TCB Nov. 4, 2021 — Last Call

NOV. 4 - NOV. 10, 2021 TRIAD-CITY-BEAT.COM WINSTON-SALEM EDITION

LAST CALL Finnigan’s Wake closes after 15 years downtown

BY JAMES DOUGLAS | PG. 12

HOPE FOR HIATT PAGE 11

WHAT’S UP WITH THE N&R BUILDING? PAGE 7

NEW MAPS, SAME BS PAGE 10

NOV. 4-10, 2021

EDITOR’S NOTEBOOK

An Election Day with no election

Coronavirus in the Triad: (As of Wednesday, Nov. 3)

Documented COVID-19 diagnoses NC 1,485,455 (+12,800) Forsyth 52,071 (+441) Guilford County

67,399 (+580)

COVID-19 deaths NC 18,191 (+256) Forsyth

567 (+5)

Guilford

869 (+7)

Documented recoveries NC

1,441,300 (+19,125)

Forsyth

*no data*

Guilford

65,195 (+875)

Current cases NC

40,765 (-10,023)

Forsyth Guilford

*no data* 2,083 (-659)

I

’m writI got fired on Election Day in 2013, ing this on unceremoniously and on the spot. I left Tuesday, the building for the last time just as my Election team was supposed to go out and hit Day, but the precincts for the Winston-Salem and there’s no election Greensboro elections. in my coverage That was the year a 21-year-old Derwin area for various Montgomery unseated a longtime

by Brian Clarey reasons.

Winston-Salem City Council incumbent Normally I work on Election Day. When in the September primary by more than the paper came out on Wednesdays, we’d 35 points by tapping his fellow Winstonrun production in the morning and hold Salem State University students to early the news section until midnight, filing what vote. By Election Day, his ascendance results we could for the morning’s edition. to the East Ward seat was a foregone As often as not I’d watch returns come conclusion. in with a crowd at the old On Election Day 2014, I was Guilford Courthouse building, reporting at the Kay Hagan That was the sometimes in county commisevent when she officially lost her year Derwin sion chambers and sometimes Senate seat to Thom Tillis. “I in the smaller Blue Room down- Montgomery was in the house when the house stairs, a quaint Greensboro burned down,” I like to say. unseated a tradition that makes gathering I brought my notebook to a longtime quotes and photos of winning Guilford County GOP event incumbent. and losing candidates an easy at the Greensboro Shrine Club task for a reporter on deadline. on election night in 2016. When That’s where I was in 2007 when Yvonne it became clear that Donald Trump was Johnson became the first Black Mayor of going to win, all the dumb ones gathered Greensboro. And I was there when she around the bar to do shots while all the got beat by Bill Knight two years later. smart ones stood silently staring at the reI cornered a local election handicapper turns projected on a screen, arms crossed that day at the Bluford voting precinct, and touching their faces.

G-74, and learned more from him about I don’t want to talk about 2020. And I the Greensboro City Council election in don’t want to think about 2022. Not yet. one hour than I had in five years of coverTonight I will enjoy just the second elecing it. tion night I have had off since 2005. Who After reporting the 2008 election in cares who wins. which Barack Obama became president, I got drunk on the air during a live podcast held in the front window of Elsewhere.

Hospitalizations (right now) NC

1,194 (-212)

Forsyth

*no data*

Guilford

35 (-29)

Vaccinations NC First Dose Fully vaccinated

2

5,771,276 (+25,684) 5,839,470 (56%, +42,493)

Forsyth First Dose

229,166 (+890)

Fully vaccinated

215,253 (56%, +1,519)

Guilford First dose

317,789 (+1,057)

Fully vaccinated

300,338 (56%, +1,450)

1451 S. Elm-Eugene St. Box 24, Greensboro, NC 27406 Office: 336.256.9320 BUSINESS PUBLISHER/EXECUTIVE EDITOR Brian Clarey brian@triad-city-beat.com

PUBLISHER EMERITUS

Allen Broach allen@triad-city-beat.com

OF COUNSEL

Jonathan Jones

CHIEF CONTRIBUTOR

KEY ACCOUNTS

SPECIAL SECTION EDITOR

CONTRIBUTORS

Michaela Ratliff michaela@triad-city-beat.com Nikki Miller-Ka niksnacksblog@gmail.com

EDITORIAL ADVISOR

Jordan Green jordan@triad-city-beat.com

EDITORIAL MANAGING EDITOR

ART ART DIRECTOR

STAFF WRITER

SALES SALES EXECUTIVE

Sayaka Matsuoka sayaka@triad-city-beat.com Nicole Zelniker nicole@triad-city-beat.com

Charlie Marion charlie@triad-city-beat.com

Drew Dix drew@triad-city-beat.com

TCB IN A FLASH @ triad-city-beat.com First copy is free, all additional copies are $1. ©2021 Beat Media Inc.

Chris Rudd chris@triad-city-beat.com Carolyn de Berry, James Douglas, Matt Jones, Jordan Howse, Jen Sorensen, Clay Jones

COVER

GREENSBORO: Dancers perform at the Day of the Dead celebration on Hiatt Street in Greensboro on Oct. 31. Photo by Sayaka Matsuoka.

WINSTON-SALEM: Finnigan’s Wake closes after 15 years. Photo

by James Douglas.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAMS

NOV. 4-10, 2021

THE TRIAD’S BEST

by Brian Clarey

1 2 3 4 5 6

Wake Forest University Demon Deacons (8-0) The Demon Deacons have never gone this far into the season without a loss, have never cracked the Top 10 national poll (which they did this week) and have never been 5-0 against ACC opponents. They’ve got big games against UNC, NC State, Clemson and Boston College coming up, all conference rivals, so they could still blow it. But this is definitely the best Demon Deacons team ever.

NC A&T State University Aggies (3-5) The Aggies come in at No. 2 because they are the reigning MEAC champs, but this year their record... quite frankly, stinks. They even lost their homecoming game over the weekend against the Monmouth Hawks. Who? Elon University Phoenix (4-4) We just started including Elon University in our Triad College list this year, after a convincing argument from a staffer. Plus, they’ve got a Division 1 football team that’s been playing since 1909. They’re tepid this year, with a home loss against Wofford to start the season and another against William & Mary.

They’re 3-2 in conference play, though, which puts them in the top half here.

Winston-Salem State University Rams (3-5) The Rams are not great this year, averaging just 13.3 points per game in what will likely be a losing season. But their 3-5 record is good enough for Third Place in the CIAA South, so there’s that.

Guilford College Fighting Quakers (1-6) It doesn’t come much worse than 1-6 at the midseason, but that’s where these Fighting Quakers find themselves, allowing 44 points and more than 500 yards against them per game. Their only win comes against Greensboro College in the Gate City Soup Bowl, played on Sept. 4, and it probably shouldn’t even count.

Greensboro College Pride (0-8) Just to prove how much worse it can get, Greensboro College stands winless after eight games. Back in September, they only managed to score 2 points against Averett University. They’ve got a home game against Methodist this weekend, and they sure could use your support.

3

UP FRONT | NOV. 4-10, 2021

CITY LIFE NOV. 4-7

by Jasmine Gaines

THURSDAY Nov. 4

FRIDAY Nov. 5

Gingerbread Craft Fair @ Masonic Center (W-S) 9 a.m.

Friend Friday Workouts @ F45 Training (W-S) 5:30 a.m.

All they want for Christmas is you at the 36th annual craft fair. Start your Christmas shopping early at this free event. Quality handmade items are on sale and the café will have breakfast and lunch menu options available. A room will be occupied with delicious baked goods such as pies, cakes and cookies. Visit the Facebook page for more information.

Petanque @ Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden (GSO) 9:30 a.m.

Who’s down for a round of petanque? Like horseshoes, the goal of the game is to get close to your target. Gather points for your team by outthrowing your opponent. Get some fresh air and make some new friends at this outdoor social play. Ages 8 to 80+ and beginners are welcome. All equipment will be provided. More information about this event can be found on the website.

Bring a friend to get HIIT by F45. The WinstonSalem training class is hosting a free, high-intensity 45-minute cardio session so you can get in shape before the holidays. For more information visit the event page.

Authentic Women’s Night @ Harvest Church (GSO) 7 p.m.

Faith meets friendship at this ladies night. Come discuss “REST” with Pastor Misti. This fun environment allows women to become refreshed in spiritual presence while making new friends. To register online visit the church center website.

SATURDAY Nov. 6 Bark for Life of the Triad @ Country Park (GSO) 9 a.m.

Career Fair and Fall Finale @ Hanes Hosiery Community Center (W-S) 10 a.m.

Bring your pooch to help fight cancer at this hybrid community event. You can either leash up and join others in-person at Country Park or join the online contest and challenges for prizes. Join in-person for goody bags, t-shirts and a lap around the park.

Sponsors will be onsite as well. To register online visit the Facebook.

Bounce back from the pandemic with this drive-thru career fair for the community. Resources about employment will be provided. Trained volunteers will come to your car with protective gear. For more information about this event visit the webpage.

4

Arts & Crafts Show @ 555 Springfield Friends Meeting (HP) 10 a.m.

Handcrafted pottery, woodwork and jewelry are being featured at this artsy event. Come visit the Quaker Korner General Store and bakery for homemade goodies and fall produce. A silent auction will highlight the beautiful paintings and items to bid on. Visit the Facebook page for more information.

Fall Festival @ Northwood Community Center (HP) Noon

Brr, it’s getting cold. Help keep the community warm this season by attending this coat, blanket, and school supply give away in High Point. All friends and family are welcomed for an afternoon of good food and entertainment. To donate or for more information please visit the event page.

The Art Junkie @ Greensboro Cultural Center (GSO) 2:15 p.m.

The only handmade accessory fashion show in town is returning! The Ultimate Junki brand will have unique pieces displaying one-of-a-kind pieces that you can wear for any occasion. The doors will open at 2:15 p.m. but the show will begin at 3. For more information visit the Facebook page.

Intimate Night of Jazz and Laughs @ Harbor One Restaurant (HP) 5:30 p.m.

In need of a private night with your significant other? Join Luv Jones Project and Simpli Net as they give a private blues and comedic session. A meal and glass of wine will be included. Tickets can be purchased at the restaurant or Eventbrite.

SUNDAY Nov. 7 Wedding Expo @ Castle McCulloch (HP) 1 p.m.

Brides and grooms-to-be are welcome to bring their entourage to the only castle in North Carolina. This magical experience will have delicious cocktails and food from wedding bakers and caterers. Also, get the chance to converse with wedding professionals from multiple vendors to help plan your special day. To register online check out the webpage.

UP FRONT | NOV. 4-10, 2021

5

NEWS | NOV. 4-10, 2021

NEWS

Triad cities implement vaccine incentives for city employees

by Nicole Zelniker

Image from Pixabay

S

6

tarting Nov. 1, unvaccinated Greensboro city employees will have to get tested for COVID-19 every week.

The policy builds on a previous one that incentivized the vaccine for city employees, allowing those who got the shot to apply for up to eight hours of paid time off. Testing for unvaccinated employees will be covered by the city and will be available during work hours.

Those with symptoms or exposure to COVID-19 will be tested regardless of vaccination status.

“It basically sets out expectations for all employees,” said Jamiah Waterman, Greensboro’s director of human resources. “Vaccinated employees have one set of expectations and unvaccinated employees have another.”

A confidential survey of Greensboro’s city employees conducted by the city and released on Sept. 1 found that 600 respondents were fully vaccinated, amounting to 90.1 percent. An additional 2.4 percent were in the process of attaining full vaccination at the time.

“Most of us city employees understand the desire to keep each other and our community safe,” said Waterman. “Many of us have been vaccinated and wearing masks, and this is just the next sort of step.”

High Point employees will receive $250 if vaccinated by Nov. 30, and an additional $250 if more than 70 percent of all city employees get vaccinated.

Earlier this month, Winston-Salem offered every fulltime city employee $1,000 if they got the shot within the next six weeks. Part-time employees will get $500 if they get vaccinated within that timeframe. After six weeks,

full-time employees will be eligible for $500 and part time employees $200. Unvaccinated city employees within the six-week period will get tested weekly for at least a month.

“The thought was to incentivize those employees who chose to take that active step in curbing such a deadly disease,” said Marquis Barnett, Winston-Salem’s human resources director. “As we looked at drafting a policy, we looked at how to incentivize instead of punish.”

Earlier drafts of Winston-Salem’s vaccine requirements included more punitive measures, such as unvaccinated employees being disqualified for promotions. Feedback was overwhelmingly negative.

“Policies are living, breathing things, and you have to listen to the people that are going to be impacted by those policies,” said Barnett. “We’ve been working on this for quite a while, and we’ve looked outside the Triad to figure out what works.”

Winston-Salem worked with 10 of the state’s largest municipalities to design its incentive programs. These include cities like Charlotte and Durham, both offering $250, and Fayetteville, offering $100 to city employees who choose to get vaccinated.

Barnett found that cities with higher incentives had more vaccinated city employees.

“It seemed like they did the best job at moving the needle,” he said. “No pun intended.”

Elise Allison, an archivist at the Greensboro History Museum and a city employee, said that she is happy to have the additional eight hours of leave provided by the city, but she would have gotten vaccinated either way. She

said she is glad more people are getting vaccinated but that in n her day-to-day work, she interacts with few of her fellow city employees. She said she comes into contact more with visitors to the museum. “[Being vaccinated] is pretty important to me because I have elderly parents,” she said. “But of course we have the public coming and going. It’s an old building from the 1890s and we’re far apart, so we may actually spend more time with the public than with each other. We’re still doing our meetings online. I have volunteers who work in my office, but I don’t have another city employee within shouting distance.”

Rodney Dawson, Greensboro’s Curator of Education at the Greensboro History Museum, says that the people he’s spoken to have a wide range of reactions. One of Dawson’s friends thinks no one should get a vaccine. His family largely thinks that choosing not to get vaccinated is negligence.

Dawson is vaccinated himself and says that he feels fairly safe at work, since they all wear masks and require guests to wear them too. Greensboro has required masks at indoor locations since August.

Overall, Dawson feels good about the vaccine policies and hopes they will keep people safe. “[The city manager] puts an emphasis on caring for one another,” he said. “They set that expectation. When they’ve come with policies regarding COVID, my perspective is that it comes from a good place.”

Three months after failed sale, old N&R building remains on market despite environmental concerns

by Sayaka Matsuoka

S

hards of broken glass from discarded bottles, stacks of old newspaper and an active brownfield are just a few of the problems marring the vacant building that sits at 200 E. Market St. in downtown Greensboro, once the headquarters of the city’s daily newspaper, the News & Record.

Spanning more than six acres with a tax value of $9.4 million, the lot is one of the largest, most expensive sites in the city’s downtown area. And with its problems, a few residents and downtown business owners are wondering what the future of the site may look like.

The N&R is currently owned by Lee Enterprises, who bought it from BH Media last summer. The staff of the paper moved out of the building shortly afterwards in June and into their new space at 3001 S. Elm-Eugene St. Since the move, the building has sat empty, with a number of unhoused individuals claiming space in alcoves outside of the building and graffiti artists having their way with the exterior walls.

According to previous reporting by the N&R, the Triad Business Journal and the Rhino Times, the building has been up for sale since 2017, when the N&R closed down its presses and started printing the paper in Winston-Salem.

The building, which is still owned by BH Media, was under contract to be sold to developer Greg Dillon in 2018.

Dillon is the president of Dillon Development Partners out of Frederick, Md. and the driver behind a Westin Hotel and a parking deck that is currently being built opposite of the old N&R building on Davie Street.

However, earlier this year reporting by N&R and TBJ noted that the sale had fallen through. Now, months later, the property remains on the market, but reporting

by Triad City Beat has found that problems with the site remain and could deter potential buyers from wanting to develop the property.

According to a list kept by the state’s Department of Environmental Quality, the former N&R site is an active, eligible brownfield. This means that the property is “abandoned, idled or underused where environmental contamination or perceived environmental contamination hinders redevelopment,” according to the state’s brownfield FAQ page. Developers may face difficulties obtaining loans for redevelopment of active brownfield sites because they come with “potential environmental cleanup liability.”

To alleviate some of those difficulties, the state has what is called a “brownfield program” in which developers can enter an agreement with the state to clean up the site so they can then redevelop it. The process is also meant to help developers be able to obtain project financing more easily.

According to documents listed on the state’s brownfield website, the 200 E. Market St. property was previously part of a brownfield agreement between the state and ESC Redevelopment LLC in 2019. While Daniel

NEWS | NOV. 4-10, 2021

NEWS

SAYAKA MATSUOKA

The N&R building has been vacant since the staff moved out last summer.

Robinson is listed as the point of contact for ESC Redevelopment LLC on many of the documents regarding the agreement, a Gregory Dillon is also listed as a managing member of the company for ESC’s state business filing. This possibly signifies Dillon’s involvement in the brownfield agreement as part of the contract to buy the property back in 2018.

As part of the agreement, ESC Redevelopment LLC hired Terracon Consultants, Inc to conduct an environmental site assessment of the property in October 2018.

The resulting assessment, which is 131 pages long, noted that several businesses that existed on the property prior to the N&R building being constructed in 1976, may have resulted in some environmental contamination of the property. These include businesses such as a former bus station, auto sales, auto garage, air conditioning service and laundries. Five former on-site gasoline service stations were also found to have potentially impacted the soil or groundwater beneath the site.

According to Gene Mao, a hydrogeologist with Guilford County’s Public Health Department, there are four underground storage tanks on the property, one of which caused a spill in 1995. Mao noted that N&R conducted clean up for the underground tanks and the spill incident; the soil and groundwater met the state requirement afterwards.

However, according to data provided to TCB by Greensboro’s planning department, the property had five incidents reported between 1992 and 2013, but they were all listed as low levels of concern.

So, the question that remains is why if the spills were cleaned up and the soil and groundwater levels were deemed safe, is the property still on the state’s brownfield list as an active and eligible location? The answer could lie in the workplan documents from 2019 in which Terracon, the company hired by ESC Redevelopment LLC, outlined their plans to assess whether or not chemicals remain present onsite. Some of the specific concerns that Terracon listed in their plan were potential petroleum, solvent and hydraulic fluid releases. Their plan, as of May 2019, was to conduct a full site assessment complete with soil samples and groundwater samples. However, with the falling through of the sale, it is unclear if the assessment ever took place.

And as such, the fact remains that the site is still listed as an active brownfield location.

7

NEWS | NOV. 4-10, 2021

8

NEWS ‘An embarassment’ and ‘an eyesore’

looking at it in a stretch of what it will be and it’s a terrific opportunity.” ayor Nancy Vaughan noted that the location, Matheny said that in the calls he’s had, developers are interwhich currently acts as a diving line between ested in taking the property and converting it into a multi-use the bustling Elm Street corridor and the quieter site that could be for potential convention or meetings spaces, Davie and Church Streets, is “the most valuable residential property or even another hotel. What he’s been pushpiece of property available in downtown Greensboro.” ing for however, is something a little different.

Listed as “available for sale” on real estate firm Cushman & “I’m thinking a little bit bigger,” Matheny said.

Wakefield’s website, the property is currently on the “Since the project does need work, that we as a mumarket for close to $11 million. A brochure for the nicipality, whether the city or the county or the state property notes Greensboro’s mark in the state as maybe partner with us and do we think big and ‘The interest its third-largest city, home to multiple colleges and a riverwalk on that site like Oklahoma City or on the News & have universities and dozens of high-profile companies San Antonio. People have always talked about water such as Honda Aircraft, VF, Volvo Trucks of North Record site is in downtown Greensboro, and we have a high water America, The Fresh Market and more. And with table. So could we develop a riverwalk on that 10tremendous.’ the opening of the new Tanger Center downtown, acre site and then sell the outparcels?”

Vaughan said she wants a developer to come in and – Zack Matheny The closest thing in North Carolina would be the transform the property into something that would water feature on the American Tobacco Campus “add to [Greensboro’s] tax base and [change] the in nearby Durham, but Matheny said he envisions skyline.” She noted that it could be turned into quality office something similar but “times that by 10.” space, which is still in demand, especially downtown.

As for why the sale with Dillon fell through, Matheny didn’t Savannah Duban, a senior communications specialist for offer any insight but noted that developing such a large property Cushman & Wakefield responded to TCB’s emails by stating that takes time and is a challenge. He also noted that he understands the company was “unable to comment on [the] article at this why some businesses past Davie Street might be frustrated with time.” the current building’s state and its role as a separator in downtown.

“Certainly we want to create a better flow between downtown through to East Greensboro and the News & Record site is a major area of that,” Matheny said. “A, I got to get it cleaned up and B, we need to make sure we get something proper there and I think A&T frankly should be at the table; I think it’s a great project their students could be a part of.”

As for the site’s current issues, Matheny said it was SAYAKA MATSUOKA disappointing but Mayor Vaughan In addition to its status as an active brownfield, the site is littered with trash. noted that “it’s not Zack Matheny, the CEO of Downtown Greensboro Inc., said unusual for older buildings to have environmental problems.” that he’s had numerous calls with potential developers about In fact, according to the state’s list of brownfield sites, the N&R the site since the sale with Dillon fell through this summer. In building is one of five active brownfield locations in the city. a call on Wednesday morning, Matheny said he has had three Still, Vaughan noted that “it would be good for the current separate conversations about the site just this week. owner to take that on, but it doesn’t appear that they have a “The interest on the News & Record site is tremendous,” Madesire to make it more marketable.” theny said. “The potential for the site as a large development, a The owner of the property is listed on tax records as Greenscentury development, a once-in-a-lifetime deal is exciting. The boro News & Record Inc. A quick search of the business on the current state that the building is certainly disappointing but I’m Secretary of State website shows that BH Media in Omaha,

M

Neb., the N&R’s previous owner remains the current owner of the property. TCB could not reach a representative with BH for comment on this story.

Walking around the building on a recent Friday afternoon, wads of paper and plastic bags rustle across the ground next to old sleeping bags and empty plastic bottles. The main entrance of the building remains locked with a deadbolt and a crack runs along the right-side glass door. Around the corner, stacks of fading newspapers sit undisturbed. The site is quiet; birds that fly out of the bushes that flank the building remain the last signs of life on the property.

But 15 or 20 years ago, the place was bustling, says former N&R Editor John Robinson.

“At one time we had about 500 employees in that building,” Robinson said. “It operated about 18 hours a day.”

Robinson, who currently teaches journalism at UNCChapel Hill, worked at the paper from 1985-2011 and served as the editor from 1999 until he left. As a Greensboro resident and a former employee, he says he’s frustrated with the current state of the building.

“What’s happened to it is really a shame and it should embarrass BH Media,” Robinson said. “To know that it had so many employees that took great good care of it, you would think that BH Media, a multimillion-dollar company could come down and take care of the property. To see what it represented to Greensboro and how it has declined is an embarrassment as a former employee there.”

Robinson said that he thinks the city should buy the property and build something that would add to that part of downtown which has several museums and other cultural institutions. And he’s not the only one.

Queena McKee, the owner of Queen’s Royal Beauty Bar at 315 E. Market St. said she worked at the N&R in college, close to 20 years ago. At the time, she said the building acted as a bridge between the Elm Street part of downtown and the area past Davie Street because the paper employed so many people.

“When I was there, I would talk to everything,” she said. “It was a hub. I remember coming to businesses down here and now it’s different.”

McKee’s mother, Alice Wise, echoed her daughter’s feelings as she braided a client’s hair.

“What we’ve noticed is that they say we’re a part of downtown, but we don’t get the same consideration that the people on Elm Street do,” Wise said. “We could get more business if something did change.”

McKee said that she feels like the abandonment of the property impacts the flow and overall cohesion of down-

town Greensboro.

“It’s kind of negative because people don’t realize there’s stuff down here,” she said. “They stop looking after they hit that building.”

Wise said that she would love to see the property transform into a small-business incubator or into affordable housing. Being a downtown business owner, she said she sees the plight of homeless individuals and wonders if the huge lot could be used in a way to help them. Whatever takes its place, it’s better than what’s there now, she said.

“It’s been an eyesore for a long time,” she said.

CORRECTION: The story “ALL FOR THE MONEY: The 2021 Triad City Salary Guide” that ran Oct. 21 contained several errors. Loren Hill is no longer the economic developer for the city of High Point; the current interim ED is Sandra Vernon Dunbeck. Eric Olmedo is in actuality the High Point assistant city manager, and not the budget & administrative director as reported. Tasha Logan Ford, the High Point city planner, makes $212,450 per year, and not the $130,158 as reported. Additionally, the IT Folks were previously listed under the “economic development” category, the Greensboro Planning director listed under “water” and Chris Rivera of workforce was listed under “planning.”

All of these positions have been put into their correct categories. TCB regrets the errors.

NEWS | NOV. 4-10, 2021

NEWS

9

OPINION | NOV. 4-10, 2021

OPINION

jensorensen.com/subscribe

EDITORIAL

A new Census, the same old tricks

T

he 2020 Census showed was mostly Guilford and Alamance enough gains in North counties.

Carolina to qualify for a The map approved Monday new seat in Congress, moves District 6 east, taking all bringing us from 13 to 14. of Orange and Durham counties It’s empirically good for NC — one and throwing in Cary from Wake. more voice in Washington, DC — but It’s currently the territory of Rep. for state Republicans who control David Price (D) who has already the districting process, it’s just announced his retirement, which another opportunity to marginalize makes it an open seat. the minority.

This new map puts Rep ManOn Monday a new Congresning in District 11, which includes sional map was approved by the much of northern Guilford County; Republican-led state Senate, which all of Rockingham, Stokes, Alis in charge of such things — you leghany, Ashe, Wilkes, Alexander should see the map they’re making and Casldwell counties; and a biut for themselves, which of Watauga County, cuts Guilford County just enough to doubleinto three separate bunk Manning with In this map, districts, much of it Rep. Virginia Foxx (R).

Greensboro and held by Senate MajorYes, in this map, ity Leader Phil Berger Greensboro and Boone are in the (R), while doubleBoone are in the same district, bunking Sens Gladys same district, but not Robinson (D) and but not Winston- Winston-Salem, which Michael Garrett. (D) exists in District 12, Salem.

Reminder: The last a chain consisting Congressional map of Forsyth, Yadkin, was finally made Catwaba, Lincoln and official after the NC Senate repeatthe northern half of Iredell counties. edly lost court cases defending High Point is in District 10, which their maps against charges of racial joins slices of Guilford, FDavidson gerrymandering — with, the court and Iredell counties with Davie, noted, “surgical precision.” That map Rowan and Cabarrus, territory ceded was used exactly once, in 2020. to Rep. Ted Budd (R), though he will That’s when Rep Kathy Manning (D) likely run for Senate in 2022. easily won Congressional District 6, These maps have not yet been which currently holds all three of the officially adopted, though there are big cities in the Triad: Greensboro, few barriers left. And a lawsuit has Winston-Salem and High Point. already been filed against them, Longtime voters might remember which should be settled in plenty of that District 6 was once the territime before the next Census, which tory of legendary Congressman is in 2030.

Howard Coble (R), when the district

QUOTE OF THE WEEK We want people that work together to live together. We shouldn’t have to go to separate neighborhoods to live.

10

— Kathy Newsom, page 10

Jen Sorensen

by Sayaka Matsuoka

A

s children in nearby neighborhoods prepared for an evening of superhero and dragon costumes, kids on Hiatt Street in Greensboro got dressed up in slightly more festive attire.

On Sunday, hundreds of community members gathered on Hiatt Street for a Day of the Dead event that aimed to raise funds for the residents of the mobile home park there. According to Nikki Marin Baena, a member of the statewide Latinx advocacy group Siembra NC, the residents of the Hiatt Street trailer park have been fighting with the property manager about a potential sale of the land that would force them to move.

As the sound of mariachi trumpets filled the air, Baena walked alongside the dozens of trailers that make up the Jamison Homes Mobile Park which has been located at 2510 Hiatt St. just behind Bites and Pints on Spring Garden Street, for decades.

According to Baena, the park was home to 21 families at the beginning of the summer. But after the property was rezoned in May, families living in the park began to receive letters from property manager Lynne Anderson of Family Properties stating that they had just a few weeks to vacate the premises.

Resident Alejandro Alcantara told TCB that he’s been living in his home for five years and that he owns his trailer. Alcantara, who lives in the home with his wife and son, said he found out about the rezoning about six months ago and that his daughter, who also lives in a trailer on the property, tried reaching out to the city to find out more information. That’s when the letters started coming in. As of right now, he said that the residents have been told that they have until the end of the year, Dec. 31, to move.

Already, Baena says that three families have vacated the property. A bright yellow Penske moving truck parallel-parked nearby signals another’s intentions to move as well. The reason many of them remain, Baena says, is because it can be cost prohibitive to move the trailers if they own them and it can be even harder to find a new place to live. Alcantara said that it would cost him about $13,000 to move his trailer.

“Our hope for the future is that we will hopefully be able to buy the property,” he says.

According to the residents and local activists, efforts to communicate with Anderson have fallen short in recent weeks. And that’s why now, the community is trying to appeal to the prospective buyer, Jerry Wass of Owl’s Roost Partners, to back out of a potential sale.

The residents’ goal is to be able to pitch in and buy the property from Anderson so they can stay in their homes.

“Our goal is to raise funds that will hopefully go towards buying the land,” Baena said on Sunday. “No one has lived here for less than five years.”

In addition to a mariachi band and multiple colorful

NOV. 4-10, 2021 | CULTURE

Hope for Hiatt: Mobile-home families fight for their homes and Culture celebrate community during Day of the Dead event

SAYAKA MATSUOKA

Alejandro Alcantara stands in front of the home which he has lived in and has owned for the last five years. “It’s everything,” he says about the mobile park community.

dancers, the fundraising event featured an array of foods for sale, including tacos, quesabirrias, elotes and chicharron, all prepared by residents.

Kathy Newsom, a 20-year Lindley Park resident and the manager of the Corner Farmer’s Market, dug into a plate as she sat on the curb during the event. Newsom has been involved in the Lindley community for years and says that she wants the mobile park, which is mainly comprised of Latinx families, to stay. What she doesn’t want is the multi-unit student housing complex that she says is going to be built if the sale with Owls’ Roost goes through.

“It would put 100 more cars on the road every day,” Newsom says. “It’s a traffic mess anyways.”

TCB could not confirm with Wass or Owls’ Roost their plans for future developments on the property.

And while she understands that student housing is important, Newsom says that displacing families who have nowhere else to go isn’t the answer. She says that the Hiatt Street property has been an affordable housing area for as long as she can remember, and that it is part of Lindley Park.

“What I always say about our neighborhood is a professor can live on the same street as their college student, the owner of a neighborhood business can live on the same street as the barista,” she says. “That diversity is so important…. We want people that work together to live together. We shouldn’t have to go to

separate neighborhoods to live.”

And as dozens of people lined up at the food stalls and gathered around the performances on the bright Sunday afternoon, a feeling of camaraderie and cohesion settled over the area, blanketing the residents’ anxieties for a few short hours. The smell of the tender pork marinated with the sounds of the brass as children rode their bikes down the street and mothers sat in lawn chairs watching them go by. It’s the kind of feeling that’s only achieved when a community cares for one another and is prepared to look out for each other. And that’s been the case, Newsom says.

“Not only have people lived here for decades, it’s generations of people and it’s a primarily immigrant community that really, they can survive because they have the support of each other, taking care of each other’s children,” Newsom says. “It’s that ideal multigenerational family. It breaks my heart to think that they couldn’t stay together.”

Without it, Alcantara says it’s hard to imagine what life might look like for him and his family.

“It’s a good place for my kids to grow up,” Alcantara says. “It’s everything.”

To learn more about the efforts to help the Hiatt Street neighbors, visit tiny.cc/HiattFAQ.

11

NOV. 4-10, 2021 | CULTURE

In the weeds

Last Call

T

he line forms around 3:30 p.m.

Potential guests wait for the place to open at 4, hoping to grab a table, a seat at the bar or a spot on the patio out back.

They’ve been doing this every

by James Douglas day since the announcement.

This final day is no different.

“With lots of gratitude and of course, a little bit of anxiety, I am announcing that Finnigan’s Wake will be permanently closing on Saturday, October 30th, 2021,” owner Philip “Opie” Kirby wrote to Facebook on Oct. 18.

In downtown Winston-Salem, this is a loss as sudden and shocking as the loss of an old friend. Many people have crossed its threshold.

Finnigan’s was the introduction for many to a burgeoning downtown area that was slowly being revitalized. They were there when downtown was still a well-kept secret, privy mostly to the eccentric types who were interested in what a metropolitan Winston could look like.

“Opie,” Philip Kirby’s nickname since time out of mind, opened Finnigan’s in 2006 with then-partner John Cahoon on Trade Street. It, alongside 6th and Vine and Sweet Potatoes, quickly became a starting point for people visiting the Arts District and beyond. A quintessential Irish pub, food options include Guinness on draft, fish & chips, shepherd’s pie and Scotch eggs (a rare delicacy in this area). It was also one of the first downtown restaurants to be open until 2 a.m., which JAMES DOUGLAS enticed late-night drinkers who needed sustenance “Opie,” Phillip Kirby’s nickname since time out of mind, opened Finnigan’s in 2006 with then-partner John Cahoon on Trade before heading home for the night. It caught on.

People would grab food at Finnigan’s before seeing Street. a show at Elliot’s Revue or The Garage a block away. not to mention the multiple posts and pictures that work a last shift or two, some coming from across Wake Forest students began to bar hop through the have filled social media feeds, reminding people what the country. A random assortment of Halloween area, and the area solidified into a bar scene when this place means to them. costumes roam around — a glittered up wood nymph Single Brothers Bar opened in 2008. People suddenly The wall in the back of the bar bears a multitude chases a shot of Jameson with a pint of Smithwicks, had options that didn’t require repeated transport all of names, subjects of the “Ninety Day Club” and their while an 8-year-old cowboy looks for candy that a host night to a new place. place of honor at completmight be passing out to intrepid gunslingers. Perry On its final day, the line slowly ing the task of coming in Smith, a customer since the oughts, sits at his barstool moves inside, the people taking every day for three months and consumes his last Guinness, one of probably seats, sidling up to the bar and straight. It’s more than hundreds he’s had over the years in that same seat. tables one last time. Old reguyou’d think. A man steps His eyes are a little shiny too. lars, old employees (yours truly back and takes a picture of Opie is talking to customers, running food, popping being one) pepper the crowd, it, pointing out a name like behind the bar. At a glance, this looks like just another hugging and reminiscing with he’s at the Vietnam Memobusy day at the restaurant, not the last. long-lost friends, faces shiny rial.

As one of the first businesses in the newly revitalized with tears.

Despite the circumstancarea, Finnigan’s helped create the feeling of camaradeThere’s Seth, one of the old es, this doesn’t feel like a rie amongst the establishments on Trade Street. The kitchen managers; he’s come dirge. Longtime manager early businesses would send employees to their neighdown from Maine, where he Karamy hugs a patron as bors to borrow things like a cup of sugar, leftover pickle now lives. Craig Harris, one of she rounds a corner. Ashley juice or even at times a staff member. They planned the best door guys in the busiStansfield tends bar like she events together. They worked together to create the ness, sits with his family by the front window. Regulars has for years. Her familiar laugh echoes down the bar, downtown Winston-Salem that exists today. who haven’t been seen in years have popped up to pay but her eyes are damp, as are a lot of old familiar faces From the start, Finnigan’s has been known for its their respects. The previous week has been a Who‘s milling around. Previous employees have returned to charitable contributions. The St. Baldricks event has Who of Finnigan’s family appearing on Trade Street,

Finnigan’s was the introduction for many to a burgeoning downtown area that was slowly being revitalized.

12

Finnigan’s Wake was located at 620 Trade Street in Winston-Salem from 2006 to Oct. 20, 2021.

JAMES DOUGLAS

NOV. 4-10, 2021 | CULTURE

been a staple of downtown for years, shaving hundreds of heads and raising thousands of dollars for cancer research. The community outreach with the homeless population, the various work with Cities with Dwellings, even their policy of inviting a homeless individual to eat with the person buying them a meal was progressive for the area. They walked the walk.

Outside, the patio tables are full. A larger group of employees and friends from days past sit and reminisce. Chris Goubeaux, who currently lives in Charleston, sits with them and shares stories of when they worked door and every night was an adventure. Craig Harris joins, and for once, the solemnity of the day seems more tangible.

“I don’t think a lot of people know what this place is,” Craig says. “You’re not going to find a place like this again, places like this don’t exist.” He gestures at the tables behind him, most everyone a familiar face. “This was special.”

Thanks for everything, Finnigan’s.

13

PUZZLES | NOV. 4-10, 2021

--when they’re paired up.

CROSSWORD “Cat-astrophe”

by Matt Jones

If you read

Across

1 Traffic issues 7 Partner of the “five W’s” 10 Formerhostof“TheTonightShow”Jack 14 Part of AOC 15 Moses Malone’s league, once 16 Nearly 5,000 square yards 17 Role in an Oregon capital production of “The Odd Couple”?

19 Ball-___ hammer 20 The rite words at the rite time?

21 Kunis who voices Meg Griffin 22 English makeup YouTuber-turned-actress Burr 23 They may be put on 25 Brady in charge of every round piece of sporting equipment?

28 Escape the egg 30 “Back to main menu” key 31 Regret 32 “Certainement!”

34 Early August sign 35 “J’adore” perfumier 36 Footwear merch for “Wuthering Heights” fans?

41 “Sometimes you feel like ___ ...”

42 Nutri-Grain grain 43 Thanksgiving day, on a sched.

44 Denver summer hrs.

45 College, slangily, abroad 46 Shoestring tip 50 Find lead singer Day at the right Time?

55 Prefix with decimal 56 FDR biographer Joseph 57 Quechua speaker 59 Diesel that isn’t measured by the gallon 60 Bert who sang “If I Only Had the Nerve” 61 20th U.S. president picking a side in the “war of the currents”?

64 “___ Blue Moon” (Marie Osmond song) 65 Sushi fish 66 “Annie Get Your Gun” protagonist 67 Mountain ___ (some Taco Bell orders) 68 Authority in a Twitch chat 69 Doesn’t look forward to

Down

14

SUDOKU

1 President Bartlet on “The West Wing” 2 French-Canadian region 3 Jeppson’s ___ (Chicago-based wormwood liqueur) 4 Benefit from 5 Liqueur producer James, whose drink is used in a “cup” cocktail popular during Wimbledon 6 Actress Vergara 7 Permissible, in Islam 8 “Help me, ___-Wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope” 9 Lose hair, in a way 10 Pontifical 11 Without a middle, geometrically 12 Concerned query 13 People changing their branding, say 18 “Oh, bloody ___!”

then you know...

• What a Freedom Fridge is • Where to get that bread • How many anti-abortion bills have been introduced this session ©2021 Jonesin’ Crosswords

Triad City Beat — If you know, you know

(editor@jonesincrosswords.com) © 2021 Jonesin’ Crosswords (editor@jonesincrosswords.com)

To get in front of the best readers in the Triad, contact Chris or Drew

chris@triad-city-beat.com drew@triad-city-beat.com Answers from previous publication.

Answers from last issue

22 “No Scrubs” group 24 Rapper Travis who had a signature McDonald’s meal 26 Dog food ingredient, maybe 27 “___ Place to Land” (Janae Marks book) 29 “What the ...?”

33 Prefix meaning “image” 34 On fire 35 Bakery need 36 Side at some delis 37 Cartilaginous layer between vertebrae and disks 38 Place to see cars indoors 39 Bear’s den 40 “Grease” band ___ Na Na 45 Play caller 47 Bottom of a parking garage, perhaps 48 Voted off the island?

49 Old Radio Shack home computers 51 Pamplona participants 52 Unbending 53 Words before tie, bind, or knot 54 Atlantic food fish 58 Remotely 61 Three Gorges, for one 62 Comedian Margaret 63 Barinholtz announced to work on the Mel Brooks series “History of the World, Part II”

Claytoonz

by Clay Jones

claytoonz.com

SHOT IN THE TRIAD | NOV. 4-10, 2021

SHOT IN THE TRIAD Hiatt Street, Greensboro

CAROLYN DEBERRY

Jamison Mobile Home Park, where residents and their supporters are attempting to raise money and awareness about their plight to stay in their homes. Most of the tenants own their homes and rent the land beneath it from Family Properties which is being sold to a developer, Owl’s Roost Properties, who plan to build apartments on the site.

15