🧵 In Today’s Edition

1. To Korea and Back at Seoul Garden
2. The Weekender
3. What We’re Reading

To Korea and Back at Seoul Garden

It’s been cold here lately, our weeks filled with spotty snowstorms and the promise of ice, which has me craving soup. Last month, I took readers on a ramen tour of Greensboro — a journey into a dish with which I’m very familiar. But this time, I ventured across the ocean to the tiny peninsula of South Korea to try a dish I’ve always wanted to taste: sundubu jjigae.

The spicy tofu soup, which I got as mild as possible but still made my nose sweat, comes with base ingredients of silken tofu, broth flavored with chili flakes and chili paste, and a raw egg cracked on top. At Seoul Garden, customers can try many options — kimchi,  just tofu and veggies, beef, oysters, or a variety of seafood. 

I went with the last one.

As the daughter of a sushi chef and someone who doesn’t eat a lot of meat anymore, seafood is a staple in my house and heart. Made into a stew, how can I resist?

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.

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The Weekender

This weekend we’ve got more holiday goodness—an ugly sweater party, a gingerbread house making event, and visits with Santa. Looking beyond the holidays? We’ve got wrestling, a pickleball tournament, and heavy metal on the calendar as well. Choose your own weekend!

FRIDAY, Dec. 12

Ugly Sweater Party + Music Bingo @ 4734 Pleasant Garden Rd.
3-9 p.m.

Sure, Pleasant Garden may be a little outside of Greensboro, but why not travel so you can partake in this ugly sweater and music Bingo party hosted at a little convenience store? Don your best hideous attire and get ready to win some Bingo. Learn more here.

Visit Santa @ The Biltmore Greensboro Hotel
5-8 p.m.

Catch Santa before he gets too busy! Visit The Biltmore in downtown Greensboro for a first-come, first-served session with Old Saint Nick. He’ll be there through the weekend as well as next week. Learn more here.

Audition for Short Tales @ Stephen D. Hyers Theatre
6-8 p.m.

This event by Creative Greensboro encourages kids ages 7-15 to audition for the annual production of Short Tales for Children. Experience is not required. All children who audition will get a part in the show. Performances will take place in January and February. Learn more here.

Greensboro Ballet: The Nutcracker @ The Carolina Theatre
6:30-8:30 p.m.

Missed the performance of The Nutcracker at the Tanger Center last weekend? Why not check out Greensboro Ballet’s rendition this weekend at the Carolina Theatre? Learn more here.

WWE Presents NXT Live @ Greensboro Complex
7:30 p.m.

Take a break from holiday shopping, watching Christmas movies, and general merriment for a different kind of celebration. Tickets are still available for this weekend’s WWE NXT Live show, which features both seasoned and up-and-coming WWE stars. Learn more here.

SATURDAY, Dec. 13

Pickleball Tournament @ 4215 Hilltop Road
10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Have you been hitting the courts? Are you ready to show off your rally skills? Then register for this pickleball tournament this weekend and show others what you’ve got. Learn more here.

Walk With a Doc @ 3802 Jaycee Park Drive
10-11 a.m.

Spend time with a doctor while getting exercise! This free program by Cone Health lets community members get active while hanging out with a local healthcare professional. Learn more here.

Dog Photos with Santa @ Brookhaven Mill Farm
11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Need a photo for the perfect holiday card? Or just looking for a way to immortalize your four-legged best friend? Dress your pooch in their most festive attire and take them to Brookhaven Mill Farm for a photo session with Santa. Good boys and girls will get a mini stocking with treats after their sessions. Oh! And kids are also welcome. Learn more here.

Pop Punk vs. Classic Metal Show @ Steel Hands Brewing
12-5 p.m.

Spend an afternoon at Steel Hands this weekend and listen to great live music featuring pop punk and metal performed by members of School of Rock Greensboro. There will also be food for sale and lots of good vibes! Learn more here.

Gingerbread House Party @ Christ Church Greensboro
3-4:30 p.m.

Get into the holiday spirit at this free event in which participants can make a gingerbread house to take home and sing Christmas carols. Learn more here.

Jane Austen’s 250th Birthday Celebration Tea Party @ Glenn McNairy Branch Library
3-4:30 p.m.

Celebrate the one and only Jane Austen on her 250th birthday at the local library. The party will be a celebratory tea time complete with crafts, games, scones, cucumber sandwiches, and more. Attendees are encouraged to dress in their best Regency attire. Learn more here.

Spirit of Giving Holiday Toy Drive and Fundraiser feat. Zach Person @ Ziggy’s Downtown Greensboro
7 p.m.

This charity event benefits the local Piedmont Blues Preservation Society while also helping to give toys to local kids. The event features headliner Zach Person as well as an opening performance by Carolina Rhythm Machine. Tickets on sale here. 

SUNDAY, Dec. 14
Jingle and Mingle, a Very Merry Potluck @ 1808 Craft and Vine

4:30 p.m.

Cozy up with a glass of wine, listen to live music by Dave Moran, and share homemade treats at this holiday potluck hosted by 1808 Craft and Vine. 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.

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.