1. This Hanukkah season, a local Greensboro restaurant is offering both traditional latkes and a new spin
2. The Weekender

A Whole Latke Love

Over the weekend, on the first night of Hanukkah, my friend and I visited our synagogue’s annual celebration of the festival of lights. Teams of congregants competed to see who could make the tastiest and most innovative latkes. The rowdiest children bounced outside in an inflatable castle, while craft tables with a smattering of wax, wick, and wood provided kids with the materials to create their own menorahs, which were situated at the back of the dining hall.

The holiday highlights the perseverance of the Jewish people, honoring the victory of light over darkness—with food, fun, and candles that burn for those eight crazy nights.

Last year, our age group’s team lost the latke competition to middle schoolers and their s’mores concoction. But this year, our friends’ chili oil-topped scallion pancakes took home the gelt.

My friend went to one craft table to make candles while I went to another to build a menorah.

When we came back together, the candles wouldn’t fit. Instead of shrugging his shoulders, he tried everything, even lighting matches to shape the base of the candles into something that would stick.

His unorthodox methods earned us a few raised eyebrows. But who cares? They worked.

Still in the holiday spirit, I urged my coworkers to try some latkes themselves.

On Wednesday, we went down to Spring Garden Street to try 913 Whiskey Bar and Southern Kitchen’s latkes.

We ordered a plate of classic ones with applesauce and sour cream on the side, as well as the kitchen’s latest creation: A brisket and goat cheese-infused latke.

I’ve had a lot of latkes over the years, from my mom’s to the sometimes sad store-bought attempts. But these carbohydrate-laden pillows of potato, crunchy yet soft, were some of the best.

Read the full story here.

— Gale Melcher

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.

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The Weekender

This weekend, we’ve got more holiday excursions—ugly sweater parties, a Shabbat celebration, and photos with Santa for your pups. For non-holiday events, we’ve got a paint-your-partner date night, history tours of the city, and a meditation session to unwind before Christmas chaos hits next week.

FRIDAY, Dec. 19
Date Night: Paint Your Partner, Holiday Edition @ The Marshall Muse Gallery
6-8:30 p.m.

We’ve all seen the videos on TikTok. Why not try your hand at painting your partner’s likeness? How bad could it be? Sign up for this fun date night option and let your (unfortunate) creative juices flow. Who knows? You’ll probably still be a couple by the time you leave. Learn more here.

Shabbanukkah @ Temple Emanuel
6:30 p.m.

Celebrate Shabbat at this Friday evening Shabbanukkah service at Greensboro’s largest Jewish temple. Visitors are encouraged to bring their menorahs and candles to light them with the whole congregation. Learn more here.

Christmas in the Crown @ The Carolina Theatre
7:30 p.m.

Get into the holiday season at this live jazz concert featuring favorites by Ella Fitzgerald and Wynton Marsalis, played by local jazz professionals. Tickets on sale now or at the door. Learn more here.

SATURDAY, Dec. 20
Downtown History Tour @ Downtown Greensboro
1-2 p.m.

Develop a new appreciation for the center city by embarking on this history tour of downtown Greensboro. Led by Triangle Walking Tours, this event will delve into the city’s history as part of the Underground Railroad, its industrial history, and the construction of the largest cotton mill in the world. Tour starts at Blandwood Museum. The company also offers African-American history tours and true crime tours of the city. Learn more here.

Annual Ugly Sweater Christmas Party @ Tailgators Bar-Billiards
9 p.m.

Break out your ugliest holiday sweater and head to Tailgators for their annual ugly sweater Christmas party! There will be a DJ spinning tunes, seasonal drink specials, and prizes for the worst dressed. Learn more here.

Jalao Latin Social – Ugly Sweater Edition @ AJI Fusion Peruvian
9:30 p.m.-1 a.m.

What about dancing in your ugliest holiday sweater? Hit the dance floor at AJI Fusion where a DJ will be playing salsa, bachata, merengue, and more. Don’t know the moves? Get there early at 9:30 p.m. for a Bachata class. Tickets and more info here.

SUNDAY, Dec. 21
Annual Selfies with Santa @ Doggos Dog Park and Pub
12-3 p.m.

Santa is coming to town! But this time, to give treats to all the good four-legged boys and girls. Bring your best friend to Doggos for pictures with the big man and receive a free goodie bag. Learn more here.

Sounds of Angels Christmas Harp Concert @ Well Spring
2-3:15 p.m.

Spend an afternoon at Well Spring for a live Christmas harp concert featuring the NC Harp Ensemble! The event is free and open to the public. Learn more here.

World Meditation Day @ Kathleen Clay Edwards Public Library
2:30-4 p.m.

Holidays got you feeling frenzied? Why not take some time to decompress, sit still, and recenter yourself? Join others on World Meditation Day at the local library, where a meditation guru will lead patrons through calming sessions. Learn more here.

The Longest Night: A Worship Service for Those Who Grieve at Christmas @ Guilford Park Presbyterian Church
3 p.m.

If you’ve been missing a loved one this holiday season, find solace in community with others at Guilford Park Presbyterian Church, where the service will feature prayer, music, and reflection this time of year. Learn more here.

Solstice Celebration @ New Garden Friends Meeting
5:45 p.m.

For a different kind of reflection, head to New Garden Friends Meeting, where community members will honor the land, reflect on recent years, and look ahead to the future as part of the solstice celebration. Learn more here.

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.