🧵 In Today’s Edition

1. Cold Outside? It’s Time for Ramen.
2. Elon University to Start Private School For Children With Dyslexia
3. The Weekender

Cold Outside? It’s Time for Ramen

Cold outside, rain falls 

Fog clouds my windows, opaque

Steam from my bowl, hot

As the temperature drops, there’s one meal that always warms me up: ramen.

A beloved Japanese dish, this noodle soup only became popular stateside in the last few decades.

In recent years, Greensboro has seen an influx of ramen shops. But some are better than others. The noodles have to be the perfect texture: not too firm, but not soggy. The soup, piping hot. The broth needs enough flavor to coat the noodles without being too salty. Then there are the toppings.

For ramen heads, one trumps them all: chāshū or sliced pork belly. Found mostly in tonkotsu (pork broth) ramen, it’s the crown jewel.

In our quest to find the best ramen in town, my mom, my husband Sam, and I hit half a dozen shops. Our findings may surprise you.

Read the full story here.

— Sayaka Matsuoka

Thanks for reading The Thread, a 3x week newsletter written by Greensboro editor Joe Killian and reporters Sayaka Matsuoka and Gale Melcher. Reach us with tips or ideas at greensboro@theassemblync.com.

Elon University will launch a private primary school specializing in educating children with dyslexia next fall, joining Vanderbilt and two other universities in the South that offer similar programs funded by the same donors.

The Roberts Academy at Elon University, named for philanthropists Hal and Marjorie Roberts of Lakeland, Florida, will begin serving third and fourth grade students in an existing university building in the town of Elon. The school plans to expand the program in 2028 to serve first through sixth graders in a yet-to-be-built, “state-of-the-art” facility, the university said in a news release. 

The specialized private school will be the first of its kind in North Carolina, according to Elon officials. And the plans come as the university is taking other big swings, even as many other private colleges struggle in a difficult environment.

Read the full story here.

— Korie Dean

We’re officially into November. Can you believe it? This weekend, we’ve got a full lineup of shopping, live music, art exhibits, and even a fast way to make new friends. What are you waiting for?

FRIDAY, Nov. 7

Holiday Market @ The Greensboro Complex
10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday

Get a head start on your holiday shopping at this one-stop market taking place across the weekend, featuring vendors from all over the country. Shoppers will find everything from food, holiday fashion, home decor, toys, games, cookware, candles, and more. There will also be an opportunity to take photos with Santa! Learn more here.

Youth Skate Night @ Craft Recreational Center
6-8 p.m.

Get the kids out of the house this Friday and bring them to Craft Recreational Center for a free evening of skating! Attendees can bring their own skates or borrow some from the center. Learn more here.

First Friday: In the Footsteps of Fire @ Greensboro Cultural Center
6-9 p.m.

Celebrate Native American Heritage Month this November by stopping by the Greensboro Cultural Center. During First Friday, the Guilford Native American Association will highlight traditional live music, dance performances, art activities, and a vendor fair with goods made by native artists. Learn more here.

Free Line Dancing @ Hidden Gate Brewing Co.
8-10 p.m.

When they play those songs at weddings and everybody hits the dance floor, you could be the one at the front of the line! Join other dancers at Hidden Gate Brewing Co. for an evening of free line dancing lessons. Learn more here.

SATURDAY, Nov. 8

Take Back Jack – Pumpkin Composting @ Two locations
8 a.m.-12 p.m.

Got a bunch of pumpkins left over? Bring them to one of two farmers markets (Greensboro Corner Farmers Market or Greensboro Farmers Curb Market) this Saturday to keep them out of the landfill and be composted instead! Learn more here.

Third Annual LaRue Run – Breast Cancer 5K Run & Walk @ 3899 Jaycee Park Drive
9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

This special event honoring those affected by breast cancer is back for its third year. Join others as either a competitive runner or a walker. Learn more and buy tickets here.

Second Saturday @ The Marshall Muse Gallery
11 a.m.-5 p.m.

This new art gallery is opening its doors for its very first Second Saturday series! There will be a behind-the-scenes tour of the gallery, classrooms, and studios. Learn more here.

Fall Chocolate and Cocktail Pairing @ Bitters Social House
3 p.m.

What’s more decadent than chocolate and cocktails? With three separate seatings, there’s more than enough time to get a ticket for this special tasting, which will include a flight of four craft cocktails paired with four chocolates.  Learn more here.

Eight Year Anniversary Party @ Little Brother Brewing!
8 p.m.

Little Brother isn’t so little anymore! Join the community downtown to celebrate the brewery’s eighth birthday. To celebrate, the business will release special beers and host live music. Learn more here.

SUNDAY, Nov. 9

Repair Cafe Triad @ Reconsidered Goods
1-5 p.m.

Got an old appliance that’s not working? A clock? A sewing machine? What about some broken jewelry or maybe a toy? Don’t throw them away! Bring them to this free workshop where experienced volunteers will work to fix your item. Learn more here.

Greensboro Big Band Concert @ Van Dyke Performance Space
3 p.m.

This Sunday, Greensboro Big Band will put on its fall performance at the Van Dyke Performance Space downtown. This free event is open to all, but donations are encouraged! Get a taste of the music here.

Speed Friending @ Downtown Greenway
5-7 p.m.

We’ve all heard about the loneliness epidemic. So why not get out there and make new friends in real life? Thanks to Greensboro Parks and Recreation, adults can meet other people through this free speed-friending event. Slots are based on age, and registration is required. Learn more here.


— Sayaka Matsuoka

Joe Killian is The Assembly's Greensboro editor. He joined us from NC Newsline, where he was senior investigative reporter. He spent a decade at The News & Record covering cops and courts, higher education, and government.

Korie Dean is a higher education reporter for The Assembly and co-anchor of our weekly higher education newsletter, The Quad. She previously worked at The News & Observer, where she covered higher ed as part of the state government and politics team. She grew up in Efland and graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill.

Sayaka Matsuoka is a Greensboro-based reporter for The Assembly. She was formerly the managing editor for Triad City Beat, an alt-weekly based in Greensboro. She has reported for INDY Week, The Bitter Southerner, and Nerdist, and is the editorial/diversity chair for AAN Publishers.