Publisher CHARLES A. WOMACK III publisher@yesweekly.com
EDITORIAL
Editor CHANEL R. DAVIS chanel@yesweekly.com
YES! Writers JOHN BATCHELOR
MARK BURGER
KATEI CRANFORD
LYNN FELDER
JIM LONGWORTH
IAN MCDOWELL
OGI OVERMAN
PRODUCTION
Senior Designer ALEX FARMER designer@yesweekly.com
Designer SHANE HART artdirector@yesweekly.com
ADVERTISING
Marketing ANGELA COX angela@yesweekly.com
Promotion NATALIE GARCIA
DISTRIBUTION JANICE GANTT ANDREW WOMACK
We at YES! Weekly realize that the interest of our readers goes well beyond the boundaries of the Piedmont Triad. Therefore we are dedicated to informing and entertaining with thought-provoking, debate-spurring, in-depth investigative news stories and features of local, national and international scope, and opinion grounded in reason, as well as providing the most comprehensive entertainment and arts coverage in the Triad. YES! Weekly welcomes submissions of all kinds. Efforts will be made to return those with a self-addressed stamped envelope; however YES! Weekly assumes no responsibility for unsolicited submissions. YES! Weekly is published every Wednesday by Womack Newspapers, Inc. No portion may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. First copy is free, all additional copies are $1.00. Copyright 2025 Womack Newspapers, Inc.
3 HARPER’S restaurants began in Charlotte 35 years ago. The Greensboro property has occupied its corner space in Friendly Shopping Center for over 22 years. That’s phenomenal longevity in this business. Obviously, they are doing a lot of things right.
4 On Saturday, Nov. 8, at 7:30 p.m., the RiverRun International Film Festival’s “RiverRun Retro” series will present a special screening of the film, SUNSET BOULEVARD, in the Main Theatre of the School of Filmmaking at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
6 Director Jan Komasa’s bold new drama ANNIVERSARY, which marks the filmmaker’s English-language debut, opens with the 25th anniversary of Ellen (Diane Lane) and Paul Taylor (Kyle Chandler) and ends with their 30th anniversary.
8 You could see it coming a mile away. At the ownership group’s (Zawyer Sports and Enrertainment) two preseason events — the announcement of the name, GARGOYLES, and the launch of the team sweaters and other merch — Piedmont Hall was packed to the gills for both events...
12 On Oct. 21, Greensboro City Council was scheduled to vote on an ordinance removing the ability of the Minimum Housing Standards Commission (MHSC) to INSPECT HOMES AND APARTMENTS. The proposed revision would also remove a sentence stating that MHSC “may study rental rates.” 14 UNC School of the Arts School of Filmmaking will present its latest session of the “Symposium” guest artist series by asking the proverbial question: “CAN I KICK IT?” And answering with a celebratory 40th anniversary screening of Berry Gordy’s 1985 martial arts cultclassic, The Last Dragon
Chow Down with John Batchelor at Harper’s
BY JOHN BATCHELOR
Harper’s restaurants began in Charlotte 35 years ago.
The Greensboro property has occupied its corner space in Friendly Shopping Center for over 22 years. That’s phenomenal longevity in this business. Obviously, they are doing a lot of things right. Value is one key, evident in special events as well as menu prices.
I have been attending Walter’s Wine School about once a month for years. Don’t let the word “school” put you o . This is an easy-going, casual way to sample wines that are most likely new to you (most have been to me!), and they are well chosen by Walter Freeman, Corporate Beverage Director. You get three tasting-size pours, each paired with a tapas-size dish prepared to match. I have sampled Albarino selections from Spain, Cotes de Rhone from France, and Dolcetto wines from Italy, among quite a few others. Favorite foods have included Beef Tips with marinara sauce and Scallops with Mushrooms (outstanding).
Nikki Smith assists Walter during wine school. She is a lead server, bartender, and part-time manager. Tom Sasser owns Burke Hospitality Group, the parent company for the Harper’s family of restaurants. He collaborates personally in the preparation of Wine School events. The next Wine School will be Nov. 13, priced at $42. Here’s the lineup: Montinore Pinot Noir with Smoked Trout Spread on Rye Crisps, Bow & Arrow Pinot Noir with Grilled Salmon Skewer with Citrus Glaze, and Archery Summit Pinot Noir with Hickory Grilled Pork Chop with Peach Chutney (all wines are from the Willamette Valley in Oregon).
Happy Hour in the bar is 4-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, with half price “bar bites,” plus selected half price wines on Wednesdays. Some of the bar bites are appetizers from the regular menu. Others are specials for the bar discount menu. Pork Sliders, in the latter category, are a regular feature. Tender pulled pork is treated with Harper’s homemade barbecue sauce, tangysweet, quite good. Beef Sliders are o ered as well, and they provide solid depth of flavor.
From the regular starters menu, I have grown fond of the House Smoked Salmon Dip. A mild impact from the named ingredient is undergirded by cream cheese, plus sour cream, capers, and dill, surrounded by an array of toasted pita chips. Another favorite is Homemade Potato Chips, decorated with blue cheese dressing. Tru e Fries are crisp, gaining flavor from a light treatment of tru e-infused olive oil and herbs.
My wife’s favorite entrée here is Oriental Chicken Salad. Slices of tender, flavorful chicken breast are arrayed over a bed of mixed lettuces with mushroom slices, cucumbers, almonds, diced scallions, and sliced red bell peppers, decorated with crisp wontons. The dressing is tangy-sweet. In general, entrée salads are a strength.
Baby Back Ribs, one of Harper’s most popular entrees, are available in half or full portions. Fork-tender meat pulls away easily from Danish
pork ribs, treated with that homemade barbecue sauce. This comes with fries. You can get the tru ed version for a small upcharge, but the regular fries are pleasantly crisp and tasty in their own right.
Beer Battered Fish ‘N Chips uses Icelandic Cod, in a crisp, fresh-tasting preparation, enhanced with dill tartar sauce. Coleslaw and house fries are the accompaniments. Parmesan Crusted Trout gets a lemon caper butter sauce. This is served open, therefore easy to eat. It comes with grilled vegetables.
A restaurant in this genre has to have a good burger, and Harper’s American Burger meets the challenge. A solid level of beef flavor comes through clearly, covered with melted cheddar cheese, joined in a toasted brioche bun by lettuce and tomato, sliced dill pickle, and onions. The kitchen dices the onions, which allows flavor to convey without overpowering the rest of the
ingredients. Pimiento Cheese is available as well.
Mark Sienko, manager of the Greensboro location, has been with the Harper’s Restaurant Group for over 25 years. John Smith leads the kitchen. He is a “humble U.S. Army veteran cook.” The military taught him all things culinary, including the Mother Sauces, then sent him to Iraq to work as a prison guard at some very dangerous facilities. He joined Harper’s in Greensboro as a line cook just over 20 years ago. He became the sous chef in less than 2 years, and chef around 5 years.
Longevity like this is almost unheard of in the restaurant business. It accounts for the consistency that has been evident for so long here. I once received a message from a reader who argued that restaurant writers (like me) were superfluous, since “everybody knows that Harper’s is the best restaurant in Greensboro.” I would not go that far in my comments about any restaurant, but I do understand her point of view.
My wife and I have already bought our tickets to next week’s Wine School. See you there! !
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/ cookbooks: 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.
Earlier this year, David M. Lubin’s book “Ready for My Close-Up: The Making of ‘Sunset Boulevard’” and the “Dark Side of the Hollywood Dream” was published to rave reviews. This year marks the 75th anniversary of Billy Wilder’s Oscar-winning classic Sunset Boulevard (1950), and inspired Fathom Entertainment to re-release the film to select theaters and Paramount Home Entertainment to release a commemorative 4K Ultra HD combo.
On Saturday, Nov. 8, at 7:30 p.m., the RiverRun International Film Festival’s “RiverRun Retro” series will present a special screening of the film in the Main Theatre of the School of Filmmaking at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), 1533 S. Main St., Winston-Salem, with Wake Forest professor emeritus Lubin and two-time School of Filmmaking dean Dale Pollock on hand to participate in a post-screening discussion, followed by a book signing sponsored by Bookmarks. Tickets are $12 (general admission) and $10 (students with valid ID). UNCSA sta and students will be admitted free. To purchase advance tickets, visit https:// riverrunfilm.com/riverrun-retro-screening-sunset-boulevard-november-8/ Considered by many to be one of the greatest movies about Hollywood, Sunset Boulevard stars William Holden
as struggling screenwriter Joe Gillis, who stumbles through the gates of a decaying mansion where silent-screen goddess Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson) now resides, largely forgotten by the industry she helped to create, consumed by the notion of a grand comeback, and tended by her dutiful, discreet butler Max (Erich von Stroheim), himself a faded relic of old Hollywood — and Norma’s ex-husband, the very director whose unfinished epic derailed her career. Before long, the opportunistic Joe moves into the mansion, unaware of the potential consequences.
Both a critical and financial success, Sunset Boulevard earned 11 Oscar nominations: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Holden), Best Actress (Swanson), Best Supporting Actor (von Stroheim), Best Supporting Actress (Olson), Best Cinematography (black and white), Best Editing, Best Original Screenplay, Best Score, and Best Art Direction/Set Decoration (black and white). Sunset Boulevard only won the latter three, having had the misfortune of competing against Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s All About Eve, widely considered one of the great movies about the theater.
Lubin doesn’t recall the first time he saw the film, but, remarkably, he wasn’t a fan at first. “In my early 20s at the USC School of Cinema, I disdained it,” he admitted. “I was under the spell of the great film critic Andrew Sarris, who relegated Billy Wilder to the lower rung of auteur filmmakers — “less than meets the eye” — because he deemed Wilder’s cinema cold, impersonal, and cynical, and I bought that. But after years of watching and rewatching Sunset Boulevard, I came to realize that it’s a
passionate film, after all, (and) deeply connected to Wilder’s troubled inner life.”
“Wilder’s reputation has been besmirched by his paternalistic, chauvinistic, and sometimes petty remarks, but he remains among the greatest Hollywood auteurs,” Pollock observed. “His taste was perfectly suited for the pre- and post-World War II America, which is why he enjoyed such great success in the 1940s and 1950s. But even by the 1960s, his tastes were out of touch and continued to be so for the remainder of his career. It was sad to see his decline, but if given the chance, I would again teach a class on Billy Wilder. I would just have to issue a lot of sensitivity alerts, because not everyone finds his sexist humor funny!”
Pollock ranks Billy Wilder as his favorite filmmaker, and so does Kevin Thomas, the long-time film critic for the Los Angeles Times, who first saw Sunset Boulevard in its initial run at age 14. It was his favorite movie then and now. As a result, he was anxious to read “Ready for My Close-Up.”
“The book is wonderful, just superb!” Thomas said. “It’s so insightful and knowledgeable, and [Lubin’s] insights and attention to details are uncanny. I particularly enjoyed reading how, when they started filming, Billy realized what a fine actress Gloria Swanson was, which enabled him to make greater demands on her than he would normally do.”
Thomas was acquainted with Wilder, “and my only regret is that I never told him he was my favorite director,” and also interviewed Swanson in the 1970s. “She did not disappoint,” Thomas said. “She was sparkling and full of fun — a real star.”
“Lubin’s book is the best film book I’ve read in a decade,” Pollock said. “It’s so well-written and researched, and he has a very accessible tone to his writing. It’s elegant and simple at the same time. He is also the first author to tap into the diaries and letters of Charles Brackett, Wilder’s co-writer on Sunset Boulevard That material is new and fascinating.” Lubin focused exclusively on the film and its legacy, opting not to write about Andrew Lloyd Webber’s award-winning smash 1993 stage musical, which became a phenomenon in its own right and brought renewed attention to the film that inspired it. Lubin called the musical “brilliantly creative, a work of art in its own regard.”
“The legacy of Sunset Boulevard is pretty clear,” Pollock said. “What other Hollywood movie is currently the source of a Broadway musical and a new book? It’s also significant that Paramount paid for a 4K digital restoration of the film for the 75th anniversary of its initial release. How many 1950 movies get that?”
Thomas is more succinct. “It’s flawless … it’s timeless … it’s a masterpiece.”
Lubin gets the last word. “The movie is more relevant today than ever because it explores our limitless fascination — no, make that obsession — with fame, celebrity, and youth, tied closely to our culture-wide dread of aging, which the film devastatingly invokes.”
The 28th annual RiverRun International Film Festival is scheduled for April 1725, 2026. The o cial RiverRun website is https://riverrunfilm.com/ !
[WEEKLY ARTS ROUNDUP] ARTS IN FOCUS: MARSHALL MUSE GALLERY
SUBMITTED BY THE ARTS COUNCIL OF GREATER GREENSBORO
Get ready Greensboro! Marshall Muse Gallery has o cially opened its doors inside a beautifully restored Tudor-style home on North Church Street. There may still be a few boxes and frames scattered about, but the air already carries that unmistakable scent of fresh paint and new beginnings.
Founded by artist and educator Tracey Marshall, the gallery was born from a lifelong dedication to the arts. This isn’t her first venture — Marshall opened her first gallery at just 26 years old. After taking a hiatus to raise her family, she’s returned to what she calls her “bottom line” — art. The space blends exhibition areas, artist studios, and hands-on workshops designed to invite the community in. Regular classes will soon fill the weekly schedule, covering everything from painting and fiber arts to creative writing, yoga, and movement. “The hope is that there will be something for everyone,” says Marshall. “Someone might come for a yoga class and end up perusing work from local artists.”
The past few months have been packed with planning and renovation. “Permits, zoning, sprinklers, and the discovery that apparently an art gallery needs seven toilets. SEVEN. I’m still budgeting for toilet paper,” Marshall laughs. Despite the challenges, her
goal has always been clear, to create an accessible, welcoming space for both longtime art lovers and those new to creative spaces. “I want people to come in and enjoy themselves. It isn’t stu y.”
Beyond the gallery walls, Marshall Muse o ers a beverage bar serving coffee, tea, and other non-alcoholic drinks, giving visitors a reason to linger. The calendar will soon feature First Fridays, Second Saturdays, and Third Thursdays, turning the gallery into a lively community hub.
Movement and art classes have already started and you can join Tracey at the grand opening event on Nov. 15. Stop by Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., or Sunday noon to 4 p.m. to see what’s new and watch this creative space grow in real time. !
Anniversary: Divided they fall
Director
Jan Komasa’s bold
new drama Anniversary, which marks the filmmaker’s English-language debut, opens with the 25th anniversary of Ellen (Diane Lane) and Paul Taylor (Kyle Chandler) and ends with their 30th anniversary. What happens in between is devastating both to their family and the world at large.
Ellen, a respected Georgetown professor, and Paul, a successful restaurateur, have what could be described as a picture-perfect marriage, replete with four children: Daughters Anna (Madeline
LOS LONELY BOYS
NOVEMBER 21, 2025 @ 7:30PM
HP Ballet Nutcracker December 19-21, 2025
Matthew Whitaker Quintet
January 17, 2026
Cirque FLIP
Fabrique - Blizzard February 21, 2026
Noche Flamenca: Searching for Goya March 5, 2026
Piff the Magic Dragon April 18, 2026
Kandace Springs May 2, 2026
Acts and dates subject to change.
Brewer), Cynthia (Zoey Deutsch), and Birdie (Mckenna Grace), and son Josh (Dylan O’Brien). At the 25th anniversary, Josh is accompanied by his girlfriend Liz (Phoebe Dynevor), a former student of Ellen’s whose relationship ended on a fractious note.
“I don’t want to be the reason things change in the family,” Liz tells Ellen, but that is precisely what happens, and signs indicate that she’s been methodically planning it all along.
The instrument of Liz’s retribution is “The Change,” a political treatise that becomes a huge best-seller and the catalyst for a shift in America’s politics, duly backed by the financial muscle of the Cumberland Corporation. It changes people’s perceptions about society, their place in society, and how society can — and should — be altered to accommodate such radical ideology. The movement will ultimately be the catalyst for the undoing of the Taylor family in ways they could never have foreseen, particularly not in a free society.
Liz is seen as something of a contemporary prophet, and thanks to the generosity of Cumberland, she and Josh — now married with twins — are living very large. They don’t care to look at the larger implications or the destructive impact it has on Josh’s family. They’ve created a monster they can no longer control. The depiction of a dystopian society — one in which friends, neighbors, or even family members are to be perceived with paranoia and suspicion is utterly convincing. How much the political observations and interpretations depicted in Anniversary can be applied to our own society o ers ample food for thought. The allegorical overtones are plentiful — and many of them cut deep. But it’s the family dynamic, increasingly fraught with tension and simmering resentment, that gives the film its considerable heft thanks largely to a superb ensemble cast and crackling dialogue penned by first-timer Lori Rosene-Gambino, who conceived the story with Komasa. This is where the film derives its power, consistently and in a frequently compelling fashion.
track. The Polish-born Komasa, who grew up under authoritarian rule in Warsaw, brings a keen, knowing eye to the proceedings while refraining outright from making what could be called “a statement.” Anniversary makes its relevant points within a deeply a ecting dramatic context, with a light seasoning of satirical elements thrown into the mix. The performances are first-rate down the line, including Daryl McCormack as Anna’s conflicted husband, and Rebecca O’Mara and Kaja Chan (in her feature debut) as two of the creepiest census takers ever seen on film (or perhaps anywhere). Josh’s transformation from unfulfillment to self-assurance is chilling, and Dyvenor plays Liz with a smooth ambiguity. Lane and Chandler are entirely believable as a couple whose love for each other and their family prove — to some extent — to be their undoing. Anniversary is quite simply one of the best movies of the year. It’s entertaining, illuminating, and — dare it be said? — important. It’s the kind of film that makes one sit up and take notice, not just of its excellence but its portrait of the world it creates — a world very much like our own. !
The narrative occasionally leans toward soap opera or more exaggerated territory (Civil War, the Purge franchise), but always snaps back and stays on
Sellers of stolen goods fixing typos? 93 Univ. VIPs
Like Loyola
Approaching
34 Person snatching an African antelope?
39 Aerie babies
45 “Je t’—” (Gigi’s “I love you”)
46 Some Siouan speakers
49 Earth, in Spanish
50 Taters
53 Sovereign rule that wears subjects down?
56 “Love” author Morrison
57 Go out with 59 Twosome
60 Fed. meat inspector
61 Tournament finals held at a manor?
68 “Says —?”
69 PC key
70 Pierre’s “yes”
71 With 85-Across, facial
72 Subside
“Les Miserables” author giving somebody
Greensboro Gargoyles:
BY OGI OVERMAN
My dear friend, Ed Hardin, one of the two greatest sports columnists this burg has ever produced (along with Wilt Browning), figured it out a quarter century ago. “It” was the question of why the Carolina Hurricanes only drew around 5,000 fans a game during their two-year stint in Greensboro. The theories were many, but only Ed’s cut to the heart of the problem. He posited that the reasons were not high ticket prices, not that they were only squatting here while their arena in Raleigh was being built, and not that the Gate City is overwhelmingly a Carolina basketball town (although all three are true). His theory was simply that there are only 5,000 hockey fans here. Well, brothers and sisters, something has changed in the 21st century. While Matt Brown was working tirelessly yet unsuccessfully to revive hockey in the Coliseum after the Generals folded in 2004, a quiet revolution of sorts was taking place without anyone’s notice. The ’Canes have become a cultural phenomenon in the Triangle; thousands of folks, many of them professionals, have moved here from all over the world; the neighboring Winston-Salem Thunderbirds have managed to support pro hockey; and the NHL has grown and expanded exponentially. All of this amounts to a thirst that could only be
quenched by live, professional hockey. You could see it coming a mile away. At the ownership group’s (Zawyer Sports and Enrertainment) two preseason events — the announcement of the name, Gargoyles, and the launch of the team sweaters and other merch — Piedmont Hall was packed to the gills for both events; the line merely to get in for the first one snaked completely around the parking lot, and for the second one money was still changing hands in the merch line an hour after the event.
All of that should’ve prepared yours truly for opening night, Saturday, Oct. 18. Just to be safe, I got there two hours before puck drop, figuring I would zip into the press lot, walk a few steps to credential pickup, and be in my seat on press row in no time. Welp, the press lot was full, as was the rest of the lot, all the way to Lee Street (or as you newcomers might say, Gate City Blvd.).
I finally found one of the last remaining spots, and as I trekked to the press entrance, I passed dozens of tailgaters grilling, eating, drinking, playing hackey sack and cornhole, dancing to that old time rock and roll, and having a raucously good time. One guy, between slugs of Modelo, told me that the lot opened at 2 o’clock. I told the parking lot attendant that this looked more like an ACC men’s basketball tournament, and he agreed.
As game time approached, the low
This is not your Father’s ECHL
Gargoyle growl grew progressively louder, approaching the dB level of a Who concert, and the lights dimmed, illuminating the thousands of blacklight neon glow sticks. Then the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived, as the teams skated onto the ice amid thunderous screams and applause.
These guys and gals know how to put on a show, hence the “Entertainment” part of Zawyer Sports.
And the crowd proved to be not only enthusiastic but knowledgeable. They knew to cheer when the Gargoyles killed o a penalty; erupt on a good save or grade-A scoring chance; boo when a penalty was called on the home team; stand and holler when a skirmish broke out; and go ballistic when a game-tying goal was waved o , letting the refs know loud and clear that they sucked.
The things that stood out to me were: a) the speed was much faster than I remembered from the old ECHL; b) the stick-handling and passing were, for the most part, flashy and crisp; c) given that they’ve been together only a couple of weeks, the attacks need more cohesion and less dump-and-chase; d) the defense and goaltending, barring a couple of lapses, seemed adequate, and: e) there were no fights. There were three pushing and shoving matches, but nary a glove dropped.
The first period was scoreless, the visiting Jacksonville Icemen scored in the second, and coach Scott Burt pulled
the goalie with two minutes to go in the third, and winger David Gagnon scored a minute later. Now, I’ve been to countless games in this building, but I swear I don’t think I’ve ever heard a louder and more prolonged cheer than when he scored the tying goal. I can only imagine if it had been the game-winner but, alas, the visitors scored in the three-onthree overtime, handing the Gargoyles a 2-1 overtime loss, worth one point.
Afterward, Coach Burt seemed pleased with the outcome, even with the OTL.
“These were building blocks, and we’ll grow and learn from it,” he said. “This was our first time as a team, and overall, I’m proud of the way they played, especially their resiliency. After we got down a goal, they kept putting up shots; we had 40 and eight grade-A’s. We didn’t break. When we tied it up, I think that got them over the hump.”
Oh, did I mention, the o cial attendance was 11,398. So where did that extra 6,398 come from?
The Gargoyles came down to earth a bit on Sunday, losing to these same Icemen, 3-0. They return home Thursday, Nov. 6-8, for a three-game set against the Wheeling Nailers. All game times are 7 p.m. !
THE ECHL is considered a “Premier ‘AA’ Hockey League.” The Gargoyles are an a liate of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes and AHL’s Chicago Wolves.
Casa Azul’s 14th Annual Dia de Muertos
Book by SCOTT BROWN & ANTHONY KING
City Council considers restricting commission powers
On Oct. 21,
Greensboro City Council was scheduled to vote on an ordinance removing the ability of the Minimum Housing Standards Commission (MHSC) to inspect homes and apartments. The proposed revision would also remove a sentence stating that MHSC “may study rental rates.” Before being voted on, it was removed from the consent agenda without explanation from Mayor Nancy Vaughan. The consent agenda consists of items considered routine and noncontroversial, which are decided with a single vote and no discussion.
The MHSC was created to ensure compliance with the city’s minimum housing standards by hearing and ruling on appeals of decisions made by code compliance inspectors. Council members appoint commissioners. Background information attached to the consent agenda stated that the reason for the proposed changes is that some MHSC duties “are outdated and no longer consistent with current City practice.”
“Specifically, current ordinance language provides that the Commission may study rental rates, although municipalities are prohibited from regulating rent in North Carolina. The current language also provides authority for the Commission to inspect living quarters with the inspector.” The proposed changes would remove that language.
Three community organizers running for council seats disagree with the changes.
Attorney – Complex Litigation needed for Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP, located in Winston-Salem, NC. Assist in legal matters and business developments in Asia for clients located across the U.S. Conduct U.S. legal research on various legal issues under U.S. jurisdiction for domestic and international matters. Draft legal analyses, legal opinions to evaluate case law, regulatory compliance, and legal risks. Draft legal contracts to assist U.S. companies in engaging with Asian companies. Draft client alerts and articles related to new U.S. legal policies and/or regulations. Analyze and summarize case law and legal opinions to assist attorneys in understanding case specifics. Draft legal documents such as briefs, memorandums, opinions, and other legal correspondence. Communicate with clients and agencies regarding case updates, gathering information and ensuring client confidentiality is maintained. U.S. Juris Doctorate or LLM degree required as well as admission to any state bar in the U.S. No experience required; however you must have taken all of the following coursework: International Business Transactions; International Business Compliance; Corporations; Oral Communication in Law; and Drafting Contracts. Must be able to read, write, and speak traditional and Simplified Mandarin Chinese. Must be willing to travel to client sites and/ or relocate to one of the Petitioner’s other offices located across the U.S. Send resumes to:cynthia.pruitt@wbd-us.com
Cecile Crawford, who is running in District 2, called it “a measure that would strip the MHSC of its ability to co-inspect homes under investigation for neglect.” Crawford thanked “quick action from Keep Gate City Housed and community supporters” for causing the item to be removed from the consent agenda. “This is a temporary win for tenants, but Greensboro still has 260+ open housing code cases, and we need stronger oversight, not less.”
Crystal Black, who is challenging District 1 incumbent Sharon Hightower, agreed. “Quality safe housing is a right. I do not believe that removing the tools that tenants have to advocate will be helpful. With the history of some of the rental properties in Greensboro, we need to reconsider this approach.”
At-large candidate Irving Allen also opposes the changes.
“As someone who’s worked alongside tenants and families across Greensboro, I know strong enforcement and public oversight are essential to ensuring everyone has safe, dignified housing. The commission’s presence provides transparency and accountability, protecting both renters and responsible landlords. Taking away that authority weakens trust and limits the community’s voice in a system meant to serve them.”
The only council members to respond to queries about the proposed changes were Hightower, District 4’s Nancy Hoffman, District 5’s Tammi Thurm, atlarge council member Jamilla Pinder, at-large representative and mayoral candidate Marikay Abuzuaiter, and Vaughan. Pinder and Thurm stated they and other council members had raised objections to this item being on the consent agenda, and said they are looking forward to discussing the revisions at a future work session.
“I’d asked earlier in the day for it to be removed,” said Pinder, “and spoke with some individuals from Guilford For All, and kinda walked them through it. We probably should not have put this on the agenda without further conversation. We definitely could have said why we’re pulling it.”
Pinder agreed with concerns that the MHSC’s powers may need to be
brought into compliance with current state practice, but said that doesn’t mean the committee can’t study rising rental rates. “Legally, we can’t have rent control here in North Carolina, but that doesn’t mean we can’t look at other alternatives of how we address the rents.”
Vaughan said proposed changes were not suggested by anyone on council, but had come from city staff. Pinder said the legal department had proposed the suggested changes.
On Sept. 18, City Attorney Lora Cubbage sent council an email stating some members of the MHSC had “concerns,” and that Cubbage was arranging a meeting between those MHSC members and council representatives who appointed them.
Currently, the MHSC chair is Franklin Scott. Other members are William Furlow, Samuel Hawkins, Moussa Issifou, Morgan Wright-Pone, Omar Jones, Taylor McCaskill, and Joseph Terry Savory. Scott and Hawkins were appointed by Abuzuaiter; Furlow by Hoffman; Issifou by Hightower; Jones by Thurm; McCaskill by District 3’s Zack Matheny; Savoy by District 2’s Goldie Wells; and Wright-Pone by representative at-large Hugh Holston.
“From what I’ve read,” said Hight-
Ian McDowell
Contributor
Tammi Thurm
ower, “the proposed change is a legal clarification on rent control requirements, as the State does not allow rent control, and not about removing any tenant rights, which I would never support. This is why a work session is needed. A decision on this should not just happen without community knowledge and input.”
Thurm said she supports adding conditions to the commission’s existing powers. “For example, a tenant should be able to decline anyone other than a city employee from entering their home. I also don’t believe anyone other than the inspectors should be able to photograph inside someone’s house, and think commissioners should only be allowed inside if accompanied by an inspector.”
The current ordinance states that MHSC members must be accompanied by an inspector, but does not address the photo issue or explicitly give tenants permission to deny entry to persons accompanying an inspector.
“I also want to ensure we won’t be in violation of state law. MHSC is a quasijudicial body, and as such, we must make sure that whatever we allow is not in conflict with the legal process. We need a work session to discuss the implications of all this.”
Thurm supports removing language stating MHSC can study rental rates.
“I don’t think that a commission of volunteers necessarily knows how to conduct a real study of rental rates comprehensively. Perhaps they should have the authority to request that the city fund a study of rental rates, but for them to actually do a study, I’m not sure anyone could count on that.”
Vaughan said that she would “reserve judgment” until she hears why staff thought the ordinance should be changed. Abuzuaiter and Hoffman expressed similar sentiments.
“I’m waiting on the discussion to decide which way I will vote,” said Abuzuaiter, while Hoffman wrote in email, “I will await legal opinion on this matter when it is brought up again to determine if this is an outdated provision and no longer within the jurisdiction of the Minimum Housing Commission.”
Cubbage has not responded to requests for comment on this matter. !
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.
Nov 15 & 16
Reynolds Auditorium, Winston-Salem
Immerse yourself in an enchanted forest... Enjoy familiar music from Mozart’s The Magic Flute Fiery cellist Christine Lamprea will leave you spellbound in Tan Dun’s Crouching Tiger cello concerto, and the hugely popular Paperhand Puppet Project joins for a fairy ballet by Maurice Ravel.
Cecile Crawford
Irving Allen
Crystal Black
Jamilla Pinder
UNC School of the Arts
School of Filmmaking will present its latest session of the “Symposium” guest artist series by asking the proverbial question: “Can I Kick It?” And answering with a celebratory 40th anniversary screening of Berry Gordy’s 1985 martial arts cult-classic, The Last Dragon , via an innovative film experience and livescore produced by Shaolin Jazz on Nov. 7 at the ACE Theater Complex on the UNCSA campus in Winston-Salem.
“Presented as a mix of lectures, screenings, presentations, and discussions,” the UNCSA School of Filmmak-
UNCSA x Can I Kick It
ing Symposium Series aims to develop artistic voice and vision while deepening cultural awareness and the impact of the medium through both inspiration and practical tools, all aimed at helping shape the craft of future filmmakers with purpose and insight.
creativity meets responsibility,” and “bring together voices from across the creative spectrum — fine artists, alumni, activists, poets, filmmakers, researchers and educators — to explore our roles as creatives.”
Operating under a similar premise, the DC-anorched duo, Shaolin Jazz (named in reference to the 1983 martial arts film Shaolin and Wu Tang that also titularly inspired Wu-Tang Clan), has been running their “Can I Kick It?” series meshing cult-classic cinema with immersive live rescored experiences — more than 150 since kicking the series off in 2011 — sceneby-scene, bar-by-bar. National Building Museum, Songbyrd, National Museum of Asian Art, Creative Alliance in Baltimore, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, SXSW, Smithsonian National Gallery of Art, New York Asian Film Festival, PAX East Convention, FanX Salt Lake Comic Con, 3 Chambers Festival in Wilmington (where they screened the The Crow for the inaugural round and returned with The Last Dragon in 2024 ), and more.
Movie selections range from martial arts classics to the 1980s/90s off-thewall action gold: Enter the Dragon, Born Invincible, Shogun Assassin, The Karate Kid, Rumble in the Bronx, Bloodsport, Kickboxer, Romeo Must Die, and the Golden Child . Anime (think Ghost in the Shell and Ninja Scroll ) plus newer blockbusters like Mad Max: Fury Road, Black Panther, The Matrix, Kill Bill, and Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse. As well as some of my favorite Bond Films, a couple of Kurt Russell-John Carpenter wonders, and a fabulous slew of horror and exploitation selections like the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Gremlins and Predator , The Warriors, and Cleopatra Jones .
“Our goal is to create a new, unforgettable experience for fans of both music and cinema,” said Shaolin Jazz co-founder Gerald Watson. Their spin
on Blade made the rounds this holiday season, with shows at the Cary Theater in Cary, N.C. in mid-October at the Lincoln Center in New York City on Halloween Night.
For their upcoming NC visit — part of the UNCSA School of Film Symposium series — Shaolin Jazz will take on The Last Dragon , a film produced by Motown founder Berry Gordy that espouses Bruce Lee philosophies, while pulsating to the pump of 1980s Harlem — highlighting its own intersection of Black excellence and self-empowerment. Music, movies, magic. All to a fresh mix from Shaolin Jazz co-founder (and Charlotte native) DJ 2-Tone Jones, blending funk, soul, hip-hop, rock, and jazz to accentuate different moments in the film, “ranging from robust fight scenes to subtle love scenes,” UNCSA explained of the free community event which aims to intersect “where
And it’s those very intersections that are intrinsic to both Shaolin Jazz and their CIKI? Series as a whole: as Watson told Colleen Kennedy of District Fray Magazine: “We do what we do, highlight[s] these intersections between jazz, hip-hop and martial arts through different mediums.” In other words, as Shaolin Jazz noted in particular relevance to their upcoming event: “the glow hits different when hip-hop meets kung fu.” It hits different indeed — transcending the movie-going experience into a multimedia, multisensory opportunity to explore, discuss, and engage. As 3 Chambers Blogger, Sage Battle, noted, “Shaolin Jazz isn’t just about the score or movies — it’s about the experience of the blending of culture itself, and how different forms can come together to create something new, something that pays homage to the past while boldly moving forward with style.” Through that lens, attendees will have the opportunity to dive into a discussion following the screening with topics surrounding culture, creative process, and artistic avenues presented by Shaolin Jazz, the CIKI? Series itself, its future, and the roles of the UNCSA community (and the Triad creative community) in developing artistic voice.
UNC School of the Arts School of Filmmaking will present Shaolin Jazz and “Can I Kick It?”, a live screening of The Last Dragon with a live original score by DJ 2-Tone Jones, at 7 p.m. on Nov. 7 at the ACE Theater Complex on the UNCSA campus in Winston-Salem. !
KATEI CRANFORD is a Triad music nerd who enjoys spotlighting artists and events.
Katei Cranford
Contributor
by F Andrew Leslie from the novel by Shirley Jackson
[SALOME’S STARS]
Week of November 10, 2025
[ARIES (March 21 to April 19) There could be an unexpected change in plans for your upcoming holiday travels. But keep in mind that a little flexibility goes a long way in resolving any disappointments.
[TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) A new relationship might not be responding quite as quickly as you’d hoped. Could you be expecting too much too soon? Try to ease up and let things happen at their own pace.
[GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) As we approach the frenetic pace of preholiday planning, take time out now to reconnect with the wonderful people who share your life, especially the one who also shares your dreams.
[CANCER (June 21 to July 22) A misunderstanding should be resolved before you get caught up in the flurry of holiday preparations. Set your pride aside and deal with it, regardless of who might have hurt whom first.
[LEO (July 23 to August 22) Being told that a colleague might have been trying to undercut your e ectiveness might or might not be true. Get all the facts before you even think about acting on this so-called information.
[VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) It’s a good idea to start your holiday preparation plans early in order to avoid a time crunch if an unresolved workplace situation causes a problem. Meanwhile, an old friend might have some welcome news.
[LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) A family member’s actions continue to surprise you — but this time with positive
results. Could it be that your wise counsel finally got through? It’s like having an early holiday gift, isn’t it?
[SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Your reluctance to act in a current situation could be traced to your inner self advising you to take more time to study its complexities before you attempt to deal with it. Good luck!
[SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Soothing hurt feelings before they can ignite an angry outburst is the wise thing to do. And of course, when it comes to doing the “wisdom thing,” you do it so well.
[CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Budget your time so that you can handle both your workplace duties and your personal holiday planning — including travel arrangements — without burning out on either end.
[AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) You might find that you still need to firm up one or two of those still-outstanding decisions so that you can finally move forward as you had planned. Weigh the facts, then act.
[PISCES (February 19 to March 20) You usually don’t carry grudges, but you might feel this is one time when you’re justified in doing so. But aren’t you spending too much energy holding onto it? Let it go and move on.
[BORN THIS WEEK: You have a way of using your quiet strength to persuade people to follow their better instincts and do the right thing.
answers
[CROSSWORD]
crossword on page 7
[WEEKLY SUDOKU
] sudoku on page 7
[TRIVIA TEST]
by Fifi Rodriguez
[1. ASTRONOMY: When was Pluto reclassified as a dwarf planet?
[2. ACRONYM: What phrase does the acronym URL stand for?
[3. GEOGRAPHY: Where are the Dodecanese Islands?
[4. MUSIC: Which country music star threw the javelin in college?
[5. TELEVISION: Which character on the series Bridgerton admits to being Lady Whistledown, the pseudonym of a gossip writer?
[6. MATH: How many degrees are in a circle?
[7. MOVIES: What was the name of actor Henry Fonda’s last movie?
[8. ANATOMY: In human beings, what is the condition called polythelia?
[9. FOOD & DRINK: Which celebrity chef had a specialty food store called “The Barefoot Contessa”?
[10. CHEMISTRY: What metallic element has the highest melting point?
