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When we first glimpse Mike (Frank Dillane), the main character in URCHIN, he is literally crawling out of the gutter. It’s a memorable scene, one that puts the viewer right in the center of the action.
4 Greensboro-based filmmaker Sean Norona’s maiden feature OUTERBOUND, which filmed entirely in the Piedmont Triad, will be screened for the first time at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8 at the Greensboro History Museum
5 “Was it the boogeyman?” “As a matter of fact, it was.”That’s the final exchange between Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Dr. Sam Loomis (Donald Pleasence) in the 1978 John Carpenter classic HALLOWEEN. But anyone who’s seen it — and who hasn’t? — knows that full well that there’s one more trick in store for both of them — and it’s a kicker.
7 So as this school year unfolds, and as policymakers at every level make decisions that AFFECT CLASSROOMS, I encourage all of us to stay engaged, to raise our voices, and to keep students at the center of the conversation.
8 It’s ELECTION SEASON in the Triad, and we are committed to giving readers an opportunity to hear from all of the candidates who are on the ballot for the upcoming election.
10 After the July 8 meeting of the Greensboro City Council, newly-appointed City Attorney LORA CUBBAGE was asked if anyone in her office also worked for the defense contractor Cyberlux.
13 The Greensboro Symphony Orchestra (GSO) is proud to announce the appointment of SIANA WONG as its new Associate Concertmaster, marking the homecoming of a talented musician whose artistic journey began right here in the Greensboro community.
Urchin is a harrowing descent into despair
BY MARK BURGER
When we first glimpse Mike (Frank Dillane), the main character in Urchin, he is literally crawling out of the gutter. It’s a memorable scene, one that puts the viewer right in the center of the action, and indicative of the immense talents of writer/ director Harris Dickinson, whose first feature this is. That the film was warmly received at the Cannes Film Festival — winning two awards — is no surprise and entirely deserved. More accolades and awards are entirely within the realm of possibility, if not probability.
The narrative covers approximately a year in Mike’s life, during which he is arrested and sent to jail. Upon his release, he takes steps to walk the straight and narrow. But it’s a journey laden with pitfalls, and Mike has an unerring tendency to stumble into every one of them.
US ARMY FIELD BAND JAZZ AMBASSADORS NOV. 4, 2025 @ 7PM
To say that Mike is disenfranchised is an understatement. He’s a drug addict. He’s homeless. He commits petty (and not-so-petty) crimes to support his habit and essentially exists in a state of total self-denial. The periodic highs in his life — whether chemically induced or otherwise — pale in comparison to the constant lows, yet he tends to deny any responsibility for his actions. It’s never his fault because no one understands him. Dickinson, who also appears as Mike’s fellow addict (and sometime-friend) Nathan, certainly understands him, and presents his story in unblinking, unsentimental terms. Yes, Urchin is a cautionary tale, but it’s more than that. It’s a compelling character study that gives Dillane, the son of noted actor Stephen Dillane, a stellar showcase that he takes full advantage of. Not only is Urchin one of the year’s best movies, Dillane also gives one of the year’s best performances.
Augmented by Alan Myson’s first-rate score (only his second for a feature) and making phenomenal use of London locations, Urchin easily could have been a complete downer, but it’s not. It doesn’t get bogged down in melodrama or rely on contrivance, which is mighty refreshing indeed.
The story could be construed as a parable how the system fails Mike, but it’s just as much about how Mike fails the system. Every chance and every opportunity, every gesture of charity, he inevitably screws up, therefore betraying those who put their trust in him and ultimately himself. With his innate charm he shrewdly presents himself as an unfortunate, even innocent victim worthy of pity, but it’s a charade. The connections and friendships Mike manages to establish, including a shortlived romance with co-worker Andrea (Megan Northam), are destined to end in failure. Yet it’s hard to dislike him, given the depth of feeling and insight Dillane brings to the role. He simply can’t control his worst impulses. What’s more, he doesn’t want to.
Not unlike Danny Boyle’s 1996 Trainspotting, Urchin paints a vivid picture of the drug culture, although unlike that film there’s zero humor or satire on display. Dickinson’s script doesn’t give Mike an easy way out — and, besides, he probably wouldn’t take the easy way out in any case. The stylish cinematography by Josee Deshaies captures both the grittiness of London’s mean streets and sometimes Mike’s warped perspective. Only at the very end does surrealism take hold, with a denouement that may seem ambiguous to some but if you’ve come this far with Mike, it isn’t at all. And there’s nothing ambiguous about the impact of the film. It’s hard-hitting, sorrowful, and entirely believable. !
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Outerbound bound for Greensboro
NO LAUGHING MATTER.
Step into a world of passion, jealousy, and heartbreak where the story leaps off the stage
NOVEMBER 8 AT 7:30 PM
NOVEMBER 9 AT 3 PM
NOVEMBER 11 AT 7:30 PM THE MILLENNIUM EVENT CENTER
Greensborobased filmmaker Sean Norona’s maiden feature Outerbound, which filmed entirely in the Piedmont Triad, will be screened for the first time at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8 at the Greensboro History Museum, 130 Summit Ave., Greensboro, followed by a reception at Oden Brewing Company, 802 W. Gate City Blvd., Greensboro. Although the event is the o cial cast and crew screening, Norona and his filmmaking team wanted to share it with the hometown crowd, therefore the screening and reception are open to the public, and admission is free.
The film, which is billed as “a romanticized comedy,” stars Melissa Lozada and Kiahni Glasthal as best friends attempting to navigate the waters of friendships, relationships, and dealing with the world around them in a fashion both humorous and sympathetic. During pre-production, Norona described it as “a slice-of-life and a coming-of-age story.”
Having only made short films until now, Norona knew tackling a feature would be a challenge, but he was up for it. The script was written by Norona’s long-time friend Nathan Rotan, who wrote it while in college. When they decided to make the film, they went back and revised the original text to make it more contemporary.
“As a director making his first featurelength film, I’m extremely pleased with how this film turned out,” Norona said.
“It’s a lot like painting: You have an idea, and you throw a lot of paint on the canvas and hope something sticks. You
paint tweak other parts, and cross your fingers Watching the final that putting in the to detail, my vision true. Now, whether other people like that
paint over things, tweak other parts, and cross your fingers that it turns out. Watching the final cut really showed me that putting in the work and attention to detail, my vision actually did come true. Now, whether other people like that vision or not, only time will tell. I’m happy with the film.”
Norona was determined that the actors and crew be a diversified one, not just in terms of ethnicity but also gender. The two leads are female, and Norona also wanted to give opportunities to women crew members. In addition, he wanted to give opportunities to local filmmakers, knowing full well the depth of the region’s talent pool.
“We went out of our way to work with a lot of local talent,” he confirmed. “Not only North Carolina artists, but we had filmmakers from Greensboro and even talent from UNCG [University of North Carolina Greensboro]. I think sometimes we think of Los Angeles and New York as being the only hubs for acting and filmmaking, but we have many extremely
talented artists right here in Greensboro. It all starts here, and I have no doubt some of these folks will end up in those big cities doing big things in the near future.”
The collective enthusiasm that the crew brought to Outerbound was an inspiration, Norona said.
“We’ve worked really hard to create a very fun, inclusive, professional environment. I had an assistant operator named Jay Burkholder, a young man just getting his feet wet in the industry. After just two days he told me ‘I just left a job last month because although I was working in a broadcast and a studio environment in Charlotte getting to do all sorts of cool things that I love, my workplace was unprofessional and preparation was never on management’s mind. I had a vital role but was set up to fail and forced in one direction. I mention this only because this Outerbound set has felt the complete opposite. Working with so many talented, wonderful, and helpful people has really lifted my spirits more than just working on a film. I’m very thankful for helping out.’”
Norona’s o cial website is https:// www.hogarimages.com/. !
Piedmont Opera presents Leoncavallo’s
and surrounds you.
Mark Burger Contributor
Halloween haunts the big screen once again
“Was it the boogeyman?”
“As a matter of fact, it was.”
That’s the final exchange between Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Dr. Sam Loomis (Donald Pleasence) in the 1978 John Carpenter classic Halloween. But anyone who’s seen it — and who hasn’t? — knows that full well that there’s one more trick in store for both of them — and it’s a kicker.
Last year, Spotlight Cinema Networks and Trancas International Films teamed up to bring the original Halloween back to the big screen to commemorate the Halloween holiday, and the event proved so successful that they’ll be doing it again at over 400 cinemas nationwide, including the Grand 18 — Winston-Salem, located at 5601 University Parkway. Showtimes are 4:15 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. Sunday, 4:15 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, and 4:15 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31 (Halloween itself). The film, which has been digitally remastered and restored by cinematographer Dean Cundey, is rated R and advance tickets are available at https://www.1978halloween. com/. (Tickets will also be on sale at the theater.)
“Seeing Halloween in theaters is unlike anything else,” said said Malek Akkad, CEO of Trancas International Films and the son of Moustapha Akkad, the Syrian-born financier who bankrolled the original Halloween, which became an international phenomenon. “For many families and fans, revisiting Halloween in theaters has become a seasonal tradition — an annual chance to share the suspense, the dread, and the terror of Michael Myers on the big screen.”
The plot of the original Halloween is simplicity itself: On Halloween night 1963, young Michael Myers brutally murdered his sister Judith in the small Midwestern town of Haddonfield and
committed to an insane asylum. Some 15 years later, Michael escapes from the asylum on Oct. 30 and immediately returns to Haddonfield, this time setting his sights on three high-school girls (Curtis, Nancy Loomis, and P.J. Soles), whom he surreptitiously stalks until night falls.
Pleasence plays Sam Loomis, the psychiatrist who doggedly pursues Michael to Haddonfield, determined to capture or kill him before the carnage begins anew. But inevitably, Michael resumes his rampage — and no one is safe. Halloween has become one of the most popular franchises in horror history, spawning sequels, remakes, and reboots by the score. But it’s hard to argue that the original film was the best, and in 2006, the film was selected for preservation by the National Film Registry at the Library of Congress.
“Halloween is more than just a film,” said Bernadette McCabe, executive vicepresident of CineLife Entertainment. “It is an experience that has become part of how people celebrate the season.”
The o cial website is https:// www.1978halloween.com/. !
See MARK BURGER ’s reviews of current movies. © 2025, Mark Burger.
[ WEEKLY ARTS ROUNDUP]
“JAMES & JOEL: A TRIBUTE TO GREAT AMERICAN SONGWRITERS” LIVE AT HANESBRANDS THEATRE, OCT. 26
SUBMITTED BY ARTS COUNCIL OF WINSTON-SALEM & FORSYTH COUNTY
The Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County is proud to present “James & Joel: A Tribute to Great American Songwriters,” a unique live concert experience celebrating the timeless music of James Taylor and Billy Joel. The event will take place on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. at Hanesbrands Theatre, located at 209 North Spruce Street in downtown Winston-Salem.
This 2.5-hour solo performance features acclaimed Virginia-based musician Clay Mottley, whose soulful vocals, expert guitar work, and piano prowess bring new life to the iconic songs of two of America’s most beloved singer-songwriters. Through music and storytelling, Mottley invites audiences on a nostalgic journey, exploring the stories behind the hits that have defined generations.
“If you’re a fan of Billy Joel or James Taylor, I’m going to sing and play their songs on guitar and piano and tell stories about all those songs and how they came to be. The stories are really fascinating. I’ve done a lot of research on interviews with both artists to find some really great stories. So come out on Sunday, Oct. 26 at Hanesbrands Theatre. I look forward to seeing you.” — Clay Mottley.
Reserve your James & Joel tickets before show night and score 20% o dinner at Foothills Brewing. Because great music deserves great food and a great deal. Don’t wing it last minute, your stomach (and wallet) will thank you!
Tickets are $30 plus taxes and fees, and can be purchased in advance through the arts council’s website or at the Hanesbrands Theatre box o ce.
Join us for an unforgettable evening of live music honoring the legacies of James Taylor and Billy Joel. !
ARTS COUNCIL of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County is the leading advocate of arts in our region and seeks to enhance and support the local artistic and cultural landscape. Established in 1949 as the first arts council in the nation, the pioneering organization is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Arts Council owns and operates a campus which includes Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts and Hanesbrands Theatre. In 2024, it hosted 360 on-campus events with 66,000 attendees and distributed over $1.4 million in grants and programs, benefiting over 800,000 people. Additionally, Arts Council is the largest funder of Arts Education for Winston- Salem/Forsyth County Schools.
WANNA go?
“James & Joel: A Tribute to Great American Songwriters” featuring Clay Mottley, will be held Sunday, Oct. 26, 6:30 p.m., at Hanesbrands Theatre, 209 North Spruce Street, Winston-Salem, NC. Tickets are $30 + taxes & fees. The concert will last approximately 2.5 hours.
Mark Burger
Contributor
ACROSS
* Yuletide tinsel, ornaments and lights
Wray of “King Kong”
Elections in the Triad: Mayoral Candidates for the City of Greensboro
COMPILED BY YES! WEEKLY STAFF
It’s election season in the Triad, and we are committed to giving readers an opportunity to hear from all of the candidates who are on the ballot for the upcoming election.
This week and next, readers can see the answers to five questions that were sent out to candidates. A list of responses will also be available on our website at www.yesweekly.com.
Don’t forget to vote before or on Election Day.
MARIKAY ABUZUAITER
1.Why are you running for o ce?
I am running to be the Mayor of Greensboro because Greensboro is currently on a trajectory of success that it has not seen in many decades. With an almost entirely new Council coming aboard, someone with recent institutional knowledge needs to be able to share that knowledge with the new members. Our success stories and the processes on how we got those successes are tantamount to keeping that momentum going in a positive direction.
2. What are three of the most pressing issues you plan to address if elected, and why?
Public safety has always been my number one priority in all of my campaigns. If we do not have a safe city, then companies will not want to come to Greensboro.
We need housing, of course, but we need to be strategic and make sure we have not only all a ordability types of housing, but we also need to be equitable in all areas where they are built. No district should bear the burden of certain types of housing. I support the City Manager’s road to 10,000.
We need infrastructure, which includes transportation, transit, roads, and safe streets. As chair of the Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation and the municipal Planning Organization Transportation arm, we are working with companies to ensure that employees can get to their workplace. The MPO sta applies for federal and state grants and is very successful in making sure Greensboro gets those grants.
3. If elected, what plans do you have to address the city’s disparities when it comes to housing and food insecurities?
This council is working hard to eradicate the food deserts — we have many in East Greensboro. One way is to keep attracting grocery stores — we finally have a Piggly Wiggly going in at Florida St. and Freeman Mill Rd., and, barring any major issues, it should open at the end of November. When grocery stores start in one area, the competition will usually follow. I want to encourage that to happen.
As for immediate concerns for healthy food getting to residents who need it, I would love to gather non-profit organizations who have food pantries to partner with other non-profits to “shop” in those food pantries for residents who qualify and take the healthy food items to those who need it. It could be a game-changer for those who live in areas that don’t have good access to transportation.
When it comes to housing, we have and will continue to encourage developers to provide a ordable and attainable housing. Our Faith communities are stepping up as we speak with land that they have available — Yanceyville Place Apartments is a perfect example — and the City is o ering assistance with infrastructure and, in some cases, financial ways to make the housing a ordable for those needing it in the community. We need all types of housing, and we need to make sure that we don’t build certain types of housing in one area without taking into consideration the diversity of stock that is needed.
4. What would you do to improve the relations between Greensboro City Council and the community?
I have been and I will continue to be in the community. I won’t stop being in the City and being WITH the community. What does being in the community accomplish? Building relationships, which is the key to having the wishes, concerns, and challenges expressed to me BY the community. People feel comfortable telling me because I AM in the community and I am accessible, approachable, and active. I don’t just visit communities during campaign season. I help build relationships in the community every single day. I will encourage my City Council colleagues to do the same.
5. What are your plans to address violence and the high crime rate in the city?
While the City Council only has two employees — the City Manager and the City Attorney — I have a really good relationship with our Police Chief, and I have seen the strides he has made to address violence and crime. He started the Behavioral Health Team (BHART), the Homeless Outreach Team, and the Community Safety Program. A lot of these programs build trust within the community, and when the community has trust, crime is reduced. I am on the Board of Crimestoppers, and I walk with the Mothers Standing Against Gun Violence in the neighborhoods where crime has occurred. People love us coming into their neighborhoods. I really like to commend Crimestoppers. People can report crime and stay anonymous, plus
they can receive a reward if the person is arrested. It really works! In 40 years, NO tipster has ever been identified to anyone.
Website: marikayformayor.com
ROBBIE PERKINS
1. Why are you running for o ce?
Greensboro is at an inflection point, and strong leadership is needed to make the changes that are necessary to move the city from good to great. Greensboro knows what I stand for, and my track record is clear. I have led major initiatives in our City, such as championing the establishment of the Tanger Center and the Greensboro Aquatics Center. I led the implementation of the Scenic Corridor Overlay District to protect the beauty of our 47mile urban loop. I devised a plan to assist the International Civil Rights Museum in paying o the $26 million in New Market Tax Credit debt. I have been successful in working with all of our city’s constituencies. I respect them all. It’s time to get past what divides us and focus on what unites us.
2. What are three of the most pressing issues you plan to address if elected, and why?
Public Safety, Housing, and Planning and Infrastructure are the most important issues to address over the next four years. All of these issues are interrelated and need to be prioritized so that Greensboro can take advantage of the region’s unprecedented job growth. Public safety is at the top of my priority list. Every resident of Greensboro deserves to feel safe in their home, workplace, and community. The murder rate over the past few years has reached an unacceptable rate. As a result, there is a perception out there that Greensboro is a dangerous community, and we need to turn this around. As Mayor, I will work to strengthen our public safety initiatives by investing in community policing and firefighting, enhancing resources for first responders, and fostering partnerships with local organizations to address the root causes of crime. By prioritizing transparency and accountability, we will build trust between our law enforcement agencies and the communities they
serve, creating a safer and more united Greensboro.
Housing is a cornerstone of opportunity, yet too many Greensboro residents face barriers to finding a place they can a ord to call home. This a ects all parts of Greensboro, most notably downtown. This problem cannot be solved overnight, so we must plan to steadily invest in finding the solution. I am committed to expanding attainable housing options by incentivizing a ordable housing developments, revitalizing existing neighborhoods, and addressing inequities in housing access. By working with developers, community leaders, and nonprofits, we can create a Greensboro where every family has a safe, a ordable, and sustainable place to live.
A thriving city requires thoughtful planning and strong infrastructure to support growth and opportunity. I will champion investments in Greensboro’s roads, public transit, and utilities to ensure they meet the needs of today while preparing for the challenges of tomorrow. A particular challenge we need to address immediately is sewer capacity. This needs to be addressed regionally to address job growth not only in
Greensboro but across the entire Triad. My experience with Heart of the Triad (HOT) is a great example of regional cooperation that I have led.
3.If elected, what plans do you have to address the city’s disparities when it comes to housing and food insecurities?
We need housing in all price points. I am 100% in favor of City Manager Trey Davis and his “Road to 10,000” housing initiative. Streamlining regulations, focusing our City resources to find creative solutions to housing, and working to place mixed-use developments in all areas of our city will be priorities. Obviously, housing is market-driven, a ected by interest rates, construction costs, and land availability. The City cannot a ord to do everything itself. The City needs to be a partner with the private sector to ensure that housing is delivered e ciently while maintaining standards to protect the public interest.
Food insecurity is a major issue in parts of our city. It must be addressed, as it a ects our citizens’ health and life expectancy. I will work with industry experts to do the following: Recruit grocery stores into our food deserts, establish more farmers’ markets so that residents
have access to fresh fruits and vegetables, and partner with local food pantries to establish additional locations in critical areas.
4. What would you do to improve the relations between Greensboro City Council and the community?
I will focus on three principles: Transparency, Accountability, and Communication. All of our action items will have to adhere to these three principles. This will build trust across all of Greensboro and dramatically improve relations with the Council and its citizens.
5. What are your plans to address violence and the high crime rate in the city?
I will support our Police Department in its e orts to keep all of Greensboro’s citizens safe. Public safety is at the top of my priority list. Every resident of Greensboro deserves to feel safe in their home, workplace, and community. The murder rate over the past few years has reached an unacceptable rate. As a result, there is a perception out there that Greensboro is a dangerous community, and we need to turn this around. As Mayor, I will work to strengthen our public safety initiatives by investing in community policing and firefighting, enhancing resources for first responders, and fostering partnerships with local organizations to address the root causes of crime. By prioritizing transparency and accountability, we will build trust between our law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve, creating a safer and more united Greensboro.
Website: voterobbieperkins.com !
Lawsuit alleges city employee fired for following orders
Ian McDowell
After the July 8 meeting of the Greensboro City Council, newly-appointed City Attorney Lora Cubbage was asked if anyone in her o ce also worked for the defense contractor Cyberlux.
“I don’t even know who Cyberlux is,” responded Cubbage.
That question was prompted by allegations from public speakers that Deputy City Attorney Tony Baker and several sta members were on administrative leave for assisting former City Attorney Chuck Watts’ work for Cyberlux. Court documents show Watts working for the drone manufacturer while on city time and using city resources.
On Oct. 15, Shannon Stevens, former Knowledge Management and Lobbying Coordinator for the City Attorney’s O ce, filed a lawsuit against the city, Cubbage, City Manager Trey Davis, Human Resources Director Jamiah Waterman, and City Employee Success Partnership Manager Robert Nunn.
The Complaint states Stevens was placed on administrative leave on July 1, the same day the SBI began investigating Watts’ work for Cyberlux. It alleges that defendants were aware of that work weeks before Watts’ July 2 retirement.
In June, Watts said the city approved his Cyberlux work, and Baker said that it was not a conflict of interest. The same day Watts announced his retirement, Baker became unreachable via phone or email. On Aug. 8, Baker resigned. He is now senior assistant city attorney for Durham.
On July 12, Mayor Nancy Vaughan said council had not been aware of the full extent of Watts’ outside work,
and described his contract requiring “exclusive employment” with the city as “poorly worded,” which Vaughan called “our bad.”
On July 21, District Attorney Avery Crump announced there would be no criminal investigation of Watts, but added “this does not mean the District Attorney’s O ce believes the matter was in all respects handled appropriately from an administrative viewpoint.”
Court filings show that, on July 24, Cubbage sent a letter informing Stevens of her termination for having “drafted and filed multiple legal documents on behalf of the former City Attorney and his private clients while on duty and using city time and resources.”
The letter also stated that Stevens “used a city-issued procurement card on file to pay for costs related to those private clients.” While Cubbage acknowledged Stevens “communicated these charges and provided documentation to the procurement cardholder,” she wrote that this “does not negate the fact that city resources were inappropriately used for the benefit of a private, for-profit enterprise.”
“We acknowledge that you have not received prior discipline and have generally maintained a positive work record,” continued Cubbage. “However, the overwhelming public interest in this matter, and the need to preserve trust in the city attorney’s o ce, requires appropriate and decisive action. Anyone found to have participated in performing outside work using city resources or while being paid by the city will be held accountable.”
Paragraph 37 of the Complaint alleges Cubbage “had actual knowledge prior to being hired as a City employee of the legal work Watts was performing outside of his role as City Attorney, as well as his use of sta for such purposes, and the (likely) City approval of such work.”
With his retirement, Watts received $56,383, including $44,012 for unused leave. After resigning, Baker received $30,760, including $20,647 in leave compensation. All
Stevens received was a termination notice.
Exhibits filed by Stevens’ attorney, Amiel Rossabi, include emails indicating Stevens attempted to negotiate an exit similar to that of Watts and Baker.
On July 28, Stevens emailed Waterman and Nunn that she would agree to resign if her severance package included “salary and benefits (including health and dental insurance coverage for myself and my children) to continue through December 31, 2025.” She also requested “No public or private statements by the City or its employees attributing my separation to any alleged misconduct.”
Contributor
Chuck Watts
Lora Cubbage
Shannon Stevens
Trey Davis
The city refused this o er. On Aug. 7, Davis sent a letter to Stevens upholding her firing by Cubbage.
“I acknowledge your contributions during your tenure,” wrote Davis. “However, I must also ensure that all employees meet the city’s expectations and follow policies that support the e ective operation of city services.” Davis made no reference to Stevens having been fired for doing work for Watts.
The next day, Davis sent a similar letter upholding the termination of legal services manager Jennifer Smith-Sutphin. Along with verbiage alleging violations “regarding the proper use of city resources.” Davis wrote, “I also recognize that you felt compelled to act as you did.” Davis did not state who may have “compelled” Smith-Sutphin.
Stevens’ Complaint alleges the city “created an incomplete and misleading public record” by releasing only Davis’s letter upholding her termination and not Cubbage’s initial letter stating she was fired for actions performed under Watts’ directives.
The complaint requests “Declaratory and injunctive relief requiring the City to correct its handling of public records
related to Plainti ’s termination” and “an order directing the City to annotate or correct Plainti ’s personnel records to reflect the matters adjudicated in this action.”
It states that “Plainti seeks no damages against Defendants Cubbage, Waterman, Davis, or Nunn in their o cial capacities; any o cial-capacity relief sought is limited to prospective injunctive and declaratory relief.”
Injunctive and declaratory relief are orders for a defendant to do something rather than for damages. An o cial capacity claim is against the individual’s employer rather than against the individual.
It also requests compensatory damages “in an amount to be determined at trial for reputational harm, lost wages and benefits (including back pay and front pay), and other consequential damages resulting from the constitutional violations.” !
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.
PROUD SPONSOR OF
Greensboro Native and Former Youth Orchestra Violinist Appointed Associate Concertmaster of the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra
The Greensboro Symphony Orchestra (GSO) is proud to announce the appointment of Siana Wong as its new Associate Concertmaster, marking the homecoming of a talented musician whose artistic journey began right here in the Greensboro community.
A native of Greensboro with Malaysian heritage, Wong’s relationship with the Greensboro Symphony began at an early age — first as a young audience member at the Symphony’s Education Concert Series, which each March serves more than 22,000 third, fourth, and seventh graders from across the region. Inspired by those formative experiences, Wong went on to attend Weaver Academy for the Performing & Visual Arts and joined the Greensboro Symphony Youth Orchestra (GSYO) in seventh grade.
Her dedication and artistry quickly flourished. She became a concerto competition winner and soloist with both the Greensboro and Winston-Salem Symphony Youth Orchestras before earning dual degrees — a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance under Nicholas DiEugenio and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology — from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Wong was also a Chapel Hill concerto competition winner and has since performed chamber music throughout North Carolina, collaborating with faculty from the Eastern Music Festival and UNC Greensboro.
Now pursuing a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Violin Performance at UNCG under Professor Fabián López, Wong performs on a 2017 Wojciech Topa violin and is also a member of the Fayetteville Symphony and Western Piedmont Symphony.
Her appointment as Associate Concertmaster brings her full circle — from the Greensboro Symphony’s education programs to its professional stage.
“Siana’s story beautifully reflects the Greensboro Symphony’s mission to
enrich the culture of our region through transformative musical experiences,” said Lisa Crawford, president and CEO of the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra. “From sitting in our education concerts as a student to leading our violin section as a professional, she embodies the lasting impact of arts education and community investment in young talent.”
Through its Keeping Kids in Tune Education Suite, the Greensboro Symphony reaches over 52,000 K-12 students each year across Guilford, Rockingham, Alamance, and Randolph counties — making it one of the largest and most comprehensive music education programs of any symphony its size in the Southeast.
Wong’s return to the stage with the Greensboro Symphony underscores the enduring power of those programs and the vital role they play in nurturing the next generation of musicians and arts leaders. !
Founded in 1959, the GREENSBORO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA strives to enrich the cultural life of Greensboro and surrounding areas with the highest quality music and music education programs. This nonprofit organization impacts tens of thousands of lives annually by presenting concerts, special events, and targeted educational opportunities for students in four North Carolina counties - one of the largest suites of music education programs among Southeastern orchestras.
PRESS RELEASE
Tate Street Fall Festival
[SALOME’S STARS]
Week of October 27, 2025
[ARIES (March 21 to April 19) A workrelated situation that started last month takes on increasing importance this week. The choice is still yours as to how it will evolve. Be careful not to make quick judgments.
[TAURUS (April 20 to May 20)
“Careful” is the watchword for the prudent Bovine this week. Don’t let your emotions overwhelm your logic. Try for balance as you maneuver through a touchy situation.
[GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Your energy levels rise to meet the challenges that will mark much of this month. New opportunities beckon. Look them over, but proceed cautiously before making any kind of decision.
[CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Your private life can be a problem this week as a partner becomes more di cult. Resist a reaction that you might regret. Instead of walking away, try to talk things out.
[LEO (July 23 to August 22) You should be your usual sunny self these days as you bask in the admiration that you adore. Enjoy it as you move into a new arena to confront an exciting upcoming challenge.
[VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Your perseverance reserves will be tapped frequently this week as you deal with the problems involved in making a new situation work for you. It’ll all be worth it!
[LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) You’ll find fewer roadblocks turning up
as you continue to move ahead with your plans. Expect some important news to come your way in a few weeks.
[SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Good news! You finally get to the bottom of a pesky mystery you’ve been trying to solve for weeks by using some gentle persuasion to get someone to break their silence.
[SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) The best time to take on that important task is now. Move forward one step at a time so that you can assess your progress and, if need be, change direction.
[CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) The new opportunities you hoped to find this month are beginning to open up. Study them carefully to be sure you make the choice that’s best for you.
[AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Turn a disappointment into a learning experience. Check out possible weaknesses in your approach and strengthen them. A loyal colleague o ers good advice.
[PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Your new situation o ers opportunities to help you get the skills you’ll need in order to stop swimming in circles and finally move straight toward your goals. Go for it!
[BORN THIS WEEK: You have a sharp, logical mind and a quick intellect. You would make an excellent mystery writer.
answers
[CROSSWORD]
crossword on page 6
[WEEKLY SUDOKU
] sudoku on page 6
[TRIVIA TEST]
by Fifi Rodriguez
[1. COMICS: What is Thor’s home planet?
[2. LITERATURE: Which of Charles Dickens’ novels has a character named Miss Havisham?
[3. ANATOMY: What is the largest muscle in the human body?
[4. MOVIES: In the movie Zombieland, what sweet treat is Woody Harrelson’s character searching for?
[5. ASTRONOMY: What is the largest moon of Jupiter?
[6. TELEVISION: How does George Costanza’s fiancee die on Seinfeld?
[7. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a quahog?
[8. GEOGRAPHY: How many countries does the Amazon River and its tributaries flow through?
[9. ENTERTAINERS: Where is Elvis Presley’s home, Graceland?
[10. SCIENCE: What is the study of clouds called?
answer
10. Nephology.
9. Memphis, Tennessee.
8. Nine (Peru, Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, Bolivia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana).
7. Type of clam.
© 2025 by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
2025 by King Features Syndicate
1. Asgard.
2. “Great Expectations.”
3. Gluteus maximus.
4. Twinkies.
5. Ganymede.
6. Poisoned by licking cheap wedding invitation envelopes.
