TCB Dec. 10, 2020 — Plants With Soul by Triad City Beat

Greensboro / Winston-Salem / High Point Dec. 10-16, 2020 triad-city-beat.com

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PLANTS WITH SOUL Winston-Salem’s Tré Shawn Legette drops a hassle-free vegan cookbook. PAGE 12

Guilty in Graham PAGE 6

Cherie’s last insult PAGE 10

‘Genesis’ animated short PAGE 13

Included in this issue: 2020 Holiday Gift Guide

Dec. 10-16, 2020

EDITOR’S NOTEBOOK

A light goes out on Walker Avenue

he died fast, And there was something else: We both I heard, and came to Greensboro by choice, in the she died prime of our lives, looking for something… happy. And better. And we agreed that a perch behind I know she left the bar was as good a place to start as any. with no regrets, The city was different then, and we took because that’s just it upon ourselves to make it into the kind how she was. But of place we wanted it to be. My aspiraby Brian Clarey Greensboro was tions were professional. Hers were strictly better with her in it, so I suspect we’ll feel personal. Leigh was interested in buildthe emptiness for a while. ing a community, a cadre of like-minded I met Leigh Hathaway when times were folks who could build each other up, lean good – at least I thought on each other when they they were: her slinging needed to, celebrate when drinks behind the bar at it’s called for. Always listened, Solaris, me stopping in one She always listened; she never judged; and or two (or maybe three) never judged; and she times a week for scotch always seemed to pop she seemed to pop and fellowship. up in the times when you up when you It was 20 years ago needed her most. needed her most. and we were young then, Our lives changed and though we didn’t feel then diverged, yet still our young, and if someone paths would cross — at called us that we were quick to take ofthe farmers market, on the street, at the fense. We had lived, dammit, before we coffeeshop, and those times I dared poke acquiesced to our own versions of “setmy head into the bars on Walker Avenue I tling down.” used to love so well. We were both married then, with full She smiled. She always smiled. houses of children, hers a couple clicks Now, I ache along with the rest of her older than mine. I had just quit tending of long-termers, lost souls and those just bar and she was just getting going. We passing through. She was always there for recognized one another the moment we us, and there’s nothing we can do for her. met.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK You tried to hit my child with a freaking car. You tried to jump the curb and hit her.

— Faith Cook pg. 6

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 jordan@triad-city-beat.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Sayaka Matsuoka sayaka@triad-city-beat.com

1451 S. Elm-Eugene St. Box 24, Greensboro, NC 27406 Office: 336.256.9320 COVER: SPECIAL SECTION EDITOR Nikki Miller-Ka Tré Shawn Legette’s vegan soul niksnacksblog@gmail.com food brings comfort to the EDITORIAL INTERN Michaela Ratliff discipline. [Cover design by Robert ART Paquette] ART DIRECTOR Robert Paquette robert@triad-city-beat.com SALES

KEY ACCOUNTS Drew Dix

drew@triad-city-beat.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Carolyn de Berry, Matt Jones

Dec. 10-16, 2020

CITY LIFE Dec. 10-13 by Michaela Ratliff

THURSDAY Dec. 10

Up Front

Gift Shop Holiday Hours @ Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts (W-S) 9 a.m.

Winter Wonder Wander and Holiday Thrift Shop @ 650 W. Sixth Street (WS) 7 p.m. Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance presents Winter Wonder Wander, a series of vignettes of scenes designed to bring nostalgia and familiarity during this time of uncertainty. Admission is $5 per person. Kona Ice will also be in attendance serving Kona Kocoa.

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SATURDAY Dec. 12

Opinion

Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts is extending its gift shop hours to 8 p.m. on Thursdays this holiday season so you can get some shopping done. You can also shop online at ShopCommunityArts.org. Family Fun Day Ornament Painting @ Mad Splatter (GSO) 5 p.m. Join Mad Splatter for a creative, familyfriendly evening with ornament painting. For more info, visit the event page.

Santa at the Point @ Truist Point (HP) 9 a.m. Vann York Chevrolet and High Point Rockers Baseball have organized a socially distanced visit with Santa at the stadium. All who plan to attend must purchase a $5 ticket. All process from ticket sales will benefit the United Way of Greater High Point. To purchase tickets, visit the event page.

Culture Shot in the Triad Puzzles

Overnight Success Can Release @ Wise Man Brewing (W-S) 2 p.m.

Wise Man Brewing is excited to announce the release of its newest sour. Overnight Success features flavors of cherry, pineapple, vanilla and lactose.

SUNDAY Dec. 13

The Polar Express @ the Carolina Theatre (GSO) 3 p.m.

Holiday Bop N’ Paint @ Lindley Recreation Center (GSO) 10 a.m.

Join the Carolina Theatre for this screening of The Polar Express, the tale of a young boy’s adventurous train ride to the North Pole. To purchase tickets, visit the Carolina Theatre’s website.

Children ages 6-8 are invited to enjoy music and unleash their holiday creativity on their own canvas. Registration is $5 and can be done in person at Lindley or online.

6th annual John Henry’s Friends Benefit Concert for Autism (Online) 7:30 p.m. Musician, author, playwright and activist Steve Earle in partnership with Luck Productions and City Winery is hosting this virtual benefit concert. All donations will directly go to the Keswell School, an educational program for children and young adults with autism. RSVP on the event page.

FRIDAY Dec. 11

Toy Drive @ Servpro of Greensboro North (GSO) 8:30 a.m. Servpro, in partnership with Pinecroft Sedgefield Fire Department, Pleasant Garden Fire Department and Southeast Volunteer Fire Department is collecting unwrapped toy donations for children in need this Christmas. Check out Amazon for a list of suggested donations. Visit the event page for drop off locations.

Mistletoe Brunch @ Famous Toastery (W-S) 11 a.m. The Winston-Salem Jaycees invite you wear your ugly Christmas sweater and come out to celebrate the holidays with Mistletoe Brunch! This event is limited to 15 people, so email Missy Hunter at mhunter@wsjaycees.org to reserve your space.

(As of Wednesday, Dec. 9, compared to last week)

625 North Trade ST. Winston-Salem NC, 27101

Dec. 10-16, 2020

Coronavirus in the Triad:

Documented COVID-19 diagnoses 383,408 (+16,018)

Forsyth

15,134 (+1,596)

Guilford County

16,404 (adjustment)

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News

COVID-19 deaths NC

5,661 (+372)

Forsyth

173 (+7)

Guilford

259 (+20) Opinion

Documented recoveries 341,041 (+25,062)

Forsyth

12,195 (+1,053)

Guilford

14,547 (+1,003)

Culture

Current cases 36,706 (adjustment)

Forsyth

2,766 (+536)

Guilford

1,596 (+421)

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Hospitalizations (right now) 2,440 (+407)

Forsyth

99 (+26)

Guilford

188 (+25)

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336.893.8118

www.cheesecakesbyalex.com

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Dec. 10-16, 2020

NEWS

Woman pleads guilty to assault with deadly weapon after aiming truck at two 12-year-old girls by Jordan Green

52-year-old woman who swerved her truck at two 12-year-old girls in Graham last August pleaded guilty to two counts of misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon in Alamance County court today, and a judge sentenced her to two consecutive 60-day sentences suspended with 12 months probation. The suspended sentences and probation is conditioned on Sandrea Brazee obtaining a mental-health and angermanagement evaluation and following treatment recommendations, District Attorney Sean Boone said. Other conditions are that she have no contact with the victims and their families, and pay court costs and a $1,000 fine. The case highlights ongoing concerns about racially skewed law enforcement and justice in Alamance County. Brazee is white; the two girls that she victimized are Black and Latinx. Faith Cook, the mother of one of the girls, is a one of 12 Black activists known as the “Graham 12” who were arrested when police pepper-sprayed and disrupted a march to the polls on Oct. 31. Cook faces a misdemeanor riot charge. Brazee was initially charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, but after the Alamance County District Attorney’s office assigned a staff investigator to conduct a follow-up investigation, a grand jury failed to return an indictment. The district attorney reduced Brazee’s felony charges to the misdemeanor charges to which she ultimately pleaded. In a Facebook livestream shortly after the Aug. 21 incident, Cook described how her daughter, Aishah Huru, and her daughter’ friend, Gianna Corpenzano, were walking home from a store when Brazee took offense at them and started yelling at them. “She calls them ‘Black hoes,’” Cook said in the livestream. “My daughter got scared so she turned around. She told her friend: ‘Let’s just go back in the other direction. We’ll just walk the long way back, because I’m scared. I don’t want to be walking the way that she’s going’ — the way the lady’s going. So, they turn around to walk back to the store. And the lady turns around — it’s a U-turn — and comes back, speeds up,

jumps the curb to where they are and tries to hit them. Now, with their reflexes, they jump back. Had they not jumped back, she probably would have run both of them over.” Boone told Triad City Beat in an interview on Monday that based on the follow-up investigation by the district attorney’s office, he determined that the facts only supported the misdemeanor charge and that he did not see evidence of intent to kill. Following the sentencing on Tuesday, Boone provided TCB with a written summary of the case acknowledging that, after a verbal exchange with the girls, Brazee turned around and drove back towards them. The girls “saw the truck coming in their direction very quickly” JORDAN Faith Cook (right) and Angela Corpenzano address supporters on Tuesday morning before attending a sentencing for a woman who pleaded guilty to vehicular assault against their daughters. GREEN and “the truck came quickly into the driveway,” stopping what you were about to do.” very young, are to be commended for about nine feet from a dumpster that The case summary provided by Boone their courage and honesty during this one of the girls had run behind; the also references one of the girls telling investigation,” he said. “After having other girl ran behind a van. The incident the other that Brazee used a racial slur, time to recall events in a safe manner was witnessed by Graham police Officer but says the girl who made the statement later, the victims provided detailed stateA. Cabanillas, who described Brazee in “later stated she was not certain of what ments that allowed justice to be done for her police report as making an “overt the defendant said.” them, the defendant, and the community and aggressive” right turn into a public Boone told TCB in an email that the at large.” vehicular area in front of the two girls. reason he brought in a second investigaDuring a rally attended by about 40 The case summary also reports that the tor was to determine whether there was people across the street from the Historic girls told the district attorney’s investievidence to support ethnic intimidation Courthouse where Brazee’s sentencing gator that they were both scared and charges. took place, Aishah’s mother said the were afraid that Brazee was going to Jamie Paulen, an attorney who repvehicular assault upended her child’s run over one of the girls. The prosecuresented Aisha as a victim’s advocate, life. Prior to the incident, Aishah had tors concluded: “Although the evidence told TCB that Aishah “backed down signed up with a company in Charlotte shows that the defendant stopped her from the claim that [Brazee] said ‘Black to pursue acting. truck by her own accord and did so some hoes.’ “It just put a dent in her,” Faith Cook distance short of striking the victims, the “If there was a backing down, I said. “She didn’t want to leave; she conduct and relevant case law, while not don’t think it reflects the truth,” Paulen couldn’t leave the house. For three weeks supporting ‘intent to kill,’ clearly satisfies added. “I think there’s a possibility the she would not go outside. A child who the requirements” for the misdemeanor girls thought they were going to get in stays outside doing TikTok videos all day. assault with a deadly weapon charges. trouble. They were mouthy — they’re I was saying, ‘Lord have mercy! No more “You tried to hit my child with a freakteenagers.” TikTok videos, please!’ But at that point ing car,” Cook said in her livestream the The investigator interviewed both girls I was begging for her to go outside. ‘Do day of the incident. “You tried to jump outside of their parents’ presence, coma TikTok video.’ And she just couldn’t the curb and hit her. You purposely, pounding the families’ distrust of law do it. She couldn’t bring herself to go intentionally — and it’s damn near enforcement and the court system. outside because she was scared to be in attempted murder…. You went up the In an email to TCB, Boone characher own front yard. She was scared to street and made a U-turn and came back terized the alleged racial epithet as an be in her own backyard in the summer. with the intentions of jumping the curb “inaccurate narrative that had developed Kids love to be outside. So, I want them to hit two girls. So how is that not — on social media and the news.” to understand that this is what they took because at the time you went and turned “To be clear, both victims, although your car around, you pre-meditated Cont. on pg. 8

Dec. 10-16, 2020 Up Front

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Cont. from pg. 6

from her. But they can’t keep it. They can’t keep that from her.” Cook read aloud from a letter written by Aishah that she planned to read on her daughter’s behalf at the hearing. Aishah said in her letter that she has gone into therapy because of the incident, and was diagnosed with PTSD. “Now, let’s get started on my opinion about the case,” Aishah wrote. “Honestly, I feel like there’s no justice at all because I could go out and do something simple like go out walking with a friend to the store to get some snacks and basically to be killed because of my skin tone. We all know if there’s no justice, there’s no peace. So, you’re telling me that Ms. Brazee could basically get a slap on the wrist for trying to hit two 12-year-old girls with a big truck, but if it was me, as an older or younger adult — because from y’all’s actions, it doesn’t even matter — but if I were able to or almost try to hit two 12-year-old girls, you already know that I would have at least [faced] attempted murder charge and face jail time of some sort.” Angela Carpenzano, the mother of Gianna, also spoke at the rally, but said her daughter chose to not write a statement for the court. “She voices to me on a daily basis that she doesn’t feel that she’s heard,” Carpenzano said, as blaring horns from passing vehicles periodically drowned her out. “She doesn’t feel that anything she has to say to the police department, the district attorney or anything is relevant. She doesn’t feel that her voice matters to anybody….” After Brazee’s arrest, she was released on condition that she have no contact with any child under 18 years old except a grandchild. On Sept. 11, a judge signed an order modifying the conditions to allow her contact with two grandchildren, ages 9 and 11. Brazee’s court records list her employer as Kindercare Inc., a daycare provider in Chapel Hill. Paulen said she believes Brazee mostly likely lost her job as a result of the bond conditions, and doubts she will be able to work with children again with two assault convictions on her record. Cook said she and Carpenzano did not receive an apology from Brazee during the sentencing. “I hoped that she would address the parents; she didn’t,” Cook said. “She said she replays that moment every day, and wishes she would have kept going. She didn’t apologize. Does that mean you’re not sorry for what you did, just sorry you got caught?”

Cook said she will likely continue to seek justice through a civil lawsuit. Reporters were barred from attending the hearing by order of Judge Fred Wilkins. Carli Brosseau, a reporter with the News & Observer, approached a sheriff’s deputy to request the opportunity to appear before Judge Wilkins. The deputy returned and said the judge had turned down the request. When a reporter for TCB attempted to enter the courthouse, the same deputy said the judge had already turned down the previous request. Shortly before the 11 a.m. hearing, Tom Boney, publisher of the conservative weekly Alamance News, appeared at the courthouse with a formal objection drafted by attorney Amanda Martin on JORDAN GREEN Publisher Tom Boney walks from the Historic Alamance County Courthouse to the Alamance News office under a bailiff’s escort. behalf of his newspaper, along with the News & treatment from local law enforcement charge for singing on a megaphone is Observer and Triad City Beat. In The in Alamance County, the newspaper’s one step under her. How the hell is that objection filed in Brazee’s case, the three coverage is perceived by many of the even possible? You try to hit my child newspapers request that the Alamance antiracist protesters as justifying police with a car and I’m facing a charge one County Court permit access to all future repression and portraying protesters in a step under you for singing on a megaproceedings. negative light. Protesters led by the Rev. phone? This is the system that we’re Boney was allowed to enter the courtGreg Drumwright announced a boycott dealing with.” house to file the objection with the clerk. against the Alamance News’ advertisers On Tuesday morning, as she stood in Afterwards, Boney said he took a seat in on Nov. 29, and protesters held up postthe spot where Wyatt Outlaw, a Black the courtroom. Boney said Judge Wilkins ers and banners to block Boney’s camera town commissioner and constable, was asked “if there was an attorney for the during the rally. lynched in 1871, Cook referenced the motion present.” After being handcuffed on Tuesday, Confederate monument that stands in Boney said he attempted to present the Boney said he was returned to the courtfront of the Historic Courthouse, where arguments in the objection, but Wilkins room, and Judge Wilkins told him he Brazee’s hearing was to take place. told him if he was not a defendant or a would not charge him with contempt of “It’s quite symbolic that we’re holdvictim, he needed to leave. court if he voluntarily left. ing the hearing at this old courthouse in “Be quiet!” Wilkins said, according The news organizations that were front of this retarded monument,” she to Boney. “Get out of this courtroom.” excluded from the hearing plan to seek said. “And we know what this monument Boney also said Wilkins gestured to the appellate review. stands for. It’s a symbol of hate. It’s a courtroom and said, “This courtroom While news organizations are fightsymbol of oppression. It’s a symbol of is not closed to the public; it is closed to ing to open the courts to the media as a saying not only do Black lives not matter, you.” raft of cases stemming from the Oct. 31 but we hung somebody and we’re going Boney said the bailiffs placed him in march come up, the stakes are different to say, ‘Their life didn’t matter and we handcuffs. for protesters. Cook said she was arrested hung them and we’re going to erect a “They were really quite rough and by Alamance County Sheriff’s Office on victorious statement of us doing that.’ claimed I was resisting when they were Oct. 31 because she was speaking on a To have our case be heard here in this twisting my arm,” Boney said. megaphone to urge people to go to the building by this monument is sickening TomasMurawski, a reporter for polls to vote and singing, “We are ready to me, but I still have a faith. We’re still Boney’s newspaper, was arrested during for change.” holding on to a little bit of faith that I the Oct. 31 protest when Graham police “This is the part that gets me: My got in this system for this case to say, ‘We pepper-sprayed the crowd, and faces a charge for singing that day is misdecan show Alamance County that even charge of misdemeanor failure to dismeanor riot,” she said on Facebook though the case was dropped to a misperse. Video of the arrest shows one of Live on Monday evening. “The defendemeanor, now is our chance to let them the officers forcefully jerking Murawski’s dant’s charge who tried to hit my child know that Black lives do matter.’” arms behind his back. While Murawski is assault with a deadly weapon…. My and now Boney have experienced rough

Guilford BOE dismisses Branson’s protest of election results By Sayaka Matsuoka

Dec. 10-16, 2020

Up Front News Opinion

Incumbent Alan Branson, who fell short by 72 votes against challenger Mary Beth Murphy in the Guilford County Commission District 4 race, says he will now appeal to the State Board of Elections.

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chosen new leadership,” Murphy wrote. “We were ahead on election night, at the end of the canvass and following the recount, which netted us two additional votes. I am confident that the work of our local board of elections followed the directions of the state board and that every ballot being contested by Mr. Branson was rightfully counted according to the law.” Murphy went on to say she has hired a lawyer to make sure that every vote gets counted properly and that she looks forward to serving on the county commission. “I am grateful for the tireless effort of the Guilford County Board of Elections to administer this election with the utmost integrity,” she said. “I look forward to serving my District 4 constituents on the county commission.” Murphy’s win would increase the board’s new Democratic majority from 6-4 to 7-3. On Monday, Democrats Carly Cooke who won Jeff Phillips’ District 5 seat and James Upchurch who won Hank Henning’s District 6 seat, were sworn in during the county commissioners meeting.

Shot in the Triad

tions from Dec. 4, Guilford County Eleccalendar days of the executive director’s tions Director Charlie Collicutt stated administrative dismissal recommendathe following: “Protests are not common, tion, no State Board member interposes but we do see them in close elections.” an objection, the protest appeal will be Guilford County Attorney Mark dismissed.” Payne said that because Branson filed If the State Board of Elections a protest, the results of the race cannot dismisses Branson’s appeal, he may be certified until the then appeal to the protest is resolved Superior Court of ‘We count these ballots and that a candidate Wake County within cannot take office and do it in a transparent 10 days of the State until the election is Board’s decision, acway. There is a one-tocertified. cording to the rules. According to the In previous inone ratio. I’m not worried North Carolina State terviews with TCB, about our office being Board of Elections Collicutt expressed election protest confidence in the abflooded by fraudulent guide, Branson may sentee vote-by-mail ballots.’ now appeal the process. county’s decision “This is a good – Charlie Collicutt, Guilford to the state board. way to vote,” he said. County elections director Then, the state “We count these board can make its ballots and do it in decision based on exa transparent way. isting information provided by Branson There is a one-to-one ratio. I’m not woror it may request supplemental informaried about our office being flooded by tion from the county. fraudulent ballots.” “Frivolous or improperly filed elecMurphy said that she was confident tion protests may be administratively that the results would not change. dismissed by the executive director “At every turn in this process, we have pursuant,” the guide states. “If, after two seen that the people of District 4 have

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ary Beth Murphy is one step closer to becoming the Guilford County commissioner for District 4. On Tuesday afternoon, incumbent Republican Alan Branson lost a preliminary protest hearing for results in the District 4 county commission race against Murphy. Currently, Murphy leads Branson by 72 votes. During Tuesday’s board of elections meeting, members voted 3-2 to dismiss Branson’s protest with the Democratic members voting in favor of dismissal. While Tuesday’s decision by the board puts Murphy in a stronger position to take the seat, Branson said he plans to file an appeal with the State Board of Elections. “Fair and due process is what I am asking for on questionable absentee mail in ballots received after November 3 with various questions,” he said. The last time a similar situation happened was in 2004 between Republican incumbent Trudy Wade and her Democratic challenger John Parks in an earlier county commission race. In the 2004 election, Parks came out ahead by 89 votes after a recount of provisional ballots by the Guilford County Board of Elections. Wade refused to concede and appealed to the State Board of Elections and then the state Supreme Court when the state elections board declared Parks the winner. It wasn’t until a year and half after the election that Parks was finally able to take his seat on the county commission after the court ruled in Parks’ favor. The delay made the Guilford County Commission race the longest undecided race from the 2004 election. On election night in 2020, Murphy led Branson by 18 votes in the District 4 race. After counting absentee ballots that came in through Nov. 12 and a subsequent recount, Murphy’s lead over Branson increased to 72 votes. On Nov. 20, Branson filed a separate challenge to the election in which he alleged that 464 absentee ballots had irregularities and “lacked sufficient information to identity witness” but the State Board of Elections declined to hear the challenge because it was submitted after the deadline, according to reporting by the News & Record. On Dec. 3, Branson filed a protest with the Guilford County Board of Elections. In a statement by the board of elec-

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OPINION

EDITORIAL

Cherie Berry’s last goodbye utgoing North Carolina SecBut that’s not technically true.

retary of Labor Cherie Berry Deaths linked to COVID-19 at has been around long enough chicken- and pork-processing plants have to become a footnote in the been well documented. Restaurants and popular culture of our state. “The Elevabars have been identified as hot spots for tor Lady,” whose signature has graced the transmission. Everyone who works in the certificate of operation in every elevator prison system are extremely susceptible in the state since 2001 when she was first to infection. Can anyone think of a job elected, declined to run for a sixth term that hasn’t become more dangerous last year. Before she leaves in January, since the coronavirus descended? ceding the position to fellow Republican Perhaps it’s wrong to expect more in Josh Dobson, she had time to drop a visuch a strict right-to-work, non-union ral TikTok video, and also to state. But shouldn’t the make another in a long line secretary of labor be vested Shouldn’t the of bad decisions, hostile to in the interests of those who labor and nakedly beholden commit labor, as opposed secretary of to the business interests to those who exploit it? labor be vested that have been propping And though we all know her up since she was a state her from the elevators, or in the interests rep from 1993-2001. perhaps one of the songs of laborers? In a Nov. 9 letter that indie bands have responding to a petition written about her, Berry’s from legal and civil rights real job for all these years groups, one that requested new rules for has been protecting the chicken and workplace safety specifically written to pork plants — themselves hotbeds of address coronavirus, Berry emphatically COVID-infested droplets — and the declined, writing: “The NCDOL will not hog farms and the dwindling interests of adopt an emergency temporary standard manufacturing in NC. And that’s nothregarding SARS-CoV-2, and is denying ing a regime change can fix. Dobson, a your petition….” Republican who served four terms in the She cited a number of regulations House, gives no indication of wavering and orders that had already been put in from the party line set in 2010 when the place, then hinged her response on an GOP took over the state legislature. erroneous assertion: “[T]he virus has not It’s got nothing to do with labor. And proven likely to cause death or serious it makes one wonder just how safe those physical harm from the perspective of an elevators were in the first place. occupational hazard.”

Taste Carolina gift boxes (tastecarolina.net/shop)

Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours has put together boxes of goods from the businesses that it used to frequent on its food tours, making for a thoughtful gift for those who put trips across the state indefinitely on hold. Carefully selected options include a sampling of six downtown Greensboro restaurants and food shops. Packaged in branded reusable cooler bags, each gift is perfect for two to four bons vivants for a holiday treat no one will soon forget. Available for pickup on Saturdays at a scheduled downtown location or delivery. From $89.

Lowes Foods Cheer boxes (lowesfoods.com)

Vida Pour Tea specialty gift boxes (vidapourtea.com)

If there is a such thing as a box full of magic, you’re likely to find it in Greensboro at Vida Pour Tea. A play on the Spanish phrase vida por ti, “life for you,” the shop

will “matcha” you up with select offerings of oolong, rooibos, black, white and green teas along with herbs and add-ins like elderflower, slippery elm, cocoa nibs, turmeric and St. John’s wort. Don’t forget to add tea pots, cups and infusers to your order for a complete experience. From $18.

Holiday gift boxes from Fireweed Coffee Company (fireweedcoffeeco.com)

Now how about something for the coffee lover? Take the guesswork out of holiday giving with a sweet packaged deal sure to delight any caffeine fiend in your life. What started as a hobby and a coffee CSA program for family and friends, Fireweed Coffee is now a full-fledge business operating at the Corner Farmers Market in Greensboro every Saturday. This small-batch roaster’s beans and cold brew are served in a number of local restaurants and independent shops and recently made its debut at Bestway Grocery. Choose from boxes that include everything from high-tech electric kettles to leak-proof smart mugs, fancy tea sets, coffee grinders and monthly bean-subscription boxes. From $65.

Moravian Sugar Cake mix from Winkler Bakery at Old Salem (oldsalem.org)

Send a kit of the quintessential local holiday treat, Moravian sugar cake mix, this holiday. Straight from the 1700s, the result is a yeasty pastry that is lightly spiced with cinnamon, heavily handed with butter and brown sugar with the addition of a special secret ingredient: mashed potato flakes. While pre-made boxes of this Winston-Salem delicacy are available, your favorite novice or expert baker will enjoy making history in their kitchen in the form of cake. From $9.

Foodie Basket from Scuppernong Books (scuppernongbooks.com)

When all else fails, books are really the best gift you can send to anyone with varying levels of interest in food. The foodie basket from Scuppernong features Dirt by Bill Bluford, Anthony Bourdain: The Last Interview and Other Conversations, a Scuppernong Books branded mug, a sample tea from Vida Pour Tea and a bar of chocolate. From $75.

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Cheer Boxes feature some of the best NC food products sold at Lowes Foods grocery store locations in North and South Carolina. This Winston-Salem based outfit hand packs each box. This year, three versions of Cheer Boxes — the North Carolina Box, the South Carolina Box and the Big Box — highlight products from both Carolinas proudly. An easy, thoughtful gift for anyone, foodie or not, this one-size-fits-all box is filled with local foodstuffs like Brasstown Craft Chocolate Coffee Bark, Dewey’s Bakery Ginger Spice Moravian Cookie Thins and Sunshine Ginger Berry Energy Beverage, all from Winston-Salem. From $30.

STACEY SPRENZ PHOTOGRAPHY

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This artisanal butcher is known for custom cuts of sustainable beef, pork and poultry but the shop also has a pantry of house-made spice blends and rubs for your favorite cook’s culinary needs. Four different blends are available with names that call up geographical points in our region. Examples include: Black Mountain (a rub with activated charcoal for deep, dark crusts on smoked items); Pisgah (select dried herbs and cumin meant for poultry and lamb); and Pilot (for ribs and pork) With visible, sizable granules of salt, spices and herbs, it’s easy to see the high quality and freshness of each jar. From $10.

Open up your dearest gastronome’s palate to a great number of flavor combinations and possibilities with olive oils and vinegars from Midtown Olive Oil in Greensboro. Ranging in colors and flavors from mild and mellow to deep, languid greens with sharp spice levels, each olive oil and infused vinegar are presented with different mouthfeels and textures. Choose a dark toasted sesame, piquant chili oil or a vibrant California Cuveé olive oil to add complexity to someone’s kitchen. From $12.

Haand Cermaics, from Burlington, specializes in unique pieces.

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Smoke City Meats rubs and spice blends (smokecitymeats.com)

Midtown Olive Oil (midtownoliveoil.com)

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Fool’s Gold Honey (foolsgoldhoney.com)

Fool’s Gold Honey Company is a collection of the world’s finest honeys, curated from all corners of the Earth and bottled in Winston-Salem. Whether you are looking to create a culinary masterpiece, a smashing cocktail or to simply satisfy your sweet tooth, each honey is unique and luscious. From bourbon-infused to the spicy honey infused with NC grown Jamaican Scotch Bonnet peppers, don’t be a fool and skip over this local gift. From $8.

The kitchen is where we all spent months baking, cooking and reheating this year. All of those cookies, cakes, pies, stocks and cuts of meat have to have somewhere to go when the freezer is full and the refrigerator has no more room in the inn. An upgrade or new-to-you major kitchen appliance is not out of the question for you or your favorite foodie. Servicing the Triad for almost 50 years, Wagner Appliance is family-owned and familyfriendly. Select used and new items from freezers, refrigerators, ovens and icemakers with limited warranties and local delivery are available. From $189.

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Haand Ceramics (haand.us)

Haand specializes in handmade porcelain pottery, crafted by hand in a 13,000-square-foot factory in downtown Burlington. Each piece is unique in design and use but the quality remains consistent across every product. Dinnerware like bowls, cups, plates and other serving accessories are used in restaurants all over the world and locally too. Order online or visit the showroom to see first-Haand their beautiful, durable porcelain pottery. From $22.

Freezer from Wagner Appliance (wagnerappliance.com)

Up Front

here’s no better strategy for gift-giving than leaning into the one thing that brings people together: food. For the food enthusiast who has everything, the enterprising home chef or baker or the perpetual host with the by Nikki Miller-Ka most Instagram-worthy kitchen, there’s something on this list for everyone. There are so many ways you can help local small businesses and restaurants thrive and survive this season and into the next: Shop online, buy gift certificates and gift cards, call to place orders and verbally let the staff know you’re ready and willing to support them now and hereafter. Send a holiday care package to a loved one or to yourself, because if you can’t care for yourself, you can’t care for someone else. The current climate of physical distancing doesn’t mean that meaningful gift giving can’t foster social connections through local efforts.

Dec. 10-16, 2020

Nik Snacks Nik Snacks’ 2020 Local Foodie Holiday Gift Guide

Dec. 10-16, 2020 Up Front News Opinion Culture Shot in the Triad Puzzles

CULTURE Tré Shawn Legette of W-S drops a hassle-free vegan cookbook by Sayaka Matsuoka

t doesn’t have to be complicated. media platforms, includes That’s the message that Tré 13 recipes — in line with a Shawn Legette, a Winston-Salembaker’s dozen — and rangbased vegan home chef, has for es from stuffed peppers people trying to adopt the lifestyle. His to cornbread to Jamaican new cookbook, The Beginner’s Dozen: beef patties to peach cobRecipes for Transitioning Vegans Vol. 1, bler. The dishes have depth dropped last week and includes many of and flavor and variety Legette’s favorite vegan meals that he — it’s not just eating raw cooks for himself. vegetables, he says. “One reason why people are afraid to “It’s not just grass and go vegan is that they think they have lettuce,” he says. “You can to do so much,” Legette says. “But no, have really good food and you can cook things just like you would a good experience while regular chicken wings. I didn’t want being vegan. You’re not people to do much. If it’s too much, I’m missing out just because uninterested.” you’re vegan.” The 22-year-old grew up in Charlotte Legette says he made and has been cooking for the past it as easy as possible to decade. Initially, he says he made meals follow along so people from his childhood — soul-food favorites don’t feel overwhelmed. like fried chicken, cornbread, mac and Rather than using comcheese and fried fish. But in 2017, Legette plicated ingredients that gave up beef and pork, and then in Janucould only be found in ary of this year he made the full leap to specialty stores, Legette veganism. He says he and a friend chalprioritizes using straightlenged each other to see if they could forward foods that can be transition to a plant-based diet, inspired bought at your neighborby other Black vegans who are making a hood Walmart or Food name for themselves like Tabitha Brown Lion or an occasional trip and Sunni Speaks. As a Black male, to the local Asian market. Legette says, he wants to show that For his recipes that call for veganism isn’t just about white girls and “meat,” Legette advocates avocado toast. using popular vegan meat “It’s not expected of Black people products like Beyond or so they don’t think it’s stuff that black Impossible meats and othpeople do,” he says about the percepers you can find in stores. tion that veganism is mostly for white Legette says he learned people. “If it was about soul food, well the tools of the trade after that’s Black people all day. I feel like taking a culinary course with most things, they don’t like to give in high school. He picked Black people their credit. We’re just doup knife skills and learned ing it better.” how to incorporate difCOURTESY IMAGE Tré Shawn Legette’s vegan version of mac and cheese holds up. “I didn’t want And that’s when he started experiferent cuisines in his own people to do too much,” he says. “If it’s too much, I’m not interested.” menting with ingredients to make the kitchen. When he got to kind of homecooked meals he was used college at Winston-Salem cause there still isn’t much of a market for it in the Winstonto. State University, he ended up becoming the designated chef Salem area. “It made me among his friend group. During the “I saw people selling plates, but I never saw any vegan opa better chef pandemic, Legette, like many others, tions,” he says. “That’s how it is with the restaurant options because I had to decided to try his hand at selling plates here too. So, then I thought, I’m going to look out for the To purchase the cookbook and figure out how to of his food. He started with his vegan vegans.” make this stuff ribs and vegan pulled pork with some learn more about Tré Shawn, He hopes that by making the dishes simple, more people taste like meat,” cinnamon rolls. will see veganism as an accessible lifestyle. check out @flavahutfoods he says, “and how “People were like, ‘Oh my god, this “All of the recipes are from the heart,” he says. “It’s a guideon Instagram and Flava Hut to do it without is so good, I can’t believe it’s vegan,’” book; you don’t have to do everything exactly the way I do it. Foods LLC on Facebook. sacrificing flavor. Legette says. “I didn’t expect people to Take it and make it your own; put a little twist on it. I just want It broadened my embrace my food as much as they did.” people to enjoy cooking and don’t take it too seriously.” horizons as a Legette says he saw an improvement chef.” in his overall health after transitionThe cookbook, which is available for ing — more water intake, losing weight, eating more fruits and digital download from Legette’s social veggies — and that he wanted to promote vegan eating be-

By Michaela Ratliff

Up Front News Opinion

God is female in this version of Genesis, created by former A&T journalism professor Philip Page, with a little help from far-flung friends.

COURTESY IMAGE

Shot in the Triad Puzzles

ed for everybody, I think.” Page ventured into filmmaking after realizing that audio The small group of creators never met face-to-face durrecording and mixing, the same things he does while deejaying the creation of the film. Occasionally, Page would tap ing, are involved in the process. He cites a love for two-dimeninto Dixon’s computer via screensharing to assist with audio sional animation, such as anime, as inspiration for the film’s recording. He further eased the process by sending recording style. He opted to keep his own work as simple as possible for equipment to the talent. Page emailed the unfinished film to “Genesis” since creating the visuals was a one-man show. Ferguson to start on the score. “You don’t want a more daunting Once she viewed the project, she found animation process if you’re doing it by the silence of the film to be quite loud. yourself,” he says. “It was so moving without any music, In true professor form, he says he’s left A public release date without any sound at all,” she says. the ending up for interpretation, influencfor ‘Genesis’ is TBD. She even consulted her own “Genesis” ing viewers to create their own. for help with the score. “It’s kind of like people playing with To learn more, visit “I prayed over it and I wanted to create toys,” he says. “Some people make up something that would complement what their own interpretations and that’s what I GenesisShort.com. was going on,” she says. want, more so than a dictation.” After gathering important elements for Despite the numerous people asking composing the score, such as instruments him, Page says he will not create a “Gento use and tempo, Ferguson settled on her piano, creating a esis” sequel. He believes when stories are continued, they music box-like tune. The notes of the piano are played lightly eventually morph into something far from the original plot. and a few at a time as Genesis makes soft, graceful moveThat’s what he doesn’t want for “Genesis.” ments, touching things with her fingertips. “What’s done is done,” he says.

Culture

n Philip Page’s version of “Genesis,” God is a woman. It may seem like Page — a photographer, animator, professional DJ and former journalism professor at North Carolina A&T State University — was in deep, philosophical thought when he came up with the topic a year ago, but he wasn’t. “It’s just a concept that kind of came,” he says. “It wasn’t a big epiphany.” “Genesis” is a five-minute, twodimensional, computer-animated short film that follows the title character Genesis, named after the first book of the Bible. She is faced with the blank canvas of Earth and upon it, creates her own vision. Page began the groundwork for the film in December 2019. Although the piece is only five minutes long, it took six months to complete. “Animation is a very tedious process,” Page says, and he did it alone. The film is drenched in Aggie Pride as everyone involved attended A&T. Page scouted social media and his inner circle for talent. Bethany Anderson — a creative director from Greensboro who currently resides in Las Vegas — cowrote the film and provided the voice of Genesis. Desiree Dixon, who voiced Eve, is a professional dancer from Patterson, NJ. Ja’Nyla Thompson, a senior at A&T and one of Page’s former students, served as production assistant. Page enlisted the help of Vanessa Ferguson — a musician from Brooklyn, NY, who now lives in Greensboro, — to compose the score for the film. The recurring theme of Black girl magic in both the film and its creation, is apparent. In a way, Ferguson acted as Genesis during the making of its score as she was faced with a new task. Despite having vast musical experience such as enrolling in piano lessons at 5-years-old and making it to the Top Eight during Season 12 of “The Voice,” Ferguson was keeping a secret from Page the entire time. “I didn’t tell Phil I had never done a score before,” she says. She was excited to get back to work after her live performances were halted due to the coronavirus. She says she was at home processing everything when some “interesting things,” meaning a phone call from Phil, fell into her lap. “Doing ‘Genesis’ was awesome,” she says. “It came at the right time; 2020 has been absolutely crazy and unexpect-

Dec. 10-16, 2020

CULTURE ‘Genesis’ by A&T alum offers WOC perspective on world’s creation

West Fourth Street, Winston-Salem

Dec. 10-16, 2020 Shot in the Triad

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Puzzles

Members of the Crosby Scholars wave to cars in the Winston-Salem Jayceesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Reverse Christmas Parade.

CAROLYN DE BERRY

by Matt Jones

Across

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Culture Shot in the Triad Puzzles

1 Movie score with a famous two-note motif 2 Bounce back 3 Aimless attempt 4 Imbiber 5 Grind to a halt 6 Milne’s mopey donkey 7 Flaky precipitation 8 Comedians Gilliam and Goldsmith, for two 9 Rainbow shape 10 “While that might be true ...” 11 “___ be here soon” 12 Took the bait 13 “I really don’t care” 14 157.5 degrees from N 17 It’s a likely story 19 “You ___ one” 23 Sleep aid brand 24 Like a shopping mall on Black Friday, ordinarily

25 Online selling site 26 Wall, for one 27 Playful aquatic animals 28 Dated term for college students 29 Site for reflection? 30 Prompt 31 Corvair investigator Ralph 32 “They went ___-way” 33 Actress Lauren of 2020’s “The Wrong Missy” 34 Louis Armstrong’s nickname 38 Unidentifiable cafeteria food 39 Did some karaoke 41 Repercussions 42 “Ghost Town” actress Tea 44 Irritate 45 Fastening bars shaped like letters 49 Louisiana, to Louis 50 In ___ of (replacing) 51 Monica Geller’s brother 52 Jack-o’-lantern look 53 College team from Salt Lake City 54 “Auld Lang ___” 55 “Don’t text and drive” ad, for short 56 Acuity measures that don’t really matter 57 Questionable, in “Among Us,” slangily 58 Hustle, quaintly 59 High-jump hurdle 60 Peyton’s sibling

Answers from previous publication.

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1 “Breaking Bad” sidekick 6 Written test format 11 Some mainframe computers 15 Follow, as an impulse 16 Pleas 18 QUESTION, PART 1 20 Cry bitterly 21 Blows away 22 ___ St. Soul (U.K. R&B/soul group) 23 Controversial ride-sharing app 25 Fall back, as a tide 26 ASPCA part 29 QUESTION, PART 2 34 “Forrest Gump” actor Gary 35 “The Man Who Mistook His Wife for ___” (1985 best-seller) 36 “Laugh-In” comedian Johnson 37 Like many indie films 38 “Buon giorno,” in Brisbane 39 Go over the limit 40 Green Day, e.g. 41 “Sorry if ___ you down” 42 NBA team formerly from Minneapolis 43 QUESTION, PART 3 46 Charlemagne’s realm, for short 47 Device program 48 Cranberry sources 49 Greek letter after zeta 50 “Battlefield Earth” author Hubbard 52 Director Van Sant 55 ANSWER TO THE QUESTION 61 Closest to the ground, stature-wise 62 Otherworldly 63 Mgr.’s helper 64 Creator of Yertle the Turtle 65 Laundry cycle

Dec. 10-16, 2020

CROSSWORD ‘Shell Game’—maybe that’s why it’s green. SUDOKU