YES! Weekly — September 9, 2026

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SEPTEMBER 9-15, 2026 YES! WEEKLY 1 SEPTEMBER 9-15, 2026

YES! WEEKLY

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22nd Annual

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SEPTEMBER 9-15, 2026 VOLUME 22, NUMBER 37

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Pittsboro, NC

5500 Adams Farm Lane Suite 204 Greensboro, NC 27407 Office 336-316-1231 Fax 336-316-1930 Publisher CHARLES A. WOMACK III publisher@yesweekly.com

Donna The Buffalo

Margo Price

Anders Osborne

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EDITORIAL Editor CHANEL R. DAVIS chanel@yesweekly.com YES! Writers JOHN BATCHELOR MARK BURGER KATEI CRANFORD

music • dance • food • crafts • camping • kids + family fun • yoga + workshops

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LYNN FELDER JIM LONGWORTH IAN MCDOWELL PRODUCTION Senior Designer ALEX FARMER designer@yesweekly.com Designer SHANE HART artdirector@yesweekly.com ADVERTISING Promotion NATALIE GARCIA

MCKENZIE STONE 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 2026 Womack Newspapers, Inc.

SEPTEMBER 9-15, 2026

inside

ATROCIOUS 3

The 12th annual WREAK HAVOC FILM FESTIVAL runs Saturday, Sept.

19 - Sunday, Sept. 20 at Marketplace Cinemas, 2095 Peters Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem.

4 “IT ENDS,” the feature debut of editor/writer/director Alex Ullom, may not replicate the financial windfall of the earlier films but serves as a persuasive introduction to its talented maker, whom we’ll surely be seeing and hearing more from.

7 Christopher Bell finally broke his string of seven runner-up finishes while winning Darlington Raceway holiday classic, the COOK OUT SOUTHERN 500.

Often known as the track “too tough to tame” is based on a well-aged, one mile, very fast, yet tight and rough surfaced facility.

8 After a state watchdog agency put Greensboro on a list of cities in need of FISCAL OVERSIGHT, council members sharply criticized staff for not warning them of this possibility. At a Sept. 3 emergency meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Denise Roth rebuked city attorneys for not informing council when Raleigh officials expressed concerns in June.

11 September is a mighty SWEET MONTH FOR MUSIC around North Carolina, though there’s still so many fine offerings worth wrestling over all month long.

12 Living Is Finally Enjoyable W-S, Inc., will present its 11th annual FESTIVAL FOR THE HOMELESS from 1 to 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Gateway Commons Park, 1580 Oak St., in WinstonSalem.

13 GROOVE JAM XV will be back at Doodad Farm on Saturday, Sept. 26.

There will be a lot of musical styles represented in the performances, including rock ‘n’ roll, blues, soul, Americana, reggae, singer-songwriter, Latin, folk, and funk.

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visions

SEE IT!

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Wreak Havoc brings indie sizzle to Marketplace Cinemas

he 12th annual Wreak Havoc Film Festival runs Saturday, Sept. 19 - Sunday, Sept. 20 at Marketplace Mark Burger Cinemas, 2095 Peters Creek Parkway, Contributor Winston-Salem.

Tickets are $15 for one day and $25 for both days and can be purchased at https://filmfreeway.com/

WreakHavocHorrorFilmFestival/ tickets.

Although still billed as a horror festival, last year Wreak Havoc expanded its parameters to include fantasy films, and this year expanded further to include films of all genres — although it still leans toward the cinema of the fantastic. Many of the films being screened were locally made, and several filmmakers will be in attendance.

“This year brings another great year of selections,” said Sammie Cassell, co-director of the Wreak Havoc festival.

“North Carolina has come on strong again with a good mixture, including two excellent dramas: ‘Erased’ from Missy Bell and ‘Outerbound’ from Sean Norona.”

Festival co-director Jeff Cochran concurs with Cassell. “Once again I’m very pleased with the quality of submissions this year,” he said. “Overall, [submission] numbers may be a little down, but the films we received are awesome.

This led to a little fighting among the judges to make the final selections, but that’s a good problem to have!

“Last year, we received a lot of local submissions from the Carolinas and Virginia. I feared that might mean fewer submissions this year, but that was not the case. About half our selections are local this year. We don’t list ourselves as a North Carolina festival, but we enjoy supporting the local communities.”

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The festival kicks off at 1 p.m. Sept.

19 with a block of short films, followed later in the day by the feature films “Erased” at 7:10 p.m. and “Greed & Gore” at 8:55 p.m. Sunday’s slate also begins at 1 p.m. with short films, followed by the features “Outerbound” at 2:45 p.m. and “The Red Ghost 1812” at 7:15 p.m., followed by the awards ceremony at 9:15 p.m.

“I’d thought we were in time when the majority of films would be shorts, and the past couple of years it had been that way,” Cassell said. “With streaming

services, a lot of features try to monetize right away, but this year we had 11 features submitted and four really good ones. It’s the first time that we have had that many in a good many years. As always, we thank Zack Fox and Marketplace Cinemas for hosting, and our vendor who comes every year, Dwayne Newby. He sells all manner of movie stuff, including T-shirts and hoodies.”

“We’ve been hosting Wreak Havoc for six years now, and it has definitely grown into a real staple for our fall audiences,” said Fox, Marketplace Cinemas general manager — and an award-winning filmmaker in his own right. “The expansion from only horror films to all genres has really helped the festival grow. The increase in local filmmakers attending is a treat.

“Having collaborated with them over the years, it’s clear the passion they pour into these shorts and features comes from love and getting their hands dirty. It’s always a highlight getting to screen their work and support the film community. The Wreak Havoc gang keeps a fun energy going during the festival and really love what they bring to the screen.” !

See MARK BURGER’s reviews of current movies. © 2026, Mark Burger.

WANNA know?

The official Marketplace Cinemas website is https://www.mpcws.com/ and the official Wreak Havoc Film Festival website is https://filmfreeway.com/WreakHavocHorrorFilmFestival.

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SCREEN IT!

An existential journey into the unknown

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arlier this year, two independent horror films — Kane Parsons’ “Backrooms” and Curry Barker’s “ObsesMark Burger sion” — burst onto the scene, earning Contributor (mostly) rave reviews and considerable box-office success.

“It Ends,” the feature debut of editor/ writer/director Alex Ullom, may not replicate the financial windfall of the earlier films but serves as a persuasive introduction to its talented maker, whom we’ll surely be seeing and hearing more from. It’s the sort of film that will boost the careers of everyone connected to it.

The plot is simplicity itself: Four college friends (Mitchell Cole, Akira Jackson, Noah Toth, and Phinehas Yoon) are driving to a specific destination (which we’re not privy to), but once they leave the city and turn onto a country road, there’s no end in sight. They’re on the road to nowhere. The days and nights pass, the car never runs out of gas, and understandably they begin to panic.

Some observers have compared “It Ends” to Jean-Paul Sartre’s 1944 play “No Exit,” but it just as easily resembles a latter-day version of Sutton Vane’s 1928 play “Outward Bound,” in which a group of ocean travelers begins to suspect that they’ve actually died and are headed to parts — and a fate — unknown. (Indeed, the characters here muse on that very possibility, without mentioning the play.)

Occasionally, our protagonists are threatened by panicked crowds that emerge from the surrounding woods and try to get into their car, but this is not a particularly violent film, which may disappoint some aficionados expecting non-stop slaughter.

The tight-knit ensemble cast is impressive, even if we don’t get to know SEPTEMBER 9-15, 2026

their characters very well. Their camaraderie feels genuine. Cole’s Tyler, a military veteran, is initially the most dynamic, but even he is worn down by the ordeal and opts to simply wait things out in the woods. Others will eventually follow, never to be seen again.

“It Ends” boasts an appropriately creepy score by Matthew Robert Cooper and atmospheric cinematography by first-timers Evan Draper and Jazleana Jones, which smoothly segues from mysterious to menacing while never quite abandoning the realm of normalcy.

The principal problem with the film is repetition. Once the dilemma is established, there’s nowhere for the narrative to go. Evidently, the filmmakers want the viewer to draw his or her own conclusion, be it what it may.

Ullom throws in some darkly humorous touches to shift the mood midway through. There’s nothing wrong with ambiguity, but “It Ends” is as much an exercise in ambiguity as suspense.

It raises questions but never really answers them. Yet it’s still very much a laudable accomplishment, and cult status is assured. !

See MARK BURGER’s reviews of current movies. © 2026, Mark Burger.

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[VIDEO VAULT]

BY MARK BURGER

“THE BEHEMOTH” (Cleopatra Entertainment/MVD Entertainment Group): Kai E. Bogatzki co-wrote, edited, produced, and directed this bloodsoaked shocker starring Ryan Wichert and Sarah Dawes as a couple vacationing at a mountain resort where red-clad cultists — known as “The Servants of Blood” — are plotting to resurrect the titular demon. Beatrice Fletcher shines as their host at a comfy Airbnb, whose forgotten past comes into play as things start getting dicey — and gory. Vaguely reminiscent of the 1976 Hammer Films chiller “To the Devil a Daughter,” this throws a couple of curveballs into the mix to subvert expectations. Well worth a look for horror fans, available on DVD ($19.95 retail) includes slide show, trailers, and more.

“DUKE MITCHELL COLLECTION: ‘MASSACRE MAFIA STYLE’ & ‘GONE WITH THE POPE’” (Grindhouse Releasing/MVD Entertainment Group): A self-explanatory two-disc Blu-ray ($39.95 retail) showcasing the independent mob melodramas starring writer/ producer/director Duke Mitchell (1926’81) and clearly inspired by the success of “The Godfather” (1972): 1974’s R-rated “Massacre Mafia Style” (also released as “The Executioner” and “Like Father, Like Son”), playing a Mafioso who returns from exile in Sicily to establish a base in Los Angeles; and 1976’s “Gone With the Pope” (also released as “Kiss the Ring”), as a paroled gangster who hatches a desperate scheme to kidnap the Pope and hold him for ransom. This film remained unseen and unreleased until the negative and additional footage was discovered in Mitchell’s parking garage in 2010 (!). Mitchell, a popular nightclub crooner in the 1950s — who was paired with comedian Sammy Petrillo because of their uncanny resemblance to Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis (which yielded the legendarily bad 1952 cult film “Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla”) — was known as the self-proclaimed “King of Palm Springs.” Bonus features include bonus CD soundtrack for “Gone With the Pope,” retrospective interviews, the lost audio recording “Duke Mitchell Live in Concert” (June 9, 1980), the TV special “An Impressionistic Tribute to Jimmy Durante,” Duke Mitchell home movies, theatrical trailers, still galleries and radio spots, deleted scenes and bloopers, and more.

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DVD PICK OF THE WEEK: “ONCE UPON A TIME IN A CINEMA” (Kino Lorber) Taking a page from his family’s history — they owned and operated a cinema in Limerick, Ireland — writer/director David Gleeson has fashioned a winsome, winning look at one very choatic night in a single-screen movie theater in the selfsame Irish town.

Colin Morgan shines as Earl Clancy, the overworked owner and manager of the Ormond Cinema, which was opened years before by his late father. The Ormond is the only game in town, but VHS has put a dent in its sales, since the local pub runs the same movies every night for the thirsty patrons — for free.

Earl’s brother Gerald (Calam Lynch), the prototypical ‘80s-era Yuppie, wants Earl to sell the theater to local bigwig Harry Conway (Stanley Townsend) and use the money to open a 24-hour petrol station (replete with car wash).

Earl is certainly tempted. Business isn’t what it used to be, the cinema requires significant upgrading and repairs, someone stole last night’s ticket money, and he’s dealing with his rebellious daughter Kate (talented newcomer Clara Crichton). Morgan appears rather young to have a teenaged daughter, but their onscreen relationship is so well realized that it’s quickly forgotten.

A fine ensemble cast includes Niamh Cusack (daughter of the great actor Cyril Cusack), India Mullen (in her feature debut), Elaine O’Dwyer, Liam O’Brien, Ryan Burke, Andrew Bennett, and newcomer Daniel Woodage, who is so funny as bumbling usher Vincent that one wishes he had more to do.

That the film is a period piece and takes place during a single night, there are vague echoes of “American Graffiti” (1973) and “Dazed and Confused” (1993), and even if “Once Upon a Time in a Cinema” doesn’t quite reached the heights of those films, it’s an affectionate, bittersweet ode to an era long gone (and never to return) — as well as a genuine love letter to the magic of the cinema.

The DVD ($22.95 retail) includes trailers.

“L.A. GUNS — LIVE FROM THE GUILD THEATRE” (Cleopatra Entertainment/MVD Entertainment Group): The title tells all in this concert documentary, showcasing the Los Angeles-based hard rock group’s 2025 concert at the Guild Theatre to celebrate the release of the album “Leopard Skin,” featuring such popular songs as “Electric Gypsy,” “One More Reason,” “The Ballad of Jayne,” and others, available on Blu-ray ($24.95 retail).

“MALADONNA/MALOMBRA” (RaroVideo/Kino Lorber): A Blu-ray double feature ($29.95 retail) of director Bruno Gaburro’s softcore sexploitation romps — “Maladonna” and “Malombra” — both released in 1984 and both headlining Paola Senatore as a lusty libertine continually seeking sexual gratification.

In Italian with English subtitles, bonus features include “Malombra” audio commentary.

“MARY OLIVER: SAVED BY THE BEAUTY OF THE WORLD” (Kino Lorber): Sasha Waters edited, produced, and directed this heartfelt documentary feature, originally aired on PBS, encompassing the life and career of Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winning poet Mary Oliver (1935 — 2019), featuring interviews and/or poetry recitations with Oliver’s biographer Lindsay Whalen, Stephen Colbert, Helena Bonham Carter, Oprah Winfrey, Maria Shriver, Steve Buscemi, Eve Ensler, John Waters (no relation to this film’s maker), and others.

Given Oliver’s lifelong preference for privacy, this sheds light on the circumstances that shaped her life and work and is likely the definitive word on her.

The DVD ($22.95 retail) includes outtakes and trailers.

“MUTANT GENESIS” (Cleopatra Venom/MVD Entertainment Group): The shadow of James Cameron’s “Terminator” franchise looms large over writer/

director Qilin Li’s fast-moving but flimsy sci-fi saga (originally titled “Bian ti” and also released as “Mutant”), set in a future where AI has gotten out of control and is now waging a devastating war against humanity, starring Dai Si Daisy as the daughter of the scientist (ManTat Ng) who created the AI software in first place, and Patrick Tam as a soldier she teams up with. There are a few neat ideas and twists, but too often they are steamrolled by dodgy CGI effects. The film is dedicated to Ng, who died in 2021 and whose last film this is, available on DVD ($19.95 retail) replete with original Chinese (with English subtitles) and English-dubbed audio options, slide show, and more.

“THE ‘PINK PANTHER’ MASTERPIECE COLLECTION” (Kino Lorber Studio Classics): A self-explanatory, sixdisc 4K Ultra HD combo ($149.95 retail) consisting all five big-screen collaborations between filmmaker Blake Edwards (1922-2010) and comedy legend Peter Sellers (1925-’80), with the latter creating the indelible character of the bumbling Inspector Jacques Clouseau: 1964’s “The Pink Panther,” 1965’s “A Shot in the Dark,” 1975’s PG-rated “Return of the Pink Panther,” 1976’s PG-rated “The Pink Panther Strikes Again,” and 1978’s PG-rated “Revenge of the Pink Panther.” Bonus features include audio commentary for each film, retrospective and vintage featurettes and interviews, trailers, TV and radio spots, and more.

“ROARING FIRE” (Toy Robot Video/ MVD Entertainment Group): The Blu-ray bow ($34.95 retail) of director/co-write Norifumi Suzuki’s R-rated 1981 martialarts blowout (originally titled “Hoero!

Tekken”) starring Hiroyuki Sanada in a dual role as twin brothers, one of whom is murdered in Hong Kong, thereby prompting the other to investigate — with expectedly violent results. Sonny Chiba (who also choreographed the fight scenes), Etsuko Shihomi, Tatsuo Endo, Mikio Narita, and pro wrestler Abdullah the Butcher (AKA Lawrence Shreeve) round out the cast. In Japanese with English subtitles, bonus features include audio commentary, retrospective discussions, theatrical trailer, TV spot, and more. !

See MARK BURGER’s reviews of current movies. © 2026, Mark Burger.

SEPTEMBER 9-15, 2026 YES! WEEKLY

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leisure [WEEKLY SUDOKU]

[KING CROSSWORD] TWO-BY-FOURS

ACROSS 1

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Device causing a machine to operate Hindu religious retreat Mini-plateaus Regatta event Cry before “No hands!”

Best of the lot Long-running showbiz news program New Jersey’s — Hall University Evening galas Tiny bit Some med. X-rays Stay home for a meal Single-session legislative group The Old West’s Wyatt Slimy gunk Injury vestige French gal pal — cake (ring-shaped dessert) Olive in comics Break out of an egg “A Streetcar Named Desire” dramatist Hair hider Milkshake alternatives Was wearing Certain fitness ctr.

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“3022” co-star Omar Diner fave “— cost ya!”

Pleasant feeling after winning Wizard, in fantasy fiction

74 75 76 78 79 81 84 85 86

“Presence” co-star Lucy Where the Clintons met Windbag’s output Litigates Plus-size supermodel Tepee-shaped Ship wastewater Color TV pioneer Creamy vinaigrette with little crunchy bits 89 Great risk 91 Big blue body 92 More urgent 93 Chaotic state 94 Supermarket vehicle 97 A, in Spain 99 Brain product 101 Starts of some flashy combo shots in hoops 107 Reins in 112 1990s subcompact car model 113 See 11-Down 114 Embark on a voyage 116 Stoked 117 Super-rare basketball feat ... or what each of six long answers in this puzzle contains 121 Food fish 122 Beyond belief 123 Open (to) 124 Tortellini topper 125 Ford bombs 126 Menu section with reds and whites

DOWN 1 2 3

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4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 24 29 31 32 33 35 36 39 40 41 42 44 45 47 49 50 51 53

Prenatal chambers Gentleman thief Lupin of fiction Subdue with a stun gun Phil of folk 1910s-’20s auto God of Islam Certain vegan frank With 113-Across, DIYers’ guides “Gunga Din” studio BP’s merger partner Sirs’ counterparts Awaited saviors “Mourning Becomes —” Occupy, as a table Make up (for) Have a hunch Kin of “Inc.” Cable inits. for film buffs Sleep clinic diagnosis “Neat!”

In a demure way Tummy muscles Hurry along After-hours $$$ sources Ragu product Like many vehicles on steep hills Main dishes Pfeiffer of “Cybill” Like some thickish paper towels An arm and a leg “Not true!”

Radio or TV station identifiers Code for WWW pages Squalor of Lemony Snicket books

54 55 56 61

Situated Human rights org.

Tennis event Old Lutheran movement 63 Fifth-cen. pope 65 Sang alone 69 Be overly doting, in slang 70 Childhood malady 71 Prada rival 72 Corn cores 73 Fig. on a new car sticker 77 Rules, in brief 80 Give a visual once-over to 82 “Beast” star Elba 83 Street rep 86 Performed for 87 Yemen’s capital 88 Prior to 90 Salt for wintry roads 95 Decay 96 Twisting force 98 Star-related 100 Opening opera section 101 Audibly stunned 102 “I wanna try!”

103 Runs easily 104 Scale unit 105 Psyches 106 Seer’s “gift” 108 Typical 109 Shul official 110 Products of 39-Down 111 Hard rain 114 Highway rig 115 Perfect spot 118 Skill, in Latin 119 Inferior grade 120 Statute

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Bell checkers Southern 500

BY RUSSELL SCHMIDT | Racin’ with Russ

C

hristopher Bell finally broke his string of seven runnerup finishes while winning Darlington Raceway holiday classic, the Cook Out Southern 500.

Often known as the track “too tough to tame” is based on a well-aged, one mile, very fast, yet tight and rough surfaced facility. It’s been held for over 70 years on the same Labor Day weekend.

The much-awaited start found Denny Hamlin leading most of the first stage although Tyler Reddick was up on the wheel to win the stage in front of teammates Bubba Wallace and Hamlin.

The stage ended when Carson Hocevar intentionally spun Brad Keselowski into the outside wall. The veteran racer was able to make repairs and continue to a 23rd place finish. I would predict a retaliation sometime down the road, although detractors may have to get in line.

On to the next stage where several drivers took turns out front such as Reddick, Ryan Blaney, Chase Briscoe and Bell who took the second stage win with Kyle Larson and Hamlin in tow.

After Larson led for a while, Bell’s Toyota turned up the wick and zoomed out front to finally land his elusive first win of the season in front of Ty Gibbs, Reddick, Blaney and Larson.

Despite only six caution periods, the lead changed 29 times among a dozen different drivers. Carnage was kept to a minimum with only two cars not running at the end.

Most of the Chase drivers did well except William Byron whose Chevy blew up in the final 100 laps, leaving him next to last in the final stats.

Speaking of stats, the latest points standings finds Hamlin still on top but only by a narrow 12 points in front of Bell and a slim 16 from Blaney.

CREED WINS FLEETIO 200

Sheldon Creed ran strong throughout the Fleetio 200, claiming a four second lead and second win of the season by day’s end. Packed grandstands witnessed Justin Allgaier stomp away from the pack for the first 35 laps ending with a green/white checkered flag stage win in front of Carson Kvapil and Austin Hill.

On to the next stage where lap 61 acWWW.YESWEEKLY.COM

tion found Daniel Dye and Dean Thompson tangled up briefly, then returned to the fray.

Not long after, the caution light came on again, this time for a spat between Corey Day and William Sawalich, sidelining both briefly with Sawalich not happy with Day. Just a few laps in and the boys are getting rambunctious creating a four-car wreck on the backstretch among Nick Sanchez, Jeb Burton, Glen Reen and Mason Maggio with only Sanchez able to continue.

Anthony Alfredo surprised a lot of people by taking the checkers in stage two in front of Day and Creed. Once Creed took over on lap 95, he zoomed off to his second career win, this one in front of Day, Brent Crews, Sammy Smith and Hill.

The latest points standings has Allgaier still on top, but not the couple of hundred-point lead he’s been used to, rather only seven points ahead of Creed and just 19 in front of Kvapil.

ahead of Gasly and Max Verstappen.

By the third lap, hometown fav Charles LeClerc had a massive “off ” quickly ending his day, fortunately unhurt. Some Ferrari fans literally burst into tears, but the race pressed on watching Antonelli work his way to the front. Just a few laps from the end, Antonelli put on an impressive outside move and cruised to a comfortable margin at the stripe.

Russell was credited with runner-up and Verstappen earned yet another podium finish.

The current points standings has Antonelli still on top, now by 66 over teammate Russell and 76 ahead of Lewis Hamilton. !

If you have questions or comments, contact RUSS at racinwithruss@gmail.com

MCLAUGHLIN WINS INDYCAR AT LAGUNA SECA

Scott McLaughlin and Alex Palou led the early laps of the Mission Foods GP at Laguna Seca with McLaughlin finally breaking into the win column this year.

The Penske driver snapped a two-year winless drought, edging Kyle Kirkwood and Alex Rossi in the process.

Palou walked away with another title with Kirkwood hitting his best season finish of runner-up.

KIMI TOPS F1 MONZA ITALIAN GP

Kimi Antonelli set the F1 world on fire on Sunday when he starting in the last row and worked his way to the lead by the end of the race to claim his seventh career checkers. The young just-turned 20 Mercedes driver also became only the second Italian driver since 1966 to win in his home country!

This year’s Monza GP got off on time in front of record 404,000 rabid Tifosi fans usually rooting for Ferrari, but the hometown favorite took precedence.

The shock of the weekend was probably surprise pole sitter Pierre Gasly grabbing his very first top spot of his career. When the start lights changed, George Russell bolted into the lead SEPTEMBER 9-15, 2026 YES! WEEKLY

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spread

‘Atrocious’ — Council members criticize city staff

A

fter a state watchdog agency put Greensboro on a list of cities in need of fiscal oversight, council members sharply criticized staff for Ian McDowell not warning them of this possibility.

At a Sept. 3 Contributor emergency meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Denise Roth rebuked city attorneys for not informing council when Raleigh officials expressed concerns in June. District 1’s Crystal Black, District 2’s Cecile Crawford, District 3’s April Parker, and District 4’s Adam Marshall also voiced frustration.

The meeting was in response to the Local Government Commission (LGC) adding Greensboro to the Unit Assistance List (UAL), which identifies municipalities facing financial challenges.

A subagency of the North Carolina Department of State Treasurer, the LGC monitors loans to cities and counties and requires annual financial audits.

One thing these audits examine is a city’s fund balance, which acts as a safety net for emergencies and unexpected expenses. In a Sept. 3 statement, City Manager Trey Davis called this “our rainy day fund.”

The LGC commonly recommends a baseline fund balance of at least 8%

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City Manager Trey Davis

Mayor pro tem Denise Roth

of a city’s General Fund budget, but can suggest a higher percentage, as was done with Greensboro. In May 2022, when the city’s fund balance was just above 18%, council made a commitment to increase this percentage to 25% of the city’s operating expenses by 2030. The city’s ending fund balance for fiscal year 2025 was just over $98 million, which represented 22.9% of its total operating budget.

“This notice was not anticipated and is not consistent with the tenor of our recent conversations with state officials,” wrote City Manager Trey Davis in an email sent to council before the emergency meeting, in which Davis described what he and the city must now do.

“I will be required to complete at least

six hours of fiscal-management and Chapter 159 education within six months of the applicable triggering event.” Davis also wrote that “LGC’s Coach Team will establish additional monitoring requirements with staff,” and that “We intend to engage that process constructively while also seeking clarity regarding the specific basis for Greensboro’s designation and the measurable conditions necessary for removal from the UAL.” According to Davis, “We are continuing to identify additional opportunities, while I am also working to engage an external firm to independently assess financial sustainability, resource alignment, and organizational capacity.”

At the emergency meeting, Assistant City Manager Larry Davis told council that “in June, I was on a call with the LGC, ostensibly to talk about water issues,” when the commissioners asked, “Why aren’t you moving to 25% faster than what we’re seeing?”

After expressing concerns to Larry Davis, Roth challenged claims by Trey Davis and Mayor Marikay Abuzuaiter that the LGC notice was a surprise.

“It’s not the case that this just jumped up at us yesterday,” said a visibly angry Roth. “For this governing body to not have been informed is atrocious.” She told Trey Davis that “I am not comfortable with the same people that managed us into this position to manage us out.”

“I would not have been pushing so hard on bonds for August, knowing that

Slide at emergency meeting.

SEPTEMBER 9-15, 2026

we were in this position,” said Marshall.

“We were not given the full picture of things.”

District 5’s Tammi Thurm said, “Today is the first time I’m hearing the LGC never approved our plan” to bring the fund balance up to 25% by 2030. “And that’s a problem.”

“I’m struggling to think how we even got to this point,” said At-Large Rep. Irving Allen.

Abuzuaiter suggested the LGC had not emphasized the seriousness of the situation in June and July. “It seems as if those meetings were mostly about the water and sewer.”

Roth called Abuzuaiter’s statement “bad information.” She said she had recently listened to audio of the June meeting, at which LGC members “took turns going around the table to talk about the concerns that they had about the City of Greensboro.”

Black asked why this issue wasn’t raised three months earlier.

“I think we deserved to know in June.

Where did that lapse of responsibility come in from this department to not notify council, especially when we were in the middle of budget season?”

“It lies with me,” said Larry Davis, “because I was managing the budget process.”

“You didn’t feel we needed to have that information?” asked Black.

“From my perspective,” replied Davis, “a lot of what we talked about during the budget process was the need for financial management. We had talked in a variety of sessions about how we were basically spending more money than we were taking in.”

Activists George Hartzman and Jason Hicks have pointed to a resolution passed unanimously at the Jan. 20, 2026 council meeting as indicating awareness of these issues long before last week.

In the minutes of that meeting, item I.2 states that Greensboro’s 2025 fund balance “did not meet the minimum threshold of 25% as established by the LGC and was deemed to be a Financial Performance Indicator of Concern.”

On Friday, Roth posted to her Facebook account a message sent by LGC Secretary Denise Canada to Trey Davis the night before.

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“It’s not the case that this just jumped up at us yesterday,” said a visibly angry Roth.

“For this governing body to not have been informed is atrocious ... I am not comfortable with the same people that managed us into this position to manage us out.”

Hugh Holston, Marikay Abuzuaiter and Denise Roth at emergency meeting.

Canada began by offering reassurance: “We’ve included Greensboro on the Unit Assistance List because as staff to the LGC, we are concerned about the sustainability and direction of the General Fund relative to the city’s operating scale and formally adopted reserve policy. Greensboro otherwise looks like a financially healthy unit, and I have confidence in your team to correct this one area of concern. UAL inclusion should not be characterized as a determination that Greensboro is insolvent or faces an immediate cash emergency.

There is no immediate emergency, and

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this problem is imminently fixable.”

She also noted she and Davis had previously discussed “a shift in philosophy” regarding the Unit Assistance List.

“I think staff generally believed that the larger, more sophisticated units did not need coaching to improve on financial concerns. I disagree.”

Canada explained why Greensboro was placed on the list.

“Greensboro’s inclusion on the UAL is supported by more than a one-year technical threshold failure. The city’s available fund balance was below both the LGC’s 25% minimum threshold and

the city’s own 25% policy in 2023, 2024, and 2025. The city has acknowledged it may not reach its own 25% policy until approximately 2030.”

Because of these factors, wrote Canada, the LGC will only consider removing Greensboro from the list “after audited results demonstrate sustained progress toward the policy,” rather than “solely because the city has adopted a longterm plan to address the condition.”

The LGC currently consists of three ex officio members and five appointees (the term ex officio denotes a secondary office that someone holds automatically

due to their primary office).

The ex officio commissioners are State Treasurer Brad Briner (R), who chairs the commission; State Auditor Dave Boliek (R); and Secretary of Revenue McKinley Wooten (D). The appointees are former Greensboro City Council representative Nancy Hoffman, Scott Hughes, Tracey Johnson, Thomas Stith, and Michael Brown. !

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.

SEPTEMBER 9-15, 2026 YES! WEEKLY

9

Live Your Life With Live Arts

photos [FACES & PLACES]

VISIT YESWEEKLY.COM/GALLERIES TO SEE MORE PHOTOS!

ALEX NEWELL

Serb Fest N.C.

9.6.26 | Kernersville | Photos by Natalie Garcia

The John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival 2026 9.5-6.26 | High Point | Photos by Shaw Photography

SEPT. 25 Alex Newell is a Tony Award-winning actor and singer known for roles in Once on This Island and Shucked on Broadway

Get your tickets at ucls.uncg.edu College of Visual and Performing Arts

10 YES! WEEKLY

SEPTEMBER 9-15, 2026

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tunes

HEAR IT!

S

Mighty fine September sounds

eptember is a mighty sweet month for music around North Carolina, though there’s still so many fine offerings worth wrestling over all month long.

Starting with Saturday, Sept.12, the 20th Anniversary Greensboro Pride Parade & Festival, presented

by Crest, starts with an inaugural Katei Cranford Greensboro Pride Parade along Elm Street to open the festivities that will take place through Contributor the afternoon in LeBauer Park.

Over in High Point, the High Point Arts Council will offer a vibrant celebration, centered around John Coltrane’s 100th birthday, at the 52nd Annual Day in the Park Arts Festival. The family-friendly event at City Lake Park will feature two stages of folklife exhibitions, arts-themed activities, and more than 30 artisans, along with food trucks and vendors.

Heading elsewhere around the state, starting west, the Steep Canyon Rangers will host their 20th annual Mountain Song Festival at the Brevard Music Center’s Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium in Brevard, September 11-12, with proceeds benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of Transylvania County. Sam Bush will join Shannon Whitworth and Woody Platt, and Steep Canyon Rangers for the Friday night sessions; the Rangers return on Saturday for a showcase featuring the Tim O’Brien Band, Alison Brown, John Cowan Trio, Trey Hensley Band, and Cody Hale.

To the east, Mira Music Fest in Pinehurst keeps doing the good work, showcasing good music to benefit the Mira Foundation USA, which provides guide dogs at no charge to visually impaired American children.

Boasting both indoor and outdoor stages (plus a kids’ play zone with two bounce houses and face painting), scheduled artists for Sept. 12 include: the Julia Golden Band, Wolf Kings, One Shot Left, Scarlett Tantrum Band, 2 Horizons Music, Amanda Acoustic and Chris Montgomery, Nolan Goodwin, Justin Reid, Matt Letch, and Claire Larose.

The spirit of goodwill flows into new spaces in the Triangle, with the 60th Anniversary Festival for the Eno shifting locations and celebrating the river in a whole new way — at the Carolina Theatre in downtown Durham on Sept. 12. “For nearly five decades, the Festival for the Eno has brought our community together in celebration of music, art, creativity, and care for the river,” organizers said.

“This special event will carry forward the spirit of the festival music, community, and support for the river,” they added, noting the event’s shift into the evening hours (to accommodate those celebrating Rosh Hashanah). Musical performers include Pura Fé & Cary Morin, Jake Xerxes Fussell, and Tre. Charles, plus poetry and sonic offerings from Cortland Gilliam and Brian WWW.YESWEEKLY.COM

Howe, and Beverly Scarlett and special guests. This unforgettable night will bring music, storytelling, and community together in support of the river we all love.”

When it comes to bringing the community together, though, no other star could do it quite like Dolly. And in her spirit, Winston-Salem’s Vagabond Saints Society will pay homage to the Queen of Country with “Diamond in a Rhinestone World: A Celebration of the Life & Art of Dolly Parton,” at the Ramkat on September 14. Initially scheduled for the smaller Gas Hill Drinking Room, ”we always knew Dolly was too big for Gas Hill, and y’all proved us right!”

Heading into the following weekend, the old-time head-to-head features picking and grinnin in both campground and city settings with the Hoppin’ John Old-Time and Bluegrass Fiddlers’ Convention returning to the Shakori Farm in Pittsboro, Sept. 17-19; meanwhile, NCFF goes down around downtown Greensboro, Sept. 18-20. Around Winston, ART CRUSH takes over the Arts District on September 18, with music from Kenny Wavinson and Proxevita on the main 6th Street block. Out in Lewisville, Honeybee Hemp Farm will spend the weekend hosting its third annual music and healing arts festival, featuring two dozen acts on two stages, plus dozens of farming and healing arts workshops, vendors, a drum circle and more.

And rounding out the weekend, Fair Witness will be the home for Femfest N.C.’s fancified Fem Fête jazz brunch and art auction on Sept. 20. Featuring music from Karon Click and Sarah Powell, the art auction will feature works from: Woodie Anderson, Terri DowellDennis, Kelly Hodges, Judy Isaksen, Caroline Paul, Cindy Taplin, and Kimberly Varnadoe. As always, The mission of Femfest N.C. is raising funds for the Emergency Shelter of Winston-Salem operated by Family Services. All proceeds of Fem Fête will help support that community.

As September draws to a close, the leaves change and the mountains come alive. In Boone, the Antlers & Acorns Songwriters Festival will return to the venues around the High Country college town for a fifth year, Sept. 23-26.

Over in Yancey County, Stokesdale’s Murphy Campbell is riding high off her appearance at the Earl Scruggs music festival and rallying her brethren in song

to honor the second anniversary of Hurricane Helene with an event hosted by Extreme Weather Survivors at the Homeplace Beer Company in the heart of Burnsville, on Sept. 25.

Campbell will be joined by musicians Caleb Grindstaff, Ryan Ray, Will Ritter, Joseph Hamilton Adams, Amanda Held Opelt, and Erin Banks, along with her full band, who’ll perform ballads and songs exclusively from The Toe River Valley.

“It’s gonna be an evening of honor and pride in the area even in the face of tragedy as we reach the twoyear mark,” Campbell said. “The sadness I have towards the destruction that occurred is immense — but I want to meet it with celebration for the music of The Toe River Valley. I am so proud to partner with Extreme Weather Survivors to host this event - I feel like finally, the voices of the Yancey/Mitchell area are being heard.

Local foundations, The Beacon Network and Rebuilding Hollers will be onsite at this event to offer help to anyone who needs it. Come out and join me in my pride for this lovely area. More to come.”

Sept. 25 is a whole wallup of an evening, really, especially around Winston-Salem. Kit McKay will kick off the evening with Park Hangs in Bailey Park; across the street at Fair Witness, Phuzz Phest will present a special one-off show featuring the Richmond dreampop band, Drook, along with “festival alums and local favorites,” Kevin Beck and Wrist opening the show.

Across downtown, Crenshaw Pentecostal and Jack the Radio will celebrate the release of their 7” split EP with a show at Gas Hill Drinking Room.

Skaters rule Camel City, working with hardcore bands to fundraise for the “Hardcore for Skateboards” initiative, a nonprofit aimed at hosting low-cost events to fundraise for local kids and teens in our skate and hardcore community. Aimed at “making spaces to exercise their individuality in our community, we aim to create a world where expression is not only encouraged, it’s created,” this first event will feature skate contests, demos, and bands in the West Lot of Bowman Gray Stadium on Sept. 26.

In Greensboro, the annual Groove Jam Music Festival is back for a 15th year, with Rich Lerner gathering bands and buds to raise funds and food for Greensboro Urban Ministry, at Doodad Farm on Sept. 26.

In Sanford, Carolina Indie returns to Hugger Mugger Brewing for a sixth year, Sept. 25-26, featuring Charlsee and Cam, Trash Van Fever, The Ghosts of Liberty, David Michael Miller, DAZR, Twurt Chamberlain, Julia., Oort Patrol, Modern Moxie, and The Pinkerton Raid.

And in Carrboro, the 29th annual Carrboro Music Festival will once again pack more than 100 acts into the tiny Triangle town, Sept. 26-27, to round out one of the most musical months all year! !

KATEI CRANFORD is a Triad music nerd who enjoys spotlighting artists and events.

SEPTEMBER 9-15, 2026 YES! WEEKLY

11

feature

L

The 11th annual Festival for the Homeless will be held in Winston-Salem

BY LYNN FELDER

iving Is Finally Enjoyable W-S, Inc., will present its 11th annual Festival for the Homeless from 1 to 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Gateway Commons Park, 1580 Oak St., in Winston-Salem.

This year’s festival honors Tim Grant, former City of Winston-Salem Recreation and Parks director.

Services to be provided to our homeless brothers and sisters during the festival include free haircuts, a variety of food, bags with useful items to take away, and entertainment. The Chi Chi chapter of Chi Eta Phi, Sorority, Inc., a professional nursing organization, will provide wellness and health information.

Dr. J. Mark Oliver, DDS, is once again donating dental-care bags containing toothpaste, toothbrushes, and dental floss.

Thatch Townsend is running the Kidz Zone.

Please leave the food and services for our homeless guests. The entertainment is for everyone!

Ronald Reginald King, the Voice of the Festival for the Homeless, is the Master of Ceremonies. King is a retired battalion chief of the City of Asheville Fire Department, an announcer with WBMU.net, a writer, and an activist.

The Choyce Band, Abby Catoe, The Claptones, Real Love, Spencer Aubrey, and Tiffany Thompson will perform throughout the afternoon.

The Choyce Band is a phenomenal, local live party group based in Winston-Salem. Known for their eclectic style and high-energy performances, they frequently electrify local venues such as Simply Sonya’s and major community events such as the Juneteenth festival at Bailey Park.

Singer-songwriter Abby Catoe is a Winston-Salem native. Abby developed her love of music from the age of 5 playing piano and later picking up a guitar at the

12 YES! WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 9-15, 2026

Abby Catoe

Tiffany Thompson

age of 12. She began writing songs shortly thereafter and has recorded and released an album, “No Fear,” in 2023. A mother of two and grandmother of three, Abby is an ordained pastor and has deep love and compassion for all people.

The Claptones — Cindy Suerken, Roddy Roberts, Sharon Hammill, and Darryl Hammill — play old-time acoustic rock ‘n’ roll, blues, and Americana classics with a few originals mixed in. Originally from California, Florida, and Louisiana, they found each other living here in the Piedmont Triad. Guest vocalists and instrumentalists sometimes drop in, and they do it all in a spirit of fun.

Real Love — Raymond and Kim Larkin — are inspiring singers, creative songwriters, recording artists, and lifelong best friends in marriage. Real Love Music, Inc., was ignited through their passion for music and each other. Since 2005, the couple has performed for countless events. Often, their style is compared to phenomenal duo groups such as Bebe & CeCe Winans, Ashford & Simpson, and Marvin Gaye & Tammy Terrell, but they have their own unique sound.

Spoken word artist Spencer Aubrey is a creative connector, curator, poet, and musician currently living in Winston-Salem, N.C. He is passionate about supporting the community and creating platforms and opportunities for marginalized people to have their voices heard. You can see Spencer at many events in the city performing under his nom de plume, p.s. edekot.

Tiffany Thompson is an award-winning songwriter, singer, writer, and community leader whose mission is to promote human flourishing. Her passion for helping people unlock their full creative potential is contagious. She is a beloved member of The Dwelling

MC Ronald Reginald King

congregation and a regular collaborator with Authoring Action. She is currently in the middle of a grand musical adventure that you are invited to join. Learn more at https://tiffanythompsonmusic.com.

EJ Productions will provide sound production for the event.

Please join us to support and get to know your Winston-Salem community better — both the housed and the unhoused.

The mission of L.I.F.E. W-S, Inc., is to provide transitional housing and additional resources to women with children who lack shelter so that they can be safe and secure while in the process of obtaining affordable housing. We believe that all families in WinstonSalem deserve the security, stability, and dignity of having a home.

Admission to the event is free. Please consider making a $11 donation for our 11th Festival. Tax-deductible donations to support the Festival and to help L.I.F.E. W-S, Inc., continue its mission may be sent to Living Is Finally Enjoyable W-S, Inc., P.O. Box 1, Winston-Salem, NC 27102. Donations may also be made on Venmo. com @Living-is-Finally-Enjoyable, and by CashApp at $Lifeincws.

L.I.F.E. W-S, Inc., is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit service organization. Kimberly Hinton-Robinson, Founder and Executive Director. The Board of Directors are Stuart Russell, Chair; Yolanda James, Vice Chair; Brenda Westhrop, Treasurer; Saundra Ross, Secretary; Allan Younger, Kenneth Crumb, Shonta Fleming, Pat Wonneman Barber, Amber Knox, TaShandra Wisely, and Rhonda Carson.

For more information, call 336-960-3119, email lifeincws1@gmail.com, or visit https://lifewsinc.org. !

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Groove Jam XV: Where music meets community giving SUBMITTED BY RICH LERNER I started Groove Jam Music Festival in 2012 with a simple idea and love in my heart. The dream was local musicians performing at a local venue in support of a local community organization. We are really blessed here in Greensboro with a lot of diverse and outstanding musical talent. Doodad Farm became our field of dreams as the ideal, beautiful location and gracious host. We are proud to support Greensboro Urban Ministry, which does so much to help people in our community get back on their feet by providing food, shelter, and support services. I’m proud and humbled to say that the event has grown into what I hoped it would be back when “this was all just a dream we dreamed one afternoon long ago,” to quote a lyric.

I had confidence that I could put it together based on the fact that I had a friend group I could count on to help, who had some experience in organizing a charitable event. Plus, I was in two bands and was friendly with a lot of the other local musicians.

Currently, the planning committee includes Dale Dillon, Murdoch McMillan, Stephanie Terhaar, Beth Huxford,

Dave Buchanan, Kent Doobrow, Chris Brandenburg, and Kate Brady, but we could not pull it off without all the volunteers who help us make it happen and the support of our great sponsors. “If you build it, they will come,” to quote a movie.

Groove Jam XV will be back at Doodad Farm on

Saturday, Sept. 26. There will be a lot of musical styles represented in the performances, including rock ‘n’ roll, blues, soul, Americana, reggae, singer-songwriter, Latin, folk, and funk. Performers include William Nesmith, Jeff Wall, Kristy Jackson, Darrell Craig, Blind Dog Gatewood, Jimmy Murray & the Walnut Circle Band, Ladies Auxiliary, The Cesar Oviedo Combo, Smitty & The JumpStarters, NOiDEA, Doobe & The Accomplices, Greensbrothers, The Mighty Fairlanes, and my band, Rich Lerner & The Groove. The music will start at 1 p.m. and go until 11 p.m.

The event is both a fundraiser and food drive, so all attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations plus a suggested $20 minimum contribution.

There will be vendors and food trucks, raffle items, and souvenir T-shirts for sale. Lots of people camp in tents or stay in RV’s. It’s a family-friendly and dog-friendly event.

What’s most gratifying to me are the smiling faces of those in attendance in support of the community and live local music. Doodad Farm is located at 4701 Land Road in Greensboro. More info at groovejamgreensboro. com. !

THIS WEEK WITH THE

HIGH point Rockers

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9.9 - EDUCATION DAY - 11:05 AM FIRST PITCH DAY GAME 11:05AM - EDUCATION DAY

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LAST CHANCE TO SEE YOUR HIGH POINT ROCKERS THIS SEASON! SEPTEMBER 9-15, 2026 YES! WEEKLY

13

Submissions should be sent to artdirector@yesweekly.com by Friday at 5 p.m., prior to the week’s publication.

Visit yesweekly.com and click on calendar to list your event online.

HOME GROWN MUSIC SCENE | Compiled by Shane Hart

CHARLOTTE

BOJANGLES COLISEUM

2700 E Independence Blvd | 704.372.3600 www.boplex.com Sep 9: Ken Carson Sep 10: Juanes Sep 12: The Basement Yard Live!

THE FILLMORE

1000 NC Music Factory Blvd | 704.916.8970 www.livenation.com Sep 11: Lyfe Jennings Sep 12: Esdeekid Sep 13: The Bouncing Souls with The Suicide Machines

DURHAM

CAROLINA THEATRE

309 W Morgan St | 919.560.3030 www.carolinatheatre.org Sep 12: Pepito and the Trash Cans Sep 16: Pat Metheny

14 YES! WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 9-15, 2026

GREENSBORO

CAROLINA THEATRE

310 S. Greene Street | 336.333.2605 www.carolinatheatre.com Sep 18-20: Ethno USA Sep 20: Sean Hayes Sep 25: Totally Steve (Miller)

COMEDY ZONE

1126 S Holden Rd | 336.333.1034 www.thecomedyzone.com Sep 11-12: Zainab Johnson Sep 18-19: Lucas Zelnick Sep 25-26: Clayton English

FLAT IRON

221 Summit Ave | 336.501.3967 www.flatirongso.com Sep 9: Ordinary Elephant Sep 10: The Local Honeys w/ Grace Rogers Sep 12: Tyler Ramsey Sep 13: Copeland w/ Jenny Dee Sep 18: Official NCFF After Party: Fonville X Fribush

HANGAR 1819

1819 Spring Garden St | 336.579.6480 www.hangar1819.com Sep 11: Icon for Hire Sep 16: Vader Sep 17: Rehash

PIEDMONT HALL

2411 W Gate City Blvd | 336.373.7400 www.greensborocoliseum.com Sep 12: Bop to the Top Tour Sep 25: Green Queen Bingo

RODY’S TAVERN

5105 Michaux Rd | 336.282.0950 www.facebook.com/rodystavern Sep 9: Grey Hyatt Sep 11: Flannel Sep 16: Taylor Mason

STEVEN TANGER CENTER 300 N Elm Street | 336.333.6500 www.tangercenter.com Sep 9: Sierra Ferrell Sep 19: CAIN

HIGH POINT

GOOFY FOOT TAPROOM 2762 NC-68 #109 | 336.307.2567 www.goofyfoottaproom.com Sep 12: Beth Turner

WINSTON-SALEM

EARL’S

121 West 9th Street | 336.448.0018 www.earlsws.com Sep 11: County Line Collective Sep 12: Caleb Fogle Band Sep 18: Adrian Bundy Sep 19: Southern Wind

FIDDLIN’ FISH BREWING COMPANY

772 Trade St | 336.999.8945 www.fiddlinfish.com Sep 11: Chants in the Void with Red Umber Sep 25: Eternally Grateful

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STARS] last call [SALOME’S Week of September 14, 2026

[GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) A trust-

ed colleague has news that could change your perception of a current workplace situation. What had seemed unfair might prove to be highly favorable after all.

[CANCER (June 21 to July 22) You still need to watch what you say and how you say it. What you assert as honesty, others might perceive as crabbiness. Be patient.

This difficult period clears up later on in the month.

[LEO (July 23 to August 22) Your Royal-

ness needs time away from the limelight to catch up on things, from tidying up your desk to making calls that you’ve put off. You’ll be back in the center of things.

[VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Honesty is the best policy, of course. But you’ll do better at achieving your goals if you can be less aggressive and more circumspect in how you phrase your comments.

[LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Your ability to maintain your balance in confusing situations continues to work for

[SCORPIO (October 23 to November

[2. GEOGRAPHY: What well-known

[SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Good news: New information comes your way to help you make a more informed decision on how to deal with an opportunity that has opened up for you.

features 10,297 balloons?

[CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) This is a good time to reinforce your self-confidence by acknowledging the good qualities about yourself. A lull in your social life ends by next week. Have fun!

[AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) It’s a good time to let some recently pent-up emotions flow more freely. Why not start by letting the people you care for know how you really feel about them?

[PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Resist offers, no matter how well-intentioned, to help with a personal decision.

Only you know what must be done, and you have the emotional strength to follow through on your plans.

[BORN THIS WEEK: You have

a talent for getting things done efficiently.

Your practical approach in life helps you to turn any challenges that you face into satisfying successes.

© 2026 by King Features Syndicate

crossword on page 6

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[WEEKLY SUDOKU] sudoku on page 6

[5. LANGUAGE: What is a stannary?

published his only novel in 1890, “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?

21) Your indecisiveness could simply be your keen Scorpian sense warning you to be wary of making a commitment. Take this time to do a more thorough investigation.

answers [CROSSWORD]

[1. LITERATURE: Which author

[6. ANATOMY: What is a pyrogen?

[7. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is the

scenic destination includes Horseshoe Falls and Goat Island?

fastest flying insect?

[8. FOOD & DRINK: What is carpaccio?

[3. MOVIES: Which animated movie

[9. SCIENCE: What is the warmest ocean in the world?

[4. TELEVISION: What is Eleven’s

[10. CHEMISTRY: What is a common

favorite food in “Stranger Things”?

name for sodium bicarbonate?

answer 6. A fever-inducing agent.

7. Horsefly.

8. Seasoned slices of raw beef or fish.

9. Indian Ocean.

10. Baking soda.

[TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Enjoy the respite from your recent hectic schedule.

But be ready to plunge into a new round of social activities. A new contact holds much potential for the future.

you. Stay on the steady course, one step at a time. The weekend shows improvement.

by Fifi Rodriguez

1. Oscar Wilde.

2. Niagara Falls, New York.

3. “Up.” 4. Eggo waffles.

5. Tin mining district.

[ARIES (March 21 to April 19) You might not like a sudden setback in your plans. But keep your headstrong Arian temperament in check and wait for explanations. Things will begin to clear up by week’s end.

[TRIVIA TEST]

© 2026 by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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