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Raleigh W Durham W Chapel Hill VOL. 39 NO. 4

Moon Dog Meadery owners Derrick Forrest and Kenneth Thrower, p. 24 PHOTO BY BRETT VILLENA

CONTENTS NEWS 5

Officers who kill residents in Raleigh are rarely charged. Will Daniel Turcios's case be any different? BY LEIGH TAUSS

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How much did Durham officials know about the doctor, now accused of Medicare fraud, that they hired to help lead the county's COVID response?

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A year after officers pointed guns at kids playing at a Durham apartment complex, it seems like not much has changed in the way of policing in the Bull City. BY JAKE SHERIDAN

BY THOMASI MCDONALD

10 Republican state lawmakers lash out at Governor Cooper over an executive order prioritizing clean energy. BY LISA SORG

FEATURE 22 The fight to ban books is raging once again in Wake County public schools and libraries. BY JASMINE GALLUP

ARTS & CULTURE 24 Durham gets a dog-friendly meadery meets board-game-cafe.

BY JOHN A. PARADISO

25 A new theater company stages three Beckett plays. BY BYRON WOODS 26 John Darnielle digs into the ethics of true crime in the dark, delicious Devil House. BY SHELBI POLK 28 Pedro Almodóvar's Parallel Mothers is lush with twists, curves, and swerves.

BY GLENN MCDONALD

THE REGULARS 3 Drawn Out

4 Quickbait

29 Culture Calendar COVER Illustration by Jon Fuller

WE M A DE THIS PUBLIS H ER S Wake County

MaryAnn Kearns Durham/Orange/ Chatham Counties

John Hurld EDITOR I AL Editor in Chief Jane Porter Managing Editor Geoff West

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Arts & Culture Editor Sarah Edwards

Theater+Dance Critic Byron Woods

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A D V E RTI S I N G

Creative Director

Senior Writer Leigh Tauss

Contributors Will Atkinson, Madeline Crone, Grant Golden, Spencer Griffith, Lucas Hubbard, Layla Khoury-Hanold, Brian Howe, Lewis Kendall, Kyesha Jennings, Glenn McDonald, Anna Mudd, Dan Ruccia, Rachel SImon

Annie Maynard

Wake County MaryAnn Kearns

Staff Writers Jasmine Gallup Thomasi McDonald Editorial Assistant Lena Geller Copy Editor Iza Wojciechowska

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BACK TA L K

Last week, we published a long piece that looks at various Innocence Projects across the state, including at Duke and Wake Forest University law schools and at the nonprofit NC Center on Actual Innocence, located in Durham, which partners with law students attending UNC-Chapel Hill, NC Central, Elon, and Campbell. We received this letter from the center’s executive director, CHRIS MUMMA.

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I understand that journalism can’t cover everything, or get it all right, but this article was missing some critical points. The NC Center on Actual Innocence trains and works with hundreds of law students each year, many of whom have gone on to become more informed and effective prosecutors and defense attorneys. Students in the four North Carolina law schools that partner with the Center do work on cases ranging from beginning stages to cases in litigation. When the Center previously screened cases for the Duke and Wake law clinics, screening the clinics decided the Center should no longer do, the Center referred to them many cases with strong, credible claims. Importantly, at least six of the Duke Wrongful Convictions Clinic’s ten exonerations were cases that started with the Center’s screening and initial investigation, including uncovering critical new evidence, before the cases were referred to the experienced attorneys at the clinic and the pro bono outside counsel they work with. Sadly, Rich Rosen was correct when he said that there’s enough need out there for all the different innocence organizations to have an impact, but reducing redundancy is important. In the end, none of this would matter if prosecutors were truly the “ministers of justice” who made ensuring true justice part of their jobs.

BY STEVE DAUGHERTY

INDYweek.com

January 26, 2022

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Q UIC KBA I T

The Raleigh Weather Dome Is a Myth, but You’re Not Crazy Historical trends show warmer winters with less snow, but meteorologists say there’s no magical force field protecting the City of Oaks from inclement weather.

Average seasonal snowfall (inches) 8

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BY LEIGH TAUSS ltauss@indyweek.com

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now blanketing Raleigh this weekend felt magical and rare, but more often it seems like the Triangle gets short-shrifted when it comes to the white stuff. Usually, the reports of flurries fill your social media feed from friends in Durham and Chapel Hill, but outside your downtown Raleigh apartment window there’s not a flake to be found. Perhaps you were curious enough to check the local weather radar, and in the middle, clear as day, you see a circle of cloudless skies over the area within the beltline.

The myth of the so-called Raleigh Weather Dome—the idea that an invisible force field or some geographic phenomenon protects the Oak City from snow—has persisted in some form or another for years.

National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist Jonathan Blaes says there are no scientific reasons to explain why folks insist Raleigh is immune to inclement weather. While denser cities—think New York City and Los Angeles—can create heat islands, that’s not what’s happening in Raleigh.

There are, however, geographic factors that make the probability of snow inside the beltline spotty at best. To the west, there’s the Appalachian Mountains funneling cold air currents downwind. Then, there’s a current of warm water just offshore in the Atlantic Ocean, where water temperatures can reach 70 degrees even in the dead of winter.

“The natural tendency is for us to be in the mix zone for that reason,” Blaes says. “That often results in us being on the edge of the snow and people being bummed about that.”

But beyond the unpredictability of being in a transition zone, there are some very real statistical reasons why residents feel as though they are getting shortchanged on the good fluff.

In the last 60 years, the average snowfall has dropped 35 percent, according to data provided by the NWS. Climatologists use 30-year averages to accurately measure weather change over time. Data from RaleighDurham International Airport shows Triangle residents enjoyed an average of eight inches of snow between 1960 and 1990. The most recent 30-year analysis shows that average has dropped to just over five inches.

“In general over the last couple decades, we definitely are getting less snow and [fewer] snow days,” Blaes says. “That’s not to say we can’t get big storms anymore; they are just less frequent.”

If you’ve ever wondered why Raleigh occasionally looks like an oasis of clear air on a storm system radar, Blaes says there’s actually a reason for that, too. The nearest local radar is in Clayton, about 10 miles south of Raleigh. The beam points at a slightly upward angle, meaning the further from the radar, the higher in the sky it detects storms. That means in light storm systems high up, the radar may not detect activity in Raleigh while it shows storms elsewhere.

“With a lot of those urban legends, there may be a teeny, tiny little truth, but it tends to be overblown,” Blaes says. “The big problem is people’s emotions or perceptions misreading the data. And that seems to happen a lot.”

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Near the radar, the beam is lower to the ground and "sees" low in the storms.

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Source: National Weather Service; graphic by INDY staff 4

January 26, 2022

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Raleigh

Daniel Turcios (center) and his family PHOTO COURTESY OF ROSA JEREZ

Murder Will Out The last two Raleigh police officers to kill residents were never charged.

Will this time be different for Daniel Turcios and his family?

BY LEIGH TAUSS ltauss@indyweek.com

“K

nife-wielding man shot by N. Carolina police officers dead.”

That was the headline the Associated Press ran on January 12, the day after a Raleigh police officer fired five shots at Daniel Turcios, killing him in front of his wife and two children.

That day, Raleigh police chief Estella Patterson told the press that several people called 911 following a rollover accident on Interstate 440 near New Bern Avenue. When officers arrived, Turcios, who had been driving, had a knife, and was walking with his seven-year-old son, according to the five-day report the Raleigh Police Department released last week. The report emphasizes that 911 callers characterized Turcios as being intoxicated. Turcios’s family disputes this, and no toxicology report has been released to confirm that Turcios was under the influence of any substances.

The knife, which advocates from Emancipate NC (a local nonprofit dedicated to dismantling structural racism) described as a pocketknife, was small enough that it wasn’t visible in a cell phone video taken by a witness.

The witness’s footage shows some of what happened: Five officers swarm the scene. Turcios hands off the child and walks away from the officers. Officer W.B. Tapscott tasers Turcios in the back, and he falls to the ground.

Officers encircle Turcios, attempting to restrain him as he struggles to get up. Turcios appears to lunge toward one of the officers surrounding him. In seconds, Officer A.A. Smith pulls out his gun and shoots Turcios twice.

Five seconds later, Smith fired three more shots, police say.

Turcios’s wife, Rosa Jerez, remembers things differently.

She stood nearby, yelling at officers, “Leave him alone!

He’s not doing anything.”

Turcios had just been knocked unconscious by the car crash. He’d woken up disoriented and confused. Turcios didn’t speak English, so when the police arrived, he didn’t understand their commands.

He was walking away, his back turned, when an officer fired the taser.

“My children were yelling [at the police] and asking them to not kill him,” a sobbing Jerez told reporters at a press conference last week. “He was killed like a dog.”

Patterson, who was sworn in as police chief in August, has placed Officers Smith and Tapscott on administrative duty while the case is reviewed internally. She has also petitioned the courts to release the officers’ body-worn camera footage of the incident.

Then, it will be up to district attorney Lorrin Freeman’s discretion whether to pursue criminal charges against the officers.

Freeman had to make a similar call two years ago, when Tapscott fired 11 shots at Keith Collins, seven after he had already fallen to the ground. Freeman did not find any wrongdoing on Tapscott’s part in that killing.

Collins was found to have a BB gun on him, police said.

Freeman told the INDY she determines whether deadly force is justified based on the facts of the case.

“You can have a scenario where it’s clear the threat has ended, there is a delay, and there are shots, and that would be a different analysis than a quick volley of shots where we can look and say the threat probably ended there but that officer was not able to make that assessment,” Freeman told the INDY over coffee last week. “These things happen so fast, and I think that’s sometimes hard for the public.”

Turcios’s family held a viewing for him over two days at the R.M. Ferguson Funeral Home in Raleigh. On Sunday, the second day, Kerwin Pittman, an activist with Emancipate NC, went to pay his respects. Photos of Turcios with his family showed a vibrant, caring man.

“You could see the joy and the love that he had for his family,” Pittman said.

Turcios was the family breadwinner, who immigrated to North Carolina from El Savador for a better life, Jerez says.

He coached his son’s soccer team and worked as a contractor. He would often come home from work with snacks or cook carne asada for the family.

“He was the best father in the world,” Jerez said. “This is a nightmare. I close my eyes and think that this is a dream.”

Emancipate NC is working to get back some of Turcios’s personal items, including his wallet and jewelry, from police to return to his family. A hearing for the petition to release the body camera footage of Turcios’s death is scheduled for February 2 in Wake County superior court.

Patterson, who has a background in internal affairs from her time with the Charlotte Police Department, has said she’s committed to increasing transparency in the department. Within her first few months, Patterson fired officer Omar Abdullah, a detective who was accused of framing 15 men in a scheme involving fake heroin.

“Hopefully this is a chance for the new chief to get it right and set a different precedent,” Pittman said. “I’m going to give her a chance.” W INDYweek.com

January 26, 2022

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The Triangle

Sinus Problems Durham County Health Department’s medical and laboratory director is under investigation following a 20-count federal indictment accusing her of committing Medicare fraud. What did local officials know about Dr. Anita Jackson, a prominent ear, nose, and throat surgeon, before she was hired? BY THOMASI MCDONALD tmcdonald@indyweek.com

F

ederal prosecutors this month filed a troubling, multicount indictment against a prominent ear, nose, and throat surgeon, who also served as medical and laboratory director at the Durham County Department of Public Health and was hired to lead the county’s COVID-19 response.

Here in Durham, the federal indictment raises more questions than it answers regarding Anita Jackson’s tenure as a member of the county’s public health leadership team.

Soon after the 20-count indictment was made public, Wendy Jacobs, vice chair of the Durham County Board of Commissioners, requested information about Jackson’s contract from the county’s public health department, according to an email last week from public health director Rodney Jenkins to the commissioners, which the INDY obtained.

In the January 20 email, Jenkins noted that an internal auditor “is evaluating activities that occurred during the period Dr. Jackson served as a contractor with the Department of Public Health. Additional information will be disseminated upon completion of the Internal Audit review,” he wrote.

The indictment, filed by assistant U.S. attorney William M. Gilmore in Raleigh, accuses Dr. Anita L. Jackson of fraudulently billing Medicare for more than $46 million when she treated more than 700 patients who suffered from chronic sinus problems.

Jackson, an Ivy League–educated doctor, “was the top-paid provider of balloon sinuplasty services in the United States, despite the location of her practice outside of a major metropolitan area,” according to the 36-page indictment filed on January 4 with the U.S. District Court’s Eastern District.

Investigators say Jackson “profited substantially” by engaging “in a series of 6

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crimes, frauds, and other acts that abused the trust of both the Medicare program, and her patients.”

Federal prosecutors have accused Jackson of mail fraud, identity theft, conspiracy, and cooking the financial records at several ear, nose, and throat clinics she operated in Rockingham and Lumberton by using “cloned or templated medical records” that bilked Medicare of millions of dollars, according to the indictment.

Why was Jackson hired in the first place to lead Durham County’s COVID-19 response, and why did the Durham County Board of Health pay her more than $540,000 for two years from December 2019 to Decem- Anita Jackson ber 2021?

In his email to county commissioners, Jenkins tries to distance his administration from Jackson’s hiring.

“The original contract with Dr. Jackson was executed prior to my joining the organization,” Jenkins stated in the email. “According to staff, the previous physician resigned from working with the county, which necessitated a different contractor to cover the Medical Director services. These services were provided through a contract with the UNC School of Medicine–Infectious Disease Division. The contract totaled $124,996 for part time support over a 12-month period.”

Jenkins explained that “a contract was established with Dr. Anita Jackson to provide Medical Director services total-

ing $134,200 for a six-month period, with a full-time presence at the Public Health Department. The contract was renewed in six-month increments while the department recruited for a permanent Medical Director.”

Jenkins also noted that shortly after he arrived as public health director, he “evaluated potential areas of improvement and other operational efficiencies,” and, “based on best practices, recommended … establishing a fulltime medical director position.”

“This would help with continuity of services and [align] with best practices for medium to large health departments where there are often complexities with providing care in densely populated areas,” he stated.

Still, were the county staffers and public health board members who hired Jackson aware of a 2005 lawsuit filed against her in Orange County Superior Court by officials with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC)?

Officials with the state’s largest health insurer accused Jackson of submitting millions of dollars in bogus claims between 2000 and 2004 through her two Lumberton practices: Greater Carolina Ear, Nose, and Throat, and Carolina Family Urgent Care.

BCBSNC officials also sued to audit Jackson’s business records, Lumberton’s paper of record, The Robesonian, reported.

According to the paper, the case was settled out of court after Jackson countersued, claiming that “for 10 months the insurance company harassed and intimidated her. She said Blue Cross never provided a fee schedule to her practices to guide her in how much she could bill for services.”

Some members of the public also wonder if Durham’s county commissioners had an oversight role, and want to know if the board approved budgeting for the position and whether her work benefited local residents.

But county leaders say they are also wondering what happened.

“The interim county manager and staff are conducting an investigation into the issues you have raised,” commissioner Jacobs told the INDY last week.

“I do not know how [the] hiring process for that position works,” Jacobs added.

Brenda Howerton, who chairs the board of commissioners, told the INDY that she and her fellow elected officials are only responsible for the hiring of the county manager, attorney, and tax assessor.

“The hiring of directors is left up to the individual [county] boards,” Howerton said.

“The commissioners do not weigh in on the hiring of staff.”

Jackson certainly made for a highly attractive candidate in the state’s most diverse county where its elected leaders prioritize equity and inclusion.

Before joining Durham County’s public health leadership team, and leading its COVID-19 response, Jackson graduated from the Chicago College of Medicine at the University of Illinois. Prior to obtaining a medical degree, Jackson earned an undergraduate degree in molecular biology from Princeton and master’s degrees in biology from Stanford University and Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, where she was the highest-ranking student

award winner and recipient of the school’s Albert Schweitzer Award, according to her LinkedIn page.

Jackson states on the LinkedIn page that, as North Carolina’s first African American woman certified as an ear, nose, and throat surgeon, she “is a subject matter expert on COVID testing, [especially] in children and historically marginalized populations.”

Early last year, Jackson created a STEM pilot program that trains high school students as COVID testers Jackson’s achievements and expertise did not go unrecognized. On September 17, 2020, Governor Roy Cooper appointed her to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) regulatory NC Medical Care Commission.

Last week, NC DHHS spokesperson Bailey Pennington said in an email to the INDY that the agency is aware of the federal grand jury indictment of Jackson and that she resigned from the NC Medical Care Commission on January 11.

At the heart of the federal jury indictment is a surgical procedure known as a “balloon sinuplasty.”

Gilmore states in the indictment that the procedure relies on a plastic, “single-use” device, known as an Entellus XprESS, that routinely comes into contact with “blood, phlegm, pus, and mucous secretions when inserted into the sinuses.”

Gilmore claims that the devices Jackson used “were not approved or cleared by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be reprocessed or reused” but that Jackson nevertheless “reused the devices as a routine business practice, sometimes inserting the same device into more than one patient on the same business day.”

“Jackson,” Gilmore added, “failed to inform her patients that she was reusing the devices, and instead, represented on ‘Pre-Op Instruction for Sinus Spa’ forms that the devices were sterile.”

The indictment accuses Jackson of netting thousands of dollars from the unsanitary practice and states that between January 2014 and December 2018, the physician “purchased no more than 30” of the devices that she reused on “hundreds of patients.”

“Jackson billed Medicare alone for more than 1,200 incidents of balloon sinuplasty services to more than 700 patients, using the Entellus XprESS,” and “received more than $5.4 Million for the services,” according to the indictment.

The federal prosecutor states that Jackson relied on her staff, who had no specialized training in microbiology or the reprocessing of medical devices, to carry out pro-

cedures that reused the devices. Staffers, between uses, “scrubbed the outside of the device with soap and tap water in a sink near the procedure chair,” with no specialized tools to “clean or scrub the interior, hollow portions, and unreachable crevices of the device,” the filing reads.

Gilmore states that Jackson’s staff did not attempt to open or disassemble the device or its inflation device accessory.

“After a tap water rinse, the devices were placed into cleaning agents for several minutes,” according to the indictment. “After soaking in the cleaning agents, the devices were placed on a non-sterile ‘chuck pad’ on a table near the procedure chair to dry. In some instances, multiple devices would be left to dry in this non-sterile environment, while Jackson saw patients in the nearby procedure chair.”

The staff, Gilmore added, “carried out these procedures under Jackson’s supervision.”

Gilmore said that from “time to time, Jackson’s ‘layperson staff’ would look at the devices and tell her they should no longer be used.”

“The staff based these conclusions upon, among other things, the fact that the plastic of the device had become discolored with age and use, or that the balloon slide mechanism was no longer sliding properly,” Gilmore states. “Staff had no way to inspect the interior portions of the device to even conduct a lay-person examination for buildup of filth.”

The charges of fraud stem from allegations that Jackson charged her patients who underwent the procedure a co-pay of $50, but their out-of-pocket costs should have ranged from hundreds to more than a thousand dollars.

Jackson has been accused of passing along the costs to Medicare and then altering financial records during audits in 2016 and 2017 with template records of patient files “and boilerplate language that was insufficient, standing alone, to justify billed claims,” according to the indictment.

Jackson is also accused of “knowingly and willfully” making and using “materially false writings and documents, to wit, patient medical records, knowing the same to contain materially false, fictitious, and fraudulent statements and entries including, but not limited to, backdated and altered entries that did not exist,” according to a 2018 audit of Jackson’s practice that Gilmore cites.

Jackson’s attorney, Charles A. Bonner of Sausalito, California was not immediately available for comment following attempts to reach his office by phone and email. W INDYweek.com

January 26, 2022

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Durham

Lasting Effects A year after police pointed guns at kids playing at Rochelle Manor, a mother and a community activist say changes, officer remorse didn’t follow.

BY JAKE SHERIDAN backtalk@indyweek.com

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akeba Hoffler’s then eight-year-old son Zakarryya was running around playing a game of tag outside his family’s apartment. Then, suddenly, he sat crouched under the stairs, shrinking as police pointed guns at him and his friends.

Over a year has passed since the August 2020 incident when Durham police officers aimed their weapons at three innocent young Black boys—ages 8, 11, and 15—while responding with guns drawn to a 911 call concerning a “suspicious person with a weapon” at East Durham’s Rochelle Manor Apartments. The incident sparked downtown protests and even a meeting between the boys’ parents and the police chief. But it didn’t spark any meaningful change in the police department or display of remorse from the officers, Hoffler says.

“I wanted them to give these kids an explanation or a sincere apology,” Hoffler says. “At this point, there’s nothing.”

Hoffler spoke with then Durham police chief C.J. Davis a few days after the incident, a meeting that she said went well. In a public statement published a week after the incident, the former chief expressed “sincere remorse that this incident even occurred.”

But Hoffler says she sensed disregard when she met with the involved officers a week later. She says one asked, “What do you want us to say?” She left the meeting early alongside Ashley Harris, whose 15-year-old son had been forced to the ground at gunpoint, put in handcuffs, and searched by police during the incident, and Chris Kenan, a community organizer who helped set up the conversation.

The police officers were dismissive and unapologetic again when she encountered them during a Civilian Police Review Board hearing in June, Hoffler says.

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“They still had that nonchalant attitude, like we wasted their time, like what you all did didn’t affect our kids,” she said.

No substantial changes When Kenan pulled up to Rochelle Manor just hours after the incident, he didn’t know what had taken place. He says he thought the animated crowd gathered there was thrilled to see him: He had police and mayor Steve Schewel in tow for a “Safe Zone Friday” event intended to address a problem he noticed when he grew up in Rochelle Manor.

“I’ve never seen the police come to Rochelle for anything good,” he says.

The crowd was not happy to see him and the officers. “They were waiting to confront me, to say, ‘They can’t come here.

The police, we don’t want to see them,’” Kenan says.

After hearing what happened, Schewel and Kenan worked quickly to secure an investigation into the incident and organize a conversation between the boys, their mothers, and Chief Davis, Kenan says. Still, the police’s actions made him feel like he “was working backwards” as he tried to build a bridge between police and the community.

One officer repeatedly used his phone instead of engaging and a supervisor excused the officers’ behavior during the incident in a meeting between police and Kenan, Hoffler, and Harris, Kenan says.

“I felt disrespected. I felt not listened to,” he says. The chief’s initial engagement and support had given him hope that meaningful changes would come from the incident, he said, but the officers who actually police Rochelle Manor didn’t seem to care.

Zakarryya Hoffler and Chris Kenan

PHOTO BY BRETT VILLENA

“Chief Davis was not gonna be there when we call for the police to come. Those higher-ups are not coming,” says Kenan, who works as a high school teacher and football coach.

Kenan would like to see police come into Rochelle Manor when something bad isn’t happening, to become members of the community and get to know the folks living there, he says. He and Hoffler both feel like police haven’t done so since the incident.

“They only come out here when somebody calls them. They don’t come in and interact with these kids,” Hoffler says.

One officer was suspended for a day following a police investigation of the incident, The News & Observer reported.

The incident also eventually resulted in a June 2021 hearing from the city’s Civilian Police Review Board. The board investigates police investigations when there’s cause to believe they were mishandled and then offers recommendations to the city manager and chief of police.

Ahead of the Civilian Police Review Board’s meeting, the police officers who pointed guns at the children filed for a restraining order in an attempt to block the review. They alleged in court that the board’s chair, DeWarren K. Langley,

broke policy by speaking with the press, WRAL reported. “Seeing the video footage and hearing the testimony, it was very concerning,” Langley had previously told WRAL. The review moved forward after a judge ruled against the restraining order request, and the board produced a total of 18 recommendations for the police department.

Former interim police chief Shari Montgomery responded in writing to each recommendation. She described how the department is already following or is not capable of following 17 of the recommendations.

Montgomery said the city would adopt one clear recommended policy change: a minor tweak in language. The department will no longer use the term “wife-beater” to refer to a white tank top T-shirt, as advised by the board, Montgomery wrote. Body camera footage of the incident released last November shows an officer telling Hoffler that “somebody’s out here with a gun, they have on a wife-beater,” as she rushed to get the children away from the officers’ weapons.

“I think there was careful consideration of the recommendations put forth by the board,” Langley says in response

“I didn’t realize how this was affecting him until we had that meeting. They had to pull my baby out the room because he was hyperventilating, crying.” to a question about the department’s consideration of the board’s recommendations. The review board doesn’t have the power to discipline officers and isn’t tasked with recommending discipline either, he added.

The entire “Findings” section of the board’s inquiry into the police department’s investigation of the incident was redacted in a copy obtained from the city.

The redactions, over a full page of single-spaced text in length, “were necessary to prevent the City from disseminating personnel privacy-protected information in violation of the statute,” city attorney Kimberly Rehberg wrote via email.

City manager Wanda Page, who oversees the Durham Police Department, did not respond when repeatedly asked via email if the department had made any policy changes following the incident. Durham Police Department public information officers did not respond to emails asking the same. Rehberg responded that she had advised city officials to refrain from public comment because people involved in the incident have threatened litigation.

“While City officials are not in a position to discuss this issue with you at this time, I wholeheartedly agree that the incident remains an important one for Durham, and especially for the children and the families impacted by it,” Rehberg said. “I can say that the remorse expressed by the Chief in her statement and the urgent objective to see Police-Community relations greatly improved are sentiments still held by City leadership.”

Lasting effects for the kids Hoffler says that even a year later, the incident has stuck with Zakarryya.

“My son went from wanting to be a police officer to can’t stand being around them,” she says.

Police came to Rochelle Manor again while he was playing outside shortly after the incident, she says. Afterward, Zakarryya stayed inside for weeks. When he came face-to-face with the officers at the Civilian Police Review Board hearing, he broke down in tears, she adds.

“I didn’t realize how this was affecting him until we had that meeting,” Hoffler says. “They had to pull my baby out the room because he was hyperventilating, crying.”

Interactions with the police like Zakarryya’s can have broad, traumatic effects, according to Johns Hopkins University criminologist Dylan Jackson. Intrusive and aggressive officer behavior can leave children with feelings of shame and social stigma that linger for years, Jackson wrote in an email.

Hoffler placed Zakarryya in therapy after the incident—with no help from the city, she said—and she plans to get him back in therapy soon.

What happened at Rochelle Manor is consistent with “adultification,” Jackson wrote. Police affected by implicit bias and eager to catch a suspect may at times incorrectly perceive an innocent Black child as older, which can increase presumptions of guilt. The damaging interactions that sometimes follow create distrust and negative attitudes toward police. Reducing the “hyper-surveillance” of young Black kids and investing in community and civic engagement would support the health and well-being of Black youth, he wrote.

Hoffler says she hasn’t seen such engagement at Rochelle Manor.

“The only time we see these cops is when they’re coming over here for someone else. So now my son is afraid to be around cops. He stops and shuts down,” she says.

Hoffler doesn’t want more police community engagement events. She doesn’t want more meetings. At this point, even an apology “is out the window,” she says. She wants the officers to be punished more severely and the city to give more educational resources and other resources to kids like hers.

Hoffler says she thinks about what would have happened if one of those guns had accidentally gone off, about what she and the police felt as weapons pointed toward her child.

“We would have been trying to hope our baby makes it through the night while you’re kissing your kids,” she says. “It’s not fair. It’s not fair.” W

BILL BURTON ATTORNEY AT LAW Un c o n t e s t e d Di vo rc e Bu s i n e s s L a w UNCONTESTED In c o r p o r a t i o n / L LC / DIVORCE Pa r t n e r s h i p MUSIC BUSINESS LAW Wi l l s INCORPORATION/LLC WILLS C o l l e c t i o n s SEPARATION AGREEMENTS Mu s i c

967-6159

(919) 967-6159

bill.burton.lawyer@gmail.com INDYweek.com

January 26, 2022

9

N E WS

North Carolina

The Force of Law Republican lawmakers aren’t thrilled about Governor Cooper’s executive order prioritizing clean energy.

BY LISA SORG backtalk@indyweek.com

I

n an icy letter to Governor Roy Cooper, three Republican state senators—Paul Newton, Vickie Sawyer, and Tom McInnis—lambasted the latest executive order on clean energy, arguing that it conflicts with legislative priorities enshrined in the most recent energy law, House Bill 951.

The lawmakers sent a letter to the governor on January 19. The senators posed nine questions regarding carbon emissions, affordability, and transportation included in Executive Order 246. The letter also reiterates several Republican lawmakers’ public stances supporting natural gas and nuclear energy over renewables as a way to reduce carbon emissions.

“As you know, changes to North Carolina’s energy future cannot be achieved through executive action alone,” the senators wrote.

“We can only conclude that Executive Order 246 is mere political theatre.”

On January 7, Gov. Cooper signed EO 246.

It sets several targets to mitigate the existential threat of climate change: reduction of statewide greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50 percent over 2005 levels by 2030, and net-zero carbon emissions as soon as possible, no later than 2050.

It also sets a goal of increasing the total number of zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs) registered in North Carolina to 1.25 million by 2030. In addition, the order says the state will “strive” to ensure half of all new car sales are ZEV sales by 2030.

The new goals are more ambitious than those in the governor’s 2018 order. Executive Order 80 set a target of 40 percent reduction in statewide greenhouse gas emissions and 80,000 registered ZEVs by 2025.

“While legally enforceable”—a phrase used five times in the senators’ three-page letter—the executive order “confuses the public and appears to shift the goalposts by purporting to establish new emissions reductions goals. Your new goals, which 10

January 26, 2022

INDYweek.com

you announced without consultation with the negotiators who worked with you for many months” on HB 951, “do not have the force of law,” the letter reads.

Since EO 246 is not legally enforceable, it’s unclear why the three senators sent the letter. None of the letter writers returned emails from Policy Watch seeking further explanation.

It’s also unclear how the 50 percent reductions goal conflicts with the goals established in HB 951, which Gov. Cooper signed into law.

HB 951 requires investor-owned electric utilities, like Duke Energy, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70 percent from 2005 levels by 2030. Carbon neutrality must be achieved by the utilities by 2050. If state agencies—themselves Duke customers—reduce their energy emissions, then feasibly that could help Duke reach its benchmarks.

Duke Energy acknowledged an email from Policy Watch but has not yet responded.

Some of the letter echoes previous debates in legislative committees. The letter writers asked the governor if he considers nuclear energy a viable option to achieving carbon reduction goals. In HB 951, lawmakers originally appropriated $50 million for a modular nuclear reactor; that provision was stripped by the final bill’s passage.

Other language in the letter was akin to State Senator Newton’s grilling of Dionne Delli-Gatti, the governor’s original nominee for secretary of the environment, last year.

Newton helped tank Delli-Gatti’s nomination over her lack of enthusiasm about the need for more natural gas pipelines. Delli-Gatti is now North Carolina’s clean energy director for the state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). DEQ did not respond to an email seeking comment.

The letter took a similar tone to the Delli-Gatti committee hearing: “Are you aware

Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order 246 at NC A&T University.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GOVERNOR COOPER’S FACEBOOK PAGE

that a disruption in the state’s supply of natural gas would cause real-time immediate disruptions to the state’s energy grid?”

Newton, a former Duke Energy executive, and his two colleagues wrote.

The letter also lays out concerns about potential shortfalls in gas tax revenue if zero-emissions cars and trucks become dominant. More than half of the NC Department of Transportation’s revenue comes from that tax, which helps maintain roads.

“It is now possible for an electric vehicle to cause wear and tear on a North Carolina road without its operator contributing anything at all to road maintenance,” the letter reads. “If only operators of gasoline power vehicles are subject to the gasoline tax, as the number of ZEVs increases, the burden for funding road maintenance will fall on an ever-smaller number of drivers.”

Other states have established additional fees for plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles in order to cover projected shortfalls, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). North Carolina is among them. In 2013 and 2015, state lawmakers assessed an additional $130 fee for plugin electric vehicles, for a total annual fee of $166. Traditional fees for gas-battery hybrids and conventional gasoline vehicles are $36.

Other states have contemplated enacting vehicle-miles-traveled fees or mileage-based user fees, according to the NCSL, a funding mechanism that “seeks to more closely link” the taxes “to actual use of the roadways by a driver.”

The Department of Transportation did not respond to an email seeking comment.

The senators argue that the higher purchase and maintenance costs of ZEVs dis-

proportionately affects low-income households. It is true that cars, regardless of fuel type, are expensive.

But a 2021 U.S. Department of Energy study showed that maintenance costs for gasoline-powered cars are higher than for ZEVs. A light-duty battery-electric car costs 6.1 cents per mile to maintain, compared to 10.1 cents per mile for a conventional gasoline-powered car.

Maintenance costs for hybrids and plug-in hybrids are between 9 and 9.5 cents per mile.

A separate study showed that for some ZEVs, maintenance costs can be higher within the first year but are covered by the vehicle’s warranty. (In North Carolina, ZEVs are exempt from emissions inspections, currently $16.40 a year in the 22 counties where the tests are still required.)

The 2021 price of new electric vehicles ranges from $27,000 for a Nissan LEAF to $100,000 for deluxe Tesla models. The average price in 2021 of conventional gas-powered vehicles was $41,000, the cheapest being a compact ($23,000) and the most expensive a high-end luxury car ($105,000), according to Kelley Blue Book.

HB 951 was also assailed by public interest groups for its failure to fully address affordability issues. The final version of the measure contained no money for the weatherization of older homes, which are generally less energy efficient and are occupied by lowand moderate-income households.

The governor’s office had not returned an email requesting a response by deadline. W This story was originally published by NC Policy Watch.

r e m m Su p m Ca e d i gu

Between the recent wintry weather and, well, the entire last two years, it probably feels like you’ve spent a lot of time indoors recently with your schoolaged children. So, trust us, you’re not alone if the words “summer camp” have a ring of the magical to them right about now.

We get it, parents, and we’re very happy in this post-vax world (for children over age five, anyway) to bring you plenty of indoor and outdoor camp options with well-thought-out COVID-19 precautions so that you can find the right fit for your family and feel good about sending your children to summer camp. Our Triangle camps are taking stringent COVID safety precautions so that all kids, staff, and families stay safe and healthy.

Local camps will be doing their best to make sure that children have as much of a fun, safe, and normal camp experience as possible this summer. And whether your child is fencing, rock climbing, or creating art, exploring local creeks, learning to code, or learning the ropes on a farm, you can be happy to get them out of the house again—for their sake, and your own.

SP E C IAL ADVERTI SI N G SE C TI O N : SU MM ER CAM P G UIDE INDYweek.com

January 26, 2022

11

ADF Dance Camps

American Dance Festival, Durham 6-17 yrs.

CALL: (919) 797-2871

Art Adventures at the Ackland Art Museum

Ackland Art Museum, Chapel Hill 6-9 yrs.

EMAIL: ackland@email.unc.edu or VISIT: www.events.ackland.org/events

Drawing for Tweens at the Ackland Art Museum

Ackland Art Museum, Chapel Hill 10-13 yrs.

EMAIL: ackland@email.unc.edu or VISIT: www.events.ackland.org/events

Blue Skies of Mapleview Summer Horse Camp Hillsborough

8-18 yrs.

EMAIL: dpmblueskies@hotmail.com CALL: (919) 933-1444

Cub Scout Day Camp

Boy Scouts of America, Triangle area

Carolina Creek Club Carrboro

5-10 yrs.

CALL: (910) 948-3258 VISIT: www.ocscouts.org

Broadreach Summer Adventures

Costa Rica, Ecuador, Fiji, Curaçao, the Bahamas 12-18 yrs.

CALL: (919) 256-8200 EMAIL: info@gobroadreach.com

Cow Camp Play

ct

e Conn

LEARN MORE:

• Lea r

n

Ages 511 July 13 -August 26 Groups o f 2 tea 8-14 ki chers & d local t s explore rails creeks and

CarolinaCreekClub@gmail.com 12

January 26, 2022

Bull City Farm, Rougemont (N Durham Co) 5 yrs. and up EMAIL: samantha@bullcityfarm.com

Farm animals camp

Bull City Farm, Rougemont (N Durham Co) 5 yrs. and up EMAIL: samantha@bullcityfarm.com

Story Camp (D&D STYLE)

Bull City Farm, Rougemont (N Durham Co) Rising 2nd grade and up EMAIL: samantha@bullcityfarm.com

INDYweek.com S PE C IAL ADVERTI SI N G SE C TI O N : SU MMER C AMP G U I D E

Camp Green Cove

Tuxedo 6-17 yrs. (all female) CALL: (828) 692-6355 EMAIL: greencove@greencove.com

Camp High Rocks

Brevard 7-16 yrs. (all male) CALL: (828) 885-2153 EMAIL: office@highrocks.com

Camp Wayfarer

Flat Rock 5-16 yrs.

EMAIL: info@campwayfarer.com CALL: (888) 405-2656

Carolina Creek Club

Carrboro 5-11 yrs.

EMAIL: CarolinaCreekClub@gmail.com

CFS Summer programs

Carolina Friends Schools, Durham 4-18 yrs.

EMAIL: extendedlearning@cfsnc.org

Outdoor Farm to Table Cooking Camp

Circle City Supper Club, Pittsboro 7 yrs. and up REGISTER ONLINE:

www.circlecitysupperclub.com/ collections/upcoming-events

Duke School Summer Camp Duke School, Durham 4-15 yrs.

EMAIL: camps@dukeschool.org

4-H Babysitting Certification Camp

Durham County 4-H, Durham 9-14 yrs.

EMAIL: gmhulber@ncsu.edu

4-H Cloverbud Day Camp Durham County 4-H, Durham 5-8 yrs.

EMAIL: gmhulber@ncsu.edu

SP E C IAL ADVERTI SI N G SE C TI O N : SU MM ER CAM P G UIDE INDYweek.com

January 26, 2022

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4-H Coding Camp

Durham County 4-H, Virtual 12-16 yrs.

EMAIL: gmhulber@ncsu.edu

4-H Sewing Camp

Durham County 4-H, Durham 10-16 yrs.

EMAIL: gmhulber@ncsu.edu

4-H at Betsy Jeff Penn

Durham County 4-H, Reidsville 8-14 yrs.

EMAIL: gmhulber@ncsu.edu

4-H at Eastern 4-H Center Durham County 4-H, Columbia 12-16 yrs.

EMAIL: gmhulber@ncsu.edu

4-H Farm to Fork

Durham County 4-H, Durham 12-16 yrs.

EMAIL: gmhulber@ncsu.edu

4-H Outdoors

Durham County 4-H, Durham 10-16 yrs.

EMAIL: gmhulber@ncsu.edu

4-H Summer Camps

Durham County 4-H, Durham 5-18 yrs.

EMAIL: gmhulber@ncsu.edu

Durham Academy Summer Durham Academy, Durham 4-18 yrs.

EMAIL: summer@da.org

Summer Arts Camp

Durham Arts Council, Durham Rising K-17 yrs.

CALL: (919) 560-2726 EMAIL: jbell@durhamarts.org

Youth Jazz Camp

Durham Jazz Workshop, Durham Middle and High School Students EMAIL: djazzworkshop@gmail.com

Adult Big Band Camp w/Jim Ketch

Durham Jazz Workshop, Durham Adult EMAIL: djazzworkshop@gmail.com 14

January 26, 2022

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Seed & Song: Nature Camp for Kids

The Eco-Institute at Pickards Mountain, Chapel Hill 6-10 yrs.

EMAIL: programs@eco-institute.org

Emerson Waldorf School Summer Camps Chapel Hill 4-18 yrs.

REGISTER ONLINE:

www.emersonwaldorf.org/camps

Eno River Association

Eno River Field Station, Confluence Natural Area, Hillsborough 12-15 yrs.

CALL: (919) 620-9099 ext. 204 EMAIL: camps@enoriver.org

iWalk the Eno Science and Nature Camp

Eno River Association, Eno River State Park 8-12 yrs.

CALL: (919) 620-9099 ext. 204 EMAIL: camps@enoriver.org

Farm and Wilderness

Plymouth, VT 9-16 yrs.

EMAIL: admissions@farmandwilderness.org VISIT: www.farmandwilderness.org

Fencing and Martial Arts Camps Forge Fencing Academy and Club, Durham 7-17 yrs.

REGISTER ONLINE CALL: (919) 800-7886 EMAIL: info@forgefencing.com

Ceramics Summer Camp

Glazed Expectations, Carrboro 5-12 yrs.

VISIT: www.glazedexpectations.com

The Guru School

Hillsborough 5-13 yrs.

EMAIL: theguruschoolnc@gmail.com

Coding and 3D Printing Camp Handsmith.org, Durham Rising 6th-8th Grade CALL: (540) 685-3768 EMAIL: lisa@handsmith.org

SUPPORT LOCAL

Outdoor

Farm to Table Cooking Camp Ages 7+

businesses Pittsboro, NC

(exact address given upon registration)

Camp Dates June 13-17, June 20-24, July 25-29, August 1-5

Register Now

by purchasing gift cards, shopping online, donating, ordering takeout, and tipping more SP E C IAL ADVERTI SI N G SE C TI O N : SU MM ER CAM P G UIDE INDYweek.com

January 26, 2022

15

Roe v. Wade

Anniversary – Jan. 22, 1973 49 Years of Reproductive Choice “If this court renounces the liberty interests recognized in Roe and reaffirmed in Casey, it would be an unprecedented contraction of individual rights.”

—ELIZABETH PRELOGAR U.S. SOLICITOR GENERAL

“The court has never revoked a right that is so fundamental to so many Americans and so central to their ability to participate fully and equally in society.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

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We, the undersigned, support women’s right to sa We condemn acts of violence and intimidation d We agree that these rights extend to all women regardles of public funding for family planning services Jeanne Abbott Lee Abbott Michael Adamson Virginia Adamson Jennifer Albright Jana S. Albritton Karen M. Alexander Alana Allekotte Andrée Allen Carolyn Mills Allen Linsey Amundson Shirley T. Andersen Jolene Anderson Margaret Arbuckle Molly Arnold Ann N. Ashford Gail Austin Curry Ethelyn Holden Baker Ruth A. Baker Byron Ballard Esther Barkley Deidre Barlaz Lindsay Barth Melissa Beattie Helene Beauchamp Shana Becker Thomas Benton, M.P.H Debra K. Bergstrom Betsy Bickel Sue Bielawski Andrea Biondi Jenny Black Nancy Blood Thomas Blue Violette Blumenthal Margaret Bockting Laura Booth Penelope R. Booze Foss Susane Boukamel Betty Tucker Boyd James Glenn Boyd Chad Boykin Yevonne Brannon Aliza Bricklin Virginia Bristol Sheila Brown Tammy Brunner Anne Bullard Lori Bunton John Caldwell Rebecca Campbell Virginia Carson Mandy Carter

Becky Carver Curtis Carver Pamela E. Carver Kicab Castaneda-Mendez Michelle Chachkes Cathy Chandler Lorraine Ciccotti Russell Ciccotti Annie E. Clark Bonnie Dawn Clary Jimmie Cochran Pratt Susan Conley Nancy Cook Barbara Cooper Jeannette Council Jane Crabill Zenida Cranford Jimmy Creech Marylee Crofts Myrna Cronen Victoria Crosson Elizabeth Crudup Megan Cunningham Gail Austin Curry Marci Curtis Anne C. Dahle Rep. Allison Dahle Jeanne Dairaghi Patty F. Daniel Joann Dare Marisol Darnell Jane Darter Lisbeth Davidson Zajac Robin R. Davis Gloria De Los Santos Penney De Pas Vicky DeGroote Beth Dehghan Laura DeMerle Tacene Deratany Lary L. Dial Patricia Dickinson Jacqueline Dietz Shannon Dingle Rabbi Lucy Dinner Michael Eisenberg Wendy Eisenberg Rebecca Elliott Suzanne Elsberry Sonia Ensenat Catherine Evangelista Larry Evans Melba Smith Evans

Barbara A. Faison J. Z. Farmer Sharon L. Ferber Dan W. Figgins Laura Flicker Christine Flory Robbin L. Flowers Dana Rees Folley Cindy Fox Betty Fried Suzanne Gaither Karen Garr Laura Gordon Randee Gordon Phyllis Gould Ileana Grams-Moog Alison Green Lynette Green Kathy Greggs Marena Groll Jenny-Jaymes Gunn Laura Hamalau Jeannie Hamilton Robin Hammond Valencia Handy Cindy Hanford Lucy Harber Arianne Hartsell-Gundy Karen Hawk Joan Healy Lindsey G. Hedrick Jill Hendrickson Lori Hendrickson Tom Hendrickson Alma Hernandez Pat Hielscher Joanne Hill Deborah Hoffman Catherine H. Holcombe Marjorie Hoots Linda Hopkins Chrissy & Joel Huber Francie Lynam Huffman Aiden Hutcheson Brian Hutcheson Jeanette Hyde Eric Hyman Nell Ingalls Cameron Ingram M. Deborah Jackson E Jeffreys Glenda Jeffries Dana Jennings

Amy E. Jer Paige John Ryan John Meagan Ju Rabbi Raa Claudia K Cynthia K Jeremy Ka Jeanne Ka Teri Kayn Susan Kel Karen Kel Mark Kell Jane Kend Judy Kerr Susan Kin Eleanor K Marilyn K Rabbi Elis Jenny Kot McLean K Suzanne K Phyllis Kr Elizabeth Priti Lalk Betsy Lam Naomi La Dr. Jeffrey Terry Lan Bernett La Melanie L William L Natalie La Elizabeth Mary Law Betty Laz Phyllis Le Terri LeGr Constanc Bob Leker Betty J. Le Nancy Lev Linda Lev Marilyn L Candelar Charlee L Debbie Lie Elizabeth Melanie G Judy Lota Jan Lowe Judy L. Lo Sara E. Lo

en’s right to safe, legal and accessible birth control and abortion. ntimidation directed at women and their health care providers. men regardless of economic status and, as taxpayers, affirm our support nning services and funding for abortions for indigent women.

g

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Amy E. Jeroloman Paige Johnson Ryan Johnston Meagan Julian Rabbi Raachel Jurovics Claudia Kadis Cynthia Kahler Jeremy Kaplan Jeanne Kauss Teri Kayne Susan Kelemen Karen Kelly Mark Kelly Jane Kendall Judy Kerr Susan King Eleanor Kinnaird Marilyn Knowles Rabbi Elisa F. Koppel, RJE Jenny Kotora-Lynch McLean Kram Suzanne Krill Phyllis Kritz Elizabeth Kuniholm Priti Lalka Betsy Lambert Naomi Lambert Dr. Jeffrey Land Terry Landers Bernett Lane Melanie Lane William Laney Natalie LaVallee Elizabeth V. Lawrence Mary Lawrence Betty Lazo Phyllis LeFevre Terri LeGrand Constance Leinbach Bob Leker Betty J. Letzig Nancy Levin Linda Levy Marilyn Lewis Candelaria Leyvas Charlee Liebers Debbie Liebers Elizabeth Little Melanie Gordon Losacco Judy Lotas Jan Lowe Judy L. Lowe Sara E. Lowe

Mary Lumpkin Susan Lundberg Anna Lynch Thomas Macon Sherry MacQueen Roberta Madden Margie Maddox Eric Mancini Rebecca Manda Peggy Manning Veronica Markey Denise L. Matthews Nancy Mayer Brenda K. McCall Margaret McCann Terri McClernon Maggie McFadden Lib McGowan J. Denny McGuire Carolyn McKaughan Watson Daphne O. McLawhorn Randa McNamara Peggy McNeill Dr.Gerald Meisner Stefanie Mendell Lorettta K. Mershon Kate Mewhinney Hannah Michalove Wendy Michener Kayelily Middleton Lisa Misrok Irene Mitchell Tom Mitchell Betty Mittag Ann Mixon Cynthia Mixon Sarah Moessinger Mitchell Moore Merry-K Moos Mary Moseley Jo Ann Mount Audrey Muck Stephen Douglas Mumford Cosmo Myers Gina Navarrete Beth Neece Vernon Neece Yvette Nelson Olivia Neumann Devon Newton Zoe Nicholie Cynthia Norwood Lauren Noyes

Paul Offen Scott Olson Pat Orrange Sara Oswald Jill Over Elise Paliga Gailya Paliga Bob Paliga Diane Parfitt Dee Parris F C Parrott Diane Paschal F. Pasquel Cheryl Passarelli Sandy Pearce Margaret Peeples Ellen Perry Louise Peters Kolleen Peters-Farnham John Pilutti Judith Pilutti Darryl Pitman Anne Platsky Barbara Polhamus Joyce Pollack Susy Pollitt Barbara Porter Cheryl Posner-Cahill MaryCraven Poteat Page Potter Tonya Powell Mitchell Price Dr. Blanche Radford-Curry Kathe Rauch Cecilia Redding Carol Retsch-Bogart George Retsch-Bogart Gerrie Richards Douglas Rickert Christie Rife Ann Ringland Maisie Rising Pam Robbins Barbra Roberman Joan Robertson Pat Robinson Bob Rodriguez Linda Rodriguez Lois Roewade Marilyn B. Roll Tara Romano Louise Romanow Ruth Rose

Sherri Zann Rosenthal Elizabeth Ross Elaine Roston Bill Rowe Kathy Ruffner-Linn Jill Sansoucy Ann Sargent Frank Sargent Nancy Sarno Margaret Scales Noelle Schofield Rob Schofield Valerie Schwartz Martha Scotford Jennifer Heuer Scott Sue A. Scott MaryJane Selgrade Dr. Judith Selz Lisa Semmens Shoshana Serxner-Merchant Susan Sewell Joyce Sexton Joan Shinn Stephanie Shipman Nancy Shoemaker Gisela M. Shoenbach Bianca Shoveman Rebecca Showalter Naomi P. Slifkin Anne Smiley Amanda J. Smith April Smith Jim Smith Maxine Smith Michele Smith Maxine Solomon Rabbi Eric Solomon Rabbi Jenny Solomon Aaron James Songer Mindy Grier Songer Jenna Spencer Cheryl Stallings Susan Steadman Annabelle Stein Sarah Stein Edward Stelli Kathleen Stephens Leigh Stewart

Joanna Stockton Judy Stoddard Margie Storch Elizabeth Stuart Virginia Sullivan Carrie Sutton Deborah Swain Joe Swain Barbara Szombatfalvy Helen Tack Ana Tampanna Chris Tatayon Malinda Teague Liz Testa-Vasser Virginia Thomas Stephanie Thompson Cindy Thomson Sharon Thomson Judy Thorne Julie Tomlinson Charlene Torrest Joyce J. Tucker Dawn Valasco Morrow Van Horne Gwen C. Veazey Peggy Vick Julie Waddle Roberta Waddle Brittany Wade Kathy Wade Pamela J. Wade Jean Wagner Lisa Wagoner Debbie Waitley Dale Walker LeAnn Wallace, J.D., Ph.D. Roxana Waller

Teri Walley Joan Walsh Brad Walters Carol Walters Margret Ward Marlie Wasserman Jane Watson Dr. Wendee Wechsburg Joy Weeber, PhD Maureen Wertheim Allison West Deborah West Jessica West Marla West Pasca Whitfield Patsy Whitfield Brooks Wicker Wendy Wierzbicki Barbara M. Wildemuth Amanda Williams Detra Williams Judy Williams Louise B. Williams Polly Williams Mack Williams, Sr. Nicole Willingham Patricia Willis Anne Winner Paula A. Wolf Julie Cheek Woodmansee John S. Wyatt, Jr. Dianna Wynn RhondaYocum MargaretYoung Weeber David Zendels Norma Zendels Karen Ziegler

For more information on the North Carolina Organization for Women contact:

NORTH CAROLINA NOW, PO BOX 24995, RALEIGH, NC 27611 WWW.NORTHCAROLINANOW.ORG

INDYweek.com

January 26, 2022

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Immersion Island Spanish Camps Mary Poppins, Jr. Camps St. Thomas More School, Chapel Hill 9-18 yrs.

EMAIL: info@immersionisland.org

The Justice Theater Project, Raleigh & Durham Rising 2nd through rising 9th grade

Initiative Programs RTP

mreilly@thejusticetheaterproject.org

Initiative Programs, Virtual 8-15 yrs.

EMAIL:

initiativeprogramsofficial@gmail.com

JC Raulston Arboretum Summer Garden Camps Raleigh Preschool to rising 8th grade

REGISTER ONLINE CALL: (919) 513-7011 EMAIL: elizabeth_overcash@ncsu.edu

with questions

Camp Shelanu

Jewish for Good at the Levin JCC, Durham 5-15 yrs.

EMAIL: camp@jewishforgood.org

EMAIL:

UN-Do a Classical Musical: One Week Standalone Camp

Technology & Creativity Camps Bluegrass Camp for Youth Kramden Institute, Durham 8-18 yrs.

VISIT: kramden.org/camps CALL: (919) 293-1133

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences camps

mreilly@thejusticetheaterproject.org

Camps in Downtown Raleigh & Prairie Ridge Ecostation Rising K-12th grade EMAIL: summercamps@naturalsciences.org CALL: (919) 707-9889

Nature Explorers NC

Over the Moon Play Space

The Justice Theater Project, Raleigh Rising 2nd through rising 9th grade EMAIL:

Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, Chapel Hill 5-12 yrs.

CALL: (984) 322-0190 EMAIL: grant@natureexplorersnc.org

Kidzu Children’s Museum Summer Camp

Chapel Hill 3-5 yrs. & 6-11 yrs.

EMAIL: camp@kidzuchildrensmuseum.org

Cary 5-9 yrs. (rising K-4th grade)

BOOK ONLINE CALL: (919) 238-9229 EMAIL: camps@overthemoonplay.com

Piedmont Wildlife Center

Durham, Orange, Wake Counties 5-12 yrs. (13-17 for CIT’s) EMAIL: camp@piedmontwildlifecenter.org

PineCone – Piedmont Council of Traditional Music, Cary 8-16 yrs. (June 21-24) REGISTER ONLINE QUESTIONS, EMAIL: jamie@pinecone.org OR CALL: (919) 664-8333

Bluegrass Jam Camp

PineCone – Piedmont Council of Traditional Music, Raleigh 10-17 yrs REGISTER ONLINE QUESTIONS, EMAIL: jamie@pinecone.org OR CALL: (919) 664-8333

School of Rock 2022 Summer Camps Chapel Hill 10-18 yrs.

ENROLL ONLINE CALL: (919) 338-1011 EMAIL: chapelhill@schoolofrock.com

Schoolhouse of Wonder

Durham, Wake, Orange Counties 5-17 yrs.

EMAIL:

schoolhouse@schoolhouseofwonder.org CALL: (919) 477-2116

CREATIVE SUMMER CLAY CAMP Ages 5-12 • Half-day, week-long sessions Reserve your space now!

205 W. Main St, Carrboro 919-933-9700 www.glazedexpectations.com

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January 26, 2022

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Lear n to Fenc e!

mps er ca m m u s un s year and f m 8-17 s Safe e urha g D For a own t n w Do ted in Loca

ke up w a W i

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Sisters’ Voices All Things Camp Woodcrest Farm & Forge

r e m m u S e d i u g p m Ca uide g p m a of c d n u ng? o i r s i s t i r h e t adv d Miss n a s listing

SUMMER CAMP GUIDE #2 IS COMING

March 9!

Binkley Church, Chapel Hill Rising 4th-6th grade VISIT: sistersvoices.org

Sisters’ Voices Music & Theater Workshop Binkley Church, Chapel Hill Rising 6th-9th grade VISIT: sistersvoices.org

Sisters’ Voices Singing & Leadership Camp Binkley Church, Chapel Hill Rising 6th-9th grade VISIT: sistersvoices.org

Triangle Ultimate Frisbee Camps

Carrboro & NC State 7-15 yrs.

EMAIL: camps@triangleultimate.org or shannon@triangleultimate.org

Civic Engagement Leadership Institute

The Triangle Nonprofit & Volunteer Leadership Center, Durham & Triangle High school students CALL: (919) 321-6943 EMAIL: Becca@thevolunteercenter.org

IMPACT Camp

The Triangle Nonprofit & Volunteer Leadership Center, Durham & Triangle High school students CALL: (919) 321-6943 EMAIL: Becca@thevolunteercenter.org

Model UN Camp

The Triangle Nonprofit & Volunteer Leadership Center, Durham & Triangle High school students CALL: (919) 321-6943 EMAIL: Becca@thevolunteercenter.org

USA Ninja Challenge Durham 6-12 yrs.

REGISTER ONLINE: ninjadurham.com EMAIL: durham@usaninjachallenge.com

Email camps@indyweek.com for more info 20

January 26, 2022

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Hillsborough 5-11 yrs.

REGISTER ONLINE:

www.woodcrestfarmnc.com/ summer-camps

YMCA Camp Kanata Wake Forest 6-15 yrs.

REGISTER ONLINE CALL: (919) 556-2661 EMAIL: campkanata@campkanata.org

YMCA Camp Sea Gull & Camp Seafarer

Arapahoe 7-16 yrs.

CALL: (252) 249-1212 EMAIL: registrationoffice@ymcatriangle.org

Artspace Summer Camps Raleigh 1st-12th grade (June-August) VISIT: artspacenc.org

Give Play & Nature Programs

City of Oaks Foundation, Raleigh K-8th grade VISIT: cityofoaksfoundation.org/programs DONATE: https://bit.ly/GivePlay22

Farm Camp

Sunrise Community Farm Center, Chapel Hill Rising K-7th grade VISIT: sunrisecfc.com

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21

ILLUSTRATION BY JON FULLER

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ast month, a Wake County school board meeting once again became a political battleground as a few angry parents railed against library books featuring LGBTQ characters.

Bolstered by an October video from North Carolina lieutenant governor Mark Robinson, parents challenged four books available in school libraries, calling them “pornographic” and “sexual conditioning.”

These kinds of challenges aren’t new. The fight over what children should and shouldn’t be allowed to read has been going on for decades. From 1990 to 1999, the series that was most challenged nationwide was Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz, according to the American Library Association. At that time, the book was said to be disturbing, immoral, and Satanic.

Thirty years later, not much has changed. Today, the fight is over books like Melissa (formerly published as George) by Alex Gino and Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe.

Arguments, however, are the same.

Parents say these books should be taken off library shelves because they’re inappropriate, morally objectionable, or divisive. Critics say these books will confuse children or teach their child to think a certain way. But are 22

January 26, 2022

INDYweek.com

these objections really valid? How old does a child need to be to read books dealing with sex, racism, or queerness?

What are children reading?

In the list of books that are popular among middle schoolers, fantasy series like Harry Potter rank number one, according to Wake County librarians. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was checked out 1,372 times last year across the county’s 23 public libraries. Melissa, on the other hand, was checked out only 118 times.

“Reading is basically an escape from reality,” says Sophia Dexter, 14, a student in Wake County Public Schools. “I enjoy imagining the stories in my head while I read. I like fantasy, mystery, and historical fiction.”

Sophia is currently immersed in the Nyxia trilogy, a scifi dystopia about characters trying to escape the machinations of an evil corporation. She doesn’t often pick up biographies or books like Melissa, but she doesn’t think they should be banned from the library, she says.

“Books like that are inclusive,” Sophia says. “I don’t see a problem with putting LGBTQ books in an ele-

mentary school. It’s something [students] need to learn about too.”

In middle school libraries, two of the most popular books are true-to-life novels, checked out as often as Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson fantasy adventure series, according to Kendra Allen, director of Library Media Services for Wake County.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney chronicles the life of middle schooler Greg Heffley, who struggles to cope with bullying, social anxiety, and puberty. Wonder by R.J. Palacio recounts the story of Auggie, a boy born with a severe facial difference, as he tries to fit in at his new school.

Books like these are popular because they’re relatable, says K-5 librarian Kelly Bahoric. “[Diary of a Wimpy Kid] is making light of some of the hardships of being a middle schooler,” Bahoric says. “I think the kids like to laugh at the situations they might find themselves in every day. They’re a big deal in the moment, but looking back on it later you can always laugh about it.”

Likewise, stories about young characters dealing with illness, disability, or even death can help children cope with difficult situations that might arise in their own lives. Reading can be a safe way to explore such issues before facing them in reality. In the same way, books featuring Black or gay characters might help children who are Black or gay with issues they face.

What should children be reading?

Sophia’s mother Marie Dexter says now that her daughters are older, she doesn’t always know what they’re reading. But that’s not necessarily a cause for concern. Dexter trusts her daughters' judgment when it comes to picking out books. “[Sophia] will just all of a sudden talk about whatever book she’s reading that the library or the school has recommended,” Dexter says. “And we’re okay with that.”

Dexter says she’s comfortable with her children reading books with sensitive subject matter as long as she can talk to them about it. There are certain topics she doesn’t think her children are old enough to read about yet—namely, sex—but if either of her daughters wanted to check out a book with more mature content, she wouldn’t be against it.

“If it’s something that’s controversial, [Sophia] knows she can come talk to us about it and we’ll have a discussion,” Dexter says. “If we say, ‘We don’t think you should read that,’ it’s because we don’t think it’s age-appropriate yet. It’s got too much mature subject matter for you and you’re just not ready.”

When it comes to books featuring characters who are Black, Hispanic, gay, transgender, or otherwise diverse, Dexter is supportive.

“It’s good we read these stories, because we can be more empathetic,” she says. “We can’t crawl inside somebody’s head to necessarily understand [their feelings and thoughts]. But a book can help transport us to that world and be in their space for a little while … so when we go out, we can be more understanding of others. That’s what reading is supposed to teach us.”

Challenged books in Wake County So far, efforts to remove LGBTQ books from Wake County schools and public libraries have floundered. In Wake County schools, Gender Queer, Melissa, and Jonathan Evison’s semiautobiographical comingof-age novel Lawn Boy remain available for students to check out.

Although a formal complaint was filed about Lawn Boy in November, it was ultimately rejected by school staff and administrators, according to a letter from Allen, the Wake school system’s library media services director.

Per the school district’s policy, Lawn Boy was reviewed by a committee composed of teachers, parents, and school staff, including the librarian and principal.

When parents appealed the committee’s unanimous decision to keep Lawn Boy in the library, the district’s senior review committee (composed of senior administrators) again decided the book should remain available.

The book “bears literary merit as a work of fiction” and “contributes to the diversity of representation of characters and experiences in the library collection,” committee members wrote in their report.

Following another formal complaint, Melissa is also currently under review by district committees, although the message sent by Wake County administrators about challenged books seems clear. After the committee makes its recommendation, parents do have the opportunity to direct a final appeal to the Board of Education. (Wake school board members did not respond to requests for comment before the INDY's print deadline.)

Although Gender Queer was removed from Wake County public library shelves in December, it was quickly reinstated after backlash from librarians. Library administrators are now reviewing their book selection and removal policy.

The national movement to censor queer content In the past year, the American Library Association has seen a big spike in challenges to books about race and LGBTQ characters, says Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom.

“We’ve observed an unprecedented number of challenges this fall, particularly to books dealing with LGBTQIA themes and books dealing with race, the history of racism in the United States, or reflecting the experiences of Black people,” she says.

Books challenged in 2021 in Wake County

Gender Queer: A Memoir

Melissa

Lawn Boy

Alex Gino

Jonathan Evison

Maia Kobabe

All Boys Aren't Blue

I'm Not a Girl Maddox Lyons and Jessica Verdi

George M. Johnson

Antiracist Baby

Delicates

Bachelor Girl

The Little Library

Our Skin

Ibram X. Kendi

Brenna Thummler

Kim van Alkemade

Margaret McNamara

Megan Madison, Jessica Ralli, and Isabel Roxas

Some of these challenges stem from the misguided debate over teaching Critical Race Theory in schools, according to Caldwell-Stone. The campaign to censor books is also led by conservative groups like No Left Turn in Education and Moms for Liberty, whose members filed criminal complaints against the Wake County Public School System over Gender Queer and other books.

“One of the things that’s often lost in the debates over these books is that we’re not talking about putting Gender Queer in the hands of a five-year-old or a 10-year-old,” says Caldwell-Stone.

“We’re talking about books in high school libraries available to children 14 and up. By 14, young people are already engaging in dating behavior or even sexual activity, and are exploring things like gender identity and sexual identity. To pretend that these are topics that adolescents are innocent of is a little disingenuous.”

Still, the right of a parent to guide their own child’s reading is fully recognized by the American Library Association, says Caldwell-Stone. It’s when par-

ents start trying to take books off public shelves that they run afoul of the First Amendment, she says.

The First Amendment protects not only freedom of speech but also a freedom to publish and a freedom to access what is published, says Caldwell-Stone. That right applies to minors as well, she adds.

Like Dexter, many parents might want to keep their child from reading graphic or sexual content until they’re older.

Some others may want to prevent their child from reading books that conflict with their beliefs about the LGBTQ community. But there’s a difference between forbidding your own child from reading a certain book and taking that book off the shelves entirely.

“As public institutions, both schools and libraries have to serve everyone in the community. And we live in a multicultural, diverse society these days,” Caldwell-Stone says. “I promise you, almost every public high school has gay teens or transgender teens who deserve to find good information on the shelf that reflects their lives.” W

Who initiates challenges?

Parents (50%) Patrons (20%) Board/administration (11%) Political/relgious groups (9%) Librarians/teachers (5%) Elected officials (4%) Challenge statistics compiled by:

INDYweek.com

January 26, 2022

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FO O D & D R I N K

MOON DOG MEADERY AND BOTTLE SHOP 1104 Broad St., Suite C, Durham | 919-381-5222

Mead Right With board games, innovative alcohol offerings, and a wholesome friendship origin story, Moon Dog Meadery is poised to become a community hub.

BY JOHN A. PARADISO food@indyweek.com

B

elow a beloved cafe sits a dimly lit tavern with free-flowing beverages and intricate art adorning the walls. This isn’t, by the way, a preview of my next Dungeons & Dragons campaign; it’s the scene at Moon Dog Meadery, a combination bottle shop, craft meadery, and board game cafe located below Joe Van Gogh’s Durham location.

Over the years, the 1104 Broad Street building has played host to a variety of businesses, including the nineties-era music venue Under the Street, the Mid-South Fencers Club, and the Vault at Palace International. Next up: a meadery.

Moon Dog opened to the public on December 26. Though relatively bareboned, as it has only been open a month, the shop’s walls are brightened with murals painted by local artists, and unfussy shelves hold local beers, ciders, and wine for folks to consume on-site or take to go.

An unlit corner to the side, still under construction, marks where Moon Dog’s draft system will go; mead sits in plastic fermenters, meanwhile, until it’s ready to be bottled and served to customers.

Despite its current humble state, though, the shop has a clear vision for a simple yet refined community hangout spot. With like-minded Durham hangout spaces like Bar Brunello and local board-game paradise Atomic Fern now shuttered, Moon Dog seems poised to fill an easygoing bar-meets-activities niche.

Cofounders Kenneth Thrower and Derrick Forrest’s story, in fact, begins with an activity: they met at a rock climbing event several years ago and connected over a shared love for fantasy and sci-fi novels.

They became fast friends.

“I knew Derrick had been making mead and I was spending all this time with 24

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him and wanted to learn how to make it,” Thrower says. “He taught me, and we started researching the flavor profiles and it was a lot of fun. We made another batch and another and another and just kept going.”

Eventually, an offhand bonding experience turned into a personal passion for both Forrest and Thrower. And then, a potential profession.

“People had been pressuring Derrick to go professional for a long time because he’s been doing it for about 10 years,” Thrower says.

They had spent years refining recipes, but it took a global pandemic to actually push them forward. After Thrower was furloughed from his job at the rock climbing gym and diving back into mead-making with Forrest, the two decided to seriously consider opening a meadery. Forrest had years of experience in the hospitality industry, and Thrower began working on the creative and marketing side of their future business. After months of planning, Moon Dog Meadery came to fruition.

“If COVID hadn’t happened, Moon Dog probably wouldn’t have happened,” Thrower says.

Though Moon Dog Meadery and Bottle Shop opened to positive response at the tail end of 2021, Thrower and Forrest don’t actually have any mead ready to sell yet.

In a bittersweet turn of events, the shop actually received its permitting months ahead of schedule—an almost unheard of stroke of good luck in the beverage industry—so their mead is still in production on-premises and likely won’t be ready until March. But, in the meantime, Forrest and Thrower have been able to serve samples of their home-brewed batches

From left: Kenneth Thrower and Derrick Forrest, owners of Moon Dog Meadery, with shop pup Mystic PHOTO BY BRETT VILLENA of mead; standouts, so far, include their traditional mead and a mixed-berry mead.

Meanwhile, Thrower admits that more unique flavors like butterscotch are still being dialed in.

“We will have our three flagships that are year-round available,” Thrower says.

“Once we have enough stuff to make sure that’s a thing, we’ll have our traditional, which we’ll have a dry and semi-dry variant of. And then we’ll have a mixed berry, which will be like an off-dry, and then a coffee vanilla mead.”

But, while they patiently wait for their own mead to finish, Forrest and Thrower are able to serve customers anything from their selection of wine, beer, cider, and mead in the bottle shop portion of the space. Cubbies stretch up to the ceiling holding cans and bottles of local beverages, and Thrower has made it a point to stock primarily North Carolina producers.

“The bottle shop is something we wanted mostly to support local businesses and just have options for people,” says Thrower. “We don’t think that’s the primary way that people are going to be interacting with us. Our hope is that they’re mostly going to come for our mead and for our events—or, just to hang out and play board games.”

In addition to serving locally produced beverages, Forrest and Thrower want to use their tasting room as a gathering place for folks in the neighborhood. They plan to host events like board and video game tournaments and mead-making classes; a planned small stage in the space may provide the opportunity for intimate live music and comedy night. “[It’s great] just talking with people, feeling comfortable, knowing this is our space and we can run it however we want,” says Thrower. “No one’s over my head telling me what to do.”

As for the dog reference in the business name: It comes honestly.

Several mead mixes have dog references, and well-behaved, on-leash dogs are welcome at the bar; Moon Dog also recently hosted an adoption event at the bar. Wednesday through Sunday, during the shop’s hours, you can find Thrower and Forrest tending the bar along with their dogs, Sherlock, a corgi-and-beagle mix, and Mystic, a rescue pup who graces Moon Dog’s logo.

“Hosting events, having live music, running board game competitions, that’s what I’m most excited about,” explains Thrower.

“I’ve had other jobs that I like, but I love this job.” W

STAGE

THREE BECKETT GHOST PLAYS: FOOTFALLS, OHIO IMPROMPTU, ROCKABY

Other Only Windows | Pure Life Theatre | Jan. 28-29, 10 p.m. & Jan. 3, 3 p.m., $10

Ghost Stories A new theater company interprets Samuel Beckett’s “spectral quality”

BY BYRON WOODS arts@indyweek.com

Should you venture out in the dead of a cold January night, in search of ghosts?

For if you do this weekend, you will surely find them.

And what you learn from them, you will have to live with.

And that life may be very, very long.

D

irector Robert Corcoran, a newcomer to regional theater who moved to Wake Forest from St. Louis just before the start of the pandemic, refers to the later brief one-acts of Nobel laureate Samuel Beckett as “ghost plays.” Xerxes Mehta, a well-known director of Beckett, coined the term while attempting to describe what he called “their spectral quality.”

Beckett’s characters are clearly haunted in works like Rockaby, Footfalls, and Ohio Impromptu, which Corcoran directs this weekend in the first production by his new company, Other Only Windows, at Raleigh’s Pure Life Theatre.

His characters find themselves unwillingly accompanied by entities elusive and amorphous, yet undeniable in their presence. The dry, disembodied voices that we overhear— sometimes their own, sometimes those of a parent or a onetime love whose cold comfort reaches beyond the grave—can evoke a past that fundamentally circumscribes the present and precludes the future.

In these darkened rooms, Beckett shows us, in the words of T.S. Eliot, “fear in a handful of dust.”

“What we see ‘appears to come swimming out of blackness,’” Corcoran says, citing Mehta, “‘near yet far, floating yet fixed, and obsessively present in the manner of visions and nightmares.’”

When Corcoran took a master class with the famous Viewpoints director Anne Bogart, she reduced theater history to three main innovations. The Greeks, she said, spoke only to the gods, and never to the audience or one another. In Ibsen, she noted, people conversed about everyday things with each other.

“With Beckett, they speak only to the void,” Corcoran recalls. “She didn’t define the void, but I feel that it and Beckett’s ghostliness are synonymous.”

The Irish playwright’s works are rarely produced in our region. The scarce handful of words in his enigmatic, minimal scripts require major excavation, dramaturgy, and imagination to flesh out.

Brilyn Johnston in the pre-show introduction “Of Time and Memory” “They’re more sculpture or music as opposed to theater,” Corcoran says.“When Edward Albee directed Ohio Impromptu in Houston, he was asked, ‘How do you know if a Beckett production is a success?’ He said, ‘You stand in the back of the house with your eyes closed, and you listen to the balance of silence and sound. If a feeling starts to come up your spine from deep within you, that’s a good production.’”

If Beckett’s words are intimidating, his estate, which strictly controls the licensing of his works, can be even more so. It insists that productions follow the playwright’s notoriously specific stage directions to the letter.

In Footfalls, for example, the actor will take 9 steps—not 8, not 10—across a narrow strip of stage.

And she will start off on her right foot.

“I feel I have a very good relationship with the estate,” Corcoran observes. In the past, the licensees have let Corcoran translate Rockaby into Gaelic. “I try very hard to honor what I believe his intent was, with atmosphere and a spiritual sense.”

“The fact is, you can’t do Beckett under every set of conditions,” Corcoran says. “You need silence and you need darkness. Then you need to help each person allow themselves to open themselves to something that is actually unlike theater.”

For the ghosts in Beckett’s plays, Corcoran notes, are ultimately ourselves, stripped all the way down: “Not adorned with the trappings of life or friends or jobs or position or power—any of that outwardness, that otherliness.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF RACHEL HOROWITZ

“We’re finally in the presence of who we are, in our deepest selves.”

And that presence, bereft of external context, can be unnerving.

“When we suddenly feel moved to tears, a sudden rush of joy, a sense of belonging or alienation—these senses are not cognitive,” Corcoran says. “It can be triggered by things we’ve experienced, but it’s precognitive; it begins and finds its life somewhere in the gut. You could call it heart, or soul.

Something arises within us; it is the truest of the truths of ourselves, without judgments, without pretensions, without anything else.”

“It’s there when we feel fright,” the director concludes.

But the existential dread so easily provoked by a present-day pandemic, on a planet with unchecked global warming, can challenge us to confront something intrinsic, ineffable, and uncanny within ourselves.

“It’s not a reasoned something, it’s much deeper, and it does not admit well of explanation,” he says. But if we can face our ghosts, we can befriend, exorcise, and possibly even liberate not only them—but maybe ourselves, too.

Three Beckett Ghost Plays also kicks off LNTR, a new local series of adult-themed, late-night shows at Pure Life Theatre. Corcoran’s troupe will produce the second in the series, the 2011 Iranian human rights play White Rabbit, Red Rabbit, starting February 11. Series performances run at 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday nights, with Sunday matinees at three. W INDYweek.com

January 26, 2022

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PAGE

JOHN DARNIELLE: DEVIL HOUSE

[Macmillan; Tuesday, Jan. 25]

John Darnielle PHOTO BY JADE WILSON

Dead Serious John Darnielle’s new thriller, Devil House, digs into the ethics of our true crime obsessions—and the uneasy tensions between humanity and the headlines.

BY SHELBI POLK arts@indyweek.com

W

hen East Durham’s Golden Belt complex changed hands in 2017, most tenants were pushed out.

Author and musician John Darnielle was the last one out of the building.

“I was in the building when we were all getting forced out,” Darnielle says in a phone interview that (delightfully) stretches nearly an hour past the allotted 20 minutes we’d scheduled. “They forced out the YouthBuild people, who gave mainly young Black men who were on the margins a chance to get their GED and to find work. I would see these guys every morning and then they all got forced out as well.”

As other nonprofits, artists, and businesses cleared out, Darnielle sat in his office writing a book about sacred spaces, changing towns, and the potential of youth. It was also about murder.

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There isn’t exactly a traditional bad guy in Devil House, his novel, which released on January 25.

But that isn’t all that surprising if you know his work: Darnielle doesn’t often work in absolutes. The closest thing to an antagonist in Devil House is a coldhearted property developer. This, too, was tied to the setting he was writing from.

“There was a basketball court there with a backstop that had a big artwork about people who had died in the local neighborhood,” Darnielle says. “They knocked that whole thing down. This stuff was primary in my mind while I was writing.”

Like Darnielle’s earlier novels, 2014’s Wolf in White Van, which was nominated for a National Book Award for fiction, and 2017’s Universal Harvester, Devil House isn’t

easy to categorize. It will appeal to fans of true crime and horror, but it also serves as a critique of violence-fueled content. It’s also artful, organized in a chiastic structure with a backward-looping narrative characteristic of many classical texts, but not inaccessible.

The novel is divided into seven mirrored sections that tell at least seven stories that are connected through true-crime writer Gage Chandler.

We first meet Chandler when he is stuck in a suburban house in Milpitas, California, in 2006. The house, once an X-rated video store, later became the scene of gruesome double murder. Chandler’s writing method is immersive.

He does his best to become as physically close as he can to the scene of the crime and any connected ephemera or locations.

It’s a good system that allows Chandler to crank out a book every couple of years, keeping publishers happy and giving him enough money to begin the next round of research. But something is different about the Devil House. After having lived there for five years and re-creating the house to the state it was in when the murders took place, he still can’t write the right story.

While Darnielle was writing, he says, a nearby storefront with “Monster XXX” hand-painted on a window cemented the local porn-store setting. Durham, in fact, was almost the main setting of the story, but Darnielle decided he could do a better job drawing from a California town like the one he grew up in.

Durhamites need not worry though: the closing section, and its narrator, hits close to home.

Devil House’s seven sections work in opposing pairs.

Sections one and seven let you see different sides of one story connected to Chandler, two and six another, and three and five one more. These varied perspectives and narrators give voice to Chandler’s subjects, his personal history, and his growing conviction around his work.

Chandler tries to navigate the world of true crime responsibly, telling the side of any given murder that a media blitz misses. In one of his books, he adds context that helps readers examine their preconceptions and remember the humanity behind a popular urban legend.

But Darnielle asks questions that Chandler can’t, at least not if he wants to sell a book. He adds even more context that shows the consequences of Chandler’s work.

But Devil House isn’t just about the dangers of true crime.

“Telling any story at all has stakes, you know, whether it’s true or not,” Darnielle says.

True crime as a genre can be prone to mercenary sensationalism. Irresponsible podcasts, reporting, and books can hurt real people. But in Devil House, Darnielle

“Telling any story at all has stakes, you know, whether it’s true or not.” is asking us to consider how uninterrogated consumption of stories about the worst of humanity—whether it be straight news, true crime, or horror movies—also affect us.

“What benefit was there to telling that story?” Darnielle says. “You know, if you hear something especially grim, who gets anything out of this?”

And in case you were curious: yes, Darnielle sees the paradox of writing a book that uses sensationalism to critique the consequences of sensationalism.

“Look, I’m writing this book,” he says. “I get to have my cake and eat it too when I do that, right? I get to be critical of Gage’s endeavors, and Gage gets to learn to be self-critical, but he still gets to tell some pretty gory stories.”

So, then, is Devil House a call to avoid exposure to horror?

Well, no. Again, Darnielle doesn’t really work in absolutes.

“I’m not a moralist,” Darnielle says. “I’m not a crusader. But the ubiquity of everything is the thing. It’s not just pornography, it’s not just violence, everything is on the table. The notion of cultivating an intentional way of being becomes very difficult.”

This novel isn’t about the responsibility of true crime specifically or a call to avoid violence or pornography. It wants you to dig into the tension between headlines and humanity and ask yourself why you’re consuming what you are.

One tension Darnielle doesn’t touch on in the book—but thinks about in daily life—is the way this ubiquity accelerated with the internet. Darnielle can’t help but see the infinity of information his sons, now elementary school age, will soon have access to. His characters have to go to what today would be a lot of work to find violent imagery online. His sons won’t.

“As a parent of two boys, my question is, ‘When are my boys going to see that without me around, and what do I tell them about how to interpret what they see?’”

Darnielle says.

Chandler works hard to humanize his subjects, and Darnielle works harder to show how Chandler falls short. You’ll hear from victims, murderers, and mothers of murderers that will force you to consider the tension between the facts of a case and the dignity of the people involved.

Look for this especially in parts two and six.

“I think I get somewhere,” Darnielle says. “That’s my gauge for anything I write—music or books.”

Devil House doesn’t end with a clean victory over evil, partly because there’s very little straightforward evil. But it does end in a way that will surprise many readers.

“I’m hoping that people who know what I do, by now variably know that when I’m writing a book, it’s going to undo your expectations of it at some point,” Darnielle says, mentioning how quickly a reader realizes that his first novel, Wolf in White Van, is told backward. “But I mean, what I do involves different layers of reality, of narrative, and that’s kind of my beat at this point.

It’s safe to say that whatever I write next will also have, you know—I’m unlikely to write a straight novel that just moves from point A to point B.” When you do get to the end, keep in mind that Darnielle isn’t even advocating for Chandler’s decision when it comes to his story. He’s simply considering, and asking you to consider, the consequences of storytelling as historical record and shroud, violence and creation, freedom and exposure, craft and identity, titillation and truth. That’s all. W

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PARALLEL MOTHERS | HHHH1/2

Opening in theaters in Carolina Theater and the Rialto on Friday, Jan. 28

Penélope Cruz and Milena Smit in Parallel Mothers PHOTO COURTESY OF SONY PICTURES CLASSICS

The Politics of Memory In its search for historical truth, Pedro Almodóvar’s Parallel Mothers is lush with twists, curves, and swerves. BY GLENN MCDONALD arts@indyweek.com

P

arallel Mothers, the latest from veteran Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar, follows the intertwined stories of two women in Madrid. Both are single mothers and both deliver their babies on the same day. Hence, the title. But that’s just the beginning.

Penélope Cruz headlines as Janis, a professional photographer recently assigned to profile forensic anthropologist Arturo (Israel Elejalde).

Arturo’s particular line of work involves investigating the unmarked mass graves left behind from the Spanish Civil War. Arturo’s job, it seems, is endangered. We learn that the current government is actively opposed to examining these old wounds.

After the photo shoot, Janis asks for Arturo’s help unearthing a suspected grave in her hometown. Janis’s great-grandfather was among several men in the village taken from their homes and disappeared by Span-

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ish general Francisco Franco’s thugs. Arturo agrees, the evening progresses, and Janis gets pregnant. Arturo is married, and Janis intends to raise the child on her own.

Nine months later, Janis is in the maternity ward when she meets and bonds with teenage Ana (Milena Smit). We learn that Ana comes from a privileged but cruel family. Her divorced mother and father don’t want to deal with Ana or her pregnancy.

Janis and Ana form a fast, deep friendship and promise to stay in touch.

Almodóvar appears to have accidentally started several different movies with this busy setup, but such is the nature of his storytelling style. Parallel Mothers examines themes of family and history and of personal and civic duty, with a kind of stereoscopic narrative approach. The movie proceeds in parabolic loops and arcs, bringing in other central characters—Ana’s mother, Janis’s best friend, Arturo again. The foreground-

ed characters throw notional shadows that play out in the larger background of history.

The plot line of Parallel Mothers is lush with twists, curves, and swerves. Don’t let anyone reveal anything past the film’s first 20 minutes. It’s melodrama, really, but melodrama so expertly constructed—and so gorgeously presented—that the improbable coincidences and synchronicities never feel artificial. In fact, somehow they even feel destined with Almodóvar‘s famously brilliant colors leading us by the eyeball from scene to scene.

Fans of the director’s earlier and more exuberant films (Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!) should know that Parallel Mothers is more serious in tone. There is a political superstructure to the story, one with plenty of relevance to where we find ourselves in the United States just now. The film asks some uncomfortable questions about inaction and injustice, about deceit and denial, about how people and nations confront their past—or fail to do so.

At the same time, we get the lovely character drama in the foreground as Janis and Ana’s relationship becomes gradually and extremely complicated. Penélope Cruz is so very good at this stuff. Her performance ranges from subtle to ferocious, depending on what the scene requires. (Last year, she won the Best Actress prize at the Venice International Film Festival.) As teenage Ana, relative newcomer Smit is heartbreaking in her vulnerability.

This is all top-shelf filmmaking, and delicious on that level, but again, those colors!

Pedro Almodóvar clearly lives in a different world than the rest of us poor bastards. In Almodóvar’s world, spaces are perfectly lit and precisely arranged. His colors pop and shimmer, and he does things with blending that appear to be sorcery. I don’t think there are names for some of the colors in this film.

Layered atop storytelling this advanced, with performances this good, Almodóvar’s visual wizardry elevates the moviegoing experience to realms of giddy aesthetic pleasure. For those dazed by pandemic series television habits, it’s a reminder of how beautiful the old-fashioned feature film can be. W

C U LT U R E CA L E NDA R

stage Stick Fly $20+. Jan. 19–Feb. 6, various times. PlayMakers Repertory Company, Chapel Hill.

The Comedy Experience: Jesse Jones $10. Wed, Jan. 26, 8 p.m. The Fruit, Durham. Thurs, Jan. 27, 8 p.m. Clouds Brewing, Raleigh.

ART by Yasmina Reza $15-25. Jan. 27-Feb. 13, various times. Burning Coal Theatre Company, Raleigh.

Tig Notaro: Hello Again $35+. Thurs, Jan. 27, 7 p.m. The Carolina Theatre, Durham.

Open Mic StandUp Comedy Fri, Jan. 28, 8 p.m. Durty Bull Brewing, Durham.

Other Only Windows Presents: Three Beckett Ghost Plays $8.

Jan. 28-30, various times. Pure Life Theatre, Raleigh.

RENT $39+. Jan. 28-30, various times.

DPAC, Durham.

4 People in Space: An Art Exhibit of Four Women Artists Jan. 28-Feb. 20, various times.

Skylight Gallery, Hillsborough.

music

ABT Studio Company $10-35.

Sat, Jan. 29, 8 p.m.

Reynolds Industries Theater, Durham.

Organ Recital Series: Scott Dettra Sun, Jan. 30, 5 p.m. Duke Chapel, Durham.

Whitney Cummings: Touch Me Tour $56+. Sat, Jan. 29, 7 p.m. The Carolina Theatre, Durham.

The Comedy Experience: Steve Gillespie $10-15.

Tues, Feb. 1, 8 p.m.

The Matthews House, Cary.

art Guantánamo Bay Photo Archive: 2006–2010 with Christopher Sims Thurs, Jan. 27, 6:30 p.m. Power Plant Gallery, Durham.

Please check with local venues for their health and safety protocols.

Everyday Beauty Reception: Paintings by Anthony Ulinski and Pottery by Doug Dotson Sat, Jan. 29, 4 p.m.

PS118 Gallery, Durham.

Arts Discovery Educational Series: February One $8. Tues, Feb. 1, 9:45 a.m. and 11:20 a.m. The Carolina Theatre, Durham.

Courtney Barnett plays at The Ritz on Sunday, January 30.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE RITZ

El Ten Eleven $15 (advance), $17 (day of). Thurs, Jan. 27, 8 p.m. Cat’s Cradle, Carrboro.

Abbey Road LIVE! $10+. Sat, Jan. 29, 4 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Cat’s Cradle, Carrboro.

Red Wanting Blue $15. Sat, Jan. 29, 8 p.m. Cat’s Cradle Back Room, Carrboro.

Nellie McKay $20 (advance), $23 (day of). Thurs, Jan. 27, 8 p.m. Cat’s Cradle Back Room, Carrboro.

Erez Dessel and Simon Dunson Sat, Jan. 29, 7:30 p.m. The Oak House, Durham.

Courtney Barnett $30. Sun, Jan. 30, 7 p.m. The Ritz, Raleigh.

North Carolina Opera: La Bohème $21+. Jan. 28-30, various times. Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, Raleigh.

Glove $13 (advance), $15 (day of). Sun, Jan. 30, 8 p.m. Cat’s Cradle Back Room, Carrboro.

Jonathan Bagg, Laura Gilbert, and Mimi Solomon Sun, Jan. 30, 4 p.m.

Baldwin Auditorium, Durham.

Lomelda $16 (advance), $18 (day of). Mon, Jan. 31, 8 p.m. Cat’s Cradle Back Room, Carrboro.

Clint Roberts $10 (advance), $12 (door). Tues, Feb. 1, 7 p.m. The Pour House Music Hall, Raleigh.

The Weather Station $20 (advance), $23 (day of). Tues, Feb. 1, 8 p.m.

The ArtsCenter, Carrboro.

Ashley McBryde performs at The Carolina Theatre on Friday, January 28.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CAROLINA THEATER

North Carolina Symphony: Mahler Symphony No. 4 $20+. Jan 28-29, 8 p.m. Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, Raleigh.

Ashley McBryde: This Town Talks Tour $30+. Fri, Jan. 28, 8 p.m. The Carolina Theatre, Durham.

FOR OUR COMPLETE COMMUNITY CALENDAR: INDYWEEK.COM INDYweek.com

January 26, 2022

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FF O % 10 ON ALKLS

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In-Store Shopping Curbside Pick Up www.regulatorbookshop.com 720 Ninth Street, Durham, NC 27705 In-store and pick up hours: Tuesday–Sunday 10a-6p

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this week’s puzzle level:

© Puzzles by Pappocom

There is really only one rule to Sudoku: Fill in the game board so that the numbers 1 through 9 occur exactly once in each row, column, and 3x3 box.

The numbers can appear in any order and diagonals are not considered.

Your initial game board will consist of several numbers that are already placed. Those numbers cannot be changed. Your goal is to fill in the empty squares following the simple rule above.

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Best of luck, and have fun! www.sudoku.com solution to last week’s puzzle

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January 26, 2022

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CRIT TERS Looking for a loving cat companion?

Goathouse Refuge, a no-kill cat rescue in Pittsboro, NC, has many cats and kittens in need of loving homes. We also care for “unadoptable” cats, giving them attention and comfort they deserve. Please support our mission by adopting, sponsoring, volunteering or donating today: goathouserefuge.org.

SOFTWARE ENGINEER II (Raleigh, N.C.) Software Engineer II, F/T, at Truist (Multiple Openings) (Raleigh, NC) Deliver technically complex solutions.

Perform system integration support for all project work.

Consult & partner w/ the business product owners to understand the end goal & offer solutions & recommendations during the design. Must have Bach’s deg in Comp Sci, Comp Engg, or related tech’l field. Must have 4 yrs of exp in S/ware Engg or IT consulting positions performing/utilizing the following: applying in-depth knowl in info systems & ability to identify, apply, & implmt IT best practices; understanding of key business processes & competitive strategies related to the IT function; planning & managing projects & solving complex problems by applying best practices; providing direction & mentoring less exp’d teammates; & utilizing exp w/: Rally or equiv Agile Reqmts Mgmt Tool; SOAP UI; AWS; GIT; Maven; Java; Swift &/or Kotlin; & Agile S/ware Dvlpmt Techniques. Email resume w/ cvr ltr to: Paige.Whitesell@ Truist.com (Ref. Job No. R0051803)

LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE

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