YES! Weekly - November 30, 2022

It’s our absolute favorite time of year and we are back once again to share with you so many of our favorite things and drop them all into our annual Holiday Gift Guide of Glorious Deliciousness.

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The grounds that recently held ghosts, goblins and vampires are gone from Spooky Woods. KERSEY VALLEY CHRISTMAS is back and so are Santa and the Grinch.

6 Even after a quarter of a century, he still refers to DRIVE when discussing or lecturing about action films — and freely admits it remains a personal favorite after all these years.

8 After spending the past week telling everyone what I’m thankful for, I thought I would mention some of the things I’m not so thankful for. Here then are a few of my PET PEEVES. Perhaps some of them are on your list too.

9 For a film about an expensive, exclusive, and (extremely) eventful epicurean feast, THE MENU may not be for all tastes

despite the appetizing dishes glimpsed throughout.

14 In November, Greensboro started enforcing an ordinance approved by its city council in late June, fining $25 for “properties that leave recycling and/or refuse containers at the curb after their service day.”

Several councilmembers have expressed uncertainty over whether there’s any legal way of preventing PREDATORY LANDLORDS FROM PROFITING FROM THE FINES

16 The HOLIDAYS HAVE HIT THE TRIAD. Take the freeway down around our neck of North Carolina — making merry with music, movies, markets, Nutcrackers, Bob Cratchits, Santa sightings, and all the holly jolly the season can muster.

Kersey Valley Christmas is now open

BY CAROL BROOKS | cab1hp@gmail.com

The grounds that recently held ghosts, goblins and vampires are gone from Spooky Woods. Kersey Valley Christmas is back and so are Santa and the Grinch.

The entertainment site is also known for its famous corn maize but now has magically transformed into a winter wonderland complete with over a million LED lights spread over the nearly 100-acre farm.

All ages will enjoy the sights and sounds.

Santa will be waiting to see you and hear what you want for Christmas. There will also be a mailbox where you can mail your letter to Santa and you can visit his workshop which doubles as a gift shop.

The Grinch will be in his Cave with his one-of-a-kind sleigh.

Several attractions are new this year: — Candy Cane Lane walk-through light displays,

— Wonderland Wagon Ride through the farm pulled by a John Deere tractor, — Adventure Playground for ages 4 and up, — Reindeer stalls behind Santa’s Workshop where you can see the elves at work, and

— an expanded Roasty Toasty Village with eight fire pits for making s’mores.

Of course, the traditional displays and amusements also return including some that are unique to Kersey Valley.

Hop aboard the Kersey Valley Express Train Ride for a Wild West Christmas landscape lit up for the holidays.

See the Snow Blizzard which features 5-foot snow flakes falling from above.

Mr. and Mrs. Mac Jingles, the singing reindeer, will delight all ages.

Play “Where’s Rudolph” while on the Wagon Ride.

Well-known characters will be on hand to wish you a happy holiday season.

The Kersey Valley Express Train arrives at Santa’s Workshop.

Visit the Roasty Toasty Village and make s’mores.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF KERSEY VALLEY CHRISTMAS

There are many other opportunities for ages 4 and up, including kiddie zip lines, pedal karts, the cow train, bungee trampolines, barnyard twister and the round-up rodeo.

“We are in our second season with Kersey Valley Christmas with this new attraction at this expanded show level,” said co-owner Tony Wohlgemuth. “We did have it for three years in 2008—2010, but it focused on selling trees.

“We researched and planned this event reboot for two years and wanted to create magical moments for families. The goal is to get out of the stu y car and experience ‘Lights, Santa and Action.’ By using virtual queue line technology families can spend more time having fun than waiting in lines.”

An attraction like this doesn’t go up overnight.

“It takes months of planning ahead to organize the event. Many items have to be ordered in January to arrive on time since many items are made overseas,” Wohlgemuth said. “We start installing the lights in August to be ready to open the day after Thanksgiving. We have a team of elves that go crazy and decorate the farm.”

Photo opportunities abound but photos with Santa, the Grinch and the Magic Carriage are an extra charge.

Kersey Valley Christmas is pet friendly but pets should be on a leash.

Most of the activities are outdoors, so please dress for the conditions.

The food venues are heated, however. Choose from Moonshine Fudge, Hot Apple Cider Donuts, Carmel Kettle Corn, Hot Bavarian Nuts, S’mores, co ee, hot apple cider, apple Cider Slushy and Ghiradelli Signature Hot Chocolate and more.

Buy your tickets early online as this popular attraction sells out quickly each night. It was a sell-out in 2021. Some walk-up tickets are available but it is best to get tickets online.

To purchase tickets, visit https://www. kerseyvalleychristmas.com/christmas-experience. Military personnel and veterans may buy one, get one with their ID.

Kersey Valley Christmas is open Fridays & Saturdays 5:30-10 p.m., Sundays 5:309:30 p.m., and the week before Christmas, Dec 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Closed Dec. 24 and 25.

Note: Do not arrive after 8 p.m. as Kersey Valley does allow entry into the parking lot after this time. Plan on heavy tra c. Some attractions do not operate in wet or freezing conditions.

Kersey Valley Christmas is located at 1615 Kersey Valley Road in Archdale. !

Kersey Valley Christmas is open.

Drive, he said: Filmmaker Richard Clabaugh reflects on cult classic

Richard Clabaugh is a modest man. He’s proud of his family. He’s proud of the work he’s done. He’s proud of the 10 years (1999-2009) he taught at the School of Filmmaking at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA). But he’s not one to proclaim or trumpet his achievements, on or o the screen.

Thus, when it came time to discuss the 1997 cult classic Drive, “I feel like the third stormtrooper from the left talking about Star Wars,” he quipped. “I was a very small part of the process.”

Not exactly. Clabaugh was the secondunit director of photography, which means he shot the majority of the film’s action scenes — which included car chases, explosions, shoot-outs, and bone-crunching hand-to-hand combat. Even after a quarter of a century, he still refers to Drive when discussing or lecturing about action films — and freely admits it remains a personal favorite after all these years.

Mark Dacascos plays Toby Wong, a martial artist in Los Angeles with a prototype bio-engine heart that essentially makes him impervious. This makes him the target of a covert Chinese crime ring bent on capturing him. Kadeem Hardison (of TV’s A Di erent World) plays Malik Brody, the fast-talking everyman who winds up as Toby’s sidekick (and verbal sparring partner), and a young Brittany Murphy — playing the quirky Deliverance Bodine — comes along for the ride, too.

To commemorate its 25th anniversary, Drive has been released by MVD’s Entertainment Group’s “MVD Rewind Collection” on Blu-ray ($39.95 retail) and by 88 Films/MVD Entertainment Group in a special-edition 4K Ultra HD combo ($44.95 retail), each replete with bonus features including audio commentary, retrospective documentary, featurettes, and interviews, deleted scenes, original trailer, and more.

According to Clabaugh, director Steve Wang envisioned a high-octane action romp that combined elements of ‘80s blockbusters (including The Terminator, Lethal Weapon, and RoboCop) seasoned with the high-flying, high-spirited martial-arts

mayhem pioneered by Jackie Chan, then on the verge of breaking out in the U.S. market. By coincidence, Clabaugh had on his most recent vacation spent time with his friend, the late screenwriter Michael France (Cli hanger, GoldenEye), gorging themselves on Jackie Chan films. When Wang asked Clabaugh if he was familiar with Chan’s work, he replied: “Well, as a matter of fact …”

Clabaugh worked well with Wang and first-unit cinematographer Michael G. Wojciechowski. “We were totally in sync,” he said. “Michael was totally good to work with, and Steve Wang is a great guy. He operates his own camera, so he knew exactly how to map out the (fight) choreography.”

During principal photography, “we’d ‘tag-team,” Clabaugh revealed. “The first unit would work a 12-hour shift, then set things up for the second unit. We’d come in and work 12 hours and set things up for them. During that downtime, Steve would go into his trailer to go over his script, or if he was lucky get a few hours sleep, then he’d be back on the set and ready to go.”

Having worked on dozens of films and directed three features — 2000’s Python (still a Syfy perennial), 2005’s crime drama Little Chicago (filmed in Gastonia), and 2009’s Eyeborgs (“The best killerrobot movie ever shot in Winston-Salem,” he boasts) — Clabaugh said that it all starts with the man at the top, the director. “Steve was one of the best,” he said. “He was also very open to suggestions, whether from the actors or the crew. He made you feel that we were all in this together. It was hard work, but it was also a lot of fun.”

Clabaugh also expressed fond memories of the cast. “Mark was amazing,” he said.

“He was up for anything. Ask him, and he’d go for it. He and Kadeem really worked well together, and Brittany Murphy — she was awesome, one of the sweetest, dearest people you’d ever want to meet.”

What happened after the film was finished, “I have only second- or third-hand information, so it wouldn’t be my place to comment,” Clabaugh said — but Drive never saw the light of day. It never opened theatrically in the United States. The film was a hit overseas, even in Chan’s Far East stomping grounds, and even won some awards. When a truncated version was released stateside on VHS, some critics singled it out as a quintessential B-movie. Then, a funny thing happened: It was the era of the laserdisc, and bootleg laserdiscs of the director’s cut of Drive began circulating throughout the United States. (This was how yours truly first saw it, on a VHS copy of the laserdisc.) This didn’t translate into additional income or residuals for its makers, but it did draw attention to a film that had seemingly appeared out of nowhere — with no fanfare — that not only replicated the era’s action trappings but also added some new wrinkles that would become genre staples. In other words, an instant cult classic.

“I look back on it with a great deal of fondness,” Clabaugh said. “I think it’s great that people are now getting to see it as Steve Wang intended. It’s the film he wanted to make.”

The o cial MVD Entertainment Group website is https://mvdentertainment. com/ and Richard Clabaugh’s o cial website is http://rclabaugh.com/wp/. !

See MARK BURGER’s reviews of current movies on Burgervideo.com. © 2022, Mark Burger

Mark Burger

Contributor

SALEM BAND 2022 HOLIDAY CONCERTS, CHRISTMAS AT THE MOVIES

BY EILEEN YOUNG

This year’s Salem Band Holiday Concert program o ers a unique opportunity for everyone in attendance: you are the soloist! Traditionally we have used a vocal soloist, but now that pandemic restrictions are lifted and we can enjoy singing again, our Holiday program includes multiple sing-along opportunities, led by Salem Band and guest song leader, Michelle Rhodes. Join us in singing your favorite traditional Christmas songs, both sacred and secular.

Who doesn’t love Holiday music and movies? We are betting that lots of you watch your favorite Christmas films and TV shows every year around the holidays and we have an excellent movie-based program for you. John Williams fans will not want to miss music from the blockbuster film Home Alone — Williams’ score of original music includes one of the finest contemporary Christmas songs ever written, Star of Bethlehem. Like old movies? We have music by the great Irving Berlin from Holiday Inn, the 1942 hit featuring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. Bring the kids – they will love Rudolph’s Christmas Concert, a super-fun arrangement of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and the concert suite from the popular Holiday movie, Polar Express. Salem Band will play traditional Christmas songs featured in classic holiday movies such as It’s a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street. One of

our favorites is Ancient Carol Variants, a beautiful modern rendition based on God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Chris Bernotas. And of course, Salem Band will conclude the performance with audience favorite, Sleigh Ride

All Salem Band concerts are free and open to the public. Contact Music Director Eileen Young at musicdirector@salemband.org or 336-413-2180 for more info. Parking is available at each church location, but our concerts at New Philadelphia Moravian usually fill up fast. Bring your checkbook or cash as we will accept donations on December 15th for our charity partner, Sunnyside Ministry. Come early to hear the Salem Saxophone Quartet play pre-concert music of fun holiday favorites.

On December 20th at Clemmons First Baptist, the Ladies Vocal Ensemble will sing pre-concert Christmas songs. Consider a Salem Band Holiday CD, Yuletide Celebration, as a gift for your friends and family: https://salemband. org/cd-orders/ - free delivery in Forsyth County before Christmas! Also, our Historian, Dr. Donna Rothrock, is

finalizing the updated edition of the book on our history, The Salem Band — order one here: https://docs.google. com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeOJfwG0JCH3bk7TwlMGFooiG WTs2-PRRN8xexAQPdIal09qw/viewform?usp=sf_link

Established in 1771, Salem Band is the oldest, continuous mixed wind ensemble in the nation, celebrating 250 years in 2021-2022. Eileen Young, Music Director - more information at www.salemband.org and www.facebook. com/SalemBandFan

ARTS COUNCIL is the chief advocate of the arts and cultural sector in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. Our goal is to serve as a leader in lifting up, creating awareness and providing support to grow and sustain artistic, cultural and creative o erings throughout our region. We acknowledge that it takes every voice, every talent, and every story to make our community a great place to live, work, and play. Arts Council is committed to serving as a facilitator, organizer, and promoter of conversations that are authentic, inclusive, and forward-thinking. There are over 800,000 art experiences taking place in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County annually. To learn more about upcoming arts and culture events happening in our community please visit www.cityofthearts.com.

WANNA go?

The Salem Band Holiday Concerts will be held Thursay, December 15 at 7:30 p.m. at New Philadelphia Moravian Church and Tuesday, December 20 at 7:30 p.m., at Clemmons First Baptist Church

y wife Pam says that I complain all the time about a host of random things. I tell her that I’m not complaining, rather, I’m just reporting to her what I observe. She then usually tells me what I can do with my observations. And so, after spending the past week telling everyone what I’m thankful for, I thought I would mention some of the things I’m not so thankful for. Here then are a few of my pet peeves. Perhaps some of them are on your list too.

Rolling screens on a web page I’m trying to read.

If I could find the person who invented

Mthis device, I would tie him to a chair in front of his computer for 24 hours straight and force him to try and read important articles that keep disappearing from view. Either that or have the police charge him with a moving violation.

Robo calls.

I don’t care what the phone company representatives tell you, NOTHING you can do will stop unwanted robo calls. When I was in my early 60’s, I was bombarded with calls about Medicare, but now that I’m actually on Medicare, I’m bombarded with calls about car warranties. It’s probably the same people making both calls who figure that old people and cars break down at about the same time.

Breaking news.

CNN does a great job covering elections and live disasters, but they get low marks for hyperbole. Not everything is breaking news, yet CNN can’t go five minutes without flashing an alert on screen about a politician, pop star, or social media influ-

encer. I’m sorry, but the only thing about Britney Spears that would ever qualify as breaking news is if she suddenly learned how to sing.

Fast Food employees who fight among themselves.

Normally I could care less if fast food employees don’t get along with each other, but when they have a major fight in front of me, and don’t get around to handing me my fries until they’ve gotten cold, then that bothers me. I won’t mention where this happens, but the name of the company begins with “Arby’s.”

Prescription Pet Food.

Years ago, our veterinarian recommended Hill’s Science Diet for our standard poodles, both of whom have sensitive stomachs. The food seems to help, so I have no complaint about the high price, but I do have a problem with the manufacturer requiring that I get a prescription to buy their product. The fact is, there is no medicine in Hill’s Science Diet, so the only reason for requiring a prescription is if the company fears that my dogs and I will extract the ingredients and make Meth. Wait a minute, I’m confused. I must be thinking of what my dogs do with Sudafed.

People who park too close.

My car is pretty old, but I still try to keep it from getting dinged, so I always try and park way away from everyone. The other day I found a remote spot in a Harris Teeter lot that left three spaces free on either side of me. When I returned to my car a half hour later, all of the spaces were still vacant except for the one right next to me. Unbelievably someone had bypassed all of the free spaces and parked so close

to me that I almost couldn’t get my door open. My wife says the other driver wasn’t out to get me, but I can’t help but think it was one of those Arby’s employees.

APPS are everywhere.

While I don’t have a smartphone, I do recognize that APPS play a vital role in today’s society. For example, APPS can give you direct access to your healthcare providers, or allow you to check out the latest news and weather from streaming services like “WFMY+.” But sometimes APPS make me angry. Like the time Pam and I went into a sandwich shop and the only way I could buy her a COKE was if I had loaded an APP into the smartphone that I don’t have. I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but that sandwich shop can kiss my APP.

Surly clerks.

The other day I was in the check-out line of a major chain store (who has the letters C, V, & S in its name), and I had to summon an employee to take my money. When she arrived, she said, “I can’t just stand behind the register. I have more important things to do.” Silly me, but I thought the most important thing for a retail store to do is to sell products. Oh well. Maybe she was just having a bad day, or perhaps she used to work at Arby’s.

Anyway, now you know a few of my pet peeves. Send us yours and I’ll personally load them onto a rolling screen where they can be partially viewed. !

JIM LONGWORTH is the host of Triad Today, airing on Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. on ABC45 (cable channel 7) and Sundays at 11 a.m. on WMYV (cable channel 15).

Jim Longworth

at

fabulous recipe for black comedy

or a film about an expensive, exclusive, and (extremely) eventful epicurean feast, The Menu may not be for all tastes despite the appetizing dishes glimpsed throughout. But for its intended audience, The Menu serves up blistering social satire and intricate suspense with assurance and aplomb, courtesy of director Mark Mylod and the screenwriting duo of executive producers Seth Reiss and Will Tracy.

The film doesn’t strictly fit in — or out — of the parameters of the horror genre. It’s not as gory or violent as it might have been, although it does have its gruesome moments. If one wishes to label The Menu a horror film, then it’s a class act in the field.

The film opens with a group of guests being transported to Hawthorn, an island compound in the Pacific Northwest, where they are to indulge in a multicourse dinner — at $1,250 a head — prepared by the renowned gourmet chef Julian Slowak (Ralph Fiennes). Slowak, who originally hails from Waterloo, Iowa (!), is simply referred to by his devoted sta as “Chef.” Hawthorn is his domain, where he exerts all control, and it slowly

Ftranspires that this will be Chef’s master meal, a “last supper,” if you will.

The proverbial fly in the ointment comes in the slinky form of one Margot Mills (Anya Taylor-Joy), a last-minute addition to the guest list, who is accompanied by Tyler (Nicholas Hoult), a die-hard devotee of Chef’s. Margo, who has a few secrets of her own, brings a down-to-earth, working-class attitude to the proceedings, which first intrigues then infuriates Chef. Margo is not part of the plan — she’s not “on” the menu — and thus commences a battle of wills between the two.

Chef points out the hypocrisy of his guests, whose attendance is less predicated on food than the economic and social status such a meal a ords them. But it’s Margo who points out Chef’s hypocrisy, that he prepares his meals meticulously but without any passion.

Like the films of Jordan Peele (Get Out, Us, this year’s Nope) and Craig Zobel’s The Hunt (2020), Mylod incorporates subtle and not-so-subtle digs at class and wealth — and the arrogance of both — within the framework of the narrative. The Menu both embraces and skewers the “foodie culture” with razorsharp assurance, augmented by Peter Deming’s crisp cinematography and Colin Stetson’s e ective score.

Fiennes holds forth as the diabolical Chef, with Taylor-Joy a first-rate foil. Hoult gets the opportunity to exhibit his comedy chops as Tyler, who takes everything in stride — even gleefully —

until he finds himself in Chef’s crosshairs. The resulting humiliation is one of many highlights, as is the notion of dividing the film not into chapters but courses.

A terrific ensemble cast includes Janet McTeer, Judith Light, Reed Birney, Paul Adelstein, and Aimee Carrero, but two standouts are John Leguizamo, enjoying his best screen role in years as a hasbeen movie star (which he reportedly based on Steven Seagal!), and Hong Chou as Elsa, Chef’s formidable assistant, whose cold admonishments to the guests rarely fail to raise laughter.

In a season filled with big-buck holiday extravaganzas and Oscar hopefuls, The Menu o ers a deliciously nasty — and certainly award-worthy — alternative. And in the end, the characters well and truly do receive their just desserts. Bon appétit. !

See MARK BURGER ’s reviews of current movies on Burgervideo.com. © 2022. Mark Burger.

Mark Burger

Contributor

‘TIS THE SEASON

Archaeologists in Turkey believe they have found the tomb of the real St. Nicholas, People reported on Oct. 19. The grave was discovered beneath the floor of a 7th- or 8th-century church in the country’s Antalya province. St. Nicholas of Myra, the inspiration for our modern-day Santa Claus, allegedly served as bishop there. Scientists say the site will be protected and prepared for display.

IT’S A MYSTERY

On a sheep farm in the Inner Mongolia region of China, a strange phenomenon has been caught on surveillance video, Oddity Central reported. Starting on Nov. 4 and lasting more than two weeks, dozens of sheep were seen walking clockwise in a large circle. Other animals could be seen staring at the circle from outside it, or standing motionless in the middle of it. Only sheep from one pen (out of 34) were acting strangely, according to Ms. Miao, the owner. Some viewers of the video theorized that the

sheep are suffering from listeriosis, or “circles disease,” but that condition usually causes a rapid death.

FISH STORY

Bluewater Lakes in Champagne, France, is the home of the Carrot, a hybrid leather carp and koi fish that was released into the fishing lake 20 years ago and has been eluding fishers ever since, the Daily Mail reported. That is, until Nov. 3, when Andy Hackett, from Worcestershire, England, landed the 67-pound beauty. Hackett spent about 25 minutes hauling in the Carrot. “I always knew the Carrot was in there but never thought I would catch it,” Hackett said. He released the famous fish back into the lake and celebrated with a cup of tea.

THE RULES

In Tennessee, it is legal to collect roadkill for consumption, WJHL-TV reported on Nov. 20. In fact, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency encourages people to take home animals found on the road, with some strict rules in place. For example, deer and turkey must be reported to TWRA or lo-

cal police within 48 hours of collection. But “bears, on the other hand, require that a TWRA agent come out and issue you a receipt for a black bear,” said spokesperson Matthew Cameron. That’s because the bear population is monitored, and the TWRA takes a tooth from the animal for the purpose of dating it. In addition, tracking bear kills helps the agency prevent the sale of bear parts on the black market. “It’s highly illegal to sell any kind of bear parts in the state of Tennessee,” Cameron said, “but it does happen.” Small animals such as rabbits, raccoons, squirrels and skunks can be collected without notifying anyone.

WIENER WAR

A turf war of sorts broke out late on Nov. 19 in downtown San Diego, CBS8-TV reported: Interloper hot dog vendors from Los Angeles had set up outside Petco Park stadium, where Duke Dumont was playing, and the San Diego vendors weren’t having it. A brawl involving 10 to 15 people ensued, with one 35-year-old man being stabbed in the back during the fray. Police arrested Yoni Yates, 21, in the assault, which resulted in non-life-threatening injuries. No buns were injured in the incident.

STOWAWAY

TSA agents at John F. Kennedy International Airport saved the day on Nov. 16 when they spotted an unusual item in a passenger’s checked baggage: a live cat. NBC2 News reported that the feline could be seen in an X-ray of the bag and was rescued before the suitcase went into the cargo hold. “The cat did not belong to the individual with the suitcase,” TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein said. “It belonged to someone else in the household.”

THE DEMANDS OF THE JOB

EXTREME MEASURES

Jermaine Bell, 38, spent more than three years in jail fighting charges against him for an armed robbery in 2018, Local10-TV reported. When he heard the guilty verdict in a Miami-Dade County, Florida, courtroom on Nov. 21, Bell guzzled a cup of bleach, becoming so sick that he had to be removed from the courtroom on a stretcher. He survived the self-imposed attack, but officials are unclear where he obtained the bleach. Rev. Jerome Starling, a distant cousin of Bell’s, saw him “drinking something that’s not right, and that his attorneys are letting him drink it, the corrections are letting him drink it. And all of a sudden, I see him collapse. And I’m like, ‘What just happened?’” Starling recounted. Bell’s family members are pursuing the matter.

OOPS

Japanese food shops rely on remarkably realistic plastic samples to showcase their offerings, but one Osaka shop mistakenly sold five plastic pastries to customers on Oct. 22, Gulf News reported. At Andrew’s Egg Tart, a worker immediately noticed the mistake, and the plastic treats were exchanged for the real thing. From now on, the shop will use stickers to distinguish real egg tarts from their doppelgangers.

LIKELY STORY

The Sportscenter Athletic Club is a private membership club dedicated to providing the ultimate athletic and recreational facilities for our members of all ages. Conveniently located in High Point, we provide a wide variety of activities for our members. We’re designed to incorporate the total fitness concept for maximum benefits and total enjoyment. We cordially invite all of you to be a part of our athletic facility, while enjoying the membership savings we offer our established corporate accounts.

In Paris, a court has ruled in favor of “Mr. T,” a former employee of Cubik Partners who was fired in 2015 for being “insufficient professionally” because he wouldn’t take part in “team-building” activities, i.e., going to the pub after work hours and on weekends. In his suit, Mr. T said the company encouraged a culture “involving promiscuity, bullying and incitement to various excesses.” The Court of Cessation declared that Mr. T “could not be blamed for his lack of integration in the fun environment,” The U.S. Sun reported. Cubik was forced to pay him about $3,100 in compensation.

Police in Mathura, India, reported to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act court that more than 500kg of marijuana, confiscated and stored in two police stations, had been “eaten” by rats, Gulf News reported. Officers told the judge that mice and rats, although small, do not fear police. A district judge ordered police to eradicate the “mice menace” and provide proof that the critters actually consumed the weed by Nov. 26.

THAT’S ONE WAY TO DO IT

With home prices in New Zealand taking their biggest drop in 30 years, one homeowner who’s looking to sell is trying to sweeten the offer. The owner of 22 Dungloe Avenue in Flat Bush is offering a free Tesla with the purchase of their $1.8 million home, Sky News reported. The new owner will be asked to choose the color of the electric car, which will be ordered new and delivered to the home from the manufacturer. And with six parking spots, they can park it sideways if they want. !

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appy Ho-HoHolidays, friends. It’s our absolute favorite time of year and we are back once again to share with you so many of our favorite things and drop them all into our annual Holiday Gift Guide of Glorious Deliciousness. I forget how many years we’ve done this, but we are thrilled to be back with our favorites of 2022. We hope this guide inspires you to grab an item or two for a loved one’s stocking or re-create this guide and be more popular than Santa himself. Everything you see here is available at local markets and of course, online. And we are happy to be giving away this basket to a lucky winner. Follow YES! Weekly’s Facebook page for your chance to win.

WHOLE HIVE HONEY

Your breakfast biscuit just leveled up. From up in the High Country, Whole Hive Honey has enjoyed several years of popularity and if you’re a visitor to the Boone area, you’ll see their honey on many shelves. The Hive recently released “Sweet Heat,” a hot honey that is incredible. Enjoy it on toast or biscuits, but I highly encourage you to add it to homemade dressings and sauces to add the slightest kick. Its sidekicks are the maple-flavored honey that is spectacular in its own right and great in a glaze for roasted chicken or your holiday ham and the Better than Butter biscuit honey. You’ll be reaching for these sweeties again and again. wholehivehoney.com

SPICEWALLA SPICE BLEND BUXTON CHICKEN RUB

If you’ve been to Asheville’s Buxton Hall, you know the flavors of smoking and grilling and Southern goodness abound. If you’ve been to Meherwan Irani’s Chai Pani then you know why it’s a James Beard Award winner. Irani’s spice company, Spicewalla, has created Buxton’s Chicken Rub, and let me tell you, you will use it on all the things. Yes, chicken, but also roasted potatoes, veggies, pork chops, steak, and next year’s turkey. It is wonderful. You can order Spicewalla online or you can find it in local stores like Buie’s Market but do not deny yourself a trip to spicewallabrand. com where the choices and flavors are seemingly endless.

BATISTINI FARMS VANISHING GRAPE BALSAMIC

From dressings on salad to drizzles on risotto, this white grape balsamic from Clemmons’ Batistini Farms is liquid gold in my house. It is tangy and sweet and will forever have a place in our pantry and our gift guide. Find it at Buie’s or at b-farms.com

BLACK MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FRUIT CAKE

SIPPIN SNAX

Our newest discovery! When it comes to noshing, a little snack mix can’t be beat. Have you ever sat at the bar, drink in hand, and found yourself munching away at the salty bar snack? Melissa Wallace definitely had her eureka moment when she thought of sippin SNAX, a selection of crunchable goodies that specifically pair with wine, beer, and cocktails. With seasoned pretzels or peanuts for beer and red wine, the choices are quite fun. sippin SNAX, like all of our gift guide items, makes great stocking stu ers, but they are the perfect housewarming gift. If you know a realtor, tell them about these treats for their client baskets, or you can be the star of the gift giving when you arrive with your bountiful selection. We highly encourage the sampler pack, which can be delivered right to your door. We find ours at Deep Roots Market in Greensboro and sippinsnax.com.

GORILLA GRAINS

My love for the Gorilla runs long and strong. We are rarely without our favorite granola in our home. I’m pretty sure that a long, long time ago, Gorilla Grains was one of our first published “favorite things,” and so he makes his return for 2022. This year’s holiday spice tastes like a Moravian Sugar Spice cookie so we encourage you to seek that out online or in stores like Buie’s Market and the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market, Saxapahaw General Store, or buy online. Our basket includes the all-time favorite, Original. Its crispy, buttery goodness is unforgettable. There is absolutely no other granola like it. gorillagrains.com

FISHER’S CHRISTMAS WHISKEY

I feel like I’d be remiss if I didn’t add a spirit to our holiday gift guide. Fainting Goat Spirits Christmas whiskey can be a bit hard to find once it’s released. This infusion of cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and orange peel is bottled in limited quantities at the distillery for a short time. And if by the time you read this, the ship has sailed, let not your heart be troubled. Look for it again next year. It’s best to get on their email list. The winner gets a bottle of this incredibly popular spirit. Check out FaintingGoatSpirits.com for more information or visit the distillery in downtown Greensboro.

She’s the living Queen of our Favorite Things. Take her to a party and be the “popular one.” Pair it with some sipping SNAX for a salty-sweet treat. Pick up more than one, as she freezes great. Enjoy her all season long and find her at Black Mountain Chocolate in Winston-Salem.

Now you have your list, no need to check twice. So go out and support local small businesses. We will be giving the entire contents of the holiday gift guide to a lucky winner. Follow YES! Weekly on Facebook and leave a comment about what you’re most excited to try. We will announce the winner in December and the winner can collect their basket on or after December 14. !

KRISTI MAIER is a food writer, blogger and cheerleader for all things local who even enjoys cooking in her kitchen, though her kidlets seldom appreciate her e orts.

Kristi Maier

@triadfoodies

Contributor

Will Greensboro trash ordinance allow landlords to profit from fines?

In November, Greensboro started enforcing an ordinance approved by its city council in late June, fining $25 for “properties that leave recycling and/ or refuse containers at the curb after their service day.”

Several councilmembers have expressed uncertainty over whether there’s any legal way of preventing predatory landlords from profiting from the fines.

On June 21, the “022-586 Ordinance to Amend Chapter 25 of the GSO Code of Ordinances Amending Solid Waste Fees” was moved by District 2’s Goldie Wells, seconded by at-large councilmember Marikay Abuzuaiter, and passed unanimously.

A June 27 press release stated “the City will begin charging a $25 fee for trash and recycling containers that are left at the curb in violation of the 7-7-7 rule” and explained that the ordinance requires containers to be placed at the curb after 7 p.m. the night before that street’s service day and that trash and recycling receptacles must be at the curb by 7 a.m.

that day and removed within 12 hours.

It then stated:

“Residents will receive a warning for the first violation, but additional occurrences will be charged a $25 fee each time City crews have to roll their carts from the curb. For safety and aesthetic reasons, City Council approved the fee at its June 21 meeting to prevent containers from being left in the street. While the 7-7-7 rule has been in e ect for some time, it previously had no o cial enforcement.”

Although subsequently used by the media, the phrase “7-7-7 rule” does not appear in the ordinance.

Later that day, the following update was posted to the City’s Facebook page.

The City of Greensboro thanks residents for sharing thoughts and concerns about the recently adopted trash and recycling cart roll back fee. In response, the Field Operations Department will delay enforcement of the fee for 120 days. A public education campaign will be provided, so residents can learn about the policy and how it will be enforced.

The roll back fee of $25 was developed to help address neighbors’ complaints that some households leave carts in the street indefinitely for days or weeks. Field Operations receives approximately 350 complaints each year about this issue, but previously had no way to enforce the local

ordinance that specifies how long you can leave your trash and recycling containers at the curb.

Field Operations Director Julio Delgado said the new fee will not be assessed to residents who need a little bit more time to set out or bring back their carts due to busy schedules or other limitations. The department will focus on those households that have left their carts out for extended periods of time and are causing a nuisance to the neighborhood.

“The intent is not to punish people who want to put their can out 4-5 hours early because they have to work. The program is to make the community better,” Delgado said.

In October, a tab titled Trash & Recycling Container Compliance Program was added to the Field Operations subpage of the City of Greensboro website, stating that Field Operations “will begin enforcing the City’s Trash and Recycling Container Compliance program on November 1, 2022” and that a $25 fee “may be issued to households who leave trash or recycling containers in the street for more than 48 hours per week.”

It also stated that the fee is “$25 per occurrence” and households “will receive one warning and a courtesy removal of containers per rolling calendar year.”

On November 9, YES! Weekly contacted Mayor Nancy Vaughan to ask how this fee

would be applied, particularly to tenants. For example, if four containers are left on the curb past 48 hours at a property, is the property owner fined $25 for a single occurrence, or $100 for the four containers? YES! Weekly also asked if, should a fine of $25 be imposed on that property, does the city have a regulation, or even a recommendation, against the property owner charging each of their four tenants $25 and thus collecting $100? And is there anything to prevent landlords from charging an extra service fee or other penalties for collecting that money?

On Nov. 10, Vaughan forwarded a response from Delgado, who stated that the city “has no procedure or restrictions on how the property owner collects the service fee from their tenants.”

On November 11, Assistant City Manager Chris Wilson clarified that “Field Ops would just do one fee per visit regardless of the number of containers out.”

Between November 1st and November 15, multiple Greensboro home and apartment renters received notices from property owners and managers quoting the following statement from the City of Greensboro:

“In response to ongoing concerns from neighbors, the Field Operations Department will begin enforcing the City’s Trash and Recycling Container Compliance pro-

Ian McDowell

Contributor

gram on November 1. A $25 fee may be issued to households who repeatedly leave trash or recycling containers in the street for more than 48 hours per week, creating a nuisance to the neighborhood. In order to avoid a fee, residents should be sure your trash and recycling containers are at the curb no more than 48 hours – from 7 a.m. the day before service to 7 a.m. the day after your service day. This 48-hour window is twice as long as the previous policy, giving residents more flexibility. The Trash and Recycling Container Compliance program is complaint-driven, meaning residents will identify where trash and recycling containers are creating a nuisance. The Field Operations Department will provide a warning for the first violation and a courtesy removal of containers out of the right-of-way. After that, each occurrence will be charged a $25 fee if City sta have to remove containers from the curb. This will be a rolling 12-month fee; if no violations take place within one year of the previous fee, the resident will again receive a warning for the next violation. City sta will follow up on complaints reported to the City’s Contact Center at 336-373-CITY (2489). Sta will not patrol neighborhoods, but when they investigate a complaint, they will leave notices for any containers left on the street in the immediate vicinity.”

While the notices sent by property owner to tenants state that the cost of the fine will be passed on to the tenants, none seen by YES! Weekly clarified whether $25 would be charged to each tenant at a multi-unit address, or divided between them. If a landlord has 20 tenants at one address, and charges them each $25, that’s a profit of $475.

When contacted by YES! Weekly, District 5 council representative Tammi Thurm called the question of landlords profiting from these fines “a good one that nobody’s brought up before.”

Thurm said she has spoken to Assistant City Manager Wilson. “He doesn’t know whether the state would allow us to regulate that or not, but is going to get Legal to look at it. If we can do it, I’m happy to sponsor an amendment of that nature. I do think there’s room for abuse there, and we at very least want to regulate or mitigate that as best we can. Perhaps we can make it part of the policy that the owners of rental properties can only pass on a ten-percent penalty.”

Thurm cautioned that she did not expect to get an answer to this question until after the Thanksgiving holiday.

“You legally can’t stop somebody who is a private individual from taking advantage of people”, said District 1’s Sharon Hightower when asked about this subject. “If you could, we’d have fewer slumlords

taking advantage of folks who either pay abusively high rent, or pay more a ordable rent but get no services. Can we enforce some of that?”

Hightower then o ered insight into how the ordinance was created.

“This was something discussed with Dale when he was still here,” said Hightower, referring to Dale Wyrick, the city’s first Director of Field Operations, who retired in 2021. “Dale and Goldie and I sat with Legal and had discussions around this. We knew there was a serious problem with trash containers being left out too long. They sit on sidewalks all week and people have to walk around them, or even in the road, where people have to maneuver around them in their cars. And when they’re left out there, storms like the one coming through now can easily turn them over, spilling trash everywhere and creating an even greater public health hazard.”

Hightower acknowledged that can also happen to trash receptacles in yards, “but it’s less likely there, as it’s often more secured, and the building acts as a windbreak.”

Hightower insisted that the decision to impose fines was not made lightly. “We checked other municipalities, and it seemed like everywhere else had high roll-back fees. And Goldie and I said, because we know where these trash cans are being left, we don’t want it to be a monetary burden. We didn’t want those high fees other cities have but needed to do something to get people’s attention. Once people are aware of it, I think they’re going to say ‘okay, if they’re going to do that, I’m going to be careful to roll my can back.’ And bingo, problem solved.”

She acknowledged that some landlords may try to profit from the ordinance.

“Will there be some who say to their tenants, okay, I gotta pay this $25 fee, so it’s gonna cost you a hundred dollars? Yes, probably. But let me tell you about something else I had to step in the middle of and put a stop to. I had one landlord in my district who was charging $75 a trash bag to people who weren’t putting their trash in the dumpster. This was a place where some people were taking their trash to the dumpster and some were not, with no way to determine who was doing which, and the landlord was going to charge all the residents $75 each for every trash bag not taken to the dumpster. There’s always going to be abuse, and we’ll do what we can when it happens, but I think this new ordinance is a necessary thing, and not something we created lightly.” !

IAN MCDOWELL is the author of two published novels, numerous anthologized short stories, and a whole lot of nonfiction and journalism, some of which he’s proud of and none of which he’s ashamed of.

Triad Holiday Roundup

un, run Rudolph. The holidays have hit the Triad. Take the freeway down around our neck of North Carolina — making merry with music, movies, markets, Nutcrackers, Bob Cratchits, Santa sightings, and all the holly jolly the season can muster.

Keeping things bright, all of the above can be found at the Festival of Lights on December 2 in downtown Greensboro, with an o cial tree-lighting in Center City Park, laser show at the corner of MLK and S. Elm Streets, Santa in Hamburger Square, and stations to roast marshmallows lining the thoroughfare of carolers and musicians in the heart of downtown.

Performers include the NC A&T Fellowship Gospel Choir, UNC-Greensboro Horn Choir and Chariots, Grimsley High Madrigal Singers, Greensboro Tarheel Chorus, Triad Trombone Ensemble, Triad A

RCappella Connection, Seasons Best Carolers, The Drew Hays Five featuring Diana Tu n, Benjy Johnson and the Tinsel Too, Finn Phoenix, Gregory Amo, High Lonesome Strings, Laura Jane Vincent, Sinai Mountain Ramblers, The Silver Drummer Girl, and more.

On December 3, parades will roll through both Greensboro and WinstonSalem. And a “Christmas Around Kernersville,” o ers a weekend holiday a air, with a tree lighting on December 3 and parade on December 4 (with a watch party and music at the Brewer’s Kettle). In smaller towns: Archdale and Jamestown run parades on December 4; Thomasville and Stokesdale on December 10.

As the processions signal Santa’s arrival, agents for the jolly elf will appear daily at the usual spots: Hanes Mall, Four Seasons, and Friendly Center (who’ll also host a “Paws & Claws” photo session for pets on December 5 and 12).

On weekends, you can catch him at Stock + Grain in High Point, at the Biltmore Hotel in Greensboro, and on Saturdays at Mast General Store in WinstonSalem. And he’ll be a fixture at the festive attractions o ered by Kersey Valley, McLaurin, and Smith Hollow Farms.

Special Santa sightings run throughout the month, starting with “Santa & S’mores” at Summerfield Farms December 1-2. On December 3, he’ll make an appearance at the Safe Haven Equine Rescue and Retirement center for “Deck the Stalls,” with horse rides, s’mores, a bonfire, ra e, and auction. He’ll head to the High Point History Museum’s “Holiday Open House” on December 4; and over to Randleman, joining the Petty family for a “Christmas Cruise-In” at the Petty Museum on December 10.

Santa starts the day on December 11 with a “Brunch and Bowl” at ROAR in Winston-Salem before trekking his sleigh across the Triad for an appearance at Summerfield’s Fire Station #9. He’ll return to Winston for ”ChristmasFest” at the Moravian Music Foundation December 1617; and appear at ‘‘Twas the Week Before Christmas,” a story-telling and song event at the Camel City Playhouse on December 17.

Families looking to shop small are on Santa’s radar: he’ll be at the Holiday Craft Bazaar at the Oak View Recreation Center in High Point on December 3; at the Holiday Camel City Craft Fair at Foothills Brewing on December 4; at the Historic

Magnolia House’s Mistletoe Market on December 10-11; at Shooting Star Horse Farm’s 2nd Annual Country Time Christmas Holiday Festival on December 11; and at the Four Seasons Holiday Market in Thomasville and “Christmas for the City” at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem on December 17.

For the sights, sounds, and sans-Santa shopping, the 13th Annual Uptowne High Point Holiday Stroll runs between Ray and State Avenues on December 3. In Greensboro, the Forge and Lebauer Park will host markets during the Festival of Lights on December 2. Sternberger Artists Center’s holiday open house (with treats) will happen December 3; and on December 4, the Community Flea Market at the Mill wraps its inaugural season with a holiday theme, while the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market hosts its “MADE 4 the Holidays Arts + Crafts” Marketplace (along with a Winter Solstice Wednesday market on Dec 21).

The following weekend, the People’s Market hosts a holiday pop-up alongside Glenwood Together’s Christmas Workshop with music and crafts, “all in the heart of Glenwood,” on December 10; and a “Girl’s Gather” market goes down at Joymongers. On December 11, a “Holiday Plant

Katei Cranford

Contributor

Swap” takes over the Green Bean, while Boxcar hosts a holiday market of its own. Music and markets go hand-in-hand in Winston-Salem. The Winston-Salem Art Mart (the new era from the Wherehouse Art Mart folks) has teamed up with CultureWS for a two-day market and gallery experience on the 9th floor of the Liberty Plaza building. Showcasing work from more than 30 artists and makers, the Holiday Art Mart runs December 9-10, with gift-wrapping, activities, and performances by the Gabby Walden Ensemble, food from ICGoosebumps, and libations from Hoots Beer Co.

Over at SECCA, the 2nd Annual Southern Idiom art sale opens December 10, with a snack-filled afternoon holiday party in the historic Hanes House. That evening, the Camel City Jazz Orchestra will host their 10th annual “Swing and Salsa” holiday concert.

Jazz is in the air as the Piedmont Music Center’s WinterFest concert series features “A Charlie Brown Christmas” with Diana Tu n, happening on December 16; and “Holiday Jazz” with Martha Bassett on December 23. In other genres, the Triad Pride Performing Arts’ annual holiday concert is “Making Spirits Bright” at Hanesbrands Theatre on December 3. And the Vienna Light Orchestra Christmas Concert will light the Reynolds Auditorium, with a performance illuminated by 2,000 flickering candles on December 23.

At the Ramkat, the Piedmont Wind Symphony does “Pops for the Holidays” on December 6; Je rey Dean Foster & the Arrows and Crenshaw Pentecostal host a “Warm for the Holidays” fundraiser and coat drive on December 15; and Chatham County Line brings their “Electric Holiday Tour” on December 17. Over in the Millennium Center, the crew behind Ziggy’s will host a “Country Christmas Concert” with Red Dirt Revival on December 22 and A “Purple Madness” Prince tribute Christmas party on December 23.

In Greensboro, “Tunes for the Holidays” takes place at Triad Stage December 8-18. Carols & Ale o ers a sing-along session at Oden Brewing on December 11. Songfarmers brings a “Holiday Hootenanny” to Scuppernong on December 16, while Rhonda Thomas hosts a Soulful Holiday Jazz Concert down at the Historic Magnolia House. On December 17, the Pentatonix will bring a Christmas Spectacular to the Greensboro Coliseum and the Grand Ole Uproar will be at Boxcar for a “Jingle & Mingle Holiday Party.” And on December 23, Christmas reggae from Pure Fiyah rings at RockHouse GSO.

Getting into the smaller town swing, the Embers will be at the Finch T Austin Auditorium in Thomasville on December 4 and at Randleman Elementary on

December 5. On December 10, “A Rat Pack Christmas!” o ers a tribute to Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. at the Sunset Theatre in Asheboro.

And honoring traditions, the FOX8 and Old Dominion Triad Holiday Concerts and Food Drive return in person, with performances from various symphonies and artists like Victor Solomon and Larry & Joe. Admission is free with food donations, for performances at Williams High School in Burlington on December 9, at the Greensboro Coliseum on December 16, and at the LJVM Coliseum on December 17; a 13-hour telethon and concert special will air on December 14.

Expanding across stage and screen, holiday theatrical productions include a “Frosty” performance at the Carolina Theatre on December 1; “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” from Sigmon Theatrical at the Sunset Theatre on December 6; “A Christmas Story: The Musical” runs December 9-18 at the Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance; and the 10 Year Anniversary performance of “The Christmas Shoes” will take place at the Guilford College Dana Auditorium on December 17.

Going with the classics, productions of “A Christmas Carol” and “The Nutcracker” run across the Triad. For Nutcracker nuts, the Dance Center of Greensboro will perform a Nutcracker Ballet at the High Point Theatre on December 3-5; the O. Henry Hotel will host a Nutcracker Holiday Tea on December 4, with the Greensboro Ballet’s performance running December 10-11 and 12-18 at the Carolina Theatre; and a touring production of the “Hip Hop Nutcracker” comes to the Tanger Center on December 14. The UNC-School of the Arts’ annual Nutcracker performance returns to the Stevens Center, December 9-18 in Winston-Salem. And the High Point Ballet will bring “Nutcracker Magic” to the High Point Theatre December 16-18.

As for Mr. Scrooge, the Randolph Youth Theater Company’s rendition of “A Christmas Carol” runs December 1-4 at the Sunset Theatre; the High Point Community Theatre o ers a musical variety December 9-11; the Little Theatre of Winston-Salem serves a more traditional take December 9-18 at Reynolds Place; and in Asheboro, a “Christmas CAROLing” experience retells the story along a lighted-trolley tour on various dates throughout December.

On the big screen, a/perture cinema will host “A Christmas Carol” three-ways during their “Bah, Humbugember Holiday Film Fest” - the 1938 classic film screens on December 3-4; 2017’s “The Man Who Invented Christmas” runs December 10-11; and “The Muppet Christmas Carol” will show December 17-18.

Greensboro muppet-lovers can see “The Muppet Christmas Carol” for free

at the Carolina Theatre on December 3 — celebrating the return of the “Carolina Classic Holiday Movie” series and its sister installment of “Christmas in the Crown,” each showcasing a di erent holiday flick December 12-15 and 19-23. Scheduled in the main room are: “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”, “Home Alone”, “Die Hard”, “Elf”, “Miracle on 34th Street”, “A Christmas Story”, “White Christmas”, and “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Up in the Crown, it’s: “The Preacher’s Wife”, ”A Christmas Carol”, “The Bishop’s Wife”, “Holiday A air”, “Christmas in Connecticut”, “Love Actually”, “Holiday Inn”, and “The Shop Around the Corner.”

“Elf” gets its own reprise at Summerfield Farms for the “Merry & Bright Movie Night” on December 16.

In the spirit of merry and bright, luminaries and light shows light up Triad nights. Winter Wonderland Lights at the Greensboro Science Center, Tanglewood Festival of Lights, and Cypress Trails o er attractions throughout December; along with the High Point University Christmas Drive, running December 19-January 1.

Luminary traditions return to the Lindley Park neighborhood on December 3; to UNC-Greensboro on December 6; Fisher Park and Dunleath will shine on December 11; with Kirkwood’s to be announced later in December.

For those looking to get traditional themselves, Old Salem will host special holiday celebrations on Saturdays through December, with the Candle Tea of Home Moravian Church hosting strolling sessions December 1-3 and 8-10. Historic Bethabara Park will host “Christmas at Bethabara” with historical decorations, treats, and a performance by the Felt and Soul Puppet Theater on December 3; followed by a “Carols by Candlelight”

with the Piedmont Chamber Singers on December 4. The Reynolda House opens to visitors for “Enchanted Christmas Evenings” on December 6 and 15, with live organ caroling, extravagant decor, and antique glass ornaments from the early 20th century.

In High Point, Winterfest at City Lake Park o ers contemporary family-friendly events on December 10, with a candlelit tour of Mendenhall Homeplace happening across the street that evening.

On December 17, the High Point Museum hosts a “Scottish Faire in Historical Park,” with traditional celebrations for Yule and Hogmanay (aka New Year’s Eve). There’ll be dancing, music, and food cooked on a fire — with costumes encouraged.

Folks looking for adults-only parties can head to the new Hangar 1819 in Greensboro for a “Very Merry Swiftiemas” Taylor Swift-inspired holiday dance party. And Randy (from “Trailer Park Boys”) makes it a stop on “Randy’s Christmas Tour,” on December 16. Meanwhile, the Santacon Bar Crawl descends on downtown December 10, and Boxcar’s Christmas PJ Party with DJ Mike Wawa goes down (in pajamas) on December 16.

In Winston, the Camel City Playhouse hosts C.C. LaBrie’s Holiday Talent Showcase on December 3 and Haus d’Katzmeow’s Frosty Frolic Classic Burlesque Show on December 10. And the Yacht House Holiday Drag Brunch serves up a sideshow assortment at Joymongers Barrell Hall on December 16.

From humbugs to spirits, the halls are decked across the Triad. Happy holidays, y’all! !

ASHEBORO

Four SaintS BrEwing

218 South Fayetteville St. | 336.610.3722 www.foursaintsbrewing.com

thursdays: taproom trivia

Fridays: Music Bingo

Dec 4: randolph Jazz Band

Dec 17: Eck McCanless

Dec 18: Honky tonk Jam w/ Mark Dillion & Friends

CARBORRO

Cat’S CraDlE

300 E Main St | 919.967.9053 www.catscradle.com

Dec 1: less than Jake

Dec 2: Julia., By george

Dec 2: Violet Bell

Dec 3: Mike Doughty

Dec 4: Covet

Dec 5: lynn Blakey Christmas Show

Dec 7: lightning Bolt

Dec 8: Jump, little Children

Dec 9: Kelsey waldon

Dec 10: the greeting Committee

Dec 10: Southern Culture on the Skids

Dec 12: Special interest

Dec 13: the Happy Fits

Dec 13: Baked Shrimp

Dec 14: Mclusky

Dec 15: turnover

Dec 16: Eliza Mclamb

CHARlOttE

BoJanglES ColiSEuM

2700 E Independence Blvd | 704.372.3600

www.boplex.com

nov 30: rod wave

Dec 1: a Day to remember - reassembled: acoustic theater tour

Dec 6: allman Family revival

Dec 10: Southern Soul Music Festival

Dec 16: nutcracker! Magic of Christmas Ballet

tHE FillMorE

1000 NC Music Factory Blvd | 704.916.8970 www.livenation.com

nov 30: rina Sawayama

Dec 2: Blue october

Dec 2: Soen + Special guests

Dec 3: State Champs

Dec 7: Jinjer

Dec 8: Machine Head

Dec 15: From ashes to new

Dec 18: ‘twas the Drag Show Before Christmas

Dec 20: Destroy lonely

SpECtruM CEntEr

333 E Trade St | 704.688.9000 www.spectrumcentercharlotte.com

Dec 6: Daddy Yankee

Dec 10: trans-Siberian orchestra

Dec 15: Charlotte r&B Music Experience

ClEmmOnS

VillagE SquarE

tap HouSE

6000 Meadowbrook Mall Ct | 336.448.5330 www.facebook.com/vstaphouse

Dec 1: James Vincent Carroll

Dec 8: anna Mertson

Dec 9: Big City

Dec 10: Magnolia green

Dec 15: Corky Jamz

Dec 16: Stereo Doll

duRHAm

Carolina tHEatrE

309 W Morgan St | 919.560.3030 www.carolinatheatre.org

Dec 3: that Motown Band Dec 3: the Holly Jolly Joshua Show Dec 7: Herb alpert and lani Hall

DpaC

123 Vivian St | 919.680.2787 www.dpacnc.com

Dec 7: allman Family revival

ElKIn

rEEVES tHEatEr

129 W Main St | 336.258.8240 www.reevestheater.com wednesdays: reeves open Mic

Fourth thursdays: old-time Jam

Dec 2: the Elkin Big Band w/ teresa Jasper

Dec 9: Donna the Buffalo

Dec 10: Drifters

gREEnSBORO

Barn DinnEr tHEatrE

120 Stage Coach Tr. | 336.292.2211 www.barndinner.com nov 26 - Dec 18: Black nativity

Carolina tHEatrE

310 S. Greene Street | 336.333.2605 www.carolinatheatre.com

Dec 1: Frosty

Dec 16: greensboro Ballet: the nutcracker

Dec 17: Chad Eby and ariel pocock quartet

CoMEDY ZonE

GaraGE TavErn

5211 A West Market St | 336.763.2020 www.facebook.com/GarageTavernGreens boro Dec 1: Jacob vaughn

roDY’S TavErn 5105 Michaux Rd | 336.282.0950 www.facebook.com/rodystavern nov 30: Megan Doss

ThE IDIoT Box

CoMEDY CLuB

503 N. Greene St | 336.274.2699 www.idiotboxers.com

winston-salem

EarL’S 121 West 9th Street | 336.448.0018 www.earlsws.com

WInESTYLES

3326 W Friendly Ave Suite 141 | 336.299.4505 www.facebook.com/winestylesgreens boro277 Dec 3: Susana Macfarlane

high point

hIGh PoInT ThEaTrE 220 E Commerce Ave | 336.883.3401 www.highpointtheatre.com

jamestown

ThE DECk 118 E Main St | 336.207.1999 www.thedeckatrivertwist.com

FIDDLIn’ FISh

BrEWInG

Natalie Garcia

PRESENTS

hot pour

[BARTENDER OF THE WEEK | BY NATALIE GARCIA]

Check out videos on our Facebook!

BARTENDER: Cat Wol

BAR:

The Wrong Number in Downtown Winston-Salem

AGE: 25

WHERE ARE YOU FROM? Lockport, NY

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BARTENDING?

About to be 5 years!

HOW DID YOU BECOME A BARTENDER?

I knew some people, who knew some people, and got me into it.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT BARTENDING?

Talking to new people, getting creative with drinks, trying new things.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE DRINK TO MAKE?

I love making one of our signature drinks here at The Wrong Number. It’s called The Vacation; it’s a purple glittery gin cocktail topped with Prosecco.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE DRINK TO DRINK?

Crown Peach and cranberry with a splash of lemon.

WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND AS AN AFTER-DINNER DRINK? Mojitos and Moscow Mules!

WHAT’S THE CRAZIEST THING YOU’VE SEEN WHILE BARTENDING?

I saw a man come in four separate times throughout the night, each time with a di erent girl.

WHAT’S THE BEST TIP YOU’VE EVER GOTTEN? Someone paid my phone bill once!

PHOTO COURTESY RICHARD PHILLIPS

[TRIVIA TEST] by Fifi Rodriguez

[ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Your work requires increased e ort during the next few days. But it all will pay o down the line. Things ease up in time for weekend fun with family and/or friends.

[TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Your genuine concern for others could prompt you to promise more than you can deliver. It’s best to modify your plans now before you wind up overcommitted later.

[GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) A situation that seems simple at first glance needs a more thorough assessment before you give it your OK. Dig deeper for information that might be hidden from view.

[CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Careful: Right now, things might not be quite what they appear. Even the intuitive Crab could misread the signs. Get some solid facts before you act on your suspicions.

[LEO (July 23 to August 22) Your energy levels are high, allowing you to complete those unfinished tasks before you decide to take on a new project. A social invitation could come from an unlikely source.

[VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) You might think you’re helping, but unless you’re asked for a critique, don’t give it. If you are asked, watch what you say. Your words should be helpful, not hurtful.

[LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Your attempt at mediating disputes might meet some opposition at first. But

once you’re shown to be fair and impartial, resistance soon gives way to cooperation.

[SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Go ahead. Reward yourself for helping settle a disturbing workplace situation. On another note: A personal relationship might be moving to a higher level.

[SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) A sudden change of heart by a colleague might create some momentary uncertainty. But stay with your original decision and, if necessary, defend it.

[CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Rely on a combination of your sharp instincts along with some really intense information gathering to help you make a possibly life-changing decision.

[AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Instead of worrying if that new person in your life will stay or leave, spend all that energy on strengthening your relationship so it becomes walkout-resistant.

[PISCES (February 19 to March 20) A sudden financial dry spell could reduce your cash flow to a trickle. But by conserving more and spending less, you’ll get through the crunch in good shape.

[BORN THIS WEEK: Your ability to keep secrets makes you the perfect confidante for friends, family and coworkers.

© 2022 by King Features Syndicate

[

1. GEOGRAPHY: Which country is the most forested in the world?

[2. HISTORY: When were tanks first introduced in war?

[3. TELEVISION: What is the name of the Netflix sequel to the “Karate Kid” movies?

[4. MUSIC: Which music prodigy was signed to a record deal at age 11?

[5. ASTRONOMY: In which year will Halley’s Comet reappear?

[6. LAW: Which justice served on the Supreme Court for the longest?

[7. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What kind of dogs did President Obama’s family have in the White House?

[8. FOOD & DRINK: Where did the first White Castle restaurant open?

[9. ANATOMY: What is the rarest human blood type?

[10. LITERATURE: What is Harry Potter’s middle name?

answer

1. Russia. 2. 1916, Battle of the Somme. 3. “Cobra Kai.” 4. Stevie Wonder. 5. 2061. 6. William O. Douglas (36 years). 7. Portuguese water dogs. 8. Wichita, Kansas. 9. AB negative. 10. James.

© 2022 by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

THE NUTCRACK ER

Welcoming the Holiday Spirit

UNCSA Stevens Center Winston-Salem, NC

December 9, 7:30 p.m. | December 10, Noon & 5:30 p.m. | December 11, 2 p.m.

December 14, 7:30 p.m. | December 15, 10 a.m. & 7:30 p.m.

December 16, 7:30 p.m. | December 17, Noon & 5:30 p.m. | December 18, 2 p.m. uncsa.edu/nutcracker (336) 721-1945

Enjoy the magic and energy of live performance in a world where snowflakes dance, angels appear and toys pirouette. Join us for the beloved holiday tradition of “The Nutcracker.”

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