that like the first time I tried truly authentic Chinese food interim period, Japan invaded and and asked for my copious leftovers to go so as not to occupied the country for a few years offend the proprietor, though I trashed the Styrofoam during WWII. box as soon as I left the restaurant. But other times, You might not remember all you get lucky. that, but it does help explain the Mequeni Pinoy Mart is similar to other markets of connection between the US and the its kind in the area, such as Jerusalem Market a couple Philippines, and why English is one doors down in the small complex towards the southof the national languages. But as ERIC GINSBURG Try several different items when at Mequeni, including western edge of Greensboro’s Gate City Boulevard: far as food is concerned, you mainly (clockwise from top) the sinigang soup, large pieces of cooked eggplant and — most importantly — the adobo an international market with one-of-a-kind products need to remember early Chinese (bottom left). that can’t be found elsewhere and a modest restaurant influence and later the Spanish, who in the back for those seeking an informal or takeout brought ingredients from Mexico meal. with them. contained string beans and what I later identified as Greensboro isn’t home to a large Pinoy — that’s That’s what enabled me, hundreds of years later, likely being kangkong, or water spinach. The tamarind another word for Filipino — population. The Center for to try adobo, a Filipino dish with a Spanish-sounding makes the broth distinct and moderately sour, delivNew North Carolinians doesn’t list them among the 10 name and some Mexican origins served in a Greensering an enjoyable amount of complexity to the small larger immigrant and refugee communities that hail boro strip mall. bowl of soup. from Asia. Only 4 percent of the city identified as Asian It’s fusion by force of history.

But the adobo proved to be the show stealer, and on the 2010 Census, and Hawaiian and native Pacific IsAll I knew, when I bit into one of the tender chunks not because of its unofficial status as the nation’s forelanders accounted for just 0.1 percent of the populace. of pork at Mequeni, was that I loved it. I moaned with most culinary dish. It’s the sort of delicious flavoring But there are about 3.4 million Filipinos in the United that first sample, quickly dipping the next piece into that commands your attention and encourages silence States, which isn’t as surprising if you know a little bit the juices that had pooled under the meat and scoopbetween friends as you dig in. Credit in part is due to of the island nation’s history. ing up some white rice with it. the vinegar, an early Filipino ingredient that also helps To understand Pinoy cuisine, you need to know a Adobo is actually a term for chicken or pork braised preserve the meat. little bit about what influenced it. If you can’t picture in garlic, vinegar, bay leaves, and in some cases soy The setup at Mequeni Pinoy Mart & Lutong Bahay it on a map, here’s a quick orientation: The Philippines sauce. I didn’t stop to discern the exact flavors — at the (the latter part of which roughly translates to “homeare about equidistant from the coast of Vietnam to time I didn’t even know what to look for — I just knew cooking”) lends itself to experimentation and sharing, the west and China to the north, not far from Malaysia I’d tried something deeply memorable. which is in line with the country’s family-style dining and Indonesia.

There’s a menu written in habits.

So it isn’t surprising that one large print behind the counter at Mequeni is unassuming, with only a few seats along of the earliest and most enduring Mequeni, but I didn’t know what Visit Mequeni Pinoy Mart the wall and limited square footage. But considering influences on Filipino food came kare-kare (oxtail and veggie stew the Philippines’ blended culinary history, the unique & Lutong Bahay at 5002 from China, which influences the cooked in a peanut sauce), pancit dishes that translate well for an American palate and Gate City Blvd. (GSO) or call (noodles that one food writer sinigang dish that’s sort of like the millions of Filipinos in this country, it’s possible 919.800.9440. a hot and sour soup or lumpia compared to pad Thai but another that Pinoy dishes like pancit, sinigang and adobo will — also on the menu at Mequeni more accurately likened to lo be the next culinary trend.

— which is basically fresh or fried mein) or pinakbet (a squash, eggspring rolls. Malaysian ingredients, as well as others plant, beans, okra and tomato stew from the northern Pick of the Week from Indonesia and India, played a role, too. part of the Philippines) were. I just knew to order the Tea in the afternoon And then something massive for the Philippines’ sinigang.

High Tea @ The Marshall Free House (GSO), 3 p.m. culinary traditions happened, and much more signifiHalf a dozen choices were visible, warm and waiting (Jan. 29) cantly for its people: Spanish colonialism. In the mid behind the glass, and I asked about each. That’s how Spend an afternoon of tasting a variety of tea, 1500s, Spanish colonizers left what is now Mexico to I knew I wanted the adobo, and a gigantic cut of fried along with biscuits, cookies, macaroons and more seize the Philippines, and despite countless insurreceggplant. delectable treats! For more information, visit tions, they held power for several hundred years. Their The proprietor explained that sinigang is actually a marshallfreehouse.com. reign didn’t end until the Spanish-American War in soup, served with beef ribs in a tamarind broth. It also

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by Eric Ginsburg

Making gin at home

Up Front News Opinion Cover Story

Yours truly following a simple process to make gin using a homemade gin during the snowstorm.

Shot in the Triad All She Wrote

Find out more at homemadegin.com or find the commercially made spirits mentioned here at your local liquor store.

Games

I easily picked out the homemade gin; its flavors were boldest, and if I order a re-up pack for the household kit, I won’t add all of it in at once. And I identified Sutler’s quickly too, which isn’t surprising considering I drink it most. But I mixed up Cardinal and Bombay, which I don’t reach for that often. In fact, I thought I’d ranked Bombay first and Cardinal last, but I’d done the opposite.

I figure it has something to do with the fact that Cardinal is 84 proof, lower than Bombay and Sutler’s which are both noticeably higher at 94. If I’d cut it with ginger ale or tonic, I might’ve picked something stiffer, but the Cardinal went down smoother.

I was relieved to see I’d ranked Sutler’s second — I would’ve been embarrassed if I’d been drinking something I didn’t like as much just because of the sexy labeling from a local source made by two guys I call friends. But it held up.

For the golden child, made with a bottle of vodka and less than five minutes of total effort, to displace Bombay Sapphire by ranking third is a major coup in my book. And while it won’t displace the real Carolina-made gins I placed above it, that homegrown victory is enough snow-day productivity for me.

Fun & Games

ed turning a golden color as the instructions promised.

Step 2: Add the contents of a tin labeled “botanical blend,” which includes coriander, rosemary, lavender, rose hips, allspice, fennel seed, lemon peel, green cardamom, something called tellicherry black pepper and a bay leaf. That floated too, and required some more thorough shaking to disperse. Then we were to wait for 12 more hours.

By Saturday night of the storm, we had homemade gin. All we had to do was strain out the juniper berries and blend ingredients using a provided strainer, and then funnel the reconstituted liquor into two provided glass bottles.

There’s some flowery language in the Homemade Gin Kit’s marketing material, comparing lazy experimenters like me to “a modern alchemist turning lead into gold,” and though curious, I approached the process with inherent skepticism. So when we finished, I blindfolded myself and asked my girlfriend to conduct a taste test for me.

I lined up the homemade concoction with Sutler’s Spirit gin from Winston-Salem, Cardinal gin produced

by Southern Artisan Spirits in Kings Mountain, NC, and standard-bearer Bombay Sapphire gin. It’s arbitrary, sure, but it’s what already lived in my liquor cabinet.

As I tried each gin straight — which is not how I usually drink anything, though gin is one of my favorite spirits — and guessed which was which before ranking my preferences. Here’s how I did:

KACIE RAGLAND

Culture

I’ve never understood the grocery-store rush for milk and bread before an impending storm hits. Wouldn’t it make more sense to buy something that will hold up without refrigeration in case the power goes out — never mind the fact that milk is gross anyway?

As a storm named Jonas prepared to pummel the East Coast, leaving our area of North Carolina under slick snow and ice after a day of pretty relentless sleet, I found myself making multiple stops for booze — champagne at the grocery store (while picking up some non-perishable rations), a little something from the liquor store and two stopovers at bottle shops (the second one more out of curiosity as I happened upon it) for beer.

I pointed my windshield wipers at the sky, helped my girlfriend bring in some of her bags for the planned staycation, picked out a show to start binge watching (we opted for “How to Get Away with Murder,” which turned out to be a wise choice) and considered myself ready.

An ingrained drive towards productivity (thanks, capitalism) can make being cooped up for days on end feel like a waste of time, and so we set aside ample time for reading. It allowed me to finally finish a book of essays about food and travel, and to knock out a quick graphic novel about Congressman John Lewis.

I didn’t accomplish much this long weekend, unless I can take some credit for successfully cheering the Carolina Panthers to victory from a brewery within walking distance from my apartment. We even failed at sledding, fruitlessly trying to slide down my icy driveway on storage-bin lids.

I’m proud we loaded up on enough food to last us, and that we still like each other at the end of it all. But I have something more concrete to show for our weekend under snow-induced house arrest: homemade gin.

My girlfriend found a kit to make your own gin online, much to my delight when I opened the wrapped box at Christmas. And a snowstorm seemed like the perfect time to try it out.

Real distillers might object to my claim that we made gin over the weekend, but in all fairness, there are some commercial operations out there that are doing little more.

The kit calls for generic, unflavored vodka — “Don’t bother with the top-shelf stuff, any bottle will do,” the instructions read. Step 1: simply add the juniper berries in the kit to a 750mL bottle, shake it up, and let it sit somewhere dark and cool for a day.

I grabbed a bottle I had on hand of Method & Standard, a new, 80-proof vodka from Piedmont Distillers up in Madison. (You know, the folks who make Cat Daddy, the spiced moonshine that tastes like Christmas in a bottle, and Midnight Moon, which comes in a mason jar with berries.) Most of the berries floated at the top, but a few sank. The next morning when I pulled the bottle out of my closet, the liquor had start-

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Jan. 27 — Feb. 2, 2016 Up Front News Opinion Cover Story Culture Fun & Games Games Shot in the Triad All She Wrote

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CULTURE The Low Counts blow up by stripping down

by Jordan Green

att Walsh, a guitar player in High Point with a strong pedigree in blues, rockabilly and roots music, had hit a creative dead-end in 2012.

“I had been writing songs for quite some time, playing roots music, rockabilly and eclectic stuff,” he recalled. “I was bored with it. I didn’t have the bravery to put my music out there. I couldn’t find anyone who was interested. I liked [what I was doing] too much.

It was too safe. It wasn’t fun anymore, and I wasn’t finding out who I was.”

He decided to place a notice on Craigslist for a drummer that specified “no blues drummers or cover song artists,” and auditioned several players who sounded exactly like what he didn’t want.

Austin Hicks, who lives in Pilot Mountain, still had a week to go before graduating from high school. He knew he wasn’t interested in going to college and that he wanted to play music. There’s a significant age gap between the two: Walsh is 38, while Hicks is 21. But Hicks learned the three songs Walsh had posted online, and convinced Walsh to give him a shot.

“I drove to Pilot Mountain; my expectations were pretty low,” Walsh recalled in a recent interview. “I had gotten sour on finding someone to try to play with. I drove up to his house one afternoon and we just hit it off. ‘This is crazy,’ I told myself. To this day, he’s the one that I have the most in common with musically.”

By stripping down and simplifying, Walsh and Hicks developed a sound that was raw and feral — bigger than if there were four members in the band. Walsh’s blues owe more to the raucous flailing of Hound Dog Taylor or the drone-stomp of RL Burnside than the virtuosic note-soloing vibrato set as a standard by BB King. Hicks’ nimble percussion both propels and accommodates the mercurial changes in Walsh’s guitar playing.

Since joining forces as the Low Counts in early 2013, Walsh and Hicks have spun out a prolific run of original songs. They often begin with a chord progression that Walsh brings to Hicks, with vocals coming in after the instrumental parts are worked out. They’ve built a frenzied and cathartic live act, weeding out venues where people aren’t especially receptive while focusing on places where audiences feed back their energy.

The Low Counts closed last year with their second full-length album, Years Pass By, following the spring release of their Unsettled Days EP. On the new album, Walsh’s wounded howl, reminiscent of the Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach, well serves songs like “Keep It Burning,” “Satisfied,” “It’s Time” and the title track.

“Time ain’t on my side on my side/ hours just roll on by,” Walsh sings. “That clock on the wall keeps ticking strong/ Ain’t nothin’ round here lasts too long.”

Both in the studio and on stage, Walsh and Hicks try to maintain an element of surprise and risk.

“There’s a lot to be said about spontaneity,” Walsh said. “Music’s fun when it’s on the fly and it’s risky.

M

Austin Hicks and Matt Walsh (foreground), who perform as the Low Counts, recently released their second full-length album, Years Pass By.

The songs on the album we rehearsed twice before we recorded them. So many things in the studio that happen are so cool if you have the attitude that, ‘We’ve got one shot to do this.’”

Considering that they typically work their songs out in the studio, it’s sometimes a challenge to figure out how to play them live.

“When we record things in the studio, we don’t want to put any limitation on things,” Walsh said. “If they end up having 10 instruments on them to be a great song, we’ll do that. But when we go and play live with drums and guitar, there’s a lot of space to fill.”

The two musicians both earn their livelihoods from music, so they’ve learned to book gigs judiciously to make sure they bring back some money and have something left over to invest in recording. In their first year on the road, Walsh recalled that they played venues where people asked them to turn down the volume, complained that they weren’t playing enough covers, or they didn’t get paid. The experience has made them more picky and strategic, and now they generally stick to venues that are dedicated to live music.

“At some of the shows, there might be three people who dug it, and 10 rednecks at the bar who never turned their backs to look at us,” Walsh said. “We

COURTESY PHOTO

don’t even see those places anymore.”

While the Low Counts strive for creative risk in the studio, they approach playing live with total commitment and intensity.

“When we play live, Austin’s approach and mine is to go 150 percent — give people something that will blow their minds,” Walsh said. “It’s hard to impress people.

Our whole mantra is we play as hard as possible and wear ourselves out, and do as much justice to the songs as we can. When we play live we go to a place where there’s not really too much thinking.”

The first meeting between Walsh and Hicks grounds their operating ethos as the Low Counts.

“When we met the first time and started playing,

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ed playing together, and it was like we were meant to play together. It sounded like we had been playing together for a year. We did our first gig unprepared. It was like, ‘We can do this. We know we can do this. So let’s go do it.’”

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it was uncanny how we started playing together so naturally,” Hicks said.

“Our intention is to give the audience the best performance that we can give them.”

Walsh agreed.

“Everything’s been built off our first encounter,” he said. “We instantly start-

Up Front News

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FUN & GAMES

The gentle giant of Greensboro College

ne might figure wresWilliams wrestled through high school and first tling would be the attended Limestone College in Gaffney, SC for its wresoldest sport. tling program. But he couldn’t afford tuition.

Of course, I’m talking about He then transferred to Greensboro College, ostensifreestyle wrestling, not the bly to study biology and play on the football team. bloated theatrics of profesThen the college decided to establish a wrestling sional wrestling. program.

It’s deceptively simple: “I thought, ‘Why stop this wrestling train now?’”

by Anthony Harrison Throttle your opponent to the Williams said. “It was a good decision for both them ground, or as later rules would and me.” determine, force him outside a ring. It’s probably the Williams never quit applying the pressure on his fullest-contact sport in history, as the wrestler must opponent. The first few periods were hard-fought pin the competition to the ground. stalemates.

However, Greensboro College established a wresNo matter: Wince still said, “Hey Mykel — good job,” tling program just this season. to his man.

On Jan. 21, Greensboro College hosted a match “He’s a super kid and a super athlete,” Wince said with Southern Virginia University, winning 28-23 and after the match. “He’s gotta find his mean streak. He’s improving its unimpressive record to 5-13. capable of producing offensive points and he’s mean Sophomore Mykel Williams contribon top. He imposed his will on the othuted enormously to that victory. er guy, and that’s the first time we’ve Williams looms at 6-foot-1, 252 seen that in a while.” pounds, and he’s a hulk on the mat.

Wince must have referred to the And when the match Without meaning to, he would problatter periods. is truly on, it moves ably destroy most of the bones in my The penultimate one started with body in our opening grapple.

Williams rushing at Drasbek, forcing lightning-quick.

But he’s the type of guy who would him tumbling out of the ring. apologize profusely afterwards.

“Go get ’im, go get ’im, good!” Wince Despite his enormity, Williams is an shouted. exceedingly polite, humble, mild-manWilliams and Drasbek then faced nered young man from Henderson. He began wrestling off for a final round, another arduous crawl across the his sophomore year at Northern Vance High School mat. “because it looked cool.”

“Elbow forward; get on top of ’im!” Wince yelled.

“I wanted to start wrestling my freshman year, but “Go back on top! Elevate it, pop it! Good.”

I broke my ankle,” Williams said. “My wrestling coach The black and green mass of their wrestling unitards said to wait ’til I was healthy and fresh. He was a great wiggled like an inchworm around the inside of the ring. coach; he wrestled at Chapel Hill and was a big influ“Keep workin’, guys, keep workin’,” the referee said. ence on me.”

“Get something out of it.”

His personal patience and his former coach Robert Williams didn’t seem to pay the ref much mind. He McCarthy’s leadership benefitted him in the ring. just kept doing his thing, halting Drasbek from gaining Williams took on Southern Virginia sophomore an edge. heavyweight JD Drasbek. The two men circled each “I’m learning a lot about myself and wrestling here,” other in the lion’s mouth of the Greensboro Pride floor Williams said later. “Wrestling has taught me mental mat, playing what might look to the ignorant like a and physical toughness in dire situations. game of smackfight.

With a smattering of impatience in his voice, Greensboro head coach Eric Wince yelled to Williams: “Be an athlete. Let’s go!”

But this low-contact sparring simply tests which wrestler will strike first. And when the match is truly on, it moves lightning-quick.

In the blink of an eye, Williams was on ary’s top of Drasbek, both squirming to stay in Gourmet Diner the fight. One would flop; the other would twist and roll to maintain the upper hand.

“Nice transition on top, Mykel!” Wince shouted as Williams halted such an attempt.

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“Last match [against Ferrum College], we didn’t win,” Williams continued, “but I stayed strong. I knew I had to keep fighting ’til the end and never give up the match.”

Williams never gave up on this night, either.

“You got one minute; make it a good one,” Wince told Williams. “Keep it simple; make it a good one.”

That Williams did.

With Drasbek on his belly, basically powerless, Williams kept accumulating points and halting any addition to Southern Virginia’s tally.

“You got 20 seconds,” Southern Virginia Head Coach Logan Davis tried to tell Drasbek. “Try to do something; roll him, roll ’im!”

All in vain. Williams didn’t flinch.

The judges scored the match in Williams’ favor, leading Greensboro College to a tight win.

Williams hopes to use his education in biology at Greensboro College to pursue a medical degree, either operating as a general physician or entering sports medicine.

“There’s no concentration for pre-med here, but that’d be it,” Williams said.

If he maintains the toughness, mental acuity and patience he’s learning from pounding the mat at Greensboro College, he’ll have no trouble achieving whatever he wants in the real world and with this fledgling wrestling team.

All he needs to do is impose his will.

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Opinion Cover Story Culture

1 “No dice” 2 “The Name of the Rose” novelist Umberto 3 One W of WWW 4 “Uncle” of early TV 5 Philips who said “How many people here have telekinetic powers? Raise my hand” 6 Prefix for call or cop 7 Bookstore ID 8 Actor Diggs who coauthored the 2015 children’s book “Mixed Me!” 9 Do very well 10 Cheekbone enhancer 11 “I’m betting everything,” to poker players 12 Track events 14 ___ Beach, South Carolina 17 Creature born in 1982, according to the Weekly World News

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Down

21 Bagel and lox purveyor 22 Water pipe in a lounge (var.)

23 ___ d’art 24 Factory-made, as housing 26 Actor Gosling 27 “___ Good Ship Lollipop” 28 Goes out of focus 29 Place to pick up glasses 32 1998 interactive toy with its own artificial language 33 First astrological sign 34 ___-do-well (slacker) 36 Diplomat’s title, for short 37 Forester automaker 39 Make like a pig 40 Like a memorable tune 41 Full of bad luck 42 Some Indonesians, by location 43 Used the dining room table 44 Untrustworthy 45 Comedian Poundstone 48 “Fish” or “CHiPs,” e.g.

49 Melt base 50 “In memoriam” writeup 54 Droid 55 Air___ (lodging website) 56 “Better Call Saul” star Odenkirk 57 “I could’ve had ___!” (juice slogan)

Up Front

1 Part of NKOTB 4 Reason for a Boy Scout badge 9 Trolley 13 Twenty-one desirable 14 Brunch beverage 15 Negative space 16 Arts and crafts chain in a 2014 Supreme Court decision 18 It may be golden 19 Pianist Tatum 20 Like just-above-freezing temperatures, in Celsius 22 Racetrack suggestion 25 2, 4, 6, 8, what do these approximate?

26 The Hamburglar’s catchphrase 30 Rallying cry against Cobra, perhaps 31 Chinese premier Zhou ___ 32 Karl Lagerfeld prop 35 Play ___ role 36 Subsequent to 37 “I can do that!”

38 D.C. ballplayer 39 Henry Doorly Zoo city 40 First two-time Nobelist 41 Foolish talk, to B.A. Baracus 43 1990s defense secretary Les 46 Thai appetizers on skewers 47 Through the efforts of 51 TV show taper, once 52 Evian waters

53 “Va-va-voom!” relative 58 Run in neutral 59 Pungent-tasting, in a way 60 Veterans Day mo.

61 Long-distance swimmer Diana 62 Drummer Charlie of the Rolling Stones 63 Cute spherical character in “The Force Awakens” demonstrated in this grid (not counting this answer)

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Answers from previous publication.

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Wintery scene brought to you by Winter Storm Jonas.

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Jan. 27 — Feb. 2, 2016 Up Front

ALL SHE WROTE t doesn’t matter whether you win or lose — you still get to cheer.

— 10-year-old Nicole, Thomasville Colts’ little league football cheerleader

I

There was a time when — believe it or not — I thought I wanted to be a sports writer. I envisioned myself in the locker room, towel-snapping half-naked athletes and getting scoop-worthy quotes that would transform a bunch of pituitary cases into philosophers. With the right words, I would make a mere game a larger-than-life metaphor and athletes into gods.

Then came my interview with baseball hopeful Brien Taylor.

A North Carolina native, Taylor was the Yankees’ highranked draft pick in the early 1990s and, at the time, played for the Greensboro Bats. After a drudgingly forgettable nine — or was it 90 — innings, I had my locker room moment.

“So, Brien, the Yankees have a lot riding on you. What are your aspirations?”

Brien replied, with all the stoicism of a mound of dirt, “Uh, oh, I’m a Presbyterian.”

Talk about dropping the mic.

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by Nicole Crews

After that, the only diamond I ever wanted to see again was in a box marked Cartier. But as fate would have it, my boyfriend at the time was an avid fan of the great American past time — a Detroit Tigers fan to be exact. And of course this meant making the pilgrimage to Tiger Stadium to see Cecil Fielder knock a few out of the park.

“Smell that,” he said as we entered the hallowed halls of his beloved ballpark. What he meant, I suppose, was the whiff of greatness built by generations of Michiganders flocking together in non-union unison after grueling days spent on Detroit assembly lines.

What I smelled, however, was urinal cake as old as a Model T. Mix in the sweat produced by thousands of beef-eating, polyester-wearing, stale-beer-swilling Midwestern yahoos.

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Writing about sports is like dancing about architecture.

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Game changers Add the mustard caked on the back of my own shirt strewn there by a Ritalin-fueled 5-year-old wielding a hot dog, and you get the olfactory picture.

But since love is a dum-dum, I endured. And spring training in Florida was not so bad. Intimate ballparks with, say, Evander Holyfield and Julia Roberts in ballcaps enjoying the blushing day. Quiet, post-game dinners in some of the Redneck Riviera’s better restaurants. Stat sparring over cold cocktails with fellow writers and ballpark dorks like Lee Smith and Hal Crowther. And a close-up view of some of the tighter ends of baseball (oh, wait that’s football). This I could handle.

Inevitably, regular season would roll around again, and I’d find myself in some ballpark — novel in one hand, stale beer in the other (anything to anesthetize myself for the ensuing nine-inning snoozefest.) I was a baseball widow for six years.

So, now, when I meet some beaming young man who asks me casually, “So how do you like baseball?” I always reply, “Uh, oh, I’m a Presbyterian.”

Football is the new Carolina.

— Denise Landi, artist and sports widow But enough about baseball — enter the Carolina Panthers.

Since the team’s inception in 1993 and through years and years of sucking, I have been strangely drawn to this band of blue brothers. Maybe it’s because I like the story. Jerry Richardson, who became just the second former player in history to own an NFL team, brought opposing and cross-state-line politicians to the same table to lobby for the Panthers. Pre-season games were sellouts and fans traveled from Raleigh to Columbia, SC to Chapel Hill to show their support before a stadium even existed.

These cats grew from kittens to killers in no time. Their late coach and former player Sam Mills — the man who coined the motto “keep pounding” in his playoff game speech in 2004 when the team was facing the then formidable Dallas Cowboys — turned them into crusaders. Today, the Levine Cancer Institute and the Carolinas Healthcare Foundation, benefits from the team’s Keep Pounding fundraising efforts. And, now, as Cam and ’em head into Super Bowl 50 against the Broncos, I can proudly reply to the question of do I like football by saying, “Keep pounding.”

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31

HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY

Monday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m.

FOX8 WGHP Meet one of America’s most innovative marketing minds.

High Point University’s Access to Innovators Series

Seth Godin

A beacon for entrepreneurs and one of the country’s most sought-after speakers on marketing, leadership, ideas and how they spread, Seth Godin has authored a number of best-selling books that challenge orthodoxy and hit the reset button on how we think, work and conduct business. In a lively

Marketing Pioneer Author of 14 Best-Selling Books

discussion that finds Godin at his provocative best, High Point University President Nido Qubein uncovers

ENJOY THE CONVERSATIONS THAT INSPIRED THE HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY.

the history and motivations of a man whose ideas have significantly changed the landscape of marketing in the 21st century. Originally aired on PBS, Seth Godin’s encore appearance runs exclusively on FOX8 WGHP as part of HPU’s ongoing commitment to community service. Don’t miss it!

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