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Morning Buzz: November 19

Posted at 9:35 AM, Nov 19, 2020
and last updated 2020-11-19 09:35:11-05

1. Shanties aren't just for ice fishing, that's how Brass Ring Brewing is tackling the COVID restrictions.

Owner Chris Gibbons wants to have the first one out by this weekend and the rest out by the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend.

Each beer shanty seats up to four people and they're asking everyone to keep it to their immediate household so they can adhere to current COVID guidelines.

They'll also take reservations so people won't have to wait in any lines. Brass Rings will also have takeout, curbside, and delivery options available.

2. Grand Rapids' newest music venue is up for sale. 20 Monroe Live is listed for $16.5 million.

A statement from Greg Gilmore, owner of the Gilmore Collection, said the company is selling the property so it can use those resources to support its other businesses
through the pandemic.

The listing includes an option to also purchase The B.O.B. property, which is listed at $15.5 million.

It's one of the many venues around the country that's fallen on hard times during the pandemic.

3. Mel Trotter is thanking West Michigan for paying it forward! Nearly 6,000 turkeys were donated on Wednesday during its annual Turkey Drop event.

Turkeys were collected at both Celebration Cinema North and South in partnership with Kids' Food Basket.

The goal was to raise 2,500 turkeys and they ended up doubling it, with 5,800 turkeys collected.

The donations will now be used to create prepackaged Thanksgiving meals in need after the annual Thanksgiving dinner at DeVos Place was canceled due to COVID.

4. A Pennsylvania winery is selling bottles of 2020 dry red wine, with an arguably appropriate name.

The wine is a blend of high-quality cabernet sauvignon and merlot from the state of Washington. It's been aged in American Oak Barrels and they say it's actually a really good blend.

The price is just $20 a bottle.

5. There's one holiday tradition staying intact despite the global pandemic.

Kids will still get to track Santa as he makes his way around the world.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command says Norad will track Santa on Christmas Eve, just as it has done for 65 years. However, it may be harder for kids to get through to the call center this year.

Normally, 160 volunteers pack into a Colorado Springs Air Force Base to take calls and let kids know how close Santa is to them. Now, only about 10 volunteers will be allowed in the call center at a time.