🧵 In Today’s Edition

1. A Delicious, But Never Uncomplicated, Meal at Reel Seafood Grill
2. Former District 2 Council Member Jim Kee is Looking for a Comeback
3. Newcomer Anthony Wesley Sets Sights on District 2
4. The Weekender

Photo by Joe Killian. Illustration by Kyle Constable.

A Delicious, But Never Uncomplicated, Meal at Reel Seafood Grill


It’s one of my go-to orders anytime my wife and I stop by Reel Seafood Grill out on New Garden Road. A whole flounder, usually ranging from a pound to a pound and a half, scored and dredged it in seasoned flour. They flash fry it, then glaze it in a sweet Thai chili sauce before finishing it in the oven. It flakes beautifully onto your fork in generous, mouth-watering chunks that melt in your mouth…and slowly expose its full skeleton.

This dish comes to you head and tail on, looking not like a perfectly portioned filet but what it is — a whole animal we’ve killed to eat its flesh. You look directly into its face there on the plate and are confronted with that reality. It’s something I’m willing to do, but it’s never uncomplicated. I spent years as a vegetarian, even a vegan for a while. It was easier than I thought, given the heavily carnivorous culture in which I was raised. 

Read the full story here.

— Joe Killian

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Jim Kee wants his Greensboro City Council seat back this November.

Kee represented District 2 on the council from 2009 to 2013, when Jamal Fox unseated him by 137 votes. This is the second time he’s tried to reclaim the seat. 

Read the full story here.

— Gale Melcher

Anthony Wesley is a first-time candidate wading into Greensboro politics with his campaign for the District 2 seat on the Greensboro City Council. He’s registered as unaffiliated, and says he’s running to create sustainable employment, tackle the crisis of homelessness, improve access to quality education and vocational training, and bring farm-based foods to food deserts.

Read the full story here.

— Gale Melcher

The Weekender

It’s Pride weekend in Greensboro! While many other cities celebrate Pride in June, the city of Greensboro has celebrated in September for the past several years due to better weather and the fact that college students are back in town, according to WFDD. So this weekend, find all things Pride throughout the city. We’ve also got a red panda celebration, a blessing for pets, and lots of live music. Find your flags, paint your face, and hit the town!

FRIDAY, Sept. 19

Guilford Native Association 48th Annual Pow Wow @ Country Park

Like with Pride, the Guilford Native Association will be hosting events throughout the weekend to celebrate its 48th annual Pow Wow. The celebration, which highlights Native American tribes, will feature traditional singing, dancing, as well as art and crafts vendors. Learn more and find tickets here.

Fetish Friday Pride Takeover @ Twist Lounge
5 p.m.

To kick off Pride, Twist Lounge will host a Fetish Friday event packed with performances, good drinks, and even better vibes. Doors open at 5 p.m. and shows start at 10 p.m. Learn more here.

HOWL Hour @ Freeman’s Grub and Pub
5 p.m.

A local members-only club is hosting its cocktail/mocktail gathering on Freeman’s porch this weekend. Learn more about the organization, meet new friends, and have a few drinks. Find out more here.

GSO Mom’s Night Out: Iconic Moms Trivia @ Cozy Brew Cafe
5 p.m.

Join other moms at this free trivia night focused all on iconic mothers! There will be vendors on site and tasty food and drinks for sale. RSVP is preferred. Learn more here.

Free Community Health Walks @ Vance Chavis Library
6 p.m.

Get your steps in with this free community health walk. Hosted by Cone Health, these events work to promote healthy living and connected communities. RSVP here.

SATURDAY, Sept. 20

Red Panda Day @ Greensboro Science Center
9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Did you know that red pandas eat 20-30 percent of their body weight in bamboo every day? Did you also know that you can see these furry friends at your local science center? Join other panda enthusiasts this weekend at the Greensboro Science Center for a whole day dedicated to the little creatures. There will be a scavenger hunt, paintings created by the pandas, and more. Learn more here.

Animal Festival and Pet Blessing @ Lutheran Church of Our Father
10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Visit the Lutheran Church of Our Father this Saturday for a festival that features all things pets, including blessings. You can bring your pet in person or a stuffed animal, or a photo to be blessed on site. Multiple vendors and pet-focused agencies will also be featured. Learn more here.

Groove Jam @ Doodad Farm
2-11 p.m.

For years, Doodad Farm has been a respite for local singers and songwriters. This weekend, they’re back with their annual Groove Jam featuring some of the best bands in the city, vendors, food trucks, and more. All proceeds benefit the Greensboro Urban Ministry. Learn more here.

Gimme Gimme Disco @ Ziggy’s Greensboro
10 p.m.

Want to dance the night away? Wish you could have seen ABBA live? Well, break out your bell-bottoms and sparkly attire for an evening at Ziggy’s featuring hours of disco. Hits from the ’70s and ’80s will be played all night long. Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets on sale here.

SUNDAY, Sept. 21

Triad Drag Brunch @ Boxcar Bar + Arcade
12-3 p.m.

Round out Pride weekend with this epic drag brunch at Boxcar. Half a dozen performers will sing and dance as you enjoy a delicious brunch. Tickets on sale here.

Basketball Court Dedication in Honor of Bob McAdoo @ 2001 S. Side Blvd.
2-4 p.m.

Robert Allen McAdoo, otherwise known as Bob McAdoo, played 14 seasons in the NBA, including two seasons with the LA Lakers during their Showtime era. McAdoo grew up in Greensboro and is a longtime Benbow Park resident. This weekend, a neighborhood basketball court will be renamed in his honor. Learn more here.

— Sayaka Matsuoka

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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.

Gale is a Report for America corps member and Greensboro-based reporter for The Assembly. She previously covered local government and community issues for Triad City Beat. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from N.C. State University.

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.