November 17, 2023

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Today’s Forecast

53º | Isolated thunderstorms | 35% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:19 a.m. | Sunset 5:18 p.m.

🦃 Come one, Comal

Come as you are, everyone is welcome. | Photo by Comal 864

“Food is a binder. It’s what brings us together.” That’s the recurring theme in our conversations every time we chat with Chef Dayna Lee — owner of Comal 864.

For the third year, Lee is organizing a community meal where she will serve 200+ Greenvillians from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.

The James Beard Semifinalist is quick to serve others, from the guests who walk in the door of her restaurant to experience her birria tacos to community members in need of a warm coat. Plus, she’s given away 10,000+ tacos to people experiencing food insecurity who walk into her restaurant hungry.

“Let me make you a plate so we can bond,” Lee says. “Whether you’re here because you need food, because you’re alone for the holiday, or because you’d like to serve, my biggest goal is that we have a space to be together.”

Here’s how you can help:

Serve food

The greatest need: Bring in a turkey by Tuesday, Nov. 21 and Chef Dayna will prep and cook it, or bring a cooked turkey or ham on Thanksgiving Day.
Prepare a side dish, hot or cold, for any number of people. Think: Traditional sides, casseroles, rolls, and desserts. You can drop them off between now and Thanksgiving Day.

Donate items

Here are the items Comal 864 is collecting to hand out on Thanksgiving Day:

Gently-used jackets + coats (Last year, they handed out 300.)
Blankets
Socks
Gloves
Hygiene products

Volunteer your time

There is no official sign up to volunteer, but Lee says they will need help serving and sorting clothes.

“This is my favorite day of the year, every year,” Lee says. “Being able to do stuff like this is a huge blessing, and when I see familiar faces come in to help make the day go smoother, it’s like everyone is sparkling with a little glimmer of magic.”

Events

Friday, Nov. 17

“The Wild Little Horse” | Friday, Nov. 17-Sunday, Nov. 19 | Times vary | Furman University, The Playhouse, 3300 Poinsett Hwy., Greenville | $5-$15 | Experience the artistry of Madeline Jazz Harvey in an original ballet based on the children’s book “The Wild Little Horse” by Rita Gray.
Karaoke with DJ Puddin | Friday, Nov. 17 | 9 p.m.-12 a.m. | Group Therapy Pub & Playground, 320 Falls St., Ste. G, Greenville | Free entry | Kick off the weekend by singing your favorite tunes in good company.
An Extraordinary Tasting Adventure | Friday, Nov. 17-Saturday, Dec. 30 | 12-5 p.m. | VICARIO Distillery and Farm, 800 Old Jones Rd., Greer | $15 | Enjoy a tour and tasting experience of the award winning VICARIO gin and 18 unique liqueurs.*

Saturday, Nov. 18

Zoom Through the Zoo | Saturday, Nov. 18 | 8 a.m.-12 p.m. | Greenville Zoo, 150 Cleveland Park Dr., Greenville | $10-$25 | Enjoy a 5K through the Greenville Zoo.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve” | Saturday, Nov. 18 | 4 p.m. + 8 p.m. | Bon Secours Wellness Arena, 650 N. Academy St., Greenville | Enjoy a grand presentation of holiday classics.
Cranksgiving | Saturday, Nov. 18 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Pedego Electric Bikes Greenville, 1320 Hampton Ave., Greenville | Free | This event is part bike ride, part food drive, part scavenger hunt, and all fun.

Sunday, Nov. 19

Sundays at 2: Gallery Tour | Sunday, Nov. 19 | 2-3 p.m. | Greenville County Museum of Art, 420 College St., Greenville | Free | Enjoy a very broad overview of the different artists and exhibitions featured at the museum.
Mason Jennings | Sunday, Nov. 19 | 8 p.m. | The Velo Fellow, 1 Augusta St., Ste. 201, Greenville | $30-$35 | Listen to this American singer-songwriter known for his folk and indie rock music.

Calendar of events here

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Biz

🚢 Did you know? 1 in 9 SC jobs are tied to our ports.

South Carolina’s ports provide the state with a unique economic advantage. | Photo provided by SC Ports

Shipping crates and cargo ships are a common sight along the South Carolina coast, but did you know shipping creates a massive economic impact for our state? That economic impact is to the tune of $86.7 billion annually — and $1.5 billion in tax revenue generated for the state, according to the South Carolina Ports Authority’s annual report.

The ports also create a lot of jobs. As of 2023, 1 in 9 SC jobs depend on the ports — and the jobs it creates pay 23% higher than the average state wage.

That’s huge — and the impact isn’t just along the coast. Every region of the state benefits economically from port operations connecting SC to global markets. The entire southeastern region benefits too, with billions of dollars generated from South Carolina’s ports positively impacting six neighboring states.

See the full impact report

News Notes

Closing

Tanner’s Big Orange will close on Saturday, Dec. 23 after 80 years in business. Owner John Allen Zeller told the Post and Courier Greenville he needs some time off + cited the rising cost of operating a business as a reason for the closure.

Traffic

No right turns on red, restricting left turns, and improving bicycle lanes were among the suggestions presented at a public input meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 15 about road safety improvements on Stone Avenue. City engineers will use the feedback in its official recommendations + another meeting will likely take place in early 2024. (Greenville Journal)

Development

The city is also collecting feedback on Phase II of the Augusta Street Improvement Project. If you live near Augusta Road, own property, or operate a business, the city wants you to submit your comments on the proposals.

Award

Greenville was named a “Must See City” as part of Good Housekeeping’s 2024 Best Family Travel Awards. The publication lauds how there is something for everyone + said, “The vibe in Greenville was energetic.”

Eat

This collab is what dreams are made of. Daylight Burrito is popping up at Lewis Barbecue this Saturday, Nov. 18, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. (or until they sell out). The best part? There are brisket breakfast burritos on the menu.

Arts

Greenville artist Joseph Bradley — known for his nature-inspired art — is opening Spoonbill Gallery at 1292 Pendleton St. The gallery will showcase a diverse and carefully curated selection of contemporary and emerging artists from across the US when it opens in January 2024.

Learn

Looking to learn a new skill? Whether it’s just for fun or to jump start a new career, the Personal & Professional Enrichment (PPE) program at Greenville Technical College has options. From floral design to culinary, wedding planning, and more, there’s plenty of ways to expand your skills. See the schedule.*

Shop

Need the perfect holiday gift for your dad, brother, husband, or boyfriend? This brand has you covered with all the gifts and stocking stuffers that men will actually use. (Plus, they’re all 25% off during the Black Friday Sale, happening now.)*

Correction

We got too excited for Christmas. In yesterdays newsletter, we said the tree lighting ceremony was on Friday, Dec. 2. It’s actually Friday, Dec. 1.

Coming Soon

🍔 It’s (almost) burger time

Can we get a side of spicy ketchup, please? | Photo by Elizabeth James for Whataburger

We know how important Whataburger updates are to you, and today we have a pretty big one. We now know where and when eight planned Upstate Whataburger locations will open:

Summer 2024

1466 Woodruff Rd., Greenville
308 W. Butler Dr., Mauldin

Fall 2024

1941 E. Main St., Spartanburg
2900 Main St., Anderson
Boiling Springs + Double Bridge Rd., Boiling Springs
1510 WO Ezell Blvd., Spartanburg
1537 E. Main St., Duncan
5648 Calhoun Memorial Parkway, Easley

Notably absent from this list is the proposed location we told you about on Laurens Road (across from Chick-fil-A), which was denied a special exception permit to operate 24/7.

The Post and Courier Greenville spoke with Whataburger’s President and CEO Ed Nelson, who went to Hillcrest High School and graduated from Clemson University before joining Whataburger in 2004.

“It’s taken a minute; 19 years being with Whataburger now, but I get the honor of bringing Whataburger to the Carolinas,” Nelson told the Post and Courier Greenville.

The Buy

A great deal from Amazon’s Black Friday sales, which officially start today. Get 40% off Adidas running shoes or 20% off Martha Stewart cotton sheets.

Shoutout

Happy birthday, GVLtoday member Tony Koechli. We hope your special day is filled with your favorite things in Greenville! — GVLtoday team

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Danielle

From the editor

Lewis Barbecue brisket inside a Daylight Burrito sounds like a dream. You’ll find me in line first thing Saturday morning.

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