15 Nov Upstate Headlines: Thanksgiving Made Easy, Reduced Traffic on Woodruff, Noah Guthrie Hometown Concert, and More!
A collection of the top Upstate headlines for the week of November 15, 2017
Thanksgiving Dinner Without Lifting a Finger
If you’d rather watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade than baste a turkey, or if you have no interest in learning what goes into a green bean casserole, there are easier ways to celebrate Thanksgiving. #32broad put together a list of restaurants and stores with special holiday menus and offers. Throughout the Upstate, you can find amazing alternative options for Thanksgiving. Whether you’d rather have the full dining experience of the restaurant, or you want to pick up a meal to go, take a look at the places that are offering to help you with this year’s Turkey Day. Restaurants such as, Nose Dive, Roost, Epicurean, California Dreaming, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, and the Lazy Goat will all be open on Thanksgiving day. Soby’s on the side and Publix are both offering “Thanksgiving to Go”. Make sure to plan ahead with a reservation or a food order to enjoy these special offers.
Plans for New Road to Relieve Woodruff Road Traffic
Listen up, anybody who has to travel on Woodruff Road, for some good news. A new connector road that is expected to cut traffic on Woodruff Road by more than 20 percent will be one step closer to reality on Monday. The Greenville City Council is expected to give initial approval to an agreement with Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Hollingsworth Funds, Verdae Properties, and Magnolia Park Greenville for design and construction of a new public road from Woodruff Industrial Lane to Verdae Boulevard. When the half-mile, two-lane connector opens, it will give motorists a way to get to popular destinations on Woodruff Road without having to actually get on the traffic-choked road itself. The new road will allow motorists to take Verdae Boulevard to the PNG Connector to get to Magnolia Park, where Costco and Cabela’s are located, and the shopping centers that contain Target, Academy Sports, and Trader Joe’s. The Greenville City Council will address the topic on Monday at its formal monthly meeting.
‘Glee’ Alum Noah Guthrie to Give Concert in Hometown of Greer
Greer native Noah Guthrie was still in high school when he began posting videos of himself performing acoustic renditions of well-known pop songs to YouTube. One of them, his cover of an LMFAO’s hit song, became a viral sensation in 2012 and has now amassed more than 25 million views. More importantly, it led to national television appearances on such high-profile programs as “Today,” “The Ellen Degeneres Show” and “Dancing with the Stars” and eventually an acting role on the scripted television series, “Glee.” Guthrie, now 23, has used such fame as a catalyst for his still-blossoming music career. He released his debut album, “Among the Wildest Things,” in 2013, and his sophomore effort, “The Valley,” earlier this year. Having opened concerts for everyone from Ed Sheeran and Ben Rector to Sister Hazel and Selena Gomez, Guthrie has evolved from a soulful pop singer to a maturing singer-songwriter with an Americana tinge.He looks forward to being back in his hometown to share his gift with old friends.
Steve Martin and Martin Short to Spend 3 Days in Greenville for Joint Performances
The two comics, longtime friends and collaborators, have announced that their live show, “An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life,” is coming to the Peace Center Feb. 23 and 24. Tickets are $100-$250, and go on sale at 10 a.m. Nov. 17. The show also features musical performances by Jeff Babko, best known for his work in the house band for “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” and North Carolina bluegrass band Steep Canyon Rangers, friends and collaborators of Martin. The show might seem hard to describe, but Steve Martin says it’s “primarily a comedy show with music.” Short mentioned how the idea for the show came about. “This started off four years ago, five years ago. We did the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Chicago, and we were just asked to interview each other, in two chairs for the whole evening. And when we left the stage, we were not shocked, but reminded of this kind of great chemistry we have, which is just an extension from a thousand dinners and fun times we’ve had together. So I think that that friendship is palpable to the audience. They know we’re not putting it on, and that’s one of the benefits of the show.”
Organic Cat Cafe to Open Next Week
Picture this: 30-40 friendly cats roaming around inside a 3,600-square-foot living space while their human guests sip tea and coffee at the rate of $10 per hour. Now envision them climbing on you, around you, and possibly settling in your lap for a little catnap. That either sounds like the best day ever for the feline enthusiast or an allergy-sufferer’s nightmare. But, regardless, it looks like the longtime dream of cat-lover Jennifer Bronzel — Organic Cat Café — will finally come to life next week at 123 College St. So what on earth is a cat café? Originating in Japan, cat cafes are basically themed restaurants that house cats (most often rescues from local shelters) so that patrons can play with them for an hourly fee while sipping a tasty beverage and snacking on bakery treats. The first cat café in the southeast, Pounce Cat Café + Wine Bar in Charleston, recently opened. Many cat cafes serve as a foster home for rescued felines from which patrons can adopt their favorite furry friends. Organic Cat Café, however, will house only permanent residents who will not be up for adoption.
