YES! Weekly — January 21, 2026 by YES! Weekly

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EDITORIAL

Editor CHANEL R. DAVIS chanel@yesweekly.com

YES! Writers JOHN BATCHELOR MARK BURGER KATEI CRANFORD LYNN FELDER

JIM LONGWORTH IAN MCDOWELL

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The critically acclaimed, selfexplanatory documentary “ FISH HAVE NO PSYCHIATRISTS: A Day with Andrei Codrescu,” which made its world premiere at the 2024 RiverRun International Film Festival, is now available on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.

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If you have not already made RESERVATIONS FOR VALENTINE’S, get to work right away! This is the highest demand reservation date in the restaurant business.

“ NIGHT PATROL,” the sophomore feature from executive producer/director Ryan Prows, is an interesting and entertaining hybrid that combines social commentary with horror trappings.

“The passing of WILLENA CANNON is a major loss to all who fight for justice,” said Brigette E. Rasberry, executive director of the Beloved Community Center of Greensboro, about the pioneering civil rights leader who passed away on Jan. 10 at the age of 85.

11 PBS North Carolina will launch season two of its Emmy Award-nominated music series “ SHAPED BY SOUND” on Thursday, Feb. 5, 10:30 p.m.

12 When the Greensboro/High Point metro area was named the hungriest area in the United States in 2015, A SIMPLE GESTURE was founded to help provide food for those in need.

‘Fish Have No Psychiatrists’ now streaming upstream

The critically acclaimed, selfexplanatory documentary “Fish Have No Psychiatrists: A Day with Andrei Codrescu,” which made its world premiere at the 2024 RiverRun International Film Festival, is now available on Amazon Prime and Apple TV. The film marks the feature directorial debut of Julian Semilian, a long-time faculty member at the UNCSA School of Filmmaking, who is also a long-time friend of the prolific, awardwinning essayist, filmmaker, novelist, poet, and commentator for National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered” series from 1983 until 2016.

Semilian, who retired from UNCSA last year, was determined to make a film that captured, conveyed, and interpreted Codrescu’s work in imaginative ways. He didn’t want to make what is euphemistically referred to as a “talking head” documentary. “I tend to find that format rather boring,” he said. “I’m happy that I was able to accomplish a lot of cinematic ideas I’ve had for many years.”

As for the title, Semilian was inspired when he was making a sardine sandwich. “I suddenly had this thought — ‘fish have no psychiatrists’ — which I thought was very funny, and it stuck in my head. I mentioned it to friends, and they laughed — in the right way. I knew I had something. I’d long wanted to make a movie about Andrei, and I came up with some really good ideas.”

Both Semilian and Codrescu share a common Romanian heritage and first encountered each other, ironically, on a flight leaving Romania. “I was sitting in my seat, and he came aboard the plane with his mother, and people started whispering, ‘There he is — there’s the poet.’ Even then, barely out of his teens, he was already famous. People knew who he was. He sat down, we got to talking, became fast friends, and we’re still friends after all these years.”

The prolific and versatile Codrescu, who won a Peabody Award for his 1993 cross-country road-trip documentary “Road Scholar” and a 2006 Ovid Prize for his poetry, has written dozens of books (including 1970’s “License to Carry a Gun,” 1973’s “A Serious Morning,” 1983’s “In America’s Shoes,” and 2010’s “The Poetry Lesson”), has also penned essays for the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Harper’s, and the Paris Review, as well as regular columns in The Baltimore Sun, Gambit Weekly, Neon, and other publications. In 1989, he covered the Romanian Revolution for NPR and ABC News’ “Nightline.”

Semilian began filming “Fish Have No Psychiatrists” in 2019 when he conducted his main interview with Codrescu. Then the pandemic hit, which is why it took over four years for the documentary to be completed. Nevertheless, Semilian used this downtime to consider — and reconsider — various options for what the film would be, what the film would say, and, particularly, how it would say it.

“Some of it was very spontaneous, and some things I planned on doing I decided to do another way,” he said, adding that Codrescu was on board the entire time. “Andrei is really cool, and he trusted my instincts. I’ll watch the film and occasionally wonder if I should have done certain things differently, but Andrei was very pleased with it — and that’s what’s most important.”

Semilian and his wife, Laura, who co-produced and appears in the film as well as composing the original score, will be traveling next month to Brooklyn, where Codrescu lives, for a special screening next month. When the film premiered at RiverRun, Semilian joked that no audience members ran screaming from the theater. In fact, the Q&A sessions he’s participated in have proven engaging and lively, and brought renewed interest in Codrescu’s work. “The film really has a life of its own,” he said, “which is very gratifying for me.”

“Fish Have No Psychiatrists” utilizes animation and sound as a way of bringing Codrescu’s poetry to life in a unique format that engages the viewer’s interest and imagination. Although Semilian has made avantgarde film shorts in the past, this was a feature-length film and required a different approach. “It’s probably the

most conventional thing Julian has done,” observed Laura Semilian, “and yet it’s totally unconventional.”

Having taught at the School of Filmmaking for over 25 years, Semilian has made many friends here — some of whom appear in the documentary — and although not teaching on a regular basis, he’s hardly inactive. He’s currently working on a short film which, if it retains the title he has in mind, can’t be printed here (although it is a very funny title). “I’ve got a lot of ideas in my head,” he quipped. “I just have to figure out how to put them on film.” For more information about “Fish Have No Psychiatrists: A Day with Andrei Codrescu,” visit the official website: https://www.fishhavenopsychiatrists.com/. !

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Mark Burger

Contributor

Chow Down with ... Valentine’s Reservation

BY JOHN BATCHELOR

If you have not already made reservations for Valentine’s, get to work right away! This is the highest demand reservation date in the restaurant business.

The list below is selected for ambience as well as food. For restaurants that responded to my messages before my deadline, I have provided information about special menus.

GREENSBORO

The Undercurrent (undercurrentrestaurant.com, 327 Battleground Ave., 336-370-1266), elegant without feeling stu y. The Valentine’s menu ($85) starts with a glass of wine (several choices). First course provides a choice of Lobster and Shrimp Rolls, Fried Brussels Sprouts, or Mussels Mariniere. Manhattan-style Clam Chowder or Organic Greens Salad follows. Main course choices will be Skillet Seared Mahi, Roasted Crab Cake, or Grilled Angus Ribeye. Evening concludes with Strawberry Cheesecake or Flourless Chocolate Torte.

At B.Christopher’s (bchristophers. com, 201 N. Elm St., 336-274-5900), “the classic American steakhouse,” the regular menu will be in place. Starter recommendation: Oysters Rockefeller. I especially like the Blackened Cajun Ribeye entrée, coated with blackening spices that impart ﬂavor but balance beef ﬂavor. Consider Chateaubriand for Two. Roasted Free Range Chicken and Seared Scallop Risotto earn commendations as well. An extensive cocktail list is most welcome.

Blue Denim (bluedenimgso.com, 217 S. Elm St., 336-6765689) is all about flavor. Start with Crawfish Beignet, Crispy Brussels Sprouts, or Duck Nachos. Move on to Shrimp and Grits, Crawfish or Shrimp Etou ee’, Steak Frites, or Gumbo YaYa. White Chocolate Bread Pudding and Banana Pudding are essential.

The name Pangaea (pangaeabistro. com, 230 S. Elm St., 336-579-9962) reflects the owners’ international culinary experiences. The special menu ($95 plus a $40 wine pairing option) first course will be Clam Bisque. Second Course is Blood Orange Burrata and Pistachio Salad based on baby arugula with pistachios and basil oil. Third Course provides a choice of Short Rib Ragù Gnocchi or Butter-Poached Lobster with roasted carrots, cauliflower purée, and cauliflower rice. For dessert, either Strawberry and Rose’ Panna Cotta Pistachio Crumble or Opera Cake with vanilla ice cream, chocolate pearls, and white chocolate dust.

Cille and Scoe (cilleandscoe.com, 312 S. Elm St., 336-522-6592) serves “Southern Redeﬁned” cuisine. A special menu will be available. Enticements from the regular menu — Shrimp and Grits Cakes, Popcorn Cauliﬂower, Southern Egg Rolls. Mains: Short Ribs are braised, yielding exceptional tenderness. Get down home with Chicken in Dumplings. The burger hearkens back to my teenage years,

named Ode to the Castle, elevated by a brioche bun hosting hand-pattied chuck, aged white cheddar, lettuce, onion, plus Boar & Castle sauce.

Café Pasta and Grille (cafepasta. com, 305 State St., 336-272-1308) gets a solid recommendation for pastas, of course, but the menu o ers a wider range as well. Start with Italian Sausage, Three Cheese Ravioli, or Firecracker Shrimp. Among the pasta entrées, I hold their ricotta-based Lasagna in high esteem. South Beach is sprightly. I often get the Grilled Salmon here, blackened or almond-crusted. Chicken Piccata comes with spinach, a good complement to the lemon-butter ﬂavors. Valentine’s specials will be added to the regular menu.

Osteria (osteriagso.com, 1310 Westover Terrace, #101-A, 336-275-2550) is upscale-casual Italian. Focus on the homemade pastas for a moderatelypriced evening, or move to the seafoods and meat section of the menu for more sophisticated dining: Chicken Francese augmented with lemon-caper beurre blanc; Grilled Bronzino with basil lemon tru e oil; or Grilled Wild Salmon with warm black French lentils, arugula, and avocado salad.

Salvino (salvinorestaurant.com, 2917 - D Battleground Ave., 336-540-8663) was the subject of my most recent column. Go to yesweekly.com to see the full article. Really good Italian!

Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen (lucky32. com, 1421 Westover Terrace, 336-3700707) is the standalone restaurant from the same corporate family that also owns Print Works Bistro (printworksbistro.com, 702 Green Valley Road, 336-379-0699) and Green Valley Grill (greenvalleygrill.com, 622 Green Valley Road, 336-854-2015). All are highly recommended, although reservations may be di cult. Hotel packages are featured on the websites.

At the upscale 1618 West Seafood Grille (1618seafoodgrille. com, 1618 West Friendly Ave., 336-235-0898), each plate displays color and angular structures that create works of culinary art. Calamari gets a wasabi glaze, Scallops are seared in brown butter. Seared Tuna crusted with sesame seeds and joined by sautéed sesame cabbage leads the entrée list. Sea Bass is served with mushroom and leek risotto cake. Beef Tenderloin is seared, presented with duckfat smashed potatoes.

MJ’s (mjs620. com, 620 Dolley Madison Road, 336-852-4889) occupies a repurposed home in the Guilford College neighborhood. Fried Calamari is especially good here.

My wife’s favorite is Fried Shrimp Tacos with spicy aioli. Among the entrées, Beef, braised six hours in red wine, is remarkably tender and deeply ﬂavorful, extended with polenta. The Shrimp and Grits rendition here is one of the best, combining sausage, mushrooms, onions, tomato gravy, and cheddar grits. Also consider Buttermilk Fried Chicken with red beans. (Menu changes often.)

Imperial Koi (facebook. com/imperialkoiGSO, 1941 New Garden Road, upper level, 336-286-3000) is top-ranked for Asian and sushi. This is one of the few restaurants in the Triad that actually has some semblance of a view. My favorite starter is Dragon’s Nest — tuna in avocado. Entrées on the back page of the menu are traditional Western in style, also excellent.

GIA (drinkeatlisten.com, 1941 New Garden Road, 336907-7536) is an upscale bar, where tapas portions and ﬂatbreads also encourage leisurely dining. Small plates — Artichokes with herb aioli; Frites with tru e aioli; Cauliﬂower with roasted garlic and oregano vinaigrette; Burrata — vegetable panzanella sourdough bread, herbed red wine vinaigrette, and rosemary reduction; and Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus. Larger plates — Chicken Milanese with arugula salad, fresh pear, and shaved fennel; Beef Filet with a tru e potato cake, and roasted asparagus; Crab Cakes; Calabrian Shrimp and Salmon with roasted tomato, shallots, Calabrian chilies, and olive oil.

Reel Seafood Grill (reelseafoodgrill. com, 2002 New Garden Road, 336617-4200) provides an exceptionally wide variety of seafoods. Consider Fried Shrimp or Prince Edward Island Mussels and Clams Fra Diavolo in spicy tomato sauce. Trout, brined and smoked inhouse, is accented with capers, pickled red onions, dill mayonnaise, and chipotle aioli. A chalkboard lists the day’s fresh oyster selections. A light coating of crushed wheat crackers and sesame seeds forms a crust for Sesame Flounder. Trout Almondine is another favorite. Whole Flounder and other Whole Baked Fish are knockouts.

Marisol (themarisol.com, 5834 W. Gate City Blvd., 336-852-3303) is another of the Triad’s top-ranked restaurants. First course samples: Flash Fried Buttermilk Shrimp with spicy sweet chili sauce; Seared Canadian Foie Gras with Amaretto French toast and mango ginger jam; House Made Meatball with marinara sauce. Selected entrées: Crispy Twice Roasted Duck with preserved lemon chili glaze; Garlic Rosemary and Thyme Marinated Lamb with cherry and red wine gastrique; Blackened NC Mountain Trout with lemon-chive brown butter and crispy capers.

Epic Chophouse (epicchophouse.com, 301-F Pisgah Church Road, 336-2746030) is expecting a substantial crowd. A four-course menu will be in place ($110 plus 20% service charge). A credit card will be required to secure a table. Regular menu favorite starters: Wagyu Meatballs, Crab Fritters, Shanghai Shrimp, Calamari Bellissimo. The entrée menu is wide-ranging, albeit reflecting the chop house/steak house concept. Petite Filet Mignon is an eight-ounce cut; in Beef Wellington, a filet mignon is covered with duxelles (finely chopped mushrooms and shallots) and enclosed in a pastry shell; Stu ed Carolina Chicken is filled with a blend of spinach, bacon, ham, and provolone cheese, the exterior coated with crisp breadcrumbs. Seafoods are just as enjoyable as the meats.

WINSTON-SALEM

The Katharine Brasserie & Bar (katharinebrasserie.com, 401 N. Main Street, 336-761-0203) is an Art

Deco French brasserie. Starters highlights: Cocktail de Crevettes — shrimp cocktail; Oeuf Mimosa — deviled egg with caviar; Escargot á la Bourguignon — garlic herb butter, cognac, red wine reduction, in pu pastry. Entrées: Saumon et Gruau de Mais — seared salmon, stone ground grits, smoked garlic buttermilk sauce, black lemon, chervil, and chili oil; Steak Frites — ﬂatiron steak, tru ed parmesan pomme frîtes; Boeuf Bourguignon — braised beef short rib, cipollini onion, mushrooms, red wine sauce; Côtelette de Porc — pork chop, charred cabbage, sweet potato, sweet corn relish, pork jus. Consider an overnight in the hotel after dinner.

Spring House (springhousenc.com,

450 N. Spring Street, 27101, 336-2934797) is housed in one of Winston-Salem’s classic residences from the 1920s. First course suggestions — Roasted Oysters, covered with soft pimiento cheese ﬂecked with crisp bacon, presented over fresh spinach leaves. Portobello, Leek, and Pimiento Cheese Quesadilla — featured in Bon Appétit magazine. Entrées — Hoisin Sesame Salmon Rice Bowl, Braised Pork Shank with braised red cabbage, BBQ Kobe Beef Meatloaf. Some o -menu specials will be added for this special occasion.

Downtown Grille (downtowngrille. com, 500 W. Fifth Street, 336-9301485) is a true white tablecloth restaurant. Panoramic windows look out from the ground ﬂoor of a downtown o ce tower. The regular menu will be in place, but specials of 3 to 4 courses will be added. Suggestions from the menu: Breaded and Grilled Octopus, Crab Dip, Beets, and Burrata cheese to start. Main courses — steaks for sure, but also Joyce Farms Chicken Marsala, Grilled Salmon, Apple Brandy Beef Steak Burger.

At Meridian (meridianws.com, 411 S. Marshall Street, 336-722-8889), panoramic windows look into a section

of Old Salem. The cuisine is inspired by the bright ﬂavors of the Northern Mediterranean. The regular menu will be in place. If you are a fan of French Onion Soup, this is your place for fried parsnips. Steamed Mussels rest in a chardonnay cream broth that also hosts garlic, shallots, and fresh herbs, ﬂanked by grilled bruschetta. Calamari is sautéed, plated over spicy crushed tomatoes, enhanced with Genoese basil strips, laced with lemon pepper aioli. Steaks and Duck use superior products. Seafood o erings depend on what is fresh.

Starters at Sage and Salt Bistro (sageandsaltbistro.com, 300 S. Liberty Street, 336-829-5007) include Yellowﬁn Tuna Tower and Beef Tartare. Potato-Leek or Vegetable Beef soups would be welcome on a winter night. Lamb, steak, and tuna entrées are cooked on a wood-ﬁred grill. I am also drawn to Grilled Shrimp Pasta Primavera with lemon cream, asparagus, artichokes, tomatoes, roasted peppers, and basil. The Pan Seared Sea Scallops entrée is a winner too, joined on the plate by English pea risotto, crispy artichokes, and teardrop peppers. The Burger here is well worth a try.

Bernardin’s (bernardinsﬁnedining. com, 901 W. Fourth Street, 336-7256666) occupies one of Old Salem’s original homes, along with an annex. Elegant starters include Escargot with chanterelle and shitake mushrooms and Cognac sauce, Goat Cheese Tart, lightly seared Tuna with Asian slaw, and Hudson Valley Foie Gras. Steaks and Lamb are top-notch. Duck Breast comes with mascarpone polenta and braised red cabbage. Elk Tenderloin is accompanied by sweet potato puree, rainbow carrots,

asparagus, broccolini, and mushroomMadeira cranberry sauce. Seafoods include Roasted Black Bass with bok choy and jasmine rice, and Salmon with horseradish crust, plus spinach, and a roasted garlic port wine sauce. Special features will be added to the regular menu.

Ryan’s (ryansrestaurant.com, 719 Coliseum Drive, 336-724-6132) will have its regular menu, but has also decided to open on Sunday, 5-8 p.m. The interior has recently undergone a “facelift.” The Colossal Crabmeat Cocktail, Oysters Rockefeller, Wagyu Tartare, and Wagyu Meatballs caught my attention for ﬁrst

courses. I like their French Onion Soup and She Crab Soup as well. This is a good choice for lobster main courses as well as other ﬁsh courses. Ryan’s has a devoted following — well-earned — for steaks and chops.

Bleu (bleurestaurantandbar.com, 3425 Frontis Street, 336-760-2026 occupies a modern building designed speciﬁcally to house this restaurant. Crispy Calamari, Crab and Shrimp Cake are favorites here. All the beef entrées are good choices. I am especially fond of seafoods here. Missing Bleu’s Crumb Fried Seafood would be a serious mistake.

Betty on Burke (bettyonburke. com, 1016 Burke Street, Suite D, 336999-8866) will have a prix ﬁxe menu available Friday (13th) through Sunday (15th), along with the standard menu. The special menu ($75) starts with a choice of Ahi Crudo (tuna) with avocado or Mushroom and Cheese Tamale, followed by main course alternatives Halibut with romesco-basil sauce or Short Ribs with mashed potatoes and vegetables. Dessert could be Rose Water Panna Cotta with raspberry meringue or Black Forest Cake with kirsch cherries and sweet cream. To my eye, this is the prettiest restaurant in the Triad.

HIGH POINT

capers, and Dijon mustard. Tuna Tower includes avocado, cucumber, mango, pu ed rice, cilantro oil, with a Korean bbq sauce. Stu ed Mushroom features a portobello with herbed goat cheese crust, balsamic glaze, and green onions. This kitchen achieves an exceptional sear on their steaks. Chicken Breast is joined by a carrot and turnip purée, roasted carrots, and herb crema. Spaghetti is prepared with basil, ricotta cheese, pomodoro sauce, and breadcrumbs. A Valentine’s menu was still in preparation when I was writing this column.

KERNERSVILLE

At Rooster’s (roosterskitchen.com/ winstonsalem, 380 Knollwood Street, 336777-8477), the aroma from the wood-ﬁred grill is enticing. Tomato Basil Bisque is famous. Oysters are especially well prepared. Entrées — the Filet Mignon is as good a steak as I have ever had. Rotisserie Roast Chicken is the best. The menu changes often enough to preclude other recommendations.

1703 (1703restaurant.com, 1703 Robinhood Road, 336-725-5767) is one of the best in the Triad. Specials will be added for Valentine’s. First courses include Brussels Sprouts with cane sugar reduction and blue cheese, Grilled Shishito Peppers with umami sauce, and Winter Slaw — six blackened shrimp, plus broccoli, cabbage, pears, apples, dried cranberries, and goat cheese with a creamy brown sugar vinaigrette. Mains — Boeuf Bourguignon — short ribs braised in red wine and mushrooms; Salmon — pan seared with herb beurre blanc and olive tapenade; Mushroom Leek Tart; Crispy Trout with goat cheese and cauliﬂower puree and almondine sauce; and Grilled Pork Chop with Madeira chorizo jus and pineapple pico de gallo with black-eyed peas and collard greens.

At Blue Water Grille (bluewatergrillenc.com, 126 State Avenue, High Point, 336-886-1010), special features will be added to the regular menu. Starter samples: Fried Green Tomatoes & Smoked Trout, Fried Oysters, Calamari (distinctive). Fish entrées — salmon, tuna, halibut, and mahi — can be ordered with a choice of sauce: orangechipotle glaze, piccata, lemon-Old Bay compound butter, or soy-ginger- or in more elaborate constructions. Chicken is pan-fried. The Pork Chop is dry-aged, augmented with goat cheese polenta, braised kale, horseradish-mustard butter, and smoked chipotle-apple jus. Bouillabaisse — grilled mahi, PEI mussels, shrimp, crab, fennel, in tomatosa ron broth — is a welcome winter addition.

Earl’s Landing (earlslanding.com, 400 W. English Road, 336-882-0044) is an upscale mostly steakhouse. Beef Tartare is supplemented with egg yolk,

The Gaslight (thegaslightonmain. com, 126 S. Main Street, Suite G, 336-497-4025) will have a PreFixe Menu ($70 per person, with wine pairing $95). Course One — a choice of French Onion Dumplings, Arancini — breaded and fried risotto croquettes, Crab Salad, or Shrimp Cocktail. Second course alternatives will be Grilled 5-ounce prime tenderloin, Crab Stu ed Salmon, Cast Iron Baked Crab Stu ed Scottish Salmon, Pan Roasted Chicken, or Lobster Ravioli in sherry cream with asparagus and Parmesan cheese. This course will be served with potato gratin, baby carrots, haricot verts, and a choice of bearnaise sauce, red wine jus, or lemon caper butter. Dessert will consist of NY Style Cheesecake, Chocolate Torte, or Pistachio Crème Bruleè.

If you still have di culty making arrangements for the occasion, use one of the restaurant reservations engines to ﬁnd vacant seats: Open Table (opentable.com), Tock ( exploretock.com), and Resy (resy.com).

I am not qualiﬁed to make recommendations that will enhance your love life, but dining in one of these restaurants on Valentine’s should certainly set the stage for a ﬂavorful evening! !

JOHN BATCHELOR has been writing about eating and drinking since 1981. Over a thousand of his articles have been published. He is also author of two travel/ cookbo oks: “Chefs of the Coast: Restaurants and Recipes from the North Carolina Coast,” and “Chefs of the Mountains: Restaurants and Recipes from Western North Carolina.” Contact him at john.e.batchelor@ gmail.com or see his blog, johnbatchelordiningandtravel.blogspot.com.

‘Night Patrol’: When bad cops go worse

BY MARK BURGER

“Night Patrol,” the sophomore feature from executive producer/director Ryan Prows, is an interesting and entertaining hybrid that combines social commentary with horror trappings. It’s bound to invite comparisons to Ryan Coogler’s muchpraised “Sinners” as both ﬁlms have some thematic similarities, but “Night Patrol” holds its own, even when it misses the mark or goes o the rails, which it does periodically.

forcing both to confront their past if they are to survive.

Like “Sinners,” the ﬁlm focuses on two brothers, Xavier (Jermaine Fowler) and Wazi (RJ Cyler). Both are products of the ‘hood, having grown up as members of the Crips. Wazi is still a Crip, but Xavier has traded his gang colors for a police o cer’s uniform, much to the chagrin of their mother, Ayanda (Nicki Micheaux). Xavier is partnered with Hawkins (Justin Long), an ex-Navy SEAL and war hero whose father (Dermot Mulroney) was a legend in the Los Angeles Police Department. Hawkins has recently been selected to join the force’s Night Patrol, which was founded by his father, thereby fulﬁlling a long-held wish. As he soon discovers, the adage “be careful what you wish for” comes into play — with a vengeance.

The excellent cinematography by Benjamin Kitchens makes good use of the ﬁlm’s locations, creating a surreal and menacing mood. The members of Night Patrol do far worse than hassle or harass suspects. They are, in fact, vampires, literally feeding o the gang populace as well as innocent bystanders. Their murderous antics are chalked up to gang violence, although Ayanda suspects the truth, as does Bornelius (Freddie Gibbs), the imposing but street-smart leader of the Bloods. It’s only a matter of time before Xavier and Wazi are caught up in dire circumstances beyond their control,

The screenplay for “Night Patrol,” co-written by Prows, Shaye Ogbanna, Tim Cairo and Jack Gibson, is sometimes convoluted and cluttered, but the film’s ambitious intentions are admirable. At its best, the film examines — in an exploitation format- compelling and prescient issues of the day without downplaying the importance of those issues, and sometimes the film is very funny as it toys with genre conventions. It certainly isn’t boring, although it does leave a few plot threads dangling. Having established the characters and the gimmick, Prows cuts loose in the second half, unleashing a barrage of blood and guts as the Night Patrol implements its insidious plan to start a gang war, then finish it, an example of “pro-active policing” that gives new meaning to the term “ethnic cleansing.” The body-cam scenes of the o cers bursting into residents’ apartments and slaughtering them are chilling in its matter-of-factness, and because we’ve all seen real-life examples of such activities online and on the news. The performances are solid down the line, with Cyler, Fowler, and Micheaux in good form. Mulroney, in an extended cameo, spouts extremely purple prose as he explains Night Patrol’s “holy” mission and manages to do so with a straight face, while hip-hop artists Flying Lotus (in his feature debut), Keenon Daekwon “YG” Ray Jackson (also an executive producer), and especially Gibbs bring considerable “street cred” and charisma to the proceedings. The real surprise, however, is Long, e ectively conveying Hawkins’ inner conflict when he is forcibly initiated into the ranks of the undead. He’s rarely been better than he is here. !

Weekly

Specials

MON: $3 Domestic Bottles & All Burgers $10.99 TUE: 1/2 Price Wine | WED: $4 Draft THU: $8 Bud Light Pitchers & $3 Fireball

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MONDAY-WEDNESDAY 3-6PM MON: $9.99 Wings | TUE: $9.99 Nachos WED: $5.99 Snackables

A Champion of Justice: Triad Civil Rights Icon, Willena Cannon, dies

Ian McDowell

Contributor

“The passing of Willena Cannon is a major loss to all who ﬁght for justice,” said Brigette E. Rasberry, executive director of the Beloved Community Center of Greensboro, about the pioneering civil

rights leader who passed away on Jan. 10 at the age of 85.

“Her fearless courage to confront inequality while ﬁghting for the dignity, worth, and access of all people to the opportunities a orded a limited few is the very embodiment of the Beloved spirit.”

The Rev. Wesley Morris of Faith Community Church agreed.

“She was one of my favorite people and one of the most powerful truth-tellers I ever met,” emailed Morris, three days before delivering Cannon‘s eulogy during the

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Jan. 17 homegoing ceremony at Genesis Baptist Church. “I knew her as a deacon upon my arrival in Greensboro and will forever remember her presence in my life.”

Cannon was born in Marion County, South Carolina, in 1940. Her parents were sharecroppers. In 1963, she enrolled in North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, where she majored in student health and physical education and was captain of the women’s basketball team.

Inspired by student body president and civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, Cannon participated in massive protests aimed at desegregating the Carolina Theater, McDonald’s, Bi Burger, Dairy Queen, and K&W Cafeteria. After police arrested 4,951 demonstrators, jails were so crowded that Cannon was held in the former polio sanatorium. After two weeks of picketing, boycotts, and arrests, most segregated businesses caved, leaving K&W the last major holdout. The chain would not allow Black customers to eat inside until forced to do so by the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Cannon remained an activist all her life, participating in the African Liberation Movement, the Blind Workers Strike, the Cafeteria Workers Strike, the Kmart boycott, and e orts to establish district representation on the Greensboro City Council. For 45 years, she served with Greensboro’s Healthy Homes Division, where her work to improve housing and remove environmental hazards brought her national recognition.

In 2019, Cannon was interviewed by Summer Kinney for the UNC Greensboro oral history project “Unsung Heroes of the Civil Rights Movement.” The resulting video, “Oral history interview with Willena Cannon,” can be viewed at digitalgreensboro.org and on YouTube.

In it, Cannon describes how, at the age of nine, she witnessed the lynching of a Black man for a clandestine relationship

with a white woman. “Because she loved him,” said Cannon, the woman did not attempt to save herself by falsely claiming rape, “as happened a lot back then.”

“When I saw her, she had blood all over. I don’t know what happened to her, but know they beat her with rocks.” But Cannon did see and hear what the white mob did to the woman’s lover.

“They put him in an old barn, locked the doors and set it on ﬁre, and I could hear him hollering piercing screams, and then silence, and the barn burned down. The sheri came out and said that it wasn’t his business and left.”

She said she never let go of her rage and sorrow from witnessing the murder and law enforcement complicity, which gave her the strength to defy racists decades later.

She felt that strength in 1963, when customers and sta cursed and threatened her for demanding to be served at K&W. She felt it again in July 1979, when she and other antiracist organizers faced down the Klan in China Grove. Four months later, minutes after Klansmen and Nazis murdered ﬁve of her fellow organizers at a Greensboro labor march, it drove her to intervene when she believed police were about to kill Nelson Johnson.

This happened in the immediate aftermath of the Greensboro Massacre, the deadly Nov. 3, 1979, attack on a labor march organized by Johnson and other members of the Communist Workers Party, who were attempting to unionize Cone Mills. As Greensboro City Council acknowledged in 2020, police were aware of gunmen heading to the scene,

but pulled back and did not intervene until the bloodshed was over.

Several o cers grabbed Johnson, still bleeding from the Nazi knife thrust through his arm, and took him to the ground. Video shows an o cer kicking at and leaning on his shoulders and head.

“They were trying to break his neck, and I knew they could get away with it by saying he was acting all wild.” So Cannon dove into the altercation and was arrested along with her friend and mentor.

“On the way to jail, I asked why they were arresting me. The police said, ‘We’ll think of something; we’ll know by the time we get you there.’”

Retired civil rights attorney Lewis Pitts called Cannon “a combination of

Sojourner Truth, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Angela Davis.” Pitts ﬁrst met her during the 1980-85 lawsuit, which found the City of Greensboro, two police o cers, a police/FBI informant, and ﬁve Klan-Nazi shooters liable for the wrongful death of Dr. Michael Nathan, the one victim who was not a communist, and for assault and battery of two surviving demonstrators.

“She quickly became a friend and role model who showed solidarity with poor and working-class people, no matter their race, by her ﬁerce struggle for justice and equality. We have lost a great one, but her legacy lives on, and is needed now more than ever.”

Greensboro City Council At-Large representative Irving Allen called Cannon “a pillar of the community whose courage and lifelong commitment to justice reﬂected the very best of our city.”

“She organized for voting rights and racial justice alongside the A&T Four and Rev. Jesse Jackson, and she participated in the desegregation of the K&W Cafeteria, a pivotal moment that challenged everyday racism and proved the power of collective action. I am deeply honored to have been on the last ballot that Ms. Cannon voted on. That responsibility will continue to guide me and my fellow council members as we work to carry on her legacy. Her life is a powerful reminder that progress is possible when we stand for what is right and ﬁght together. Her message to the next generation remains clear and urgent: get involved.” !

IAN MCDOWELL is an award-winning author and journalist whose book “I Ain’t Resisting: the City of Greensboro and the Killing of Marcus Smith” was published in September of 2023 by Scuppernong Editions.

Cannon at N.C. A&T in 1963.

Cannon with Nelson Johnson and other Greensboro Massacre survivors in 1979.

Natalie Garcia

Toni Shaw

PBS North Carolina to premiere season two of ‘Shaped by Sound’ Thursday, Feb. 5

PBS North Carolina will launch season two of its Emmy Award-nominated music series “Shaped by Sound” on Thursday, Feb. 5, 10:30 p.m.

This season, “Shaped by Sound” will spotlight 13 artists from North Carolina’s thriving music scene, including Grammy Award-winning singer Anthony Hamilton, Southern grunge rock band Wednesday, singer-songwriter/composer Ben Folds and N.C. Music Hall of Famer Jim Lauderdale. The series airs on PBS N.C. and streams online and on the free PBS app and YouTube.

“Shaped by Sound” kicks o its second season on Feb. 5 with a performance and interview with the rock band Wednesday. Formed in Asheville and led by frontwoman and songwriter Karly Hartzman, Wednesday recently released its sixth album, Bleeds, lauded by NPR, Pitchfork and Rolling Stone as one of the best of 2025.

Additional artists this season include the Connells, Cyanca, Faith & Harmony, Skylar Gudasz, Hiss Golden Messenger, Charly Lowry, River Whyless, Al Strong and Tan and Sober Gentlemen.

“For season one of ‘Shaped by Sound,’ we pitched a big idea: bring the exceptional breadth and depth of North Carolina’s music scene to life through performance, storytelling and set design,” said series host and producer James Mieczkowski. “Season two allows us to further develop this concept and really let the musicians shine, from a gospel choir to an Americana legend to a Celtic ‘punk-grass’ band. Many performances this season feature new or yet-to-be released music, and I can’t wait for people to see and hear what we’ve captured. Each episode is utterly unique and unmistakably North Carolina.” In addition to 13 half-hour episodes, “Shaped by Sound” also includes a companion video podcast where the artists share the stories behind their songs. The podcast is available online and on the PBS app and YouTube. Viewers can also hear a curated playlist of songs by all the musicians featured this season on Spotify. Shaped by Sound is made possible

through support from Come Hear N.C., a program of the N.C. Arts Council within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

“We are excited that the new season of ‘Shaped by Sound’ will continue showcasing North Carolina’s amazing music and musicians,” said Pamela B. Cashwell, Secretary of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR). “DNCR and our North Carolina Music O ce are proud to partner with this program that celebrates our state’s unique sound and vibrant music industry.”

BROADCAST SCHEDULE

“Shaped by Sound” will be pre-empted by our spring pledge drive on March 5 and 12. Visit pbsnc.org/schedule for the latest scheduling information.

Episode 1: Wednesday

Premieres Feb. 5, 10:30 p.m.

From true-crime fascinations to Appalachian poetry, the band Wednesday reﬂects on the chaos, beauty and emotional honesty behind their latest album, Bleeds, and their evolving creative voice. Frontwoman Karly Hartzman and pedal steel guitarist Xandy Chelmis also unpack the band’s raw, literary Southern sounds, where confession meets curiosity and every image carries a story.

Episode 2: The Connells

Premieres Feb. 12, 10:30 p.m.

The Connells break down how two brothers and a group of friends from Raleigh built one of North Carolina’s most enduring bands. From local gigs to their surprise overseas hit “’74-’75,” they share stories, studio memories and why music, songcraft and community matter.

Episode 3: Anthony Hamilton

Premieres Feb. 19, 10:30 p.m.

Grammy-winning singer Anthony Hamilton takes us from his Charlotte beginnings to the heights of his multiplatinum career. Through an intimate conversation and a powerful performance, he reveals the faith, hustle and heart behind his biggest songs and the legacy he’s building for the next generation.

Episode 4: Charly Lowry

Premieres Feb. 26, 10:30 p.m.

Charly Lowry carries in her soul the voice of Robeson County’s swamps, where identity, ancestry and resilience braid together like roots in dark water. Through stories of her Lumbee and Tuscarora lineage, hardship and healing, she reveals a sound shaped by land, spirit and the quiet power of survival.

Episode 5: Tan and Sober Gentlemen

Premieres March 19, 10:30 p.m.

Tan and Sober Gentlemen serve up their high-energy fusion of Irish roots music and N.C. folk rebellion. Through a lively performance and conversation, they trace how Irish immigration, Appalachian culture and working-class history inform their music and relay the importance of “keeping one foot in the dirt.”

Episode 6: Ben Folds

Premieres March 26, 10:30 p.m.

Singer-songwriter and composerBen Folds shares how growing up in North Carolina shaped his music and why creativity is all about paying attention. He talks about band life, orchestras, songwriting and what he’s still learning after decades in the industry.

Episode 7: Faith & Harmony

Premieres April 2, 10:30 p.m.

Faith & Harmony, descendants of the iconic Glorifying Vines Sisters, carry forward a tremendous eastern North Carolina gospel legacy. Their harmonies, stories and deep family ties deliver unmatched energy rooted in tradition and devotion.

Episode 8: Cyanca

Premieres April 9, 10:30 p.m.

Charlotte R&B musician Cyanca brings powerful honesty to every note. She shares how her upbringing, personal healing and evolving identity shaped her signature sound, full of soul, reﬂection and emotional clarity.

Episode 9: Jim Lauderdale

Premieres April 16, 10:30 p.m.

Americana legend Jim Lauderdale breaks down what shaped his music,

from his small-town North Carolina roots to writing for country icons. He explores hope, collaboration and the joy of still learning after decades in the spotlight.

Episode 10: Skylar Gudasz

Premieres April 23, 10:30 p.m.

Singer-songwriter Skylar Gudasz’s musical story unfolds like a dreamscape: ocean horizons, shifting light and songs pulled from the ether. Her music o ers a visual and emotional journey through beauty, mystery and self-discovery.

Episode 11: River Whyless

Premieres April 30, 10:30 p.m.

Asheville band River Whyless, which blends folk, experimentation and rich storytelling, explores their decade-long journey through harmony, creativity and evolution. Their music bridges tradition and innovation, weaving a sound that is deeply rooted yet endlessly inventive.

Episode 12: Hiss Golden Messenger

Premieres May 7, 10:30 p.m.

Hiss Golden Messenger’s M.C. Taylor shares the inspirations behind his powerful blend of folk, soul and roots music. Through an intimate performance and conversation, he explores how personal transformation, place and spiritual searching shaped his signature sound.

Episode 13: Al Strong

Premieres May 14, 10:30 p.m.

Durham-based jazz musician Al Strong reﬂects on the inﬂuence of home, community and artistic guidance on his creative development. Through a magnetic performance and intimate conversation, he examines the cultural and personal forces that shaped his sound and his calling as an educator and artist. !

‘SHARE’ refrigerators help reduce hunger

BY NORMA B. DENNIS | ndworddesign@gmail.com

When the Greensboro/ High Point metro area was named the hungriest area in the United States in 2015, A Simple Gesture was founded to help provide food for those in need. The organization is not a food pantry, but collects food that is distributed by other groups. Since its beginning, A Simple Gesture has collected over seven million meals to help feed the hungry in Guilford County.

One of the organization’s latest endeavors is the school-based SHARE program. In the fall of 2022, A Simple Gesture purchased 120 refrigerators to place in each public school in Guilford County.

Laura Oxner, who works in the A Simple Gesture o ce, initiated the SHARE program.

“I started it after I saw how much food surplus was thrown in the trash in my

children’s elementary school,” Oxner said. “Surplus happens all the time for so many reasons that are out of anyone’s control. School nutrition sta are busy doing amazing work feeding the almost 70,000 students in GCS so they can perform at their highest levels during the school day.

“I knew that if surplus was to be managed, it had to be a collaborative e ort among non-proﬁt leaders, county stakeholders, etc. in a way that was supportive, encouraging and organized.”

Jean Rochelle is currently serving as the SHARE coordinator.

“I just started this position in July and am trying to reeducate the schools about the use of the SHARE refrigerators,” Rochelle said.

Students who have excess unopened food from the cafeteria breakfasts or lunches or teachers who see extra items that student do not want may place these in the SHARE refrigerator. Any child who is hungry for any reason can take food from

the refrigerator, no questions asked. “Our goal is to try to feed children and not waste food,” Rochelle said.

Jamestown Elementary School is one of the local schools actively participating in the program.

“Our refrigerator is located in the cafeteria where it is easily accessible to students during the day and to students in the ACES program (Afterschool Care Enrichment Services for GCS students in grades K-5),” said Haileigh Autry, the school’s social worker. “Sometimes the kids eat it at school or may take it home with them. If we get a surplus in the refrigerator, I occasionally deliver food to families that can use it.”

Autry reminds teachers to tell students about the extra food available in the refrigerator. They may take food during their lunch period or during classroom snack time. She noted there has been an increase in the use of the refrigerator this year.

On Fridays, ACES director Terrell Easter discards any expired food.

“Letting students take the extra food is a great way to reduce its waste,” Autry said. “I am glad we have the opportunity to participate in the program and hope it continues.”

The SHARE refrigerator at Millis Road Elementary has been placed in a centralized location near the front o ce so adults can help supervise if needed.

“Our cafeteria would be either too isolated or too busy,” said Principal Jennifer Cooper. “We train the sta about the SHARE program at the beginning of each school year. There are general procedures for its use, but every teacher may establish their own guidelines of how and when students can access the refrigerator.”

Most students eat the food at school, but some may get it as they are leaving for the day.

“We would rather put food into the bellies of children then see it thrown away,” Cooper said. “The program seems sustainable because of the way it is conducted.”

Word of mouth, school announcements and reminders during homeroom are the main ways students at Ragsdale High School learn about the SHARE refrigerator at their school. It has been placed in the common area right outside the cafeteria.

In addition to food placed there by

individuals, sometimes food that is left from an event and can be frozen is placed in the refrigerator.

“Occasionally a student will have something left over from lunch that they want to save for later,” said social worker Cli Jackson. “I tell them they can put it in the refrigerator with their name on it so they can get it when they have time. From what I can see, most of the food students take from the refrigerator is eaten on campus.”

Although the food in the SHARE refrigerator is not on high demand at Ragsdale, Jackson says it is certainly being used. He monitors the food to make sure it is not left in there too long.

“We do everything we can to make school a great place to be,” Jackson said. “This is one more tool to connect our school with students and families.”

A Simple Gesture estimates that the SHARE refrigerators provide over one million pounds of food for hungry students in Guilford County schools every year. The organization encourages parents and guardians to ask their students if they know where the school’s SHARE refrigerator is located and how and when the food may be accessed. If they don’t, tell students to ask their teacher or principal.

To learn more about A Simple Gesture, visit www.asimplegesture.org. !

Photo submitted

Student at Millis Road Elementary School checks SHARE refrigerator for a snack.

leisure

ACROSS

1 Go to

7 Stooge who sometimes replaced Curly

12 Sauna locale

15 Defeater of Gore

19 Time: Preﬁ x

20 On the briny

21 Retained

23 Old foxtrot dancer makes a two-in-one chess move?

25 Makes lively

26 Flow blockers

27 Oct. preceder

28 “All I Wanna Do” singer boasts?

30 Preﬁ x with propyl

31 Winter hrs. in Philadelphia

33 Lawman Wyatt

34 Falsehood

35 “The Finest Hours” co-star yearns deeply?

40 America’s ﬁrst female astronaut takes a bus?

45 Top-secret U.S. org.

46 Starting on

48 Sanaa locale

49 “Samson and Delilah” co-star develops fully?

55 Conductor

59 Big 20th-cen. conﬂict

60 Actress — de Armas

61 Universal rule

63 “Eww, mice!”

64 Harry Potter’s skill

68 “Play It as It Lays” co-star does a fusing job?

72 “Middle Child” rapper

73 In the past

75 Spain’s El —

76 Really annoy

77 “Broadcast News” co-star feels sore?

[KING CROSSWORD]

80 Dirt Devil or Dust Buster, for short 82 “Botch- —” (1952 song)

83 Former TWA competitor

Coll. in Columbus

NYSE debut

Rolo ﬁlling 91 Frontwoman of Hole has a deep fondness?

96 Cowboy rope

Italian money 99 A, in Munich

100 “Jerry Maguire” star goes sailing?

105 “Coma” novelist makes dinner?

110 “There — god!” 111 Barber’s cut 113 Boise-to-Tucson dir. 114 “Dr.” of music 115 Miami Heat great walks in water? 120 Potentially shocking

122 Writer Uris

Came through, as a radio signal

“Cheers” actress yearns?

128 Setting ﬁre to

Shire of ﬁlm

“Apparently!”

G.P., for one

[TRIVIA TEST]

by Fifi Rodriguez

[1. LITERATURE: Who was the ﬁrst Canadian to win the Nobel Prize in Literature?

[2. MYTHOLOGY: What is the home of the Greek gods?

[3. LANGUAGE: Which language is the second most spoken in Canada?

[4. HISTORY: Which explorer sailed around Africa to discover a trade route between Europe and India?

[5. MOVIES: What is the name of Elle Woods’ Chihuahua in “Legally Blonde”?

[6. GAMES: In what year was the original Pac-Man video game released?

[7. TELEVISION: What is the name of the town where “Hart of Dixie” is set?

[8. FOOD & DRINK: Which popular fruit has seeds on the outside?

[9. MEDICAL TERMS: What is the common name for alopecia?

[10. GEOGRAPHY: In which country are the Cli s of Moher located?

answer

[SALOME’S STARS]

Week of January 26, 2026

[ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Although you’re getting kudos and other positive reactions to your suggestions, don’t let the cheers drown out some valid criticisms. It’s better to deal with them now rather than later.

[TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Following your keen Bovine intuition pays o as you not only reassess the suggestions that some people are putting in front of you but also their agendas for doing so.

[GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) You continue on a high-enthusiasm cycle as a new project that you’ve assumed takes shape. You’re also buoyed by the anticipation of receiving some good news about a personal matter.

[CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Your eagerness to immerse yourself in your new assignment is understandable. But be careful that you don’t forget to take care of a pressing personal situation as well.

[LEO (July 23 to August 22) This is a good time to learn a new skill that could

give the clever Cat an edge in an upcoming competition for workplace opportunities. On another note, enjoy the arts this weekend with someone special.

[VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) You could risk creating an impasse if you insist on expecting more from others than they’re prepared to give. Showing ﬂexibility in what you’ll accept could prevent a stalemate.

[LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Although you can weigh all the factors of a dispute to ﬁnd an agreeable solution for others, you might need the skilled input of someone you trust to help you deal with an ongoing situation.

[SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) The good news is that your brief period of self-doubt turns into a positive “I can do anything” attitude by midweek. The better news is that you’ll soon be able to prove it.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) This is a good time for Sagittarians to start making travel plans while you

1. Short story author Alice Munro, 2013.

2. Mount Olympus.

3. French.

4. Vasco da Gama.

5. Bruiser. 6. 1980.

7. Bluebell, Alabama.

Strawberries.

Hair loss.

Ireland.

can still select from a wide menu of choices and deals — and not be forced to settle for leftovers.

[cAPrIcorN (December 22 to January 19) Like your zodiac sign, the surefooted Goat, you won’t allow obstacles in your path to keep you from reaching your goal. Don’t be surprised by who asks to tag along with you.

[AQuArIus (January 20 to February 18) Let your head dominate over your heart as you consider the risks that might be involved in agreeing to be a friend’s co-signer or otherwise acting as their backup in a financial matter.

[PIsces (February 19 to March 20) Resolve to close the door and let your voicemail take your phone calls while you finish up a task before the end-of-week deadline. Then go out and enjoy a fun-filled weekend!

[BorN THIs week: Your capacity for care and compassion helps bring comfort to others. You could serve as a reliable foundation to many.