SELLING COFFEE & GIVING AWAY KINDNESS
If you ask George Hoyt, the cafe manager for 33 & Elm Co ee House, what the best seller in the local cafe is he’d tell you community.
3 When you enter ODEH’S MEDITERRANEAN KITCHEN, look to your left. Make note of the large display of desserts — walnut baklava, chocolate pistachio baklava, ganache brownies, hazelnut ganache brownies, and tiramisu, to name a few.
3 4 7
raise their confidence.
Publisher CHARLES A. WOMACK III publisher@yesweekly.com
EDITORIAL
Designer ALEX FARMER designer@yesweekly.com Designer SHANE HART artdirector@yesweekly.com
Marketing ANGELA COX angela@yesweekly.com
WAGEMAN travis@yesweekly.com
4 CRITICAL MASS is a call to action for local governments and road planners to institute safer infrastructure and design roads that are inclusive of pedestrians and cyclists instead of prioritizing motor traffic.
7 Actress Anna Kendrick turns director in WOMAN OF THE HOUR, a fact-based true-crime drama with a perceptive Ian McDonald script (originally titled Rodney and Sheryl) that languished on Hollywood’s “Black List” of the best-unproduced screenplays before Kendrick (also an executive producer) opted to make her feature debut.
5 It could be said that the 25thanniversary screening of Troy Duffy’s THE BOONDOCK SAINTS this Thursday sees the film back on the big screen … for the very first time.
9 There’ll be plenty of time for ho’ho’ho-ing and jingle-bell times; but first here’s a few suggestions to ROCK AWAY the electoral worries with new eras, heartwarming gatherings, and celebratory traditions (including a few Black Friday bills) to feast upon this November.
6 Juliette Gordon Low, Founder of the GIRL SCOUTS OF THE USA. Also known as Daisy, created a movement for all girls to come together and embrace their strengths, unlock their full potential, and
12 Three years after funding the purchase of a deteriorating hotel so it could be turned into affordable and supportive housing, the City of Greensboro TORE IT DOWN.
Chow Down with John Batchelor at Odeh’s
BY JOHN BATCHELOR
When you enter Odeh’s Mediterranean Kitchen, look to your left. Make note of the large display of desserts — walnut baklava, chocolate pistachio baklava, ganache brownies, hazelnut ganache brownies, and tiramisu, to name a few. It’s one of the most impressive assemblies I have seen in a long time, all made in-house, according to a sta member. Usually, I discuss desserts at the end of an article, because that’s when they occur in a normal dinner sequence. In this case, I am warning you in advance. Save room for dessert. The tiramisu I had is as good as any, at any price, anywhere, and it made me want to work my way through the rest of the showcase!
Then look to your right, toward the dining room entry, and you will see a wall decorated with awards from YES! Weekly Triad’s Best voting. In 2024 alone, this restaurant walked o with first place in each of the following categories: Mahmoud Odeh as Best Chef in Guilford County, Best Family Restaurant, Best Lunch, Best Middle Eastern Restaurant, Best Vegetarian Restaurant, followed by Second Place for Best Salads. Previous years have seen similar accolades. I think this makes Odeh’s the most lauded restaurant in our area.
My meals here validate YES! Weekly readers’ assessment.
The dining room is slightly separated from a bar area by a partition. The martini and cocktails list is lengthy and creative. A mojito proved light and refreshing, not overly sweet. The wine list earns points for both quality and value. It is fairly wide-ranging, appropriate in length for a restaurant of this concept. My wife and I started our adventure here with a Middle Eastern Sampler, an assortment of five appetizers. Baba Ganoush is a mashed eggplant concoction, with olive oil and a little lemon juice. Tabouleh uses finely diced parsley tossed with bulgar wheat, accented with lemon juice. Hummus is based on mashed chickpeas. Red pepper hummus adds roasted and blended red peppers. All these are spread on fried pita bread. Another starter, Falafel, is made from mashed chickpeas, molded into a ball and fried crisp, enhanced with tahini sauce, made from toasted sesame seeds. The flavors are simply wonderful, and regular readers know that is a word I seldom use. Food
here really tastes that good. Then we moved on to a couple of traditional Middle Eastern entrées, Chicken and Beef Kabobs. The chicken breast meat is moist and tender, not overcooked, and the beef is higher quality, more tender, and more flavorful than what I usually find in restaurants that specialize in this cuisine, and it arrived cooked just as ordered. Tahini sauce extends flavor. (Other sauces are available as well.) This comes with a choice of two sides. I chose Baba Ganoush and Cabbage Salad, which should not be confused with American slaw. It’s a vibrant red concoction, rather sharp in flavor, pleasantly crisp.
Another combination platter, Mixed Shawarma, allowed further exploration of di erent preparations. This is street food style, roasted on a spit, combined with onions and green peppers, presented over rice with bits of carrot and green peas. This is usually folded inside pita wedges, provided on the side. A side salad is constructed from mixed lettuces, diced tomatoes and cucumbers, plus shredded cheese, with a very tasty Greek dressing. Corn Salad joins diced red and
green peppers with pickles with yellow corn.
A good bit of the menu is devoted to sandwiches, so in order to complete a representative sampling, my wife chose a Grilled Chicken Sub. This combines grilled breast meat with similarly treated onions and mushrooms, plus sundried tomatoes and mozzarella cheese, lettuce and tomato, mayonnaise and a little basil pesto, on a sub roll. Once again, this is noteworthy for flavor.
Pizzas are available as well, but I have not had one yet. In addition to trying more of those desserts, this just gives me another reason to look forward to visiting Odeh’s again. When I made my usual telephone call for fact-checking, I learned that a separate menu featuring higher-end ingredients is available. I wish a server had told me about it when I was there. Oh, well, just one more reason for a return visit.
An article in the News and Record provided a bit of history. Mahmoud and Brandi Odeh opened the restaurant five years ago, gradually expanding as patronage grew. They adapted successfully to COVID with an excellent takeout and
online ordering system, which remains an important aspect of the restaurant’s concept. (I found it easy to use and very e cient.) Mahmoud Odeh is Palestinian, from Nazareth. His ambition in coming to this country in 1997 was to play professional soccer. Instead, he wound up cooking family recipes which have earned quite a following.
Count me among this restaurant’s fans! !
WANNA go?
Odeh’s Mediterranean Kitchen 3805 Tinsley Dr #111 High Point 27265 336-905-7071 odehsmediterraneankitchen.com
Hours: Tuesday-Friday 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., 4:30-8 p.m.; Saturday 4-8 p.m.
Appetizers: $6.75-$20.75
Salads: $7-$8
Pizza: $11.50-$16.99
Sandwiches: $11.50-$18.99
Entrees: $13.50-$23.99
Desserts: $4.69-$7.50
Most recent visit: Oct. 29
Appetizer Sampler Platter Falafel Chicken and Beef Kabobs
Tiramisu
Chicken Sub
Chicken Shawarma
Safety In Numbers: Cyclists of Greensboro Ride As One
As the saying goes, “there is safety in numbers.”
The Critical Mass of Greensboro would agree with that statement.
The group bands together on the last Friday of every month to bike through the streets of downtown in hopes of bringing awareness to the lack of infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists around town.
The movement peaked in the United States in the 1990s but has since fizzled out. Maybe from a lack of cyclist safety activists, education, or from the thought that cyclists had already won. Whatever the reason, Critical Mass is fighting for its comeback.
Star Sedda is one of the spurs of Greensboro’s Critical Mass and its social media correspondent. Sedda heard about Critical Mass from other cyclists in the community who have biked with the movement in other cities. The idea struck a chord with them so they brought Critical Mass to Greensboro.
Critical Mass is a call to action for local governments and road planners to institute safer infrastructure and design roads that are inclusive of pedestrians and cyclists instead of prioritizing mo-
tor tra c. The group has no leader or hierarchy of power, it’s rather a collective of like-minded people fighting for a common goal.
“We are the advertisement. We show up and we ride. People know that we’re there and know we will be there next month and will join,” said Sedda. According to Sedda, a lot of people who support organizing the event make their own flyers. “It’s a way to share art and make it an event that is shared by the whole community,” said Sedda.
In Greensboro, the group meets at Lebauer Park to discuss safety guidelines, information, and the route before they set o as a unit. “Anybody can join, it’s usually a very slow ride. We also have dedicated sweeps [which are] people in the back who have basic mechanic skills and can help people if something happens, like a flat tire,” said Sedda.
The first ride was scheduled for Aug. 30, however a storm pushed that back to Sept. 27. Almost 40 people came out to ride. Since the first ride, the group has grown by roughly 15 people each ride.
“It was really fun, I’ve been twice. It’s a chill community event, good for meeting other people who bike. I brought my dad to the second one,” said Collin Pleasants, a regular Critical Mass attendee. “I think most of the drivers around [Greensboro] have zero care for cyclists. I think [Critical Mass] helps a lot with bringing awareness, people seem curious.”
Cyclists are the only ones who’ve joined the group. Skateboarders and people on roller skates helped to flood the streets.
“We had some people who joined us randomly while we were riding. They were like ‘oh I’m riding my bike let me join these people’ and that was really fun. It’s really just a celebration of bicycling and being safe on the road,” said Sedda.
pedestrian and bicyclist infrastructure, but the resources are simply just going to cars and are focused on making it a carcentered city,” said Sedda.
As a farm worker and food justice worker, Sedda has taken note of the weather changes in Greensboro throughout the years.
“Fossil fuels are a ecting climate change and it’s going to a ect our lives and the lives of future generations. If we aren’t creating the infrastructure for there to be anything but cars we’re basically contributing to our own death as a society,” said Sedda.
There aren’t many connecting greenways and sidewalks in Greensboro so when cyclists hit these busy roads it is extremely unsafe, as per Sedda.
In order to stay safe during rides, cyclists have coined the term corking. At any given second the light can change and some cyclists can get left behind from the group. At a four-way intersection certain cyclists get in between and in front of tra c to create a barricade and let the group pedal on with ease as one vehicle together, explained Sedda who has been hit by a car in downtown Greensboro, but fortunately didn’t break any bones.
“Pedestrians and bicyclists don’t get as much consideration as car drivers in Greensboro and a vast majority of resources go towards accommodating car drivers, leaving people like us, cyclists and pedestrians, clutching at the very edges of the roadway,” complained Sedda.
An example of the state prioritizing car drivers is the Greensboro Urban Loop, a complete loop around the city built to bypass tra c on Interstate 40. According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the estimated cost of all four-loop segments was $504.4 million. The project took 10 years to complete.
“What we need are sidewalks on both sides of the street, safe crosswalks at every intersection and to have world-class
“It’s not safe to have one or two cyclists separated. It’s the opposite of what we want. We want visibility and the reason Critical Mass happens is because enough of a group of bicyclists on the road makes it safe enough and makes it visible enough for folks to not just run us over,” said Sedda. !
MAGGIE MARSHALL is a Greensboro based freelance writer and zine maker. She graduated from UNCG with a bachelor’s degree in Media Studies. Her writing interests include music, film, sustainability and counterculture.
Maggie Marshall
Contributor
PHOTOS BY STAR SEDDA
Blasting through Boston with The Boondock Saints
Mark Burger
Contributor
It could be said that the 25thanniversary screening of Troy Du y’s The Boondock Saints this Thursday sees the film back on the big screen … for the very first time.
That’s because the cult classic, which marked writer/director Du y’s feature debut, was barely released to theaters back in 1999. A much-publicized but undeniably rocky production, the film didn’t even crack the $1 million mark (or even the $50,000 mark!) at the box o ce, which traditionally would have meant a quick trip to obscurity. Then a funny thing happened.
The film became a video smash, grossing roughly $50 million in sales. Fans began hosting screening parties and even some theaters hosted midnight screenings where, in the tradition of The Rocky Horror Show (1975), they would come dressed like the characters and reciting the dialogue at opportune (and inopportune) moments. The film spawned comic books, fan clubs, podcasts, an o cial website (https://boondocksaints.com/), and more. Thus, a bona fide 21st-century cult classic was born.
This Thursday, Iconic Events pay homage to the Boondock brigade by presenting special theatrical screenings to commemorate its 25th anniversary, and of the hundreds of theaters nationwide showing the film, two are located right here in Greensboro: The Regal Palladium (5830 Samet Drive) and Regal Greensboro Grande (3205 Northline Ave.). Showtime is 7:30 p.m., tickets are $16.01 (general admission), and can be purchased at https://www.iconicreleasing.com/events/ boondock-saints/. And, make no mistake, The Boondock Saints is rated R for good reason!
Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus star as the Irish Catholic fraternal twins Connor and Murphy MacManus, who seek redemption through revenge by ridding their beloved Boston of crime. Operating as vigilantes, they became folk heroes in the neighborhood as they mete out justice in ruthless, relentless terms, but their actions draw the attention of cunning but morally conflicted FBI agent
Willem Dafoe and a mysterious, black-clad killer known as “Il Duce” (Billy Connolly), whose heretofore unknown ties to the twins puts him in a moral quandary as well.
Du y’s original screenplay for The Boondock Saints sparked a bidding war between various studios, including New Line Cinema and Paramount Pictures, before Miramax Films swooped in and picked them up, generating headlines in the trade papers, especially when it was revealed that Miramax actually bought the Melrose Avenue bar where Du y worked (!). Despite never having made a movie before, Du y was being touted as the heir apparent to Quentin Tarantino and Guy Ritchie. But when Miramax put the project in turnaround, it seemed the film would never be made.
Then, producer Elie Samaha at Franchise Pictures scooped up the project, albeit with a lower budget and the proviso that the majority be shot in Toronto instead of Boston to further save costs. Du y agreed, and filming went without incident, which was more than could be said for the circumstances leading up to it.
Upon completion, the film was shopped at the Cannes Film Festival, but no studio would release it. Its meager theatrical release was further hampered by the publicity surrounding the Columbine High School massacre, which occurred mere weeks before the film’s test screenings. (Incidentally, the story behind the making of The Boondock Saints was chronicled in the excellent 2003 documentary Overnight, which makes a fascinating companion piece to the movie itself.)
As it turned out, The Boondock Saints couldn’t be killed. It couldn’t be buried. Du y’s dream project, which looked like it was headed for a nightmare, hit a nerve among film fans, and the film survived and thrived. A 2006 theatrical re-release proved so successful that Du y reunited with Flanery, Reedus, and Connolly for The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day (2009), and a third installment — again teaming Flanery and Reedus — is reportedly in preproduction.
Not bad for a film considered a flop when it first came out!
For more information, visit the o cial Iconic Events website: https://www.iconicreleasing.com/. !
See MARK BURGER’s reviews of current movies. © 2024, Mark Burger.
[ WEEKLY ARTS ROUNDUP]
UNCSA TO PRESENT “THE WILD PARTY”
The University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) 2024-25 performance season, “UNCSA Presents,” will feature seven presentations of “The Wild Party,” a musical by Andrew Lippa. “The Wild Party” won the 2000 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical, with Andrew Lippa recognized for his work as the creator of the book, lyrics, and music.
With performances taking place Nov. 7 through Nov. 16, “The Wild Party” was inspired by the Roaring ‘20s epic long poem of the same name by poet and screenwriter Joseph Moncure March. The musical features a crazy cast of characters who show up for the festivities, with moves and revenge moves by the principals and their friends.
The UNCSA School of Drama is presenting “The Wild Party” with the support of the School of Design and Production and the School of Music. UNCSA Drama faculty member Cli Odle serves as director of this tale of emotions gone haywire.
A wild party is thrown to try to rekindle a fading relationship. Drinking, dancing and general chaos ensues leading to the big number of Act I, “A Wild, Wild Party,” based on, of all things, the story of Adam and Eve. This jazz tale of jealousy and violent rage ultimately reaches a terrifying climax in Act II and the musical ends with a reflective song “How Did We Come to This?”
Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7 through Satuday,
Nov. 9; 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 10; and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14 through Nov. 16. All performances will take place in Freedman Theatre located in the Alex C. Ewing Performance Place on the UNCSA campus, 1533 S. Main Street in WinstonSalem.
Also, during November, the UNCSA School of Filmmaking will feature a screening of Fritz Lang’s “Metropolis” (1927) with a thunderous live metal score by The Silent Light. This free screening will take place at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15 in the Main Theatre of the ACE Exhibition Complex of the School of Filmmaking on the UNCSA campus, 1533 S. Main Street in Winston-Salem.
On Sunday, Nov. 17, the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute will o er an intimate theater experience with the up-andcoming voices who will soon grace the finest opera stages worldwide. The performance will take place at the Hanesbrands Theatre, 209 N. Spruce Street in Winston-Salem.
From Nov. 19 through Nov. 23, the UNCSA School of Dance will showcase its annual Emerging Choreographers performance, featuring original works by talented student choreographers. Performances will take place in Agnes de Mille Theatre on the UNCSA campus, 1533 S. Main Street in Winston-Salem. !
WANNA know?
SUBMITTED
Letter to the Editor: Girl Scouts Founder’s Day
BY JENNIFER WILCOX
“Scouting rises within you and inspires you to put forth your best,” said Juliette Gordon Low, Founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA. Also known as Daisy, she created a movement for all girls to come together and embrace their strengths, unlock their full potential, and raise their confidence. Over a century later, millions of Girl Scouts have brought her dream to reality and continue to make the world a
better place through courage, confidence, and character. We celebrate Founder’s Day each year on Oct. 31, Juliette Gordon Low’s birthday, to recognize her mission and passion for believing in every girl.
As families fill up their schedules for a busy fall of school and extracurricular activities, parents are searching for meaningful opportunities to bond with their children while developing essential life skills.
Today’s parents are doing things di erently, so Girl Scouts of the USA partnered with a market research firm in 2023 to identify key insights on today’s parenting and family needs. Some of these findings include:
1. Parenting today is more challenging than ever: downtime and family time are the new mandatories.
2. Caregivers are rediscovering their own needs and paths: parenting has become highly customized with a specifically crafted course for each unique family.
3. In a world full of competition and
conformity, parents are seeking places and spaces to allow their daughters to be themselves. Today’s parents are not looking for their daughters to fit into any prescribed boxes — they are rather excited to see the unique talents and personalities of their children flourish, and they cherish their individuality and want to fan those flames.
4. Parents are looking to build a strong family first. They are determined to be engaged, to be present, to parent di erently, and to create that “safe space.”
5. Parents overwhelmingly prioritize self-confidence as the most desired outcome for their children’s activity selection. This desire is closely followed by an emphasis on personal growth, making friends, physical wellness, and life skills.
6. Parents have a robust sense of confidence in their parenting abilities, but the challenge lies more in their capacity to parent: this can mean a lack of time, tools, or resources.
Families should know that Girl Scouts provides a solution to the priorities of today’s parents by serving as their supportive “village.” Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont (GSCP2P) is a girl-led organization which means each Girl Scout can discover her talents, grow in a safe space, and give back to her community in her own unique way. There are programs, activities, and events for any girl’s interests. Parents and families are encouraged to become approved volunteers to experience the skill-building of Girl Scouts while developing their relationships with their girl.
We’re proud to be the best leadership program for girls with a focus on STEM, outdoors, life skills, and entrepreneurship. With the help of supportive adults and troop leaders who bring those processes to life, there are five outcomes of Girl Scouting including strong sense of self, positive values, challenge seeking, healthy relationships, and community problem-solving. Each girl should have the opportunity to experience this program, and her family can be right by her side as she becomes her best self. Being part of a local Girl Scout council has national impacts. On Oct. 19, 2024, Girl Scouts of the USA’s National Council,
made up of girl and adult members from across the country, elected by their peers, voted to increase annual dues for girl members to $65, which will be phased in over the next two years. Six delegates from GSCP2P joined the discussion to represent the interests of local girls. National Council Sessions represent the best of Girl Scouts’ dynamic democratic process — one that is for Girl Scouts, by Girl Scouts.
This increase represents an investment in girls, their potential, and the promise of Girl Scouting. This investment provides GSUSA with the opportunity to implement initiatives that will have a lasting impact on our Girl Scout councils, volunteers, and the girls and families we serve. All girls should know that they are worth investing in, and Girl Scouts o ers a space where girls can lead, take risks, seek challenges, and be unafraid to make mistakes — a space where girls can just be themselves.
This troop year will be di erent for GSCP2P because over half of our council was directly impacted by Hurricane Helene and its devastation in the Southeast. In response, we’ve established the One P2P Fund to support our sta , Girl Scouts, and volunteers. This campaign will provide sta relief, membership, and troop support as well as uniform replacement for the GSCP2P council. A ected communities are just beginning to find a path forward and rebuild their lives, and GSCP2P is here to provide strength and unity when the time is right.
For 112 years, Girl Scouts has prepared girls across the globe for a lifetime of leadership, community service, and sisterhood. Troops from the eastern part of our council jumped right into action by gathering and donating supplies, writing notes of encouragement, assembling donation bags, and more. GSCP2P is here to prepare girls and their families for life’s challenges, and the council will serve its members and communities through the ups and downs, when they are ready for that circle of support.
It is truly a great time...the best time... to be a Girl Scout! Please visit our website to learn more about the benefits of Girl Scouting and how to get involved in volunteering and giving back. All girls in grades K-12 are always invited to join at any time to ignite their girl power, and any approved adult is encouraged to join with her as a volunteer: www. BeAGirlScout.org/join. !
CEO of Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont
Woman of the Hour
Actress Anna Kendrick turns director in Woman of the Hour , a fact-based truecrime drama with a perceptive Ian McDonald script (originally titled Rodney and Sheryl ) that languished on Hollywood’s “Black List” of the bestunproduced screenplays before Kendrick (also an executive producer) opted to make her feature debut. The result is a triumph for all concerned, deftly combining satire and suspense in a tight little package.
At the outset, we are introduced to Rodney Alcala (Daniel Zovatto), a handsome photographer specializing in glamour. With his flowing black locks and affable demeanor, he’s the sort of Good Samaritan who’s always willing to offer a helping hand, especially to young women and particularly those in need. Anyone familiar with Rodney Alcala, however, is aware that he was a serial killer who remained at large for the better part of the 1970s and may have killed as many as 130 people before finally being apprehended.
Sheryl Robinson (Kendrick) knows none of this. An aspiring actress from Pennsylvania, she’s trying to catch a break in Hollywood despite her adamance about not selling out by doffing her top on film or consenting to cheesecake photos to enhance her profile. In various interviews, Kendrick has said that Sheryl’s experiences mirror some of her own when she was just starting out, and many of them remain relevant to this day.
On a whim, and with some reluctance, Sheryl agrees to compete on television’s The Dating Game , wherein she must select a winner among three bachelors without ever laying eyes on them. On her episode, Bachelor #3 happens to be Rodney Alcala.
During the taping, a member of the studio audience — Laura (Nicolette Robinson) — recognizes Alcala as the man last seen with her best friend, whom she later discovered raped and strangled. The more she gazes at him, the more
certain Laura is that he is the culprit who somehow managed to elude police capture. The film subtly makes the point that the incompetence or ineptitude of the authorities virtually gave Alcala carte blanche to continue his reign of terror without fear of detection or capture — a chilling notion that is only one of several found in the film.
As a first-time director, Kendrick displays remarkable assurance, deftly shifting from the taping of the game show to scenes of Alcala’s nefarious exploits. Woman of the Hour is not conveyed in chronological fashion but is nevertheless easy to follow. It’s clear, concise, and absorbing throughout, with nary a wasted moment in its taut, trim 95-minute running time.
In this, the #MeToo era, the observations about sexism could easily have become preachy or heavy-handed. The film contains those observations but conveys them in a semi-satirical fashion that gets the message across without seeming forced. Even during its long run on syndication, The Dating Game sometimes came off as cringe-worthy — despite the inevitable laughter from the studio audience. It is therefore amusing when Sheryl goes off-script during the taping to gently mock the male contestants, which delights the studio audience but infuriates Tony Hale’s smarmy host, here called Ed Burke. (The actual host of The Dating Game , for those who remember, was Jim Lange, who could be a little smarmy himself.)
The narrative is character-driven but allows ample room for stylistic touches, particularly with Zach Kuperstein’s evocative cinematography and an ap-
tion from two classics of their respective genres. What’s more, it paid off.
propriately nerve-jangling score by the duo of Dan Romer and Mike Tuccillo. If Kendrick appropriated some elements of Sidney Lumet’s Network (1976) in terms of the television satire and David Fincher’s Zodiac (2007) in terms of the serial-killer aspects, she sought inspira-
Both Kendrick and Robinson offer strong portrayals of strong, but not invulnerable young women, but there’s no denying that Zovatto is the dominant figure and force here. His splitsecond transformation from chivalrous would-be suitor to stone-cold killer is utterly convincing. Oozing charisma and dropping names by the score — his film teacher at New York University, he claims, was Roman Polanski — Zovatto’s Alcala is supremely self-confident, and why shouldn’t he be? Thus far no one’s been able to lay a finger on him. He commits his heinous crimes then simply moves on to the next potential victim, with no fear of reprisal. This is one of the year’s best performances, in a film that says a lot without ever really having to say it aloud. !
See MARK BURGER ’s reviews of current movies. © 2024, Mark Burger.
Mark Burger
Contributor
58 Committing a basketball infraction
61 “Not gonna happen,” elementally?
68 Without requiring me to change
69 Like Columbus, by birth
70 Weird sort
Mention his name to just about any country music lover and the response will likely be, “What an awesome vocalist!” Between 1979 and 1990 John recorded and marketed six albums on his own Clear Sky Records label. But it was his stunning performance of the title track of the 1995 CD “O Holy Night” that led to his most enduring legacy. John Berry began doing a Christmas tour in 1996, and 2021 marked his 25th consecutive Christmas concert series. As John has grown
his
Election Day Distractions: November heavy hitters, heavy hearts, and some sweet lil’ traditions
At the time of this writing, Election Day looms. By the time it hits stands, the polls will be closed and the winner announced. Heavy times.
It’s a weird time of year — in a pretty weird year in general — and before we all know it, the holidays will land. There’ll be plenty of time for ho’ho’ho-ing and jingle-bell times; but first here’s a few suggestions to rock away the electoral worries with new eras, heartwarming gatherings, and celebratory traditions (including a few Black Friday bills) to feast upon this November.
Irata, Jphono1, and Limn at the Flat Iron; Nov. 8
Starting things o with two sorts of heavy: first, it’s a new era for the hard rockers in Irata — which they’ll usher in using a set of entirely new songs at their first Flat Iron show in five long years. “Mark your calendars and let’s party, Greensboro!,” said guitarist Owen Burd, who’s stoked to share the bill with the slightly more atmospheric, though no less heavy Limn. Jphono1 will join the party from the Triangle — giving this writer the opportunity to finally plug his work — showcasing the powerful collision of visual art and guitar action in one tater-tot lovin’ package.
The Matty Sheets Memorial Celebration at The Back Table; Nov. 10
With heavy hearts and voices high, friends and musicians will o cially celebrate the life of the one-and-only Mr. Matty Sheets at a brand new space: the Back Table (816 S. Elm St.) in Greensboro. Nestled in the same compound as the Continental Club where Matty last held his open mics — the same open mics that now bear his name with an o cial plaque on the well — the Back Table features a few familiar faces in Sheets’ periphery. Tom Troyer is installing the sound system as this article prints. Laura Jane Vincent’s influence is evident — she’s wrangling the details for the celebration; which will feature a rotation of folks performing songs from Sheets’
unyielding catalog. “We’re celebrating the life and legacy of Matty Sheets through the presentation of his music,” she said.
“Every single day we spoke about something, every single day he reminded me that I was awesome,” Vincent added, musing the presence of Sheets’ recollection. “Every single day he sent me a song to listen to, every single day he was an excellent friend to me. And wow I sure miss it. Every. Single. Day.”
Folks are invited to join the celebration in sharing his memory on Nov. 10.
Crossroads #029: Sunny War and Owen FitzGerald at NCMA W-S (formerly SECCA); Nov. 16
There’s a new name over the entrance, but NCMA W-S is proud to carry on the tradition of the Crossroads Music Series with its 29th installment featuring the wonderfully hardass Tennessee Blues picker, Sunny War in the headlining spot; with support from Sleepy Cat Records’ folkster crooner, Owen FitzGerald.
Launched in 2011, Crossroads has become one of the longest-running concert series in the state; and continues exploring the hidden backstreets, lost highways, and unexpected intersections of folk, Americana, and rock through Grammy winners and emerging stars alike. Alumni include Wednesday, Lucinda Williams, Gillian Welch, Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn, Leon Russell, Bill Frisell, Justin Townes Earle, Patterson Hood, Hiss Golden Messenger, Night Moves, and the Blind Boys of Alabama. Coming in hot from her summer tour supporting Iron & Wine, Sunny War has been described as a “force of nature that is tough to pin down.” The Nashville native has gone from the gutter to the Ryman — from Tennessee to Los Angeles and back again — shaking up the 12-bar standard and helping reignite blues music through songs of resilience, edge, and magnetically dexter-
ous fingerpicking guitar work. Frankly, War hits the hell outta the clawhammer technique — often drawing comparisons to “Robert Johnson with a shot of Bad Brains.” Wrangling the tough and tender — with a Ween cover to boot — her 2023 album, “Anarchist Gospel,” was released to widespread acclaim; landing among “Best Albums of the Year” lists in outlets like Rolling Stone, Spin, and Mojo Durham’s Owen FitzGerald will open up the show with his own tough and tender sonic flair; which he describes as “brutal and funny, sort of like that scene in Fargo with the woodchipper.” Armed with a warped blend of three chords and the truth (along with a sprawling three-act Myrtle Beach-based rock tragedy), FitzGerald looks forward to carrying on the Crossroads tradition in his childhood hometown.
“The Wizard of Oz” at the Carolina Theatre; Nov. 16, 17, 23 and 24
One of the weirdest parts about getting older is witnessing the transition of traditions develop — watching the first year of something somehow blink into its 29th. In this instance, I’m speaking specifically about Community Theatre of Greensboro’s annual presentation of ”The Wizard of Oz” (yours truly was actually a wee little cast member that first year).
Greensboro thespians have been following that yellow brick road for almost three decades — and truthfully, it remains a delight. As CTG organizers note, “You can probably perform the whole show with your eyes closed! But you can never replicate the sheer joy our audiences feel year after year as they watch 100+ talented kids, teens, and adults (both on- and backstage) present this timeless classic.” Going over the rainbow with Dorothy and the crew has become a Greensborian way to welcome the holiday season. CTG’s 29th annual production of “The Wizard of Oz”
Black Friday Traditions: Camel City Yacht Club at The Ramkat and Possum Jenkins at Wiseman Brewery; Nov. 29 Camel City Yacht Club sails into another annual Black Friday Show at the Ramkat — now with a new guitarist at the helm: Ridge Forrester will replace Tom Collins. But it’s all smooth on board. “Collins will always be a friend and part of our family, and we wish the very best for his future endeavors,” said Captain (and vocalist) Thurston Howard III. “We sincerely thank him for four years of top-notch sailing. Come help us welcome Ridge to the Yacht Club!”
Meanwhile, over at Wiseman Brewing, the Possum Jenkins crew will celebrate with another Black Friday afternoon blowout. “Y’all grab your cousin and come on out!,” they said. The group — now entering its 20th year as a band — has its own “Possum Drinkins” Wiseman beer variety — a breezy German Lagor, “perfect for those looking for a gentle sip.”
And while Possum Jenkins looks forward to rocking with their Winston family, the Boone-borne band still has hearts and hands in Western N.C. With that, it’s worth mentioning that Possum Dave Brewer’s Carolina Ramble Productions is helping present “Wake of the Flood: A benefit for and by Appalachian Musicians” on Nov. 15 at The Appalachian Theatre of the High Country in downtown Boone.
Happy November, Triad!
Take a breather — by the time this prints, the election will be in the rearview — with the nosedive into holiday nostalgia straight ahead. Crunch some leaves and catch some tunes, y’all. Cheers. !
takes over the Carolina Theatre on Nov. 16, 17, 23, and 24.
KATEI CRANFORD is a Triad music nerd who enjoys spotlighting artists and events.
Katei Cranford
Contributor
Selling Co ee and Giving Away Kindness: 33 & Elm o
ers more than co ee
to the community
If you ask George Hoyt, the cafe manager for 33 & Elm Coffee House, what the best seller in the local cafe is he’d tell you community.
“We are focused on creating a connection with people all the time. That’s really the big picture of what we are doing here,” Hoyt said. “We sell coffee and give away kindness. That’s what we do.”
The cafe opened to the public a few years ago and is owned and operated by the Industries of the Blind, a local nonprofit that works to “provide opportunities for employment and personal development for people who are blind or visually impaired to achieve greater independence,” according to its mission. Located at 924 W. Gate City Blvd., the cafe is less than a mile from downtown and is what Hoyt considers a “neighborhood store and community builder.” The areas they closely service include Spartan Village, Glenwood, and College Hill, although anyone in Greensboro is welcome. The cafe offers ample seating
room and boasts a conference room that seats up to 25 people, and is able to be rented for private gatherings.
“Those are our local areas. We actually get a lot of A&T students and faculty here, as well. We also serve our Industries of the Blind associates here,” he said.
Products at the cafe are locally sourced from local businesses and 100 percent of the net income goes toward supporting the Industries of the Blind and the work they do for the visually impaired community. Food vendors include First Carolina Delicatessen, Cheesecakes by Alex, Easy Peasy Decadent Desserts, Greenfield’s NY Deli & Bagels, and Rose and Rae’s.
“We do have a lot of food in-house,” Hoyt said. “One of the reasons we have a lot of food that we serve at a very lowprofit margin is for our associates, so they don’t have to depend as much on delivered food because that’s expensive. All of our vendors are local. We do have a full pastries section as well as sugarfree, gluten-free, and Keto-friendly pastries.”
Along with offering coffee, Hoyt said there is something for everyone.
“We do have delicious coffee. Our espresso is fantastic and we have a good variety of flavors, probably more so than a lot of places. We also have a good se-
lection of sugar-free flavors because we do get Keto people in here a lot,” he said of the cafe’s selection. “We have a lot of food — sandwiches, salads, quiches, egg bites — things like that that maybe a lot of places don’t necessarily carry as much as we do. We also have, of course, a lot of pastries.”
Hoyt said that the visually impaired community is a unique community with unique needs.
“In the cafe, I would say about 50 percent of our labor is blind and visually impaired. Company-wide, that percentage is 75. Their accommodations tend to be rather specific.”
Hoyt said accommodations are a little different for those working in the cafe, versus working in the warehouse, manufacturing, assembly facilities, or distribution area.
“In the cafe, we are a little bit of laboratory for figuring out what kind of accommodations need to be in place for people with different visual acuity. All of our visually impaired associates at the cafe have some usable vision, which is helpful, but we’ve also had associates down here who are completely blind. Part of what we do is invent the accommodations that we need for our visually impaired people to work here,” Hoyt explained. “It’s a unique opportunity for a visually impaired person to have retail
experience, and cafe and food service.” Hoyt said that 33 & Elm Coffee House partly exists for that reason.
“Hopefully a lot of the people that are working here are getting some skills that they could potentially take out into the marketplace or wherever they go to next. For us, I think it’s important to offer something that is not just manufacturing and assembly,” he said. “That there is a place for people who are people-oriented, who love coffee, and who like creating that kind of community. It’s important and another way our visually impaired people can find meaningful employment and training.”
Hoyt said that the culture of the cafe and its workers set the cafe apart from similar locations throughout the city.
“When you come to our cafe you can step into a different culture sometimes, which is our blind and visually impaired culture. That’s part of why we’re here, to be an outreach to our community. So that people who are sighted can come in and experience a little bit of our culture and realize that our visually impaired people are no different than anybody else,” Hoyt said. “They live their lives and do what they have to do to get along just like anybody else, it just happens to be that they have sight issues. But they are no different than you and me.”
Hoyt said that the cafe has program-
Chanel Davis
Editor
ming designed to engage and give back to the community. These events include Hump Day specials, partnering with other nonprofits, live music, open mics, and donation drives.
“We have some programming that happens on a regular basis. We just had a blood drive this past Saturday and we are collecting supplies right now for the mountains,” he said. “We are always doing a lot to hopefully provide value to our community but also allow people an opportunity to give back.”
Hoyt said that guests should take more than a cup of Joe away from their visit.
“They should expect to walk away with a smile on their face and a delicious cup of coffee in their hand. I think they
will also leave feeling a little bit more inspired to do their best because they’re witnessing other people do exactly that same thing.”
For more information on the cafe, its events, or specials, visit its Facebook page at @33andelmcoffeehouse or @33andelm on Instagram. !
CHANEL DAVIS is the current editor of YES! Weekly and graduated from N.C. A&T S.U. in 2011 with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications. She’s worked at daily and weekly newspapers in the Triad region.
WANNA know?
For more information on the cafe, its events, or specials, visit its Facebook page at @33andelmco eehouse or @33andelm on Instagram.
MON: $3 Domestic Bottles & All Burgers $10.99 TUE: 1/2 Price Wine | WED: $4 Draft THU: $8 Bud Light Pitchers & $3 Fireball
Daily Happy Hour
MONDAY-WEDNESDAY 3-6PM MON: $9.99 Wings | TUE: $9.99 Nachos WED: $5.99 Snackables
11AM-10 PM | FRIDAY-SATURDAY 11AM-11PM SUNDAY 11AM-8PM | BRUNCH 11AM-2PM
Hotel of Dreams: Council demolishes hotel
Three years after funding the purchase of a deteriorating hotel so it could be turned into affordable and supportive housing, the City of Greensboro tore it down.
In November 2021, Greensboro City Council voted to give a no-interest forgivable loan of $3,020,700 to Partnership Homes, so the nonprofit could purchase and repair the Regency Inn & Suites at 2701 N. O Henry Blvd. That funding was for the $2.75 million purchase and Partnership’s $100,000 administrative fee, as well as $75,000 in architectural design, insurance, attorney fees, surveying, inspection, and environmental testing. The purchaser was expected to raise an additional $10 million to convert the property into permanent supportive housing for the city’s homeless community.
While the former hotel was used
as temporary emergency shelter that winter and the next, the “permanent” part of the plan never materialized, and it remained empty from 2023 until its demolition last week.
In May 2023, council unanimously approved a contract with the Santa Monicabased homeless services nonprofit Step Up, which initially proposed to develop 58 units of permanent supportive housing at the Regency site.
These plans were further discussed at a November 2023 meeting of the Guilford
County Housing & Homelessness Task Force. County Commission Chair Skip Alston formed that committee in 2022 with the goal of having shelter beds for every homeless person in the county by the winter of 2023, which did not happen. At that meeting, Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan said the city was “waiting for a commitment from the county” to help fund the conversion of the Regency into permanent supportive housing. Vaughan then said County Manager Mike Halford told her the board of commis-
sioners had decided, “not to fund the Regency.” Alston later told YES! Weekly the commissioners had only said they would withhold funding if the city was “going to restrict it to just Greensboro residents,” while Vaughan said the city had no intention of such a restriction.
In January 2024, the state of California sued Step Up for $114 million in grant money after the projects funded by those grants failed and went into foreclosure.
A month later, Step Up requested an additional $285,000 from Greensboro to begin work at the Regency site, while refusing the city’s request for performancebased clawbacks. That term refers to any money or benefits that have been given out, but are required to be returned due to special circumstances or events.
Attending the Feb. 6 council meeting virtually, Step Up CEO Todd Lipka proposed building 201 mixed-use units, which he suggested partially funding via tax credits. Lipka said demolition and new construction were necessary, not only to provide more units, but because of structural and environmental concerns.
District 1’s Sharon Hightower and
Ian McDowell
Contributor
District 3’s Zack Matheny expressed consternation, but Vaughan said “I think it’s a no-brainer to consider this new project.”
In an April email to council, Interim City Manager Chris Wilson wrote that “I believe a partner should give us such assurances,” and that Step Up’s failure to do this “leaves me without confidence.” Soon afterward, the city ended its partnership with Step Up.
On August 20, council voted 7-1 to authorize the purchase of the Regency Inn site back from Partnership Homes Inc. for $210,500, “to compensate PHI for operational costs incurred during PHI’s ownership of the property.” Vaughan cast the sole opposition vote and Representative At-Large Hugh Holston was not present.
“Will someone explain what we’re doing here?” asked Representative At-Large Marikay Abuzuaiter.
“As you’ll recall,” replied Wilson, “we canceled the project with Step Up some months ago as a result of lack of participation and assurity of clawbacks. At that time, you all asked me to look at options for taking possession of the property or getting control of the property so that we can move forward with development. The quickest remedy that we had was to reimburse expenses from PHI and transfer the property back to the city.”
“I support this move,” said Matheny. “I hate it took two years to do, but I’m glad we’re doing it. It’s a strategic play to protect the $3.2 million that taxpayers have in this project.”
Matheny called giving money to PHI “the worst project I’ve ever seen the city run,” but said that, “from a fiduciary standpoint, we have to make this play.”
“I 100% agree with you,” said Hightower. “I was not a fan when this came before us four or five years ago, because I said if you don’t own it, you can’t control it, and we’ve never controlled this process. We are horrible stewards of property we acquire. Moving forward, we need to have a plan of action. This property should have already been developed.”
“I am not going to support this item,” said Vaughan. “Not because I don’t want to get the property back, but because I believe paying additional money is rewarding bad behavior. When we bought that property, I believe it closed for $2.75 million. The balance for that was setting up management fees and setting up a checking account. I sent PHI a very detailed email asking for what happened with the balance of that money, and I never received a reasonable explanation except a diatribe on how I was picking on them.”
Vaughan noted that, when PHI used the city’s loan to buy the property,
“people could stay there, and it was open for two winters.”
“Now, the property has to be taken down because it was not secured properly. Accountability flows both ways, and I don’t believe there was accountability in this project. I understand that they [PHI] did not get the money they hoped for from the county, and they obviously had trouble trying to get the property over the finish line. Zack was not on that council, but it passed unanimously. This project has been awful. We have not found good partners. I hope that will change, but we are paying additional money to get a property back that was in worse shape than when we bought it.”
The City of Greensboro did not o cially announce the results of that August vote until Oct. 24, when it issued a media release stating:
“In a continuing e ort to increase the supply of a ordable and supportive housing in the community, the City of Greensboro has purchased the former Regency Inn Hotel property located at 2701 North O. Henry Blvd. The existing structure will be demolished, and the City will welcome proposals from prospective developers to create an active and vibrant location that serves the community. Demolition of the structure is scheduled to begin on Monday, October 28, and is expected to take two to three weeks. Residents and businesses in the immediate area should anticipate heavy equipment traveling to and from the site during this time.”
The release also stated that a Request for Proposals would be issued during the week of Oct. 28 - Nov. 1, and that those interested should contact Director of Housing Development Michelle Kennedy.
On November 1, Kennedy told YES! Weekly that the former Residence Inn “was demolished the last week of October” and “is now completely down.”
“There will be new development on that site,” said Kennedy. “Given the size of the lot, several di erent options are available. It will certainly be used for affordable housing, with a focus on making sure permanent supportive housing is a part of that development. For an RFP like that, you want to be sure you’re giving developers enough time to do their due diligence as to what might be possible on the site. We expect to have a development proposal to council in January.”
Kennedy also said, “Recommendations made by city departments and sta are just that. Final decisions are ultimately decided by council action.” !
IAN MCDOWELL is an award-winning author and journalist whose book I Ain’t Resisting: the City of Greensboro and the Killing of Marcus Smith was published in September of 2023 by Scuppernong Editions.
Deep sea divers
know
pressure...
but can they handle a bidding war?
[SALOME’S STARS]
Week of November 11, 2024
[ARIES (March 21 to April 19) A rejection of your attempt to be friendly leaves you with two choices: Try again or give up. If you want to make another e ort, go slowly. Let things develop without pressure.
[TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) It could be a problem dealing with unfamiliar people who do things di erently from what you’re used to. But rely on your strong sense of purpose to get you through this di cult period.
[GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) To avoid neglecting a personal matter because of a demanding new workplace schedule, start prioritizing immediately. Knowing how to apportion your time takes a little while to set up.
[CANCER (June 21 to July 22) It won’t be easy to avoid some of the pressures that come with change. Best advice: Take things a step at a time, and you’ll be less likely to trip up when things are in a chaotic state.
[LEO (July 23 to August 22) A muchtalked-about workplace change could be coming up soon. Be sure to get all the details involved in the process, and once you have them, you can decide how you want to deal with it.
[VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) You might still believe that your trust was betrayed, although the facts would appear to prove the opposite. But by the week’s end, you should learn something that will help set the record straight.
[LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Holiday plans could be a challenge because of shifting circumstances. But a
more settled period starts by midweek, allowing you to firm up your plan-making once and for all.
[SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) The facts continue to be on your side. So, make use of them when dealing with any challenge to your stated position. Also, open your mind to an o er of help from an unlikely source.
[SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) There still could be a communication problem holding up the resolution of a troublesome situation. Stay with it, and eventually, your message will get through and be understood.
[CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) A possible change in your workplace schedule might create a chaotic situation for a while. But once things begin to settle down, you might find that this could work to your advantage.
[AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) A recent job-linked decision might need to be reassessed because of the possibility of finding benefits that you might have overlooked. Check out all related data to help in the search.
[PISCES (February 19 to March 20) A personal situation you agreed to might not be as acceptable to the other person who is involved in the matter. Avoid pressuring and bullying. Instead, seek common ground by talking things through.
[BORN THIS WEEK: You have a gift for touching people’s minds as well as their hearts. You would be an outstanding educator.
© 2024 by King Features Syndicate
CROSSWORD] crossword on page 8
sudoku on page 8
[TRIVIA TEST]
by Fifi Rodriguez
[1. MOVIES: What was the name of the tournament in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire?
[2. GEOGRAPHY: What was the name of the train service that started in 1883 between Paris and Constantinople (Istanbul)?
[3. LITERATURE: Who did the pigs represent in the allegorical novel “Animal Farm”?
[4. ART: Which European city houses the Reina Sofia museum?
[5. TELEVISION: What is the product that Don Draper makes an ad for in the final episode of Mad Men?
[6. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a group of unicorns called?
[7. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which presidential retreat is o cially named the “Naval Support Facility Thurmont”?
[8. MUSIC: Which composer is featured in the film “Immortal Beloved”?
[9. HISTORY: The Great Wall of China was mostly built by which dynasty?
[10. FOOD & DRINK: What kind of fruit is also known as the Chinese gooseberry?
10. Kiwi.
9. Ming Dynasty.
8. Ludwig van Beethoven.
6. A blessing. 7. Camp David, Maryland.
© 2024 by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
1. The Triwizard Tournament.
2. The Orient Express.
3. The ruling class.
4. Madrid, Spain.
5. Coke.
MAKE IT YOUR NATURE
The outdoors is really a reflection of you. It’s up to all of us to do our part to help preserve the natural beauty of our state. Join us in following the 7 Outdoor NC Leave No Trace Principles, so our spaces can remain beautiful and enjoyable for years to come.
PLAN AHEAD AND PREPARE
STICK TO TRAILS AND OVERNIGHT RIGHT TRASH YOUR TRASH
LEAVE IT AS YOU FIND IT BE CAREFUL WITH FIRE
KEEP WILDLIFE WILD SHARE OUR TRAILS