TCB Dec. 19, 2019 — Rising Stars: The Triad's best biscuits

Greensboro / Winston-Salem / High Point Dec. 19-26, 2019 triad-city-beat.com

FREE

RISING STARS The Triad’s best biscuits PAGE 11

Poverty stats PAGE 8 Impeachment PAGE 10 LGBTQ+ rankings PAGE 13

INSIDE THIS WEEK: OUR 2019 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE!

Dec. 19-26, 2019

EDITOR’S NOTEBOOK

Literature for all ages

by Brian Clarey

“Smart people read books,” I tell my youngest, a 15-year-old who is just starting to appreciate the wonders of the written word, and also the benefits

of not being a dumbass.

I take my books in audio form these days, because every time I try to read an actual book I fall asleep. The headphones have enabled me to take in a lot more books each year than I did while napping on the couch. I shoot for 12; last year I hit 15, and this year I’ll do 11.

My daughter and I talk about what she’s been reading — To Kill A Mockingbird this year — and sometimes she asks about what I’m reading. Sometimes.

This year I listened to The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates, a history of the Dakota apartment building in New York City, The Book Thief, Dune and a few others along those lines.

“The one I’m reading now is about cats,” I tell her. That gets her attention.

“They live in the woods, in like these tribes,” I say. “And they fight and scheme and stuff.”

Here I notice she’s looking at me strangely.

“It’s like Watership Down,” I say, and I can tell she has no idea what I’m talking about.

Instead she grabs my phone and peeks at my audio library.

“Yeah,” she says. “That’s what I thought.”

“What?” I ask.

“That’s the book that all the cat girls in my fourth-grade class used to read,” she says. “You’re reading a book for little girls.”

“No!” I say, my mind flashing back to one shameful teenage summer when I secretly read every single book in the Sweet Valley High canon. “It’s science fiction! It’s like Animal Farm! It’s Tolkien-esque!”

“Whatever you say,” she says. “But during recess, the girls in my class used to put leaves in their hair and pretend they were the cats from the stories.”

“Like Fire Paw and Spotted Leaf?”

“Whatever their names are,” she says.

“They would talk to each other in meow language.

“You’ll be glad to know there’s a whole series of them,” she continues. “Lots of adventures for your little cat friends.”

“Whatever,” I say, making a mental note about the possibility of more books.

“Good literature is for all ages.”

I pause for a moment.

“You can’t tell anyone about this,” I say.

“Don’t worry about that,” she says, and she leaves the room.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

It’s important to lay down a bright, red line to signal to future presidents that it is unacceptable for the executive to manipulate the national security and law enforcement apparatus of the nation for the purpose of destroying political enemies.

—Jordan Green pg. 9

BUSINESS PUBLISHER/EXECUTIVE EDITOR Brian Clarey brian@triad-city-beat.com

PUBLISHER EMERITUS Allen Broach allen@triad-city-beat.com

EDITORIAL SENIOR EDITOR Jordan Green

ART ART DIRECTOR Robert Paquette

jordan@triad-city-beat.com

robert@triad-city-beat.com SALES

sayaka@triad-city-beat.com

gayla@triad-city-beat.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Sayaka Matsuoka SPECIAL SECTION EDITOR Nikki Miller-Ka niksnacksblog@gmail.com

2

1451 S. Elm-Eugene St. Box 24, Greensboro, NC 27406 Office: 336-256-9320 COVER: Nikki Miller-Ka explores a bountiful bevy of biscuits. [File STAFF WRITER Savi Ettinger savi@triad-city-beat.com photo]

KEY ACCOUNTS Gayla Price CONTRIBUTORS

Carolyn de Berry, Matt Jones

TCB IN A FLASH @ triad-city-beat.com First copy is free, all additional copies are $1. ©2018 Beat Media Inc.

Dec. 19-26, 2019

CITY LIFE Dec. 19-22, 2019

by Savi Ettinger

THURSDAY Dec. 19

Drunken Construction @ Gibb’s Hundred Brewing Company (GSO), 6:30 p.m.

Uptown Dueling Pianos @ Mac & Nelli’s (W-S), 7:30 p.m.

Skrewball Sweater Party @ Boxcar Bar + Arcade (GSO), 7 p.m.

Don your ugliest sweater or your most festive costume for a contest at Boxcar. Play a few rounds of skeeball, enjoy a specialty holiday screwball cocktail and the parade of sweatered people. Find the event on Facebook.

Photona @ UNCSA (W-S), 7:30 p.m.

Grab the tackiest, most color-clashing, gaudiest sweater from your closet for this concert and party at Mac & Nelli’s.

Two pianos will play together and sometimes versus one another during this night of classical tunes and knitted atrocities. Find the event on Facebook.

Grab a brew, a bag of icing and some sprinkles, and try your hand at constructing a gingerbread house. Join the sixth annual contest for a chance to snag the championship spot. Find the event on Facebook.

DIY Get It In Gear @ Revolution Mills (GSO), 7 p.m.

Speak N’ Eye @ Monstercade (W-S), 8 p.m.

This Winston-Salem duo performs their 100th show. The duo combines hip hop and punk rock. Rickolus, a Florida based singer-songwriter, and Distant Future, a shoegaze punk band, share the stage. Find the event on Facebook.

FRIDAY Dec. 20

The Grinch Who Stole Christmas @ LeBauer Park (GSO), 4:30 p.m.

This multimedia spectacular centers the skills of UNCSA’s senior students majoring in lighting. Freedman Theatre lights up in a flurry of designs made with the latest tech.

Find the event on Facebook.

James Lyon leads a discussion for those interested in filmmaking on a budget. Tips include gear you can make yourself and how to manage funds. Find the event on Facebook.

He’s a mean one, and the tale of his Christmas adventures play in LeBauer Park on the big screen. Bring a coat, blankets, or anything else to get cozy on the lawn, and stop for a bite at food trucks parked nearby. Learn more on Facebook.

Buddy Love Jam @ the Official Second and Green Tavern (W-S), 8 p.m.

This benefit concert in its fifth year welcomes performers to the stage to raise awareness and funds for the Stokes County Humane Society. Rock out to help the dogs and other animals cared for by the organization.

Find the event on Facebook.

3

Dec. 19-26, 2019

Weaver Guitar Alumni Concert

SATURDAY Dec. 21

Candy-cane hunt @ Washington Park (W-S), 2 p.m.

SUNDAY Dec. 22

Santa Fly-In @ Smith Reynolds Airport (W-S), 2 p.m.

The first Weaver Alumni Award will be given to Smith Carlson, who went on to win a Grammy Award in 2015.

Watch as Santa cruises into the Smith Reynolds Airport, not in his signature red sleigh led by reindeer, but in an airplane.

He lands right at 2, and then will get off to meet with everyone who made their way to the runway for him. Find the event on Facebook.

News

Up Front

Dec. 21, 7 p.m. at Weaver A very special night for the PVA Guitar.

Jump, Little Children @ the Ramkat (W-S), 6 p.m.

Opinion

Explore all over Washington Park in a hunt for candy canes.

Warm up with hot chocolate over a craft station after you finish, or drop a letter to Santa. Find the event on Facebook.

Culture

Green Screen @ the Flat Iron (GSO), 8 p.m.

Take charge of your mind, body and spirit Test pH balance, allergies, hormones Balance diet, lifestyle and emotions Create a personalized health and nutrition plan

Puzzles

Shot in the Triad

Ed E. Ruger and Dubkiller take over the Flat Iron for an album release party for Green Screen. Ed E. Ruger has contributed sounds to “The Boondocks,” TMZ and “Breaking Bad.” Find the event on Facebook.

4

Awake The White & Wint’ry Queen @ Van Dyke Performance Space (GSO), 8 p.m.

Welcome the Winter Solstice with a multimedia seasonal show from the Headspin Hoop Troupe. The night combines theatrical dance, video montages and live storytelling. Find the event on Facebook.

(336) 456-4743

3723 West Market Street, Unit–B, Greensboro, NC 27403 jillclarey3@gmail.com www.thenaturalpathwithjillclarey.com

A Very Soulful Christmas @ Southside Beer Garden and Bottle Shop (W-S), 8 p.m.

Souljam takes to the stage to usher in yuletide with a set full of funky R&B tunes. Grab some ramen from Don Express as the band plays a smooth blend of pop and soul. Find the event on Facebook.

Jump, Little Children returns to their hometown of Winston-Salem for a show of artistic rock and alternative.

HULA Hi-Fi joins in to open the show with what they call Hawaiian Noir. Find the event on Facebook.

3. High Point — ? out of 100 points

We need each other.

Support FREE, INDEPENDENT PRESS by reading Triad City Beat.

OR, support your business and the free press by advertising with us.

Puzzles

Because of its size, High Point wasn’t listed on this year’s report so it’s hard to tell how it ranks against the other cities. Jeron Hollis, the city’s director of communications said that while the city does not have specific protections in place for LGBTQ+ employees, their health insurance does cover transgender-inclusive benefits such as hormone replacement therapy and gender reassignment surgery. Because of the law that replaced HB2, High Point does not have a local ordinance that prohibits discrimination in the private sector. According to the city’s police public information officer, the police department does not have a specific liaison within law enforcement for the LGBTQ community — unlike Greensboro and Winston-Salem — but does report hate crimes to the FBI.

BAD NEWS

Shot in the Triad

Winston-Salem ranked seventh out of the 10 cities in North Carolina for this year’s report.

Like Greensboro, the city has no non-discrimination laws in place for employment, housing or public accommodations because of the law that replaced HB2 prohibiting such action.

Other areas where the city was found lacking in the report include transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits and a non-discrimination ordinance for city contractors. However, the city did receive a perfect score in the municipal services section which gives points for things like having a Human Rights commission. The city also received a perfect score in the law enforcement section for having an LGBTQ+ police liaison or task force and for reporting annual hate-crime statistics to the FBI.

NO NEWS IS

Culture

2. Winston-Salem — 52 out of 100 points

Opinion

For the fifth year in a row, Greensboro ranks first among all cities in the state as listed in the report. The city didn’t receive any points in the first section, which covers the presence of non-discrimination laws as they pertain to employment, housing and public accommodations because of the passage of the law that replaced HB2 which prohibits local governments from regulating public accommodations or private employment practices before Dec. 1, 2020. It did however, garner a perfect score in the areas of municipal services, law enforcement and enforcement of LGBTQ+ equality. Most notably, the city got points for having an LGBTQ+ liaison in the city executive’s office and for having a LGBTQ+ police liaison or task force.

On Thursdays we wheel our garbage and recycling containers to the curb for city pickup. Recycling comes every other week, and we can never remember which one, so we just bring them both. Our recycling bin is always full, but since we’ve been composting, I’ve seen a decline in our regular household waste.

We’re fairly vigilant about recycling: lots of cardboard packaging and paper — and newspapers! — move through our household, along with sacks full of cans and renewable plastics. My wife brings the glass to a recycling facility herself, when the bag gets full.

But this got me thinking about incentives and the way they’re supposed to work. And I offer a solution.

I believe we all agree that recycling is a good thing, but I also believe that a lot of people don’t do it because it’s a bit of a pain in the ass, and it’s easier just to toss everything in the same place. But recycling is mandatory for businesses and government agencies in North Carolina. In Greensboro, there are penalties for contaminating the recycling bin — which is why I now get paper bags at the grocery instead on non-recyclable plastic ones — and none for placing recycling in the garbage bin.

But try to pass an ordinance like that and some people would start frothing at the mouth.

Instead, the city should pick up recycling every week and regular household waste every other week.

People would adjust very quickly, once their green bins come back full a couple times and maybe after they get cited for contaminating the recycling stream in the brown ones.

Most people, I believe, would prefer this set-up. And the few who don’t will get used to it after a couple months.

News

1. Greensboro — 79 out of 100 points

Incentivizing the waste stream

by Brian Clarey

Up Front

Every year since 2011, the Human Rights Campaign has put out rankings for its municipal equality index, which examines LGBTQ-friendliness in the largest US cities.

The report, which rates more than 500 cities on 49 different criteria, uses metrics such as the existence of non-discrimination laws, efforts to push for LGBTQ+ equality and inclusivity of LGBTQ+ individuals in municipal services. This year, Greensboro — which got a score of 79 out of 100 — was ranked the best out of the cities and towns chosen in the state, including others such as Chapel Hill (78), Durham (69) and Charlotte (64). This year, the chosen cities were: the state capitals, the largest cities in the country, the five largest cities or municipalities in each state, the cities home to the state’s two largest public universities, the cities and municipalities with the highest proportions of same-sex couples and other cities selected by HRC and Equality Federation state groups members and supporters. Here’s how all three cities in the Triad rank on the list.

Dec. 19-26, 2019

Human Rights Campaign’s LGBTQ+ score

by Sayaka Matsuoka

5

Puzzles

Shot in the Triad

Culture

Opinion

News

Up Front

Dec. 19-26, 2019

NEWS

6

Forsyth healthcare providers compete to operate new MRI scanner

by Jordan Green Two Forsyth County healthcare providers are competing for permission to operate a new MRI scanner as a lawsuit challenging the arrangement moves through the courts.

The two major healthcare players in Forsyth County are competing for state approval to operate an additional magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, scanner, while a lawsuit by a WinstonSalem surgeon challenging the law regulating the devices wends through the court system.

The 2019 State Medical Facilities Plan prepared under the direction of the state Department of Health and Human Services finds a need for an additional fixed-location MRI scanner in Forsyth County, in addition to the 17 that are already in place.

Wake Forest Baptist Outpatient Imaging, a joint venture between Baptist Hospital, Wake Forest University Health Sciences and Tennessee-based Outpatient Imaging Affiliates, is seeking approval to operate an MRI scanner in Kernersville, where it has operated a mobile scanner since March. Rival Novant Health Imaging Piedmont wants to add the new MRI scanner to its facility in southwest Winston-Salem, where it already has two scanners.

The two applicants made their presentations during a hearing on Monday morning at Kernersville Town Hall.

Representatives of Cone Health monitored the short hearing.

“Our proposal to install this new, fixed MRI scanner in Forsyth County will greatly improve local access to high-quality, cost-effective services for all patients, especially here in eastern Forsyth County,” said Dena Webb, the radiology administrator at Wake Forest Baptist Outpatient Imaging, “and will establish a new, cost-effective provider of fixed MRI services in Kernersville.”

Novant Health representatives argued that there’s a greater need for the new scanner in Winston-Salem.

“When you look at the MRI data, one thing is perfectly clear: The MRI scanners in Winston-Salem are operating at extremely high capacity,” said Michael Reese, a regional vice president for MedQuest Associates, speaking on behalf of Novant Health Imaging Piedmont.

Reese also said that residents across the county “have easy access to MRI services,” noting that there are 13 MRI

Dena Webb (left) and Michael Reese spoke on behalf of Wake Forest Baptist Outreach Imaging and Novant Health Imaging Piedmont, respectively on Monday as the two entities vied for state authorization to operate a new MRI scanner.

scanners in Winston-Salem, and Novant upfront.” operates two already in Kernersville and In 2017, he founded Forsyth Imaging one in Clemmons.

Center, which currently utilizes an X-ray North Carolina is one of 36 states, machine ultrasounds and computerized along with the District of Columbia, that tomography “to offer patients a way to requires healthcare providers to get state obtain scans at cheaper, more transparapproval before expanding facilities or ent rates than local providers were willservices like MRIs, according to the Naing to offer.” He also operates a mobile tional Conference of State Legislatures.

MRI scanner, but contends it isn’t cost The purpose of so-called certificate of effective. need laws, according to Singh’s lawsuit argues the conference, is “to that North Carolina’s cercontrol healthcare costs tificate of need law vioNorth Carolina is by restricting duplicative lates the North Carolina services and determinConstitution’s prohibition one of 36 states ing whether new capital against monopolies. requiring healthexpenditures meet a comNovant Health currentmunity need.” ly operates 10 out of 17 care providers to But Dr. Gajendra of the fixed MRI scanners get state approval in Forsyth, while Baptist Singh, a Winston-Salem surgeon, argues in a Hospital operates six, and before expanding lawsuit against the state Wake Forest Baptist Outservices like MRIs. patient Imaging, which is Department of Health and Human Services that part of a partnership with the law creates exactly the radiologists in the Baptist opposite outcome, driving Hospital system, operates up costs for healthcare consumers. one.

Singh’s lawsuit says he “discovered The office of the state Attorney Genthat patients in his geographic areas eral argued in a motion to dismiss the were struggling to afford the often exorlawsuit that Singh was free to apply for bitant cost of diagnostic scans charged a certificate of need to operate the new by local providers — and more, that fixed MRI cited in the 2019 State Medipatients were finding it almost impossible cal Facilities Plan. Since he did not make to determine their out-of-pocket costs an application, the state argued that he

JORDAN GREEN

lacked standing to sue. Singh countered that “the total cost of pursuing an MRICON application to completion often exceeds $400,000, with no guarantee (and for small providers like Dr. Singh, little hope) that the applicant will obtain a CON.” Singh’s lawsuit cleared the first hurdle on Nov. 20 when a superior court judge denied the Department of Health and Human Service’s motion to dismiss.

David Meyer, a consultant who helped Wake Forest Baptist Outpatient Imaging prepare its application for approval to operate the new MRI, said surgeons who want to bypass established providers to operate their own MRI scanners also have a financial stake.

“Mostly the people you’ll find really pushing for [overturning the law] are surgeons,” he said. “Surgeons want to develop their own surgery centers because it’s very lucrative. Physicians get paid their professional fee, but there’s also a facility fee that’s paid to the facilities.”

Both of the applicants for the new fixed MRI argued their proposals present the best options for containing costs.

“Our proposal is an effective alternative for extending access to the medically underserved,” said Webb, speaking for Wake Forest Baptist Outpatient Imaging. “Specifically, we project the highest Medicaid payer mix and the greatest

Dec. 19-26, 2019 Up Front News Opinion Culture Shot in the Triad Puzzles

percentage of charity care and selfpay write-offs as a percentage of gross revenues.”

In a table comparing Year 3 projections by both applicants, submitted to the state by Novant Health Imaging Piedmont, Wake Forest Baptist Outpatient Imaging anticipated that 6.7 percent of its patients would be on Medicaid, 1 percent would be charity care and 0.5 percent would be self-paying. In contrast, 5.0 percent of Novant patients would be Medicaid, 0.4 percent would be charity care and 3.6 percent would be self-paying. Novant projects that 35.3 percent of its patients would be on Medicare, compared by 11.4 percent by Wake Forest Baptist Imaging.

Novant Health Imaging Piedmont argues that its proposal to add a third scanner to its facility in Winston-Salem will best serve residents because 65 percent of the county’s residents live in the city and a higher proportion of uninsured residents live there.

Wake Forest Baptist Imaging counters in a written commentary submitted to the state: “There is no enhanced geographic benefit achieved by the Novant proposal. In sharp contrast, WFBI proposes to develop a fixed MRI scanner in Kernersville, and specifically in a facility that does not currently have a MRI scanner. Therefore, the WFBI proposal provides the greatest benefit to Forsyth County residents from the perspective of improved geographic access.”

Novant’s written commentary heaps ridicule on Wake Forest Baptist Imaging’s argument.

“Considering the population size of Kernersville with approximately 25,000 residents and the existing resources — two fixed MRI sites and three mobile MRI sites currently available, the approval of another MRI scanner in this geographic area is not warranted,” the commentary states.

“To put this in perspective, Yadkin County, which borders western Forsyth County, has a total population of 38,729 and does not have access within the county to either fixed or mobile MRI services.”

Celia Inman, a project analyst with the state Healthcare Planning and Certificate of Need Section, is assigned to produce an agency finding determining which of the applicants will be granted permission to operate the new scanner.

Meyer, the consultant assisting Wake Forest Baptist Imaging, said the review started on Nov. 1 and takes 150 days, so a decision can be expected by the end of March.

7

Dec. 19-26, 2019 Up Front News Opinion Culture Shot in the Triad Puzzles

8

Highly-segregated areas of poverty on the rise in Greensboro

by Sayaka Matsuoka Despite a downward trend of overall segregation in Greensboro, the number of racially-segregated areas of poverty are increasing according to a recently released report.

contributing to the changes.

One is a trend of people already below the poverty line moving to these concentrated areas, presumably for lower According to a recently released houscosts of living. The other is the ing report by the city, the number of movement of more affluent racially segregated areas of poverty in residents in the concentrated Greensboro has increased since 2010. areas moving out to locations The report, titled “Analysis of Imwith access to better jobs and pediments to Fair Housing Choice,” was schools, further concentrating released by the city earlier this month as the levels of poverty. part of a set of reports required to comThe areas marked as being ply with an Obama-era rule for cities heavily racially segregated that receive funding from the Departand in poverty are clustered in ment of Housing and Urban Developthe southeastern and eastern ment. The exhaustive report spans more parts of the city. All of the than 100 pages long, outlining the city’s neighborhoods to the southeast current obstacles to fair housing such as are located below Gate City segregation, adequate housing, economic Boulevard and include the stability and lack of accommodations for neighborhoods of Glenwood, disabled persons.

Warnersville, Lincoln Heights According to the city’s Neighborhood and Dudley Heights. The eastDevelopment Department, the report is ern areas start with a chunk the first step in launching Housing GSO, of downtown near the farmFILE PHOTO This graphic from the city’s report shows the seven racialy concentrated areas a 10-year, affordable-housing plan that is ers market and spreads past of poverty from 2017 compared to those from 2010. set to be released in spring 2020.

English Street to the east and One of the impediments listed in the then up into the Glendale Hills state Department of Public Instruction to create more affordable housing units report is the problem of segregation. neighborhood above Wendover Avenue. to rank schools based on 2018-19 school in areas outside of the affected neighborDespite a declining trend of segregaAccording to a 2018 report by the Uryear test scores. hoods to prevent further concentration tion in the city overall, there has been ban Institute, “there are large differences Despite having less access to highin those areas. Caitlin Bowers, a coman increase in racially and ethnically in the average exposure to opportunity performing schools and lower labor munity development analyst for the city, concentrated areas of poverty, otherwise between people living in [racially conmarket engagement, the report by the said the city is still working on that goal. known as R/ECAP areas, since 2010. centrated areas of poverty] and those Urban Institute shows that communiIn November 2017, the city opened To be classified as one of these areas, who live outside of [these] tracts.” The ties living in these concentrated areas Sumner Ridge, a 72-unit affordable the population must have a non-white differences include rates of unemploytend to have better access to affordable housing complex in south Greensboro population of more than 50 percent and ment and education level of workers; transportation.

Data from the city’s own down Randleman Road just below Ina population in poverty of more than 40 access to high-performing schools; and report supports the Urban Institutes’ terstate 85.

A mile and a half northwest, percent or a poverty rate that is greater access to affordable transportation. findings.

According to the city’s report, another affordable housing complex than three times the The second difblack residents paid called Ryan Ridge average of the area. ference, access to the lowest in terms opened this past Currently, there are Racially concentrated high-performing To read the city’s full of transportation October. Next year, seven such areas in areas of poverty correlate schools, measures costs, which may be the city plans on report, visit greensthe city. That’s an the performance due to greater access opening two more with higher rates of unemincrease from five of fourth grade boro-nc.gov/home/ to public transit as affordable housing in 2010 and three students on state exployment and less access well as the density of one in in 2000, according ams to show which showdocument?id=44115. complexes, homes in the area. northeast Greensto high-performing schools. to Census data and neighborhoods have While the report boro and another HUD estimates. high-performing lists recommendations for investing in one in south Greensboro near Interstate Despite the fact elementary schools. segregated communities, it does not 85, closer to Sumner Ridge and Ryan that one area in southwest Greensboro The Urban Institute’s report found that outline specifics on how to curb the Ridge.

For now, Bowers said the city is which was considered highly segreon average, communities within the conincrease of these increasingly povertywaiting to finish its 5-year and 10-year gated in 2010 no longer qualified as centrated areas received a score of about stricken areas.

Rehabilitation programs housing reports to unveil more specific such in 2017, three new areas in east 22 while those outside had a score of aimed at upgrading facilities, a focus on recommendations.

The latter report, Greensboro were classified as racially more than 50. According to SchoolDigpreserving “naturally occurring affordwhich will be out sometime in the spring, concentrated and in poverty in the most ger.com, many of the lowest ranking able units,” and educating homeowners will involve more community partners, recent findings. According to the report, elementary schools in the county are to ensure that delinquent mortgages are like this most recent report, and will take these areas are mostly made up of black concentrated in the southern and southidentified earlier are all listed as recomsuggestions from the public in the form people —around 82 percent — with the eastern parts of the city. The website mendations in the new report. of an online survey. next largest racial demographic being uses data from the National Center for A previous recommendation from the “This is just the beginning stages,” non-Hispanic whites. The report points Education Statistics, US Department of city’s 2014 housing report listed the need Bowers said. to two main forces that appear to be Education, the US Census Bureau and

Impeachment is required to protect democracy

Up Front News Opinion Culture Shot in the Triad Puzzles

I’ve been on the record as calling for the impeachment of Donald Trump since May, when the Mueller Report revealed that the president repeatedly attempted to undermine the investigation into whether

by Jordan Green he collaborated with Russian agents to interfere with the 2016 election.

I’ve leveled harsh criticism towards the Democratic establishment in the past, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for playing coy in the fallout of that report by saying events “may take us to a place that’s unavoidable, in terms of impeachment.

But we’re not at that place.”

In the spirit of the holidays, I wish to say for the record that the House Democrats as a caucus deserve the nation’s thanks. We now have articles of impeachment for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The president’s efforts to impede legal review of Russia’s interference in the 2016 election warranted impeachment, but his corruption of foreign policy to enlist the Ukrainian president to interfere in the 2020 election is even more egregious.

We seek responsive government, and when elected representatives take the action we demand, it is our obligation as citizens to stand behind them, even if, in Speaker Pelosi’s case, some of them had to be dragged kicking and screaming to take responsibility. In a functioning democracy, no one is obligated to love their representatives, but they need positive reinforcement when they eventually ADAM SCHULTZ Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) will vote for impeachment despite the fact that it could cost her House seat. come around to the right position.

The impeachment of President Trump was never about a political calculation as to whether the outopposed to it, and that doing so could very well cost her re-election. Slotkin, first elected come would enhance the Democrats’ or Republicans’ prospects in 2020 election. We send in 2018 with the backing of the centrist Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, our representatives to Congress to do a job, whether it’s addressing gun violence or climate was one of the so-called “seven national security Democrats” elected from swing districts, change, or in this case, safeguarding democracy. Doing the job might require an elected whose letter in late September gave Speaker Pelosi political cover to initiate the impeachrepresentative to lose her next election, and might even result in the Democrats losing ment inquiry. Considering the past sins of the agency, it is an unsettling fact that Slotkin is a control of the chamber. former CIA analyst, not to mention that Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.), We already know that the House will vote to impeach President Trump, a fellow signatory on the September letter, is a retired operative. They may and that the Senate will vote against removing him. It doesn’t mean that the be less than pure, but they happened to have been at the right place in the House Democrats impeachment process has been a wasted effort. It’s important to lay down right time to make history. a bright, red line to signal to future presidents that it is unacceptable for deserve the There are those who say the House Democrats are being hypocritical by the executive to manipulate the national security and law enforcement appursuing impeachment for the transgression of soliciting interference in a nation’s thanks. paratus of the nation for the purpose of destroying political enemies. Down US election when the United States has a history of tampering with other that path lies authoritarianism. (Admittedly, the Republicans cheapened the countries’ elections and toppling their governments. These critics often We now have brand in 1998 by impeaching President Clinton for lying about sex.) argue that Trump should be opposed because of the degrading language We have no way of knowing today whether Trump will be re-elected articles of he uses against immigrants, Muslims, women and people of color, and that to a second term, or which party will control the Senate and the House he should be removed from office because of his white nationalist policies. impeachment. after Nov. 3, 2020, or indeed if any of these outcomes will be shaped by Those are not impeachable offenses, however. the impeachment process. Before the backbiting begins, credit the House But if Trump is allowed to evade accountability for weaponizing foreign Democrats for taking a stand on principle, and recognize that sometimes — policy as a tool against political enemies and to flout congressional oversight, lawmakers’ no, oftentimes — doing the right thing comes at a cost. Save your ire for those members of protestations on matters of importance to their constituents will be reduced to political the House and Senate who make excuses for Trump’s transgressions out of the craven need theater. for political survival.

This is our moment of national clarity. Republicans in both chambers will, sadly, vote Today, we should salute Rep. Elissa Slotkin, the Michigan Democrat who announced against impeachment. Where do the people stand? her decision to vote for impeachment even knowing that many of her constituents are

Dec. 19-26, 2019

CITIZEN GREEN

OPINION

9

by Clay Jones

Puzzles

Shot in the Triad

Culture

Opinion

News

Up Front

Dec. 19-26, 2019

Claytoonz

10

claytoonz.com

EDITORIAL

Musical chairs with Burr, Tillis and Walker

A lot of Republican legislators seem The day before he formally anto be getting out of the game these nounced his withdrawal from the House days, certainly in North Carolina where race, Walker hinted that he has eyes on in 2016Sen. Richard Burr announced the Senate, telling Fox News personality his eventual retirement in 2022, a few Neil Cavuto that he’s been encouraged months before he won re-election. to run for Burr’s seat in 2022.

One gets the sense that Burr’s retreat That’s a big shift from the convencomes from a place of apprehension tional wisdom, that had Walker trying about the direction of his party and his to primary Sen. Thom Tillis, who is up own place in it. During his 2010 re-elecfor re-election in 2020 and with whom tion campaign, Burr proclaimed: “No one the party faithful have become less than can get to the right of me.” Nowadays, enamored. the chair of the Senate Select CommitTillis has the lowest approval ratings of tee on Intelligence comes across to the anyone in Congress, according to an OcGOP base as weak coffee that’s sat out tober poll, at 33 percent, with 38 percent too long. Still, Burr will be a reliable party straight-up disapproving of everything vote when the impeachhe does, which is saying ment trial begins. something because he Rep. Mark Walker, who doesn’t do all that much.

Tillis has the announced on Monday But thus far, he’s runlowest approval that he would not seek rening unencumbered by a election in the redistricted ratings of anyone primary challenger — NC 6th District — Too many GOP insider Garland in Congress Democrats! — plays a difTucker had filed to run ferent game. against him but decided Walker rose through the against it at the last mintea party and Conservatives for Guilford ute, even after raising $1.3 million for the County, which formed at the church campaign. Presumptive challenger Sandy where he was the minister of music. He Smith has yet to file. won the seat once held by Howard CoTillis, whom Politico named as “Trump’s ble in 2014, handily defeating Democrat new best friend” in November, seems Laura Fjeld in the district cut just for him. to have some protection as he heads But even though he’s represented most into his November race against likely of Greensboro for his entire political Democrat challenger Cal Cunningham career, he knows he can’t win in the new — enough so that Walker, who could cut, which gathers the cities of Greenscertainly raise enough funds to mount a boro and Winston-Salem together in one primary challenge, would rather wait two district for the first time. years than go against the grand plan.

B

Puzzles

Mary’s Gourmet Diner — 723 N. Trade St., WS marysgourmetdiner.net Serving breakfast and more for nearly two decades, the biscuits here are the stuff of legend. Big, tall, fluffy and golden with nooks and crannies perfect for dabs of butter and schmears of jam, the layers of buttery goodness are often accented with seasonal pumpkin and whipped, flavored butters. While owner Mary Haglund has taken a step back from the kitchen and is

Shot in the Triad

Country BBQ — 4012 W Wendover Ave., GSO country-bbq.com No, that isn’t a hamburger bun you just ordered. It’s your tenderloin on a biscuit so huge, you mistook it for a bun. Known for its Lexington-style barbecue, ribs and 1970s decor, the breakfast biscuits at this barbecue joint just may be the best thing on the menu. Do yourself a favor and add sausage gravy to your next biscuit order.

Scrambled Southern Diner

— 2417 Spring Garden St., GSO, scrambledgreensboro.com Served with most breakfast and brunch menu entrées, the biscuits here are large and in charge. The crumb is soft and light in a way that only a buttermilk biscuit can be described. Split one in half and NIKKI MILLER-KA Flaky, buttery and easy to eat, biscuits are a staple of the as the steam rises from it, sink South. your teeth into its ethereal middle.

Here’s a pro tip: The next time you order eggs Benedict, ask to substitute a biscuit for the Biscuitville — Triad-wide, biscuitville.com English muffin. You’re welcome.

I feel safe putting this regional chain on this list because all of the locations are company-owned. Serving Acadia Foods —228 W Acadia Ave., WS biscuits for more than 50 years, the best part is being Full of vegetarian and vegan-friendly bravado, the able to watch the biscuits being rolled out and cut right biscuits at this Washington Park outpost have a crispy, in the store. Known for its biscuit sandwiches and a crunchy exterior that gives way to dozens of layers. closing time of 2 p.m. each day, the ultimate biscuit can These square-shaped beauties get topped with crispy be found here, stacked high with freshly cracked eggs panko-crusted chicken cutlets and Slappy’s Chicken’s and breakfast meats with a flair of local products like vermillion-hued signature sauce on Sundays when the Cheerwine and honey from Winston-Salem based Goldneighborhood chicken shack is closed. It’s truly a hypering Farms. local marriage of neighborhood gems.

Moose Café — 2914 Sandy Ridge Rd., Colfax, eatat Sticks and Stones Clay Oven Pizza — 2200 themoosecafe.com Walker Ave., GSO, sticksandstonesclayoven.com A staple at the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market in Biscuits from a pizza place? You bet. It’s almost like Colfax, this popular spot is known for their cathead a super-special, secret menu achievement is unlocked biscuits. While large and fluffy and served in multitudes at this popular Lindley Park spot. The breakfast biscuits to your table, it’s the house-made apple butter that are served only on Saturdays. As a bonus, the Corner accompanies these giants that is the real draw. Sold Farmers Market takes place in the parking lot so it’s in 16-ounce jars, there’s nothing like taking a bag of easy to migrate inside for a biscuit sandwich or an egg biscuits and some apple butter home for a late-night platter. The cylindrical, fluffy, buttery biscuits here are snack. baked in the signature clay oven.

Culture

Don’t be discouraged by the cars wrapping around the parking lot or the line snaking out of the door. This High Point outlet is worth the wait. Each biscuit is best held with two hands. Supremely buttery and soft with a light crumb and crispy exterior, it holds up to the weight of each piece of fried tenderloin, country ham and slice of cheese hanging off the sides of the enclosed biscuit.

sweetpotatoes.ws The biscuits here are the unsung heroes of this menu. The sweetpotato biscuits are small, soft, fluffy, lightly accented with spice (think more cinnamon and nutmeg than pepper), and are more than just pieces of bread to sop up potlikker and to pair with the soup of the day. Used as a base for the sweet-potato hot brown at lunch (sliced turkey, mushrooms, tomatoes, cheese sauce topped with crumbled bacon) or served in diminutive form with molasses and butter at dinner, these biscuits are always a treat.

Opinion

Biscuit Factory — 2103 Kirkwood St., HP

Sweet Potatoes, A Restaurant — 607 N. Trade St., WS,

News

Krankies Café — 211 E Third St., WS krankiescoffee. com Arguably the home of the best chicken biscuit in Winston-Salem, the plain biscuit is just as glorious as it’s fowl-mouthed cousin. The edges are dark-golden brown while the inside has structured layers that hold up to the heft of deep-fried meats, eggs and sausage or mushroom gravy, or a light sprinkling of Texas Pete and honey.

currently reveling in retirement, on rare occasions you may still find her rolling out and cutting biscuits using locally milled flours.

Up Front

iscuits made in the South are unlike any other in the world. The soft, winter wheat grown here is the key to the flour used to make the edible disks of flaky, buttery glory. Lard, vegetable shortening, whole butter and a very hot

by Nikki Miller-Ka oven are the only additional ingredients needed to create the perfect biscuit. Some biscuits were left off the class roster because while they look good, they are otherwise unremarkable. This list includes biscuits from places known for their biscuits with a few surprises in the mix. Not only do plain biscuits from each place stand on their own without accompaniment, they taste good and look good too.

Some are made with unique ingredients, all are consistent across the board, and none are made with a packaged biscuit mix. Size does not matter much when it comes to choosing your favorite bodacious bundles of baked biscuits, but taste will always tell.

Dec. 19-26, 2019

Nik Snacks Rising stars: The Triad’s ultimate biscuit list

11

Dec. 19-26, 2019 Up Front News Opinion Culture Shot in the Triad Puzzles

12

CULTURE A/perture’s Street Side Cinema brings short films to the masses

by Sayaka Matsuoka

A

giant sculptural net that appears to hang out of the sky. A series of meticulously created murals. Bright red smokestacks that release clouds of water vapor. The prevalence of public art in the Triad has increased in the past decade, bringing about a fresh new look on old abandoned plots of land and faded walls.

And yet, it’s rare to see examples of film as public art. A new project at a/perture in Winston-Salem aims to fill the gap.

Flashes of action blare across a screen that’s nestled inside the independent cinema’s storefront window. A handful of stools congregate in front of the scene and a curtain adds to the display.

“There’s 1.3 million people that walk past our window on Fourth Street over the course of a year,” says Lawren Desai, the founder and head curator of a/perture. “We have something that we can contribute.”

They used to just run trailers in the window, but Desai says that film can be just as engaging as a street mural or a sculpture in the park.

“There’s a whole push for public art and we thought about how films could play a role in that,” she says.

The project, which has been aptly titled “Street Side Cinema,” kicked off this past summer and opened with a slew of short films from all over the world, handpicked by the cinema’s staff from thousands of submissions. All of the films are considered short films and the average run time of an entire program is about 20 minutes.

The upcoming program of short films runs the gamut from inventive animation to 60-second microshorts; all were created by women.

In collaboration with The Future of Film is Female, an organization that supports female filmmakers, a/perture will be screening six films in its front window, starting on Dec. 20. The theater was initially sent eight pieces and narrowed it down to the six, with the help of high-school girls from a/perture’s after-school program, Girls + Screen.

“We watched them and then rated them after each viewing,” says Gray Gordon, a/perture’s education and special programming coordinator. “Then we had discussions after each one and then moved onto the next one.”

Gordon says he was surprised at which films the girls gravitated towards.

While the microshorts by Kristine

Director A.V. Rockwell’s short “Feathers” follows the surreal story of Elizier, a young boy who gets placed in a home for “lost boys.”

FILM SCREENSHOT

Gerolaga manage to pack a punch in just a minute — telling “It allows for more freedom of expression,” he says. “The the story of a reunion between sisters or a spoof about the films have to grab viewers but also give them the narrative aftermath of a couple on a Jimmy Kimmel skit — Gordon says punch and satisfaction that a longer film might have.” the girls’ favorite submission was the longest of them all.

Other pieces in the program deal with lighter subject mat“Feathers,” a fantastical film that follows a young black boy ter. who gets sent to a “school for lost boys,” spans 20 minutes “Spell of the West,” by Sam Lane, imagines the dreamy, and is arguably the darkest piece in the program. jewel-toned world of a lone female farmer who tends to her Created by up-and-coming director AV Rockwell, the film cacti in the middle of a desert day after day. A bit “Adventure has been called “a love letter to black boys” and delves into Time”-esque in style, the short follows the protagonist who, the effects of institutionalized racism and trauma. Subtle with the help of her horse and woodland friends, has to track hues of blues and greens and vibrant reds soak the screen as down a villain who chopped down her precious trees. protagonists follow Elizier as he “We don’t have the opportunavigates his new life within the nity to show a lot of short films boarding school’s walls. Elehere so this I think is a really cool This set of short films will run in the ments of surrealism evidenced way to target that audience,” DeStreet Side window from Dec. 20 until in the way the film is shot, to the sai says. “Especially the younger mid-January. To learn more about Street slightly ominous orchestral track audiences and introducing people in the background create a dystoto the art of film.”

Side Cinema, visit aperturecinema.com/ pian feel. The work teeters back Rain or shine, the films run on street-side-cinema and forth from Elizier’s present a loop in the theater’s window day to snippets of a happier past and a program tacked onto the with his dad who, it is revealed wall shows viewers what they’re towards the end of the film, was killed in a traffic stop by powatching. Desai says the project is a win-win because it allows lice. (Rockwell has said in interviews that she was inspired to people the opportunity to interact with film more and for create the film after the shooting of Philando Castile). creators to get more exposure for their work.

Gordon says that short films are the perfect medium to “It’s really great to see,” Desai says. “There are so many display in the window not only because of how easily they can people making films and they just them to be seen.” be consumed, but also because of how unique they are.

by Savi Ettinger

I

’d like to invite you to take off your shoes,” an artist known by A. Litaker says. “Go ahead and find a space on the floor, and lie

Up Front News Opinion Culture

LeDarius Parker leads a piece called “Human Nature” during a showcase for the NC Dance Project’s residency program.

SAVI ETTINGER

Puzzles

shop a collaboration called “Love Notes from the Skeletons in entire crew of dancers.

My Closet,” Reddish offered the audience a lighter note. Prior “It’s the first piece I get to do that I feel is really open creto her dance, she holds up a bundle atively,” he says. of papers — passes from a nearby Each half of the crew takes to a parking deck, which Reddish drew side of the room. One half, decked For more information on the Dance on. Each image Reddish has interout in neon and patterns dances preted into a movement. sporadically, moving unpredictably Project, visit danceproject.org .

“I call it noodling and doodling,” and intensely. The other makes each Reddish says. small gesture purposeful, wearing A series of high-energy spins, head-to-toe black. Parker set the jumps and steps begins to calm as she falls back. Once on the story as a tale of going against societal norms and assimilaground, she raises her arms up, forming a 90-degree angle. tion.

She snaps. A roll brings her back to the starting position, “Human Nature,” Parker explains, also confirms his aim to hands in the air. She snaps again. produce a larger hip-hop fantasy show titled Fairy Kingdom, LeDarius Parker used his time at the residency to test out which he hopes to take to New York City. He says the semester a form new to him — theatrical dance. During the show, he allowed him to balance his street dance background with the moves the chairs, making a runway that leaves two open areas dance-studio world. on each end of the studio. These serve as the stages for his “Being from both worlds,” he says, “I hear both sides of the 21-minute long piece — “Human Nature” — which involves an story and can bring both worlds together.”

Shot in the Triad

down.”

Audience members lower themselves to the ground, a few sharing hesitant glances before removing their coats and boots and joining in. Soon they cover the floor space of Studio 323 in the Greensboro Cultural Center. They each connect their backs to the floor, knees up and heels flat, as guided by Litaker. She asks them to immerse themselves more, covering their eyes and really assessing their bodies.

The routine contrasts with what most would expect from a dance performance, but Litaker and her somatic exercises open the Dance Project’s Artist in Residence Showcase on a recent Friday night. The evening featured four dancers: Litaker, along with Dylan Reddish, Anne Edwards, and LeDarius Parker, sharing a culmination of their practices from the past semester. The four, along with Tarayjah Hoey-Gordon, were granted use of the studios for the past semester as part of their residency.

Now in its fourth semester, the program offers a chance for dancers and choreographers at any stage in their careers and from all disciplines to use the studio space for free. As artists in residence, they work without parameters or financial pressure, allowing them the opportunity to fine-tune and workshop pieces in progress, begin large projects, and experiment.

Anne Edwards, fresh from matriculation at Hollins University over the summer, used her first space outside of academia to find her own footing. The months brought her introspection, a theme she hoped to convey in what she calls the Grey Shirt Series.

“It was instrumental in creating my own artistic process,” she says.

Edwards begins with a look off into the distance, past the crowd, as sounds of static ring out over the speakers. She vaults each arm over her head, circling her shoulders. She spins into a kneeling position, hands tense. Each finger opens and closes from her fist, her gaze regarding each digit as she works through both hands. The white noise continues, leaving both viewers, as well as the dancer herself, nothing to think about other than the movement.

After using much of her time to work-

Dec. 19-26, 2019

CULTURE Creative process in motion at Dance Project’s artist showcase

13

Dec. 19-26, 2019

Fifth Avenue, Greensboro

Shot in the Triad

Culture

Opinion

News

Up Front

SHOT IN THE TRIAD

Residents of Dunleath Historic Neighborhood bring holiday cheer to their neighbors during their annual caroling stroll. Happy Holidays, everyone!

PIZZERIA

Puzzles

L’ITALIANO

14

Large 1-topping pizza

11

$

99

Good through 1/5/20

Monday – Thursday

Recycle this paper.

WE !

DELIVER

4-cheese pizza

10

$

99

Order online at pizzerialitaliano.net

CAROLYN DE BERRY

every Tuesday, all day

219 S Elm Street, Greensboro • 336-274-4810

by Matt Jones

EVENTS

Every Tuesday

Jon Walters and Special Guests

Every Thursday Open Mic Night

Friday Dec. 20th The Dune Sea

Saturday Dec. 21st

Up Front

Ray walrus & Son

Friday Dec. 27th Big dumb hick

©2018 Jonesin’ Crosswords

(editor@jonesincrosswords.com)

News

602 S Elam Ave • Greensboro

Answers from previous publication.

(336) 698-3888

Opinion Culture Shot in the Triad Puzzles

Across 1 Tres ___ cake 7 Dangerous reptiles 11 Indicted Giuliani associate Parnas 14 Breathe out 15 Monument Valley state 16 Windows file extension 17 100% correct 18 It may be an acquired taste 20 Comment about a loud blockbuster after thinking it was a Chaplin movie?

22 “___ Tu” (1974 hit song) 23 Shoe bottom 24 “Nailed It!” host Nicole 26 Mountain suffix ©2017 Jonesin’ Crosswords (editor@jonesincrosswords.com) 27 Permit 29 “Beefy” Trogdor feature 31 Academic URL ender 32 Fake device 34 “Where did ___ leave off?”

36 Phrase you won’t hear from me or other solvers?

39 Winding 41 Den-izens?

42 Planned Airbnb event in 2020 Answers from last issue 43 Throw in 46 “A Dream Within a Dream” writer 13 “Oy ___!”

47 “Charlie’s Angels” director, 2000 19 Summer cookout leftover 50 “That ___ funny” 21 Aperture setting on a camera 52 Island with Pearl Harbor 25 9-to-5 grind 54 Country singer McCann 27 “Threepenny Opera” star Lotte 55 Like the most lenient newspaper ever?

28 “Baudolino” author Umberto 59 Word before band or papers 30 Creator of Piglet and Pooh 60 2001 A.L. MVP Suzuki 32 Driver’s license agcy.

61 Pint at a pub 33 “The King and I” star Brynner 62 Service rank 35 “___ Miserables” 63 Home-___ (local athlete) 36 Hematite and pyrite 64 “That’s it” 37 Close, as a jacket 65 Steering wheel adjunct 38 Exhibit site 66 Finely decorated 39 10% of MXX 40 High-end Down 44 Two-ended tile 1 Apartment renter 45 De Niro’s wife in “Meet the Parents” 2 Become invalid 47 Smallest possible quantities 3 Irascibility 48 Bordeaux red wine 4 Has no love for 49 Aplenty 5 Tesla CEO Musk 51 “American Chopper” network 6 Airmailed 53 Hulkamania figure 7 Pub quiz round format, maybe 54 “Mean Girls” actress Lindsay 8 “A Streetcar Named Desire” shout 56 “Trouble’s in store” 9 Four-time Masters champion 57 “Mambo King” Puente 10 It’s between the knee and the ankle 58 “Happy Birthday” writer 11 2020, for one 59 Indy 500 month 12 Goes beyond

SUDOKU

Dec. 19-26, 2019

CROSSWORD ‘Alphabet Run’—the quick part of the song

15