COMPLIMENTARY VOL. 24 NO. 3 MAY 2011 OutAndAboutNow.Com Inside A Taste of Little Italy pg 18 NOMINATIONS DEADLINE MUSIKARMAGEDDON pg 14 Man vs. Taco • Q&A: WXPN's Roger LaMay Run a 5K this spring • More from our short-story contest PLUS: Chi China na cab c ine net a t and nd squ sq irrel nut nut cr crack acker er fou fo nd d at at the the An Annex nex Ma M rketpl tplace ace
Since 1988, Out & About has informed our audience of entertainment options in Greater Wilmington through a monthly variety magazine. Today, that connection has expanded to include social networking, a weekly newsletter, and a comprehensive website. We also create, manage, and sponsor local events. Out & About magazine focuses on interesting people, places, and things. Each issue includes dining features, music and movie columns, nightlife news, and event spotlights. Out & About magazine can be found at more than 600 locations throughout Delaware, Cecil County, Md., and portions of Southern Chester County, Pa. These include restaurants, coffee shops, hotels, retail stores, art galleries, visitors' centers, movie theaters, and nightclubs. Out & About magazine is independently owned and operated by TSN Media.Through creative and valued partnerships, we have evolved from a print-only entity to a multimedia company that reaches more than 50,000 people every month.
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COMPLIMENTARY VOL. 24 NO. 3 MAY 2011O
utA
ndA
bout
Now
.Com
Inside
A Taste of Little Italy
pg 18
NOMINATIONS DEADLINE
MUSIKARMAGEDDON
pg 14Man vs. Taco • Q&A: WXPN's Roger LaMayRun a 5K this spring • More from our short-story contest
PLUS:
ChiChina na cabc inenet at and nd squsq irrel nutnut cr crackacker er foufo nd d at at thethe An Annexnex Ma M rketpltplaceace
Th e second-place winner in this year’s writing contest. By Stephen G. McDonald31 SHORT STORY: KILLING THE LIGHTS
Whether you’re looking to sell or just want some change, adding value to your home doesn’t require a ton of time or money. Our panel of pros helps point the way. Plus: the benefi ts of gardening.
42 MUSIC: ROGER LaMAYA Q&A with WXPN’s general manager, who talks about radio, the music industry, and how to beg for money without losing your integrity. By Michael Pollock
INSIDE
5
5_Inside.indd 55_Inside.indd 5 4/25/2011 11:32:51 AM4/25/2011 11:32:51 AM
May | O&A6 . Out Front
EDITOR’S NOTEEVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN.
It’s a trend we see played out in fashion, music, movies, art, sports, food—every area of our lives, really. In marketing, it refers to freshening up a campaign with a well-known idea as the anchor. Take the City of Wilmington’s “in” campaign. Launched several years ago after much planning and hard work courtesy of ad agency Aloysius, Butler & Clark, the “in” campaign had a lot of fun with just two letters. But they weren’t just any two letters; they were the right letters, the ones that bragged about Wilmington’s status as well as its potential. “In” told us that the city was perfectly located—in the middle of it all—while making the prospect of being here alluring.
Th e beauty of the “in” campaign is in its adaptability. In with the Greeks, the Italians, and the Polish; in with loving our pets, neighbors, and restaurants. (Yes, I geeked out over collecting “in” pins as soon as they came out. You didn’t?) But as we know, everything old is new again. Th e city has recently unveiled a new “in” campaign, focused on our thriving arts community. Where the fi rst “in” campaign made a clever statement, the new campaign encourages action: “Are you in?” it asks. We are, and Wilmington Magazine (on the fl ipside) has a new look and a dedicated arts-and-entertainment section to prove it.
Speaking of old being new again, check out our cover package this month. Inspired by spring cleaning, we’re looking at the many simple ways you can turn your living place into a new space, with helpful tips from gardeners, realtors, interior decorators, and home-improvement specialists.
Sound familiar?
Enjoy, and thanks for reading.Michael Pollock, Editor-in-Chief
The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles is now issuing more secure, federally compliant driver licenses and identification cards.
In order to obtain your new driver license or ID card, you will need to collect and bring a few important source documents to provide proof of:
Identity (Name and Date of Birth)
U.S. citizenship/Legal presence
Social Security Number
2 proofs of Delaware residency
Name change documents (if applicable)
You can find everything you need to know at SecureID.dmv.de.govor call toll free
ersatzPronounced ER-zahts, as an adjective, it means serving as a substitute, especially of inferior quality; artifi cial. As a noun, it means a substitute or imitation.
OUTFRONT
www.out-and-about.com 7
Ah, technology—ain’t it great?Sometimes, new-fangled technology
neglects to incorporate old-fashioned grammar. A couple of examples from readers:•Linnea Goddess, of Wilmington, says the ATM machine at the Union Street PNC Bank tells her, “We appreciate you choosing PNC Bank.”
“Shouldn’t it be,” she asks, “‘We appreciate your choosing PNC Bank’”? Yes, Linnea, it should.
•Geena George, of Hockessin, has noticed that her iPhone automatically puts the period after the quotation marks—“Even,” she says, “when I’ve already put one in before them.” Th at iPhone must have been manufactured in England, where quotes inside the period are correct.
Media WatchMispronunciations and misspellings are
continuing sources of fodder for “War.”Coupla recent examples from
our trusty friends in the media:On his WILM 1450 Saturday morning show,
Dace Blaskovitz mentioned that President Obama is beholding to certain groups. Th e conservative talker thus joins those who think that when someone correctly says “beholden” the speaker is actually dropping the g from beholding, making it beholdin’. He—and they—would be wrong. Beholden means to be obligated or indebted. If you are “beholding,” you are seeing or observing something.
A delawareonline story about the recent basketball-hoop controversy in Radnor Green elicited many responses, including this from “jeepxj12”: “I’m not sure he can just break up the sidewalk and pour a pad in the right-away without permission from DELDOT.” Have to admit, we have never seen right-of-way spelled in quite that manner before.
And fi nally, sportscaster Dan Patrick, on his nationally syndicated radio show, mentioned the need “to calm down the maddening crowd.” Th e idiom is “madding crowd,” and unlike “maddening,” which describes the eff ect on the observer, “madding” (frenzied) describes the crowd itself. Th omas Gray’s “Elegy in a Country Churchyard” (1749) and Th omas Hardy’s novel Far from the Madding Crowd (1874) helped establish this idiom, especially Gray’s “far from the madding crowd’s ignoble strife.”
Conscious of conscienceTwo readers caught this mistake in the insert
that accompanies Delmarva Power bills: “Some environmentally conscience customers may be considering renewable resources.” Th e word needed here is conscious, meaning aware or mindful. But just as often, the reverse is true, and conscious is used where conscience (the faculty to distinguish right from wrong) is needed, as in this from the Delaware Voice column in the News Journal: “For this reason alone, I in good conscious will never be a participant…”
Department ofRedundancies Dept.
Maria Hess, newly minted editor-in-chief of Delaware Today, heard this on the Food Network show Th e Best Th ing I Ever Ate: “You will be a permanent fan for life.”
Literally of the MonthMike Barnicle on MSNBC’s Morning
Joe, speaking about Donald Trump: “He is literally ready to pull the pin on a grenade in two states.” Which means the Donald, not to mention his presidential campaign, will self-destruct. (Barnicle also misused “begs the question,” but hey, everybody does.)
Musicians, arts patrons, and public offi cials were just a few of those on hand for the unveiling of World Cafe Live at the Queen on April 1. At top left, WCL founder Hal Real (foreground) and local musician Ben LeRoy. At top right, dignitaries including Gov. Markell and Sen. Carper cut the ribbon. Bottom right: The Wilmington Children’s Chorus performs. Bottom right: Tatiana Copeland chats with Francine Covelli. photos by Les Kipp
May 1, 8amCape Henlopen High School in LewesBenefi ts Emily Ritter’s S.T.E.M. ProjectHalf-Marathon: $505k Run/Walk: $25
TEAL RIBBON 5K
May 1, 9amRiverfrontBenefi ts Delaware Ovarian Cancer Foundation
MATTHEW BOWERS SAVE THE CHILDREN 5K
May 1, 1pmUniversity of DelawareBenefi ts Save the Children in honor of Second Lt. Matt Bowers$20 for students$22 for all others
DOVER MILE
May 5, 5:30pmIndividual: $10 before May 5, $15 afterFamily of 3: $25 until May 5, $30 afterFamily of 4: $30 until May 5, $35 after
RACE AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
May 7, 9amUniversity of Delaware$20 for students$25 for all others
ROADY 5K RUN/WALK
May 7, 9amDelaware TechBenefi ts Del-Tech’s 2011 Class GiftAdults: $20Children: $15
RUN FOR THEIR FUTURE 5K RUN/WALK
May 7, 9amNewarkBenefi ts Adult Action Program$15 for students, $20 all others
FIRST TEE OF DELAWARE 5K
May 7, 9amRiverfrontPre-Mother’s Day 5K$18 until May 5, $22 afterStudents: $15 until May 5, $20 after
MOMS ON A MISSION 5K
May 8, 11amBrandywine Park in Wilm.Benefi ts Delaware Adolescent Program$18 before May 5, $20 after
DELAWARE ATHLETIC
TRAINERS’ ASSOCIATION 5K
May 14, 9amCarousel Park in Wilm.$20
5K FOR MISSION WALK/RUN
May 14, 9amRed Clay Creek Presbyterian Church in Wilm.Also: 1-mile adult walk & kids’-course activities, $5, $18 before May 9, $22 after
KIDS KICKIN’ CANCER 5K WALK/RUN
May 18, 6:30pmSt. John the Beloved in Wilm.Benefi ts the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center$17 for adults$40 pre-registered families$22 day of event
INAUGURAL CAMINO LATINO 5K
& 1.5-MILE FUN WALK
May 19, 6:30pmRiverfrontBenefi ts the Latin America Community Center$18 before May 15, $25 after$15 for students under 18, $20 after
FREEDOM FROM SEIZURES 5K RUN/WALK
May 21, 9amBrandywine Park in Wilm.Benefi ts the Epilepsy Foundation of Delaware$16 pre-entry, $20 day of
READY, SET, RUN!
After a wet April, May is here, and with it, perfect running
weather. While many will be running or cheering at
the sold-out Delaware Marathon on May 15, plenty of
other races are still open. Lace up and make plans to be at any
of the following events this month and early next. All benefi t a
good cause.
HEAR WE GO 5K
May 21, 1pmNemours Mansion & GardensBenefi ts clinical and research programs related to hearing loss$20 before May 18; $25 after
DE-FEET BREAST CANCER 5K RUN/WALK
May 22, 9amTanger Outlets in Rehoboth BeachBenefi ts Delaware Breast Cancer CoalitionAlso: 1-mile walk$20; $25 after May 13
INAUGURAL MILES FOR MOO MOO 5K
May 22, 9amUnion City Grille in Wilm.Benefi ts International Early Lung Cancer Action Program$18 before May 19; $22 after
MEREDITH MIDDLE SCHOOL KICKIN’ IT
TO CANCER 5K RUN/WALK
May 23, 6:15pmEverett Meredith Middle School in MiddletownBenefi ts American Cancer Society$10 before May 15; $15 after
COUGAR CLASSIC 5K FOR BLUE GOLD
May 26, 6:30pmDelcastle High SchoolBenefi ts DFRC Blue Gold All-Star Game$18 before May 23; $25 after$15 for students before May 23; $20 after
RACE FOR A BETTER DELAWARE 5K
May 29, 9amRiverfrontBenefi ts Youth Leadership Scholarship Fund at the Delaware Community Foundation$18 before May 25; $22 after$15 for students before May 25; $20 after
RUN FOR THE AGES
May 30, 9amRockford ParkBenefi ts Wilmington Senior Center5K walk & senior stroll$18 pre-entry before May 26; $22 after
HIGHWAY ONE PICTURES 5K
May 30Rusty Rudder in Dewey BeachBenefi ts Seven Sisters and Two Brothers of Dewey Beach
BLUE HEN 5K
June 3, 4, 5, 8:30amUniversity of Delaware1K Kids’ Fun Run (ages 12 and under)$20
OLD NEW CASTLE 5-MILER
June 4, 8amSt. Peter’s Catholic School in New CastleAlso: 2-mile fun walk/run$20 before May 28; $25 after
Tour de WILMINGTONThe Grand Prix bike race returns
If you’ve attended a Wilmington Grand Prix before, you know the event is much more than a bike race. If you haven’t
attended a Grand Prix before, there’s no better year to see what’s in store.
Race weekend kicks off on Friday, May 20 with the Monkey Hill Time Trial and Party in the Park in Brandywine Park, starting at 4 p.m. (See pg. 51 for more details.) Th e Grand Prix offi cially kicks off the following day (May 21) with an opening parade at 10 a.m., followed by racing on six blocks surrounding Market Street. Many downtown bars and restaurants will be holding post-race festivities following the victory celebrations.
On Sunday, May 22, the Governor’s Cup Road Races start at 8 a.m., which take cyclists from the Grand Opera House to Dover and back—nearly 111 miles in all. Th e 11-mile family-friendly Governor’s Ride gets underway at 10. Both rides wrap up in front of the Grand Opera House at noon.
For more details, see the fl ipside of this issue, or go to wilmgrandprix.com.
IF YOU’RE A HOMEOWNER, we know how much pride you take in your space. “Th e value that
you have in your home is the single most important reason why you own instead of rent a home,” begins an article about home-value improvement found on the website freshome.com. Th at said, you’re probably careful about how you maintain that value: working on a limited budget, maybe, and always making sure you get the biggest bang for your buck.
Th ere are still plenty of simple ways to add value to your home. We asked a panel of local realtors and home-improvement specialists their thoughts on the subject. Th eir answers were surprising—not only did they off er ideas on what to do, they made some suggestions on what not to do as well.
Surface mattersLight cosmetic work goes a long
way, says Patterson-Schwartz realtor Dan Devine. “On the budget end, the best value for your dollar is going to be cosmetic. Painting, light contracting work like trim and crown molding, landscaping and keeping your lawn well-maintained—it’s easy to do without putting in much money or
eff ort. You could paint your whole house for a few hundred dollars, and it adds thousands in value.”
Don’t underestimate curb appeal. “Mulching your garden beds and putting in fl owers are well worth the money,” says Lyman Chen, of RE/MAX Sunvest Realty. (For a slew of gardening and curb-appeal tips, see the story that follows.)
Condition rules
Th is might sound obvious. But put yourself in the place of someone seeing your home for the fi rst time. “When a buyer has a lot of houses to choose from, he’ll go with the one in best condition,” says realtor Erik Hoferer, of Hoferer & Associates. Stay on top of maintenance, he says.
“You can tell how the house was maintained when you go through it. Is the paint peeling? Is it clean throughout? Is there moisture in the basement that needs to be removed? How does the house look, feel, smell—how’s it decorated? It’s the sum of the parts. Th ese are fi rst-impression things, but details matter.” As with most cosmetic work, a little bit of eff ort can produce a nice pay-off . “Older siding that’s painted fresh makes the
house look new,” Hoferer says.For sellers looking to go a step
further, consider getting a home inspection before listing a home. “It lets you know what an inspector might fi nd, before you have to make any adjustments,” says Todd Gray, who owns Integrity Remodeling by Design. From there, sellers should consider investing their upgrade dollars in consistency. “Most new buyers are willing to do one of two things: invest in either the interior or exterior of a house,” Gray says. Spend accordingly. “If you need a new kitchen and a new roof, pick one to redo. Th ere should be uniformity, whether it’s inside or outside the home.”
Th is sometimes involve cleaning up the mistakes of the builder or any previous owners. Pay attention to drywall and paint clean-up, says Glenn Prechtl, president of the ReDevelopment Co. “You shouldn’t be able to notice any excessive or under-spackling, and there shouldn’t be any paint on fi nished areas.” Prechtl also suggests looking at hinges, knobs, and electric receptacles and switch plates. “If a builder didn’t focus on these obvious areas, what other items could they be hiding?”
Avoid hoarding
Sounds harsh, we know. But the sooner you own up to your hoarding tendencies—hey, we all do it—the better off your home will be. Th is is especially important in the selling phase, Grays points out. “I recommend people invest in a storage pod to de-clutter. You want buyers to envision their family in the home.”
It could just take some organization. “Clutter is a big thing,” Chen says. “It takes no money to straighten up. If your house is fi lled with stuff , people might see themselves taking up as much space. Buyers always relate the house to themselves.”
Prechtl recommends converting an attic or a garage into an additional room. “It utilizes existing space that’s already under the roof.”
Freshome.com agrees. “A garage can add usable storage space for the home buyer as well as dry, clean area for parking cars. If your home is on the market, spend time cleaning and organizing your garage so it can be shown. Install garage-wall or ceiling-organizing shelves to fully take advantage of vertical storage and space.”
If you’re going to invest……Invest in your kitchen and
bathrooms, says Chen. “Th ey’re really the things that distinguish the house.” Devine agrees. “Anytime you can add an extra bath or half-bath, you’ll attract more buyers.” But he warns to consider the investment carefully. “You might have more potential buyers, but not necessarily higher bids.”
Th at could hold true for energy-effi cient features, such as windows, doors, and roofs. (Windows should be replaced about every 15 to 20 years, most realtors agree. “Anything older than that and it’s not energy-effi cient,” Gray says.) Says Chen: “Energy-compliant appliances are important, but they’re not deal-breakers. Th ey’re more like tie-breakers.” While making your home more environmentally friendly will save on heating and cooling costs in the long run, “you won’t get your money back on big eco-friendly adjustments,” Chen says. “You might spend $5,000 on those features, but they’re only worth $2,500 to a prospective buyer. Up-to-date kitchens and bathrooms are still key.”
Go usedAs a fi nal tip, consider resale
and consignment shops if you’re redecorating on a budget. “Find a centerpiece in the room and build from there,” says Tracey Aleman, who owns the Annex Marketplace with her husband John. A centerpiece might be something as useful as a bench or dining-room set—mid-century tables and chairs are especially popular right now, John says, due to their limited availability and high demand—or as unusual as a set of colored bottles or a knight in shining armor. (Replica, of course.) Lamps, rugs, bookshelves, art, and lighting make great accent pieces, Tracey says, and their second-hand quality often means great character. “Go for something unique,” she says “You want to mix the old with the new.” A worn hutch that’s
still in good shape can make a great centerpiece for a room, while an offbeat accent piece,
like this set of an-tique bottles, can tie a room together in a unique way. (Both can be found at the Annex Marketplace.)
For more informationCall the Art Show Hotline at 610.647.4400, ext. 3133Or e-mail: www.immaculata.edu/artshowImmaculata University is located between Paoli & Exton just south of the intersection of Rtes. 30 and 352. U N I V E R S I T Y
IMMACULATA
Show: May 14–22, 2011 FREE ADMISSIONSaturdays and Weekdays: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.Friday, May 20: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.Sundays: Noon to 5 p.m.
May 13, 2011Preview Party for Artists, Patrons, and Donors
7 p.m. Alumnae Hall
Tickets are $75
T I M E F O R A N OT H E R B A N D TO R I S E . . .
W H O ’S N E X T ? YO U D E C I D E .Nominate Your Favorite Band at Musik armageddon.com
N o m i n at i o n D e a d l i n e : M o n d ay, M ay 1 6
UP CLOSE Curb Appeal –continued from previous page
Gardens speak volumes about the owners of their homes. Without question, a well planted and attractive
garden suggests that a homeowner cares for the home and has maintained it well.
For potential buyers, a garden sets the stage for what to expect within. Buyers who are turned off by a home’s exterior will often decline to look inside. (No showing, no sale.) Statistically, homes that show well sell faster and for more money than market averages. And while there is no set formula for the return on investment at time of sale, landscaping can be a real asset and an amenity that speaks to the soul of the beholder.
So how does a homeowner create a captivating front garden? A good way to start is to stand back and take a digital picture before you dig in. Seeing the space through the eyes of a camera enlarged onto a computer screen is an excellent way to appreciate what is good there and where changes are needed.
LET THERE BE LIGHT. First, fi nd out which direction your space faces and note when sun and shade are on it. Look at the major elements. If a large tree or bush dominates the area or obstructs other important features, consider trimming it so that it’s proportionate to the home. Th en ask: Do you need more sunlight? Can you create the sunny planting beds many gardeners are looking for in a new home, or are you content to limit garden choices to shade plantings?
THE RIGHT MIX. Putting together the best selection of plants is two-pronged. First, decide what needs to be cleared—perhaps weeds and scraggly specimens that are either overgrown or plain unattractive. Second, think about the size of your space, what you defi nitely want to keep, and what you want to add to complete the scene.
Start keeping a list of plants and garden designs you have seen and liked. Armed with this information, look for garden plans wherever you can fi nd them—on internet gardening sites, in magazines, in walking distance of your home. And take note of neighboring gardens, thinking about how yours might complement those nearby.
As you begin to sketch out your plans, consider what mix of plantings is most eff ective in other gardens you see: small bushes for evergreen color, ground covers, perennials plants, fl owering bulbs. Bring birds and butterfl ies into your garden with native varieties that support wildlife. Consider plants with a long season of interest; for instance, shrubs with spring fl owers as well as autumn color, or perennial plants that have beautiful foliage after the blooms are fi nished.
Flowering annuals pack a powerful visual punch and are often the fi rst choice for
containers, but they need to be replanted every year. For the long haul, perennial plants that come back are less-expensive investments and require less maintenance over time.
As you install your plants, think about grouping: lay out plants in odd-numbered arrangements of 3, 5, 7, etc. Placing taller plants at the rear of your garden and clustering similar plants together enhances their impact.
Using curves instead of straight lines softens the appearance of the garden and suggests a more natural space. To frame your gardens, remember that your front door is center stage, so nothing says “Welcome!” like an inviting path with hard-scaping or borders.
CONSIDER THESE POPULAR TRENDS AS YOU PLAN:
MOBILE GARDENS are potted plantings that can be moved easily and regrouped for impact.
GROUND COVERS. Replacing lawn with low-growing plants is environmentally friendly and low-maintenance.
TOPIARIES, dwarf trees, and ornamentals ensure visual interest year-round.
WATER FEATURES. Fountains and water gardens are especially hot right now.
TIME MANAGEMENT. Will you do weekend installation or develop your garden over time? Th is depends on your budget, personality, and available time. If you’re a new gardener, starting small and manageable is always a good idea. For most of us, gardens are an ongoing, evolving work in progress.
Finally, don’t be afraid to let your personal tastes direct your decisions. Aesthetics and artistic composition will come with time, and the impact of a well-planted and proudly presented garden will be a welcome gift for the next owner. Let your enthusiasm show. It is, after all, your garden.
Betsy West is an Emory Hill Residential realtor and serves on the board of the Delaware Center for Horticulture. She’ll be the guest speaker at the DCH’s “Gardening for Curb Appeal” event on Friday, May 13, during Discover Th eDCH Week. Learn more at thedch.org.
...and so much more!Discover TheDCH Week | May 6 -15
Dig in for some good fun at TheDCH.Find great deals on plants, exploreour beautiful facility, and meet friendly people. Whether you’re new to gardening or an experienced green thumb, we have something for everyone. Bring a friend, bring your family, and Discover TheDCH!
It’s May, party goers, and you know what that means: Cinco de
Mayo. Th e one day a year when we Americans can wear a sombrero and say things like “Ole!” and not get dirty looks. But before you cha-cha-cha up to the bar and order a cerveza—that’s a bottle of beer with a piece of fruit wedged in its neck—why not try something diff erent, like tequila?
For many, the word tequila conjures one of several scenarios: a lime and a lick of salt, a shot glass, and a banging headache; oversized mugs of brightly colored, Slurpee-like margaritas; or the biker-bar dance scene from Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. In
other words, it’s generally something to avoid.
However, if you can put aside the myths and misconceptions (and movies) about tequila, you may discover that this Mexican original is anything but undesirable. In fact, in an odd turn of the worm, tequila and its cousin mezcal, traditionally considered mere frat-party lubricants, have become sought-after potables among trendy bohemian bar hoppers and liquor connoisseurs alike.
For good reason. Like small-batch bourbon and single-malt Scotch, fi nely crafted tequila can be a very subtle and alluring spirit, and it comes with a distinctive pedigree. By Mexican law,
the alcoholic beverage known as tequila must be made from the juice of only one particular type of succulent plant, the blue agave (Agave tequilana azul), produced in one geographically specifi c area, the state of Jalisco in west-central Mexico.
Tequila makers harvest only the pineapple-like core of the plant (called the pina), which is a member of the lily family and is not a cactus, as is often thought. Th en, they chunk the pinas, steam them in an oven, and crush the baked pulp to extract the honey-sweet juice. Mezcal, on the other hand, can be produced anywhere in Mexico, using any of the 400 types of agave plants. And its core is roasted in earthen
mounds, rather than a metal oven, which creates an intense smokiness that diff ers from tequila’s sweetness.
In either case, the agave juice is fermented, distilled with water, and bottled in one of two ways: as pure (100 percent) agave or combined with other sugars (up to 51 percent agave) as a “mixto.” Th e resulting spirit, which averages about 40 percent alcohol, is usually clear. Additives such as caramel, as well as residue from barrel-aging, may impart an amber color.
Th ere are three main types of tequila: Blanco (or Silver), which is usually clear and involves little or no aging; Reposado (or “rested”), which by law must spend at least two months in wooden tanks or casks; and Anejo (or “old”), which is aged in wooden (usually bourbon) barrels for between one and four years. Blanco and Reposado tequilas are used primarily for mixing with other drink ingredients, typically fruit juices. Th e Anejo tequilas, on the other hand, are best enjoyed neat or poured over ice, like a well-crafted whiskey.
(You can fi nd a more in-depth description of the history and process of tequila-making, as well as some recipes and serving suggestions, at tastings.com.)
So now that you know a little more about tequila’s origins and birthright, it’s time for a tasting. But you may be wondering, other than doing shots, what’s the best way to enjoy the spirit of agave? At the table, of course. Whether blended with fruit juices or served straight up, tequila pairs well with the “traditional” Mexican foods we Americans love to eat on Cinco de Mayo—tacos, nachos, quesadillas, chalupas, etc. (Most are about as authentic as Chicken a la King, by the way.) Th e complex mixture of fl avors—from tangy and fruity salsa to savory, smoky bean sauce and spicy chiles—are a delicious complement to the delicate balance of sweet-and-
salty fl avors in the best tequilas.My preference is to sip a pre-supper
cocktail of Anejo tequila on the rocks, with a dash of fresh lime juice. It’s a simple, elegant way to prepare for the fi esta of fl avors to come. Th en, I like to switch to margaritas, but only if made from scratch and poured over ice; the premixes are often bitter and too harsh to accompany a nice meal, and the frozen variety numbs the taste buds.
Here are some of my favorites. Th e El Ultimo distillery off ers a
line of tequilas that provides a great introduction to the agave-based drink, based on price and fl avor. Both their Blanco and Reposado (750ml, $19.99 ea.) are better-than-average for fi rst-time tasters and are delicious mixed in a cocktail, like a Tequila Sunrise. But it’s the Anejo (750ml, $21.99), with its mix of caramel, berry, and slightly smoky fl avors, medium heat
(of short duration), and a nice lingering fi nish that
off ers the most value.It’s the Reposado
that’s the standout from Don Julio (750ml, $49.99). Incredibly soft, with elegant hints of unexpected fl avors—dark
chocolate, vanilla, and subtle notes
of pear, apple, and lemon—create a lightly
honeyed taste with a silky warm fi nish. It’s a personal favorite. Of course, I’ll shout “arriba!” for the Don Julio Blanco (750ml, $44.99) and Don Julio Anejo (750ml, $54.99), too.
Barreling in oak wood for two years (twice as long as suggested by category standards) imbues Herradura Anejo (750ml, $46.99) with both a deep amber color and a complex taste profi le (baked agave and dried fruit) that lead into a smooth and creamy fi nish. Th e Herradura Blanco (750ml, $31.99) and Herradura Reposado (750ml, $42.99) are similarly nice, with full agave aroma and earthy, spicy fl avors.
Perhaps the best line of tequila
Worm Tamer – continued from previous page
22 . Food & Drink
STAFFPICKS
“I’m a connoisseur of
bacon-egg-and-cheese
bagel sandwiches, so it takes
something extra special to
impress me. (Though it’s also
rare that a BE&C sandwich
disappoints me, unless it’s
from Dunkin’ Donuts.) At
any rate, the folks at LOMA
Coff ee know how to make
one. I think their secret
lies in buttering the bagel,
but you be the judge.”
— Michael Pollock, editor-in-chief
Tequila pairs
well with
Mexican foods
Americans love
to eat.
“A few weeks
ago, I was
hanging at Home
Grown’s bar in
Newark and
I tried their
Honey Mint
Tea. It’s a
cocktail made
from tea,
mint, simple
syrup, and
Bärenjäger.
I learned
something that
night—Bärenjäger
is THE MOST AMAZING
LIQUEUR OF ALL-TIME! It
tastes exactly like honey,
just with a little extra buzz.”
— Joy Smoker, art director
e
5_FoodDrink.indd 25_FoodDrink.indd 2 4/25/2011 10:57:00 AM4/25/2011 10:57:00 AM
these days belongs to Cazadores. Its Blanco (750ml, $27.99), distilled from 100-percent blue agave, tastes as clean as it looks and plays well with others, due to its slightly sweet taste and soft fi nish. Th e Cazadores Reposado (750ml, $32.99) gets its beauty rest in new, small, American white-oak casks, which off er a taste profi le that diff ers from most other tequilas, which are aged in old, used bourbon barrels. Th e Cazadores Anejo (750ml, $37.99) is an instant favorite, as well.
Considered the most popular brand in Mexico, the Sauza Hornitos (named for the Spanish “hornos,” the clay agave roasting ovens) brand of tequilas has been making inroads into the U.S. market through aggressive TV advertising. Th eir best seller, Hornitos Plata (750ml, $22.99), off ers a mix of fl oral and herbal notes, complemented by hints of clove and almond. Th e 100-percent agave Reposado (750ml, $25.99) is aged for two months in American oak barrels, while the Anejo (750ml, $28.99), with its sweet and toasty oak notes, spends up to 12 months in the barrel.
I recommend trying all three main types, from any of the above brands, poured solo over ice (with and without fresh lime). It’s the best way to fi nd the taste you like.
Chip Owens is the general manager of Premier Wine & Spirits (with locations in the Limestone Shopping Center and next to the James Street Tavern) and has more than 30 years of retail experience. For more, go to premierwinespirits.com.
www.out-and-about.com 23
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Dogfi sh Headdogfi sh.comMay 1: Taste of the Chesapeake beer dinner at Dogfi sh’s Rehoboth restaurant. Chesapeake eats paired with Dogfi sh beers Festina Peche, My Antonia, 90 Minute IPA, and Black & Blue. $57/person. 6:30pm.
Iron Hillironhillbrewery.comMay 4 & 18, June 1: Wilmington Mug Club Appreciation Nights. 5/4: Mexican dishes paired with beer; 5/18: Cheese paired with sour beers; 6/1: BBQ and beer.
May 6: Newark “Beers of Summer” release party. Belgian White, West Coast Golden Ale, and German Pilsner.
McGlynns Pub (Dover)
mcglynnspub.comMay 4: Dogfi sh beer dinner. Dogfi sh beers include Namaste, My Antonia, Sah’tea, Squall IPA, and World Wide Stout. $40/person. Reserved to fi rst 40 seats. 6:30pm.
This time last year, I’d met my match. It was a tall order: seven days to take down seven subs. Yet,
sure enough, a week and 9 lbs. later, I saddled up my horse and headed off into the sunset, the tombstones of seven subs left behind in the dust.
Little did I know a sequel was following close behind.
Th us, for Cinco de Mayo, this month’s culinary adventure is set south of the (PA/DE) border, at seven local Mexican restaurants. For one week, I tangoed with more than 20 tacos, plus a dozen salsas and hot sauces. Th is time, the grand fi nale proves the feast has its beast, too: a high-noon showdown with the notorious tongue taco.
What will it be like to taste what once tasted back?
Th ere’s only one way to fi nd out.
Day 1: La Poblanita3804 Lancaster Pike, Wilm,
Nestled in a little pueblo/strip mall across from the Pathmark on Lancaster Pike, this tiny taco shop quietly serves some of the best authentic Mexican fare around.
Today is all about the tacos, and the chicken, steak, and chorizo make their welcome arrival in slightly buttered
soft-shells gently warmed on a hard-top grill. Nice touch. Served Mexican-style, without lettuce or tomatoes, the chicken has plenty of cilantro piled on. In similar fashion, the steak is cooked with grilled diced onions.
Yet, as good as they both are, the chorizo takes top honors here. It’s full of fl avor and spicy without being overbearing.
Day 2: El Diablo Burrito13 A Trolley Square, Wilm.
When the devil came down to Trolley Square, it was more like heaven on earth. Boasting chef Roger Andrews, the former executive sous chef of 821, El Diablo has won over a legion of fans simply by being creative and consistent.
New on the menu are the fi sh tacos, which feature a healthy and generous 6-oz. portion of Gulf Stream Mahi-Mahi marinated in olive oil, garlic, and lime-and-lemon zest. Th e result is a moist and citrusy fi sh that pairs excellently with its in-the-tortilla counterpart, a tasty Jalapeno Honey Slaw.
Th e slaw also makes a good match with El Diablo’s pulled pork, says Andrews, explaining that their condiments are created to be multi-compatible.
Day 3: Sante Fe Wilmington2006 Pennsylvania Ave., Wilm.
Th e run of gourmet Mexican fare continues at Sante Fe’s Wilmington location, where I ordered the chorizo, carnitas (pulled pork), and pastor (a sweet and somewhat spicy mix of pork with pineapple).
Although the chorizo is relatively mild, especially compared to La Poblanita’s, the other two off erings are absolutely stellar, particularly the pastor, and for good reason.
Owner Javier Hacuna reveals that the pastor pork marinates overnight in a mix of onion, garlic, cinnamon, dried guajillo, and other chiles, soaked in Jarritos apple-soda base. Th e next day, while the pork slow-cooks on vertical rotisserie-style stakes, juice from a halved-pineapple slowly drizzles down from above and is soaked up by the roasting meat.
Day 4: Lime Tequila Bar & Grill1717 Delaware Ave., Wilm.
Although Lime off ers a quaint and cozy bar where you can grab an after-work Margarita with co-workers or friends, the kitchen can crank out some surprisingly tasty dishes, marrying typical tavern-type favorites with imaginative Mexican fl air. For instance, the Crispy Shrimp—their version of a fried favorite—is instead dusted with corn meal and served with a cilantro-garlic aioli.
Th e fi sh tacos are another good example. Juicy, citrus-marinated cubes of Mahi-Mahi, along with shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes and onions, come served in a fl our tortilla coated with a slight layer of melted cheddar. Topped with a chipotle crema, this taco conjures sensations of a fl avor fi esta for the palate. It’s a refreshing, delicious, and healthy treat.
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Man vs. Taco – continued from page 25
Day 5: Morelia Mexican Restaurant & Bar4617 Route 4, Omega Shopping Center, Newark
Colorful Mexican décor and traditional Mariachi music add to the warm and friendly ambiance of Morelia. Meanwhile, back in the kitchen—as Glenn Frey would say—the heat is on. If you’re a fan of foods with fi re, you’ll enjoy Morelia’s chorizo taco, which, when all’s said and done, ranks as the spiciest dish of the week.
Meanwhile, the chicken and steak tacos on the daily menu lend themselves to Mexican fare of more universal appeal, which is one of the many reasons why this restaurant is a favorite among the medical staff of nearby Christiana Hospital.
Day 6: The Mexican Post3100 Naaman’s Road, #14, Wilm.
My Don Quixote-like quest for tacos brings me to the Mexican Post, where I rendezvous with a combination of both fl our and corn shell tacos with chicken, pork, and beef. Although similar to Sante Fe in atmosphere and presentation, the menu is not nearly as adventurous. But what can I say? Th e food is good.
Stuff ed with fresh, shredded strips of lightly marinated chicken, as well as lettuce, tomato, and onions, their chicken taco was the heartiest I tried in that category all week. And although it wasn’t part of the mission, the fl avorful butterfl y shrimp, off ered in entrees like the fajitas, also deserves lofty status. Riding shotgun with the meal is a homemade salsa that’s a delicious mix of sweet tomato fl avors, mild cilantro, and semi-spicy heat.
Sure, no one’s reinventing the wheel here. But if it’s solid Mexican standards you crave, it’s worth stopping in.
Day 7: Tijuana Taco Shop1815 Lancaster Ave., Wilm.
For years, this establishment has prospered from the buzz of being “that Mexican place” close to the intersection of Lancaster and Union. To locals, it’s a long-time favorite. For me, on Day 7, it becomes a place of battle, the fi nal showdown.
[Cue theme music from Th e Good, the Bad and the Ugly.]
On the plate were four tacos: one chicken, one steak, one pastor, and the other…cow tongue. Or, as they say in Mexico, “la lengua.”
Yes, this was a surprise. A week of Mexican food was near completion, then stormed in this gang of banditos. I’d been ambushed—or was it
bushwhacked? Whatever you want to call it, this wasn’t what I pictured when I signed up for this round-up.
Th at being said, once I got past the idea of what I was eating, it really wasn’t that bad. In some circles, tacos de lengua are considered somewhat of a delicacy. To me, the taco meat tastes very much like pot roast: moist and tender. Among the four, I ranked it third: just below the steak, but better than the pastor.
So, you ask: Did the experience broaden my horizons? Not sure. But I’m open to another possible tongue taco sometime in the future. Just not next week.
For now, dusk has come and I’m packing up my horse en route to the next horizon, a bottle of Tums in my saddle pocket.
It’s not everyday that one associates the Golden State of California with the exotic African country of Morocco. But speak with local gourmet-food guru Soufi ane Lailani and you get the impression the two places are continental cousins.
His premise comes with an intriguing hook: Because both California and Morocco are coastal areas that share similar geographic, geologic, and meteorological attributes, they’re both prime locations in which to grow grapes.
Wine grapes, that is.Of course, this view isn’t exactly a widely held notion. Yet.
Which is just the point, says Lailani, who would rather lead the next trend rather than follow it. In charge of East Coast marketing for Exotic Imports, Lailani looks to bring Moroccan wines to American wine glasses.
Being born in Morocco, Lailani came to the United States almost 20 years ago with the necessitated ability of speaking several languages. Today, however, it could be said that the vernacular of choice for the Wilmington entrepreneur is the international language of cuisine.
Formerly the executive director of sales for Alili, an award-winning gourmet-foods provider that imports goods such as olive oil, honey, spreads, and condiments, Lailani proved years ago that there is a market for Moroccan products in this country (as well as in Canada, Germany, and France, where Alili continues to grow).
Here’s what he has to say about his latest venture.
The off erings of Morocco, in terms of cuisine and wine,
are relatively new to the U.S. market. What’s it like for you,
bringing in products from the country in which you were
born and possibly leading the next big wine trend?
My mission has always been to expose people to food and beverages from Morocco and that area of the world. Morocco has amazing wines. Th e country has been producing wine for more than 2,500 years. And the people know how to enjoy wine, too. Morocco produces 40 million bottles a year, but currently exports just 4 million bottles. So in terms of importing, there is tremendous room for growth.
Th e other part is that many of the varietals we represent are 100-percent single-varietal. Of course, we also off er the high-end blends as well. And we have the exclusive importing right to Morocco’s best high-end wines for the next several years.
How does a certain region—whether it’s Morocco,
Chile, or Australia—suddenly soar to prominence
on the international wine map?
It’s all about education: People feel like they’re getting more than just a glass of wine. It’s similar to music. Everyone wants to hear what the next big thing is. For wine enthusiasts, it’s the next big winery or the next big region for wines. It’s all about discovery.
Did your experiences with Alili give you an indication that
Americans are truly ready for Moroccan cuisine and wine?
America’s palate has changed dramatically in the last 20 years. When I fi rst moved here in 1993, you couldn’t get a decent cup of coff ee. Now look at all the choices. Th ere’s a fascinating book called Th e United States of Arugula that talks about this phenomenon. Most people hardly knew what arugula was 20 years ago. Now it’s considered a primary ingredient in many salads. As a country, we are becoming more and more interested in gourmet off erings. Th e popular chefs you see on TV? Th ey’re the rock stars of today.
Where are your wines currently available in the U.S.?
Our wines recently became available in Texas, Illinois, California, and Colorado. In California, we’re now in Nobu, and in Colorado we’re in some of the premier venues in Aspen. We’re also looking to do private labels for select destinations like the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Of course, I’d like to see our wines here in Delaware soon, too.
Chicago is a big food town, so Illinois makes sense. But
Moroccan wine in Texas? Is that a stretch?
You’d be surprised. We just completed a tour of Texas. Dallas is impressive when it comes to food. And when you go to Austin and see the restaurant scene fi rsthand, you think you’re in San Francisco. In that way, there are a lot of similarities with Texas and California when it comes to food trends.
collecting boxes of bootleg incandescents. My wife had helped me manufacture them in the basement of our now-burning Tudor.
I recognize the cop—Collins—but she doesn’t recognize me. Last time we met, I was wearing a suit while arguing before a judge. Now all I have on are fl annel pajama pants and handcuff s.
A competitor must have ratted us out. Th e cops raided us in full assault gear, pulled me and Kim out of bed. I guess we did enough business to be considered traffi ckers because they’d been able to get a nighttime
warrant. Th e kids were taken out and handed to a woman I assume was from Family Services.
I knew to remain silent, and they just sat me on the curb. Kim’s former life as a schoolteacher hadn’t prepared her for arrest. She cursed and spat at the cops like a third-grader off his Ritalin until they’d shoved her into the back of a cruiser. She screamed at me, “Look what they’re doing! How can you be so calm?”
I’m not calm. I just look that way when I’m thinking.
Still, I was glad they drove her and the kids away quick. My family didn’t need to see our house burn, feel its heat against their faces as I do. Even from across the street, warm as an autumn sunset.
Light-bulb fi laments are tungsten—it takes a lot of heat to work that metal. Our shop wasn’t exactly up to OSHA standards. No doubt a storm trooper had knocked into something, and the place had caught.
Or maybe they’d just torched it to send a message.
We packaged a shipment yesterday, and stored it in the garage. Th e fi re takes its time spreading there, and so the cops are able to save the evidence.
Neighbors are gathering in the street. Some of them had been our customers. Now they’re just spectators to the morality play: You don’t want this happening to you.
what you give patrol offi cers so they can seem hardcore during these SWAT ops. “You look familiar,” she says. Th ey’ve already Mirandized me, so I know that anything I say can and will be used against me, etc. But I haven’t invoked my right to counsel yet, mainly because I can’t bring myself to speak, so the cops can still talk to me. “You used to be in the AG’s Offi ce. Steve, right?”
I’m impressed she remembers, but I don’t say anything to her. I’m still thinking. Th e next few moments are going to determine the rest of my life. Other people’s, too.
Collins can’t take a hint. I remember her being chatty. “We had some misdemeanor domestic-violence trials together, right? You were still new to the offi ce, and I was pretty rookie, too.”
I liked those days, getting to be the good guy. Despite myself, I smile
at the memory. Collins takes it as an invitation for further commentary. “What happened to you?”
Simple. A lot of people don’t like being told what they can and can’t buy. Other folks don’t like compact fl uorescent bulbs. After all, the old-fashioned incandescents—you know, the bulbs Edison came up with—didn’t give your home’s interior the same
ambiance as a truck-stop bathroom. Just because someone says the ban’s necessary to stop global warming/cooling/climate change, doesn’t mean that people believe it, or that the demand goes away.
Bless her; Collins does her best to get me to talk. “You seemed so together. How’d you go from prosecutor to criminal?”
Kids need to eat, decent schooling costs money, and when infl ation turns your savings into Monopoly money, you’d be surprised what kind of careers you’ll suddenly fi nd yourself open to.
“You used to be one
of us, Steve. A good
guy. But you broke
the trust. Look
what happens,”
she says, gesturing
at my house with
her shotgun.
“You used to be one
of us, Steve. A good
guy. But you broke
the trust. Look
what happens,”
she says, gesturing
at my house with
her shotgun.
Besides, I’d gone to law school to beat up on criminals. Who’s the real felon: the man breaking a stupid law, or the man writing it?
“Some guys in my platoon did heavier cases with you. Th ey always said you did a good job,” she says.
Th e nice thing about being a prosecutor is the variety. Robberies, assaults, homicides. Learning about ballistics, seeing how computer forensics can strip a computer, how cell phones can be tracked—it’s all interesting stuff . Even the mundane protocols of smuggling drugs and weapons and the ins-and-outs of gang recruitment are fascinating. I used to joke that the best way to learn how to be a criminal was by prosecuting them.
“I remember hearing you did a case involving bombs,” Collins says.
It was just a single bomb, a college student more interested in the challenge of making explosives than with any real aspirations of being the next Timothy McVeigh. Th e kid’s design specs were so complex they were practically artwork. I had them copied and framed as a gift to my father. He’d been a combat engineer, so he appreciated the gag. Th ose specs are still safely at his house, while all my family photographs burn.
Now she pretends to be my psychiatrist. “Something must have set you off ,” she says.
I’m sure something did, but the funny thing is I have no idea what. When did it really start? In 2007, when the ban was passed, and no one was even paying attention? In 2013, when it went into eff ect? Th e year after that, when I had my fi rst bulb-dealing case? Or maybe a little later, when Kim got pregnant with our third child and I wasn’t sure how we’d cover the extra mouth and the mortgage? Sometimes it’s hard to pin down life’s turning points.
My mind churns. Th e lack of conversation hurting her feelings, she cuts into me, “Isn’t it kind of silly? Losing all this over something so minor?”
I’d been selling them for $75 apiece, but she has a point. It is silly. So is pointing guns at people over it.
Fire engines fi nally show. It’s been, what, 20 minutes? Th ey can tell you how to light your home, but the
May | O&A32 . Short Story
Killing the Lights –continued from previous page
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fi re department comes with all the timeliness of a day-old newspaper.
“Not going to be fun for you,” Collins says. “Traffi cking has a one-year minimum—mandatory. Th ere are probably some people you sent inside that would be anxious to see you.”
Th ey won’t plea me to anything other than the traffi cking and its min-man sentence, either. Th e Usual Gang of Idiots running things can’t do anything about 15-percent unemployment or gasoline at fi ve bucks a gallon. But they have to show the electorate that they’re capable of doing something right. So if the only thing the government can do halfway competently is police black market bulbs, then by God, black market bulbs shall be policed.
“You used to be one of us, Steve. A good guy. But you broke the trust. Look what happens,” she says, gesturing at my house with her shotgun.
Ah, now I understand her anger. Not sure I’m the one that broke the trust, though. I don’t think we were meant to regulate everything down to illegal illumination. I mean, if they don’t trust you with the small stuff , how much longer will they let you decide big things for yourself?
Collins must see it diff erently, because she’s laughing now. Laughing at me as ash carries gently on the breeze like Christmas snow. “Just think about it, Steve. Your wife will probably draw the same sentence, and no telling where they’ll place your kids while you guys are locked up. Insurance won’t pay for the fi re, given all the dangerous equipment you guys had in the basement.”
I stare as the roof falls in with a plume of dancing embers.
Collins whistles. “Th ere it all goes. Because you couldn’t get with the program.”
And I realize she’s right. Look how much I’ve lost.
But here’s the thing: If I was willing to risk so much over so little, what might I be willing to do now that you’ve taken my wife and my home and my children?
A year in jail—a lot of time to plan. Not to mention the street cred it’ll give me when I begin recruiting.
Th at’s when I stop thinking about it, and make my decision. It’s an exquisite moment, going from criminal to terrorist.www.out-and-about.com 33
BEER&BEEF
ODESSA FIRE HALL
$30 • 50/50• Raffle Items• Auction Items
Proceeds Benefit Haxton Family TrustMAY 14TH 7-11PM
Ticket Requests: Mail Check & Self Addressed Stamped Envelope to:
PO Box 62, Odessa, DE 19730
Checks must be made payable to: Haxton Family Trust
Advanced Sales Limited Tickets Available at the Door • More info: HOLLY AT 302.275.9960
A Bride Too FarSaturday Night Live’s Kristen Wiig creates her own star vehicle with mixed results
By Mark Fields
M E M O
To: Kristen Wiig, star, co-writer,co-producerFrom: Mark Fields, Out & About movie criticRe: Bridesmaids
Kristen, darling, fi rst of all, you need to know that I really, really,
Sally-Field-really like you on Saturday Night Live with all your great recurring characters, especially that hysterical fi lm-reviewing Aunt Linda. But, based on my experience watching Bridesmaids, there are a few important things you need to know as you make your foray into the world of movies.
Lesson 1: There’s a big diff erence
between sketch/situation comedy
and full-length movies. What’s hilarious for fi ve minutes very late on a Saturday night isn’t automatically funny for two hours at a Sunday matinee at the cineplex. Obvious point, yes, but lots of SNL performers before you have made the same mistake. A movie requires more than a wacky premise and
a character who’s nothing more than a couple of quirks. It probably doesn’t help to surround yourself with talent that all came from sketch and situation comedy, such as your director Paul Feig (Th e Offi ce) and co-stars Maya Rudolph (also of SNL), Megan McCarthy (Mike and Molly), and Wendi McClendon-Covey (Reno 911!). Th ey do not know any better than you.
Lesson 2: You should try at least
to have characters and settings
make sense. It’s weird, confusing even, for a cake baker in Milwaukee to have two roommates with thick British accents. Similarly, if your love interest is supposed to be a Wisconsin state cop, you might want to explain why he has a colorful but out-of-place Irish brogue. Otherwise, we spend time wondering about that instead of paying attention to you.
Lesson 3: Awkward is only funny
for so long. Maybe this problem is a symptom of being in SNL sketches that always seems to go on too long, but a
character’s awkwardness doesn’t keep getting funnier and funnier. After a while, it’s just…awkward. Which leads me to my next point.
Lesson 4: The audience wants to
sympathize with somebody, usually
the perky star. Strange, but when we spend a few hours with a group of characters in a movie, we want to like some of them. Most of the time, I really enjoyed your Annie, especially her relationship with her friend Lillian (Rudolph). But when she so obviously demeans herself in a dead-end relationship or goes over-the-top mental at a bridal shower, we just want to run the other way.
Oh, and one more lesson before I close. Nothing aggravates the movie-going public more than pretty people acting like they are plain and dumpy. We recognize plain and dumpy from our bathroom mirror, and it looks nothing like you.
In summary, Kristen, you’re naturally funny, appealing, and you may have the chops for a career in movies, but you’ve got to bring your A-game if you want to make it in the big leagues. Bridesmaids, honey, isn’t even close.
Cat’s Entertainment
The third feature released from the new DisneyNature production unit,
African Cats tells the story of two feline mothers—one a lioness, the other a cheetah—as they face the challenges of live on the Kenyan plains.
Th e imposed “story” overly humanizes the cats’ behavior, and the script (narrated by Samuel L. Jackson) is too often trite and cloying. Sanitized for your protection by Disney, the carnivore-centric fi lm is strangely bloodless, focusing more on the chasing of the prey than on the kill.
Yet the fi lm entertains its target demographic of children, and the photography of both these regal creatures and their wilderness environment is nothing less than exquisite.
Burning Down
the HouseBy Mark Fields
Home improvements don’t always go so improvingly, as evidenced by this DVD festival of house-related movies.
Mr. Blandings Builds His
Dream House (1948)
Cary Grant is at his screwball best in this vintage comedy about the challenges of custom home-building.
The Money Pit (1986)
An update of the above Blandings story, with Tom Hanks and Shelly Long, except someone forgot to install the humor.
Up (2009)
A crusty old man decides to visit South America and fl oats his house along with him, as well as a spunky young stowaway. A beautiful but thin Pixar fi lm.
Gone with the Wind (1939)
I think Scarlett, played by Vivian Leigh, loves Tara (the mansion) even more than she loves Rhett (Clark Gable).
Tamara Drewe (2010)
Stephen Frears directed this quirky Brit-com based on a graphic novel. Tamara (Gemma Arterton) re-does her face, re-does her home, and wreaks accidental havoc on her small English town.
Animal House (1978)
Classic college comedy starring John Belushi, Tim Matheson, and a hilariously “lived-in” frat house, but was that really 33 years ago?!
Swiss Family Robinson (1960)
Th e very best tree house…ever!
House of Sand and Fog (2003)
Ben Kingsley and Jennifer Connolly fi ght over a beautiful beach home with tragic consequences for all.
Monster House (2006)
An overlooked animated comedy riff s on the many, many “evil house” horror fi lms that I somehow left out of this list.
For complete details and to purchase admission,call 800.448.3883 or visit winterthur.org/ptp. Trackside tailgate parking spaces
and tailgate guest wristbands are available by calling 302.888.4994.Advance sales only. Rain-or-shine event. No refunds. All wristbands must be purchased by May 7. Adult general admission $30 (March1–April 29); $50 (April 30–May 7). No tickets will be mailed after April 29. Children under 12 free. Discount for Winterthur Members.Proceeds benefit the continued maintenance and preservation of the Winterthur Garden and estate.
Winterthur is nestled in Delaware’s beautiful BrandywineValley on Route 52, between I-95 and Route 1.800.448.3883 • 302.888.4600 • winterthur.org
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302.234.2000
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302.999.1227
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Greenville, DE 19807302.656.4409
Purchase your Point-to-Point general admission at any of the following locations:
njoy glorious steeplechase racing at thisyear’s Point-to-Point. Join us for a full day ofnonstop fun and festivities, set amidst thesplendor of Henry Francis du Pont’sWinterthurestate. Pack a picnic lunch or tailgate spreadand get ready to enjoy one of the BrandywineValley’s most stylish sporting events!
It is the policy of Delaware Sports League that all members and/or those participating in Delaware Sports League games, events and/or outings must be 21 years of age or older. Neither athletic ability nor the consumption of alcohol is a require-ment to participate in Delaware Sports League games, events, or outings. This is about the people, not the party. The only requirement is that you are open to all people, treat them well, be safe with yourself and others, and have fun!
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his one is to the members themselves. Those of you that have been following my Facebook or paying attention at the games, you know
that this has been an emotional start to the Spring for me. I lost my grandfather March 31st. However, one of the things that really helped me pull through that was how much he loved when I shared DSL with him. In those last days we spent a lot of time talking about fun, games, and what they have meant to him in his life. He even shared a piece about their childhood that my great uncle Bubby wrote and it was all about the games they played!
You have all kept that alive. In what we do with DSL I am able to fi nd peace and happiness that I was so lucky to have him in my life and through one another we are able to celebrate perhaps the most important lesson that I learned from my grandfather…friendship, love and fun are the most important things in life. That is what you remember in the end (and I was there). You have all done that for me and for each other and I hope that this Spring and Summer we continue to do just that.
In memory of my grandfather let’s make this season one of friendship and fun...
WILMINGTON WIFFLE® BALL:Baseball season is upon us and so is the swinging of the WIFFLE® bats. The fi elds are lined and the homerun fences are up. We have Sean Crumb crowing at everyone on the fi eld and once again Eric Cranny and his crew crushing balls right and left. Ahhhh…SPRING!
DSL CO-ED FLAG FOOTBALL:A new season of Flag Football is upon us as the Fall Champions (Show me your TD’s) and the Winter Champions (Fallopian Swim Team) hope to grab another title, unless another team has something to say about it.
DSL MONDAY BOWLING:Let’s just face it, Scott had to work beer pong in there somehow and he was able to do it this season with Bowling Pong as one of our side games…I mean does it get any better than Bowling & Beer Pong? OK so maybe we didn’t play with beer but it was still fun! Congratulations to Dry Bumpers who narrowly edged out Wild Turkey’s for the Winter Bowling Championship!
WILMINGTON KICKBALL:Our biggest season yet is under way! A sold out number of 64 teams have joined to get this party started. Congratulations to our returning champions Slow Rollers and Knocking Boots as they look to hold on to their Spring Kickball Championships. Also watch out for the new look CR Hooligans team as Amy has a new surprise for the league. First ever Outdoor Grass
Volleyball On The Riverfront!
DSL Spring & Summer Kickoff Party At Logan House
YMCA CO-ED BASKETBALL & VOLLEYBALL:It was quite a season but in the end we pulled it off and got the season completed! By working together we made it happen and we are proud to announce Hardcore Sets as our YMCA 2011 Winter Coed Volleyball Champions and Delaware Hoosiers as our YMCA 2011 Winter Coed Basketball Champions!
ROGERLAMAYThe WXPN general manager and Phillies super-fan on radio, the music industry, and how to beg for money without losing your integrity
By Michael Pollock
How did you get your
start in radio?I started doing radio in
college. I was the fi rst general manager of our FM station at Skidmore in Saratoga Springs, New York. Th e call letters were actually WSPN. I joke that 40 years later, I’ve only changed one consonant. After college, I got a job as a country-western disc jockey in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Th at was my fi rst commercial job. When I got there, the guy who owned the station said, ‘You look and sound like a Kennedy. I want you to use the name Roger Kennedy on the air.’ [laughs] It must’ve been the New England accent, I don’t know. [LaMay, who’s 57, grew up in Connecticut.] Th en I moved into television
MUSICnews for 25 years, working all over the country—Maine, Los Angeles, New York. I came to Philadelphia in 1985, right after Live Aid, to start a news department at Channel 29—long before there was a Fox. I was there for 12 years, and then Fox bought the station, and I became general manager for another six years.
I thoroughly enjoyed my career in TV. I covered news events all over the world. But commercial TV was becoming less and less fun. I had gotten involved with WXPN as a listener, and I was on their advisory board. We also did some underwriting for them. One of my jokes was that one day I was going to chuck the TV thing and go work for XPN. I never thought it was a possibility. But then the GM position opened up about eight years ago, and they asked me to fi nd someone. I thought, ‘Oh, they’re calling my bluff .’ So I got the position, and my fi rst project was fi nding a new home for the station, which we did by partnering with World Cafe Live and rehabbing the building we’re in now [in Philadelphia].
Your career in radio
started in the late
’70s, which was still
king when it came to
breaking new music.Oh, yeah, it was one
of the golden times for commercial radio. But that’s long gone.
What’s the biggest
change from when
you started?Well, I think even though
commercial radio was always commercial radio, it was, at least in part, about the music, and musical discovery. And for a whole variety of reasons—corporate
consolidation, the digital revolution, the business of radio—commercial radio is just about selling widgets, and the programming is the stuff they put in between. Th e passion’s gone out of it.
Do you still see radio
as a place where new
and bubbling artists
can break through?Absolutely. But only in
a handful of stations, and almost exclusively at public stations. I think what’s happened is the XPNs of the world have become increasingly important. It’s one of the few sort of mass-media places where new artists and unsigned artists can still get played. It’s where working, veteran artists who had their big commercial success early on can still get played, because the commercial stations just play their old stuff . Even a mega-huge star like Bruce Springsteen—when he did the Pete Seeger album, it only got played on stations like XPN. Commercial stations wouldn’t touch it. And he’s as big as they come.
It’s been a few months
since Arcade Fire
shocked everyone
with their Grammy
win for Album of the
Year. Do you see that
as a Nirvana moment,
where the arm is
reaching out of the
underground a bit? Yes and no. I think it
refl ects the energy and creativity that’s coming out of the indie-rock scene today, which is terrifi c. I think it’s also a refl ection of how decentralized the whole music industry has become. Th e mainstream and the major labels have sort of lost their grip on things. And now we see the Grammys
trying to whittle down their number of categories, as a way to recapture that, which, on the surface, at least, seems kind of pathetic, because they can’t put the genie back in the bottle. So I think it’s a positive refl ection of where the creativity is, but it also shows what’s happened to the music industry, and how nobody really has a grip on it now.
Th e double irony, and this kind of parallels what we’re talking about, is the Amos Lee album this year [Mission Bell]. It was No. 1 on Billboard the week it came out, which is amazing—here’s a local guy who bubbled up out of XPN, and he’s No. 1 for a week. But it was also the lowest sales total for a No. 1 record ever. [Th e album sold 40,000 copies in its fi rst week.]
What are some things
you listen to that
don’t get played on
XPN because of the
station’s format?I’d say because of the
breadth of what we play, the station covers a good portion of my waterfront. If anything, I tend to go deeper into things we play. I’ve been totally captivated by this live Bob Marley recording [Live Forever] that just came out. We don’t get to play full albums, so I really welcome the opportunity to dive into those.
I’m also a little twang-ier than what we play on XPN. We don’t play a lot of country- and bluegrass-fl avored music, so I play a lot of that, which stems from my start at a country-western station, playing Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson and those guys.
attention this year.Th at Bob Marley live album, which is from one of his last
shows. I’m also really big on this Middle Brother album. It’s this one-off project with the guys from Dawes, Deer Tick, and Delta Spirit. It just has really great songs on it. I’m also really into the new Bright Eyes record [Th e People’s Key]. And I like the Jessica Lee Mayfield record [Our Hearts Are Wrong, produced by Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys]. She’s good, and it’s really well-produced.
We put this question to Hal Real [owner of World
Cafe Live], and now it’s your turn. You’re on a
desert island that somehow has a stereo, and
electricity, for that matter. What fi ve records have
to be there?I think there’s a tendency in these circumstances to have
at least one greatest-hits album on the list. So I’ll go with Bob Marley’s Legend for that pick. I’d want all those songsin one place.
I’d go with Talking Heads, Stop Making Sense, because I’m a huge Talking Heads fan.
And I would defi nitely need some nostalgia. I grew up a Deadhead, so I’d go with Europe ’72 there.
Blood on the Tracks…although I struggle between that and Patti Smith’s Horses, because I think, ‘What if I get tired of listening to Dylan’s voice?’
And then, because you need some variety: Jazz at Massey Hall. It’s a Charlie Parker/Charlie Mingus/Bud Powell/Max Roach thing. Greatest concert ever.
Being nonprofi t and member-supported, XPN is in
this delicate situation of having to ask listeners for
donations on a regular basis. How do you juggle
that challenge without sounding desperate?[pauses] Well, we’re always trying to fi gure out ways to
shorten up our fundraising. And frankly, the drives got longer and longer because it took us longer to raise the money. Th e last couple of years, we’ve been able to knock off a day here and there because we’ve hit our goals. Everybody keeps saying, ‘Th ere’s gotta be a better way.’ But a lot of smart people spend a lot of time trying to fi gure it out. [laughs] Th ere’s just no better way to recruit new members than on-air.
Between the three fund drives we do every year, we raise $1.5 million. [Membership donations total about $3 million annually, or half of XPN’s operating budget.] We put more music in the drives; we do everything we can to make them more entertaining. We’ve just yet to come up with a better alternative. And thank goodness they still work. Our membership has hung pretty tough.
How nervous do you get that you won’t
hit your goal?Th e last drive we did, in February, was really unusual in that
Join us for the lively reggae, soul, and ska sounds of Wilm-ington’s own Bullbuckers, a show that holds the privilege of being the band’s release party for their much-antici-
pated debut CD. Dubbed “the livest” band in Delaware by WVUD’s DJ Thorro,
the Bullbuckers won Spark Magazine’s 2009 Summer Series, in their first year playing together. Since then, the band has had the honors of sharing the stage with national acts such as The Wailers, Robert Randolph, Trombone Shorty, The Slackers, and Cherry Poppin’ Daddies.
With the new release, their link to nationally-recognized acts continues, with the addition of Kirk Joseph, co-founder of The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, on sousaphone on multiple tracks.
“A fusion of soul-searing and foot-stomping music - ska like you’ve never heard it (unless you were living in the Islands in the 60s), soul and a tinge of hip-hop. It’s a Wilmington sound that has roots - and fans - round the globe.” – The Examiner
Coming this month
BULLBUCKERSSaturday, May 21Doors 8pm/Show 9pm
Upstairs at World Cafe Live at the Queen
5 – Bronze Radio Return
6 – Charlie Hunter Trio
7 – Spokey Speaky
12 – Splintered Sunlight
13 – Richard Julian
14 – Apex Watson
21 – Bullbuckers
26 – IVA
27 – Universal Funk Order
29 – LiveConnections presents
Barbara Govatos and the Delaware
Chamber Music Festival Quartet
ALSO AT WORLD CAFE LIVE THIS MONTH
Every Monday Night: 4W5 Acoustic JamEvery Tuesday Night: Acoustic/Electric Open Mic
the whole middle of the drive was kind of terrible. It just wasn’t going anywhere. And we were heading into the last day way in the hole, and I was thinking we might have to add another fund drive. But then we had this phenomenal last day—we always expect to have a good last day, because people procrastinate. But we were struggling to do about $40,000 a day that week, and on Friday, we did $140,000. It basically took us from being $100,000 short to maybe $20,000 or $30,000 short, which we knew we could make up during the year. So no matter how long we’ve been doing this, we’re always surprised by how it goes.
What was your reaction to the
Queen and what they did with
the space?I was monitoring it pretty closely
from the beginning. Th ey did an incredible job. I don’t know that people realize how close that building was to not being there anymore. I felt like I could lean on it and it would’ve collapsed. And they fact that they decided to save it is just… And the
fi nished product…I’m trying not to say it too loud around here, but it’s even nicer than our building. [laughs] I love the feel of it, the funkiness of it. I think it’s potentially one of the great rock ’n’ roll rooms in the country.
You’re a big Phillies fan.
Predictions for the season?Anything can happen in post-season
baseball, obviously, but they’ve got all the pieces, and if they’re missing a couple, they’ve shown they can go out and get them. I see us going all the way.
Boy Sets FireJune 2: The TrocaderoNewark’s most infl uential punks have reunited. They play Philly before embarking on an international tour.
The Bullbuckers (ska/funk)May 21: World Cafe Live at the Queenmyspace.com/bullbuckers
Echo & the BunnymenMay 12: The TrocaderoThe post-punk pioneers perform their fi rst two studio albums.
Fleet FoxesMay 21: Tower Theatre (Upper Darby)Indie rock’s most harmonic band returns with a new album (Helplessness Blues, out May 3) and a near-sold-out tour, which includes this stop in Philly.
The Grand (select shows)May 7: Javon Jackson (jazz)May 13: Lewis Black’sIn God We Rust (comedy)May 14: Whose Live Anyway?(music & comedy)thegrandwilmington.org
Kennett Flash (select shows)May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Open-mic nights w/Butch ZitoMay 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Blue Monday blues jamMay 14: Steve Forbert (folk rock)May 20: Live at the Fillmore(Allman Bros tribute)May 27: Joe Trainor Trio (pop-rock)kennettfl ash.org
Mad-Sweet PangsMay 21: Deer Park Tavernmadsweetpangs.com
New Sweden (roots rock)May 6: Kelly’s Logan HouseMay 13: Arden Gild Hall (w/Free Energy)June 4: The Baby Grandnewswedenmusic.com
John OatesMay 28: World Cafe Live at the QueenWXPN brings one half of the blue-eyed-soul duo to Wilmington.
Okkervil RiverJune 3: The TrocaderoThe ragged indie rockers play Philly on the strength of their brilliant new album, I Am Very Far, out May 10.
Robert Randolph & the Family BandMay 16: World Cafe Live at the QueenThe pedal-steel guitarist bridges funk and soul. Presented by Out & About magazine.
Twilight SingersMay 10: The TrocaderoGreg Dulli hasn’t lost his touch. His post-Afghan Whigs project has just released the great Dynamite Steps, the band’s fi rst album in fi ve years.
Villains Like You (blues rock)June 4: The Baby Grandvillainslikeyou.com
Mom’s Eat For Free at Que Pasa and The Lighthouse All Day Sunday May 8th *One complimentary menu item per Mom. One full price menu item of equal or greater value must be purchased to receive the discount. Limit one complimentary item per Mom.
GENO ANDTHE PLUNGEOur favorite comedian is also a Man of the Year candidate raising money in the fi ght against cancer
“Man looks in the abyss; there’s
nothing staring back at him. At that
moment, man fi nds his character.
And that is what keeps him out of the
abyss.”
–Hal Holbrook in Wall Street (the good one…not the crapfest that sent Catherine Zeta-Jones spiraling into rehab)
I’ve looked into the abyss twice in my life; the second time was this past April 9,
evidenced here as I stared into Twin Lakes with nothing between me and the icy waters except the thin nylon layer of my (actually O&A’s Jim Miller’s) Speedo.
What would drive a man to such an edge?
Th e answer to that question has to do with the fi rst time I stared down into the abyss: Oct. 4, 1996—the day I lost my mother to Leukemia.
Th e thing about cancer is it doesn’t stop at the life it takes. It also tries to rip apart the lives of everyone that life ever touched. Cancer ruined me for a year and certainly could have taken me to much darker places. But because of my close friends and family and the incredible passion for living my mother instilled in me, I eventually woke up and realized the very thing cancer tries to make us forget—that each moment we are alive is a gift, and the greatest thing we can do in any moment is to give of ourselves to others.
I cannot thank enough the people that came out for the Twin Lakes Plunge last month and helped us raise close to $1,000 in the fi ght against cancer. A fi ght that will culminate at the grand-fi nale celebration on Saturday, May 14, as Barclays on the Riverfront hosts Casino for a Cure.
Get tickets and donate to your favorite candidate today:
mwoy.org/de/localchapter/
candidates.
— Geno Bisconte At top, Geno Bisconte is a good sport as he jumps into Twin Lakes last month. Bisconte lost a fantasy-football bet, while Stan Yau (in Giants jersey) and Victor Matteo (in blue cowboy hat) also lost bets, theirs during the Dec. 19 Eagles-Giants game last season. Bisconte parlayed the event into a fundraiser for his Man of the Year campaign.
STARTINGOVERFor one local family, a special fundraiser will go a long way toward rebuilding their lives
The Haxton family needs your help. Last Christmas Eve, the Middletown
family of four was on its way to share gifts with loved ones when its SUV lost control on a turn. Paul Haxton, the father, was killed instantly, while his wife Trina was paralyzed from the neck down. Th e couple’s two daughters, 6-year-old Lyndsey and 4-year-old Hayley, were saved by their car seats.
Th e outpouring of public support has been something of a silver lining in this tragic story. But for Trina and her girls, in addition to the emotional damage they continue to suff er, every day is a challenge. Th e family is faced with mounting medical bills and living expenses, including making their home accessible for Trina, who is now confi ned to a wheelchair.
Th at’s where you come in. Join friends and family for a beef-and-beer benefi t at the Odessa Fire Hall on May 14 from 7 to 11 p.m. A 50/50 will be held, as well as raffl e and auction items. Tickets are $30, with proceeds going to the Lyndsey & Hayley Haxton Trust Fund. To order tickets, or for more info, call Holly Jankiewicz at 275-9960.
GRAND PRIX PARTYCelebrate race weekend with a tailgate in Brandywine Park
The weekend that starts Friday, May 20 isn’t just the biggest event
weekend all month, it’s set to be the biggest all year.
In addition to WXPN’s NonComm conference and concerts taking place at the Queen, the Wilmington Grand Prix returns for three action-packed days running May 20-22.
While Saturday and Sunday feature top bike races and family-friendly festivities, Friday, May 20 is a great prelude everyone can enjoy. From 4 to 8 p.m., Brandywine Park will host Party in the Park, a tailgate with a beer garden and food for purchase. Cap it off with a view of 300 riders participating in the Monkey Hill Time Trial. (Prime spots will be near the start/fi nish line at the top of Monkey Hill.) You’re welcome to bring a lawn chair and your own picnic, of course.
Go to wilmgrandprix.com or see the fl ipside of this magazine for full Grand Prix details.
TAILGATING WITH MOM?Point-to-Point and Mother’s Day make for a fun outing this month
The tailgating event of the year shares a very maternal connection this
month, as Winterthur’s Point-to-Point and Mother’s Day are both held on Sunday, May 8.
Pack a picnic, pack the cooler, and grab your oversized hat. (And bring mom.) Gates for tailgating and premium parking open at 10:30 a.m., followed by general admission at 11:30, which is also when the marketplace (hats, clothing, jewelry, and equine and canine accessories for sale) opens. Enjoy the weather and beautiful greenery while waiting for the antique-carriage parade at 1 p.m. (Th ere’s also a horse race you may have heard about, taking place later in the day.)
And because it’s Mother’s Day, P2P is hosting a number of special features just for mom, including the Mother’s Day Hunt Brunch—where you can see the fi nish line up close—and Tailgate Tents in the Country Club Rail section. Th ere’s also the Mother’s Day membership gift, which includes full Winterthur benefi ts until March 2012 with the purchase of a tailgate space.
For more details, go to winterthur.org.
1...........................................Family Fun Sundays & Wacky Webkinz/Rocky’s Birthday Party
GIFTS FROM THE ARTDCAD’s annual scholarship gala helps talented students realize their dreams
Since opening 14 years ago with just 50 full-time students, Wilmington’s
Delaware College of Art and Design has grown to a current student body of 220. Th ey’ve also given out nearly $5 million to incoming students to help cover tuition and other school needs.
It’s through fundraisers like DCAD’s annual scholarship gala that such generosity is possible. Th is year’s event, to be held Th ursday, May 5 at World Cafe Live at the Queen, includes a silent auction, featuring student artwork, as well as a tableau vivant—a recreation, in mere seconds, of an artistic masterpiece by DCAD students. Artwork from the recent student poster contest for the Queen will also be on display.
Tickets are $175 per couple, $100 for individuals, and $60 for young professionals (those age 35 and under), and can be purchased at dcad.edu. Proceeds go toward DCAD scholarships—allowing students who meet DCAD’s criteria to attend the only professional art and design school in the state. For more, go to dcad.edu.
5.5.11D E L A W A R E C O L L E G E
O F A R T A N D D E S I G N
I N V I T E S Y O U T O
W O R L D C A F E L I V E
AT T H E Q U E E N F O R
D C A D ’ S F I F T H A N N U A L
S C H O L A R S H I P G A L A
2 West Market Street (Corner of Market & James Streets) | Newport, DE 302.998.6903 | jstavern.com
An American Classic.
Triple Play Special for Phillies Games! Catch every play at James Street
$7 Draft Beer and Wings (1/2 Dozen)
$7 Draft Beer & Burger
$7 Draft Beer & CheeseSteak
115 E. Main St., Newark, DE www.stoneballoonwh.com
Win a Trip for Two to Napa ValleyOne Lucky Guest will win a $500 Airfare Gift Card,
Three Night Hotel Accommodations, Meals and Wine Tours at Premiere Napa Valley Wineries
AVAILABLE 4 NIGHTS ONLY May 12th - May 15th
Four Courses & Five Wines $59 per guestReservations Suggested 302-266-8111
5_NightLife.indd 55_NightLife.indd 5 4/25/2011 11:40:26 AM4/25/2011 11:40:26 AM
Contributing PhotographersJoe del Tufo, Tim HawkLes Kipp, Matt Urban
For editorial and advertising information:p (302) 655-6483f (302) 654-0569
TSN Media, Inc.307 A Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
May 2011 volume 2, issue 12
6 Cover Story
A look at what the city has to offer outdoorsthis month and into the summer. By Arielle From
9 City PeopleWilmington, the Man Behind the NameA historical profile of the man we have to thankfor our city’s namesake. By Josephine Eccel
4 “in” Calendar
14 This Month on the Riverfront
18 City Notes
all rights reserved
12 BusinessThe Next LevelLOMA’s Extreme Pizza takes a local approach to being a franchise. By Pam George
ABOUT THE “IN” CAMPAIGNWilmington is truly in the middle of it all, and the “in” campaign is a celebration of the accomplishments we continue to achieve as a community to make our city stronger and more attractive. From neighborhood and business development to our arts and cultural scene, the people of Wilmington are working together to support our city’s ongoing growth and prosperity.
ABOUT WILMINGTON MAGAZINEThe mission of Wilmington Magazine is to capture, through stories and images, the ongoing energy present in the city. We aim to inform readers, both inside and outside Wilmington, of the city’s residential, financial, and cultural progress while remaining entertaining and vibrant.
Wilmington Grand Prix cover photos by Tim Hawk, Les Kipp, and Matt Urban.
The DSO: Classical SeriesFeaturing pianist Martina Filjak
The Grand • 800-37-GRAND818 North Market Street
MON, MAY 2, 16 & 23
Dine in for CharityUnion City Grille • Each Monday dine in tosupport a different charity • 302-654-9780805 North Union Street
FRI, MAY 6
Art Loop & re:Fresh After PartyThe city’s monthly art loop, starting andafter party at CCAC, featuring DJ Amaze302-256-4666 • 705 North Market Street
MON, MAY 16
Robert Randolph& The Family BandWorld Cafe Live at the Queen302-994-1400 • 500 North Market Street
find more at { inwilmingtonde.com }
SUNDAY, MAY 1 & BEYOND
TUESDAY, MAY 3
MUSIC ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FOOD & DRINK
Kathleen Buckalew, Photographerthru Tuesday, May 31The Delaware Center for Horticulture302-658-6262 • 1810 N. Dupont Street
Work of the Delaware Photographic Society (80th Anniversary)thru Friday, May 27 Gallery 919302-229-3266 • 919 N. Market Street
Jewish Contribution to Artin DelawareDelaware Art Museum302-571-9590 • 2301 Kentmere Parkway
Mothers Day Tea PartyDelaware Art Museum302-571-9590 • 2301 Kentmere Parkway
Peanut Butter & Jamswelcomes: Yosi World Cafe Live at the Queen302-994-1400 • 500 North Market Street
FRIDAY, MAY 6
SATURDAY, MAY 7
SUNDAY, MAY 8
WEDNESDAY, MAY 11
Mom’s Night Out Speaker SeriesDelaware Children’s MuseumEditor of Real Simple Magazine Kristin van Ogtrop302-654-2340 • 550 Justison Street
FRIDAY, MAY 13
SATURDAY, MAY 14
SUNDAY, MAY 15
MONDAY, MAY 16
FRIDAY, MAY 20
SATURDAY, MAY 21
SUNDAY, MAY 22
SATURDAY, MAY 28
Blackmore’s NightWorld Cafe Live at the Queen302-994-1400 • 500 North Market Street
Wilmington Children's Chorus:A Spring ConcertFirst & Central Presbyterian Church302.762.3637 • Rodney Square
WXPN Welcomes John OatesWorld Cafe Live at the Queen302-994-1400 • 500 North Market Street
AnimusArden Gild Hall • Instrumental group of culturally diverse musical concepts and traditions from ancient to modern alike302-475-3126 • 2126 The Highway, Arden
Orchestral ConcertThe Music School of DelawareFeaturing performances by the Delaware Youth Symphony & Delaware Youth Orchestra. 302-762-1132 • 4101 Washington Street
Delaware Valley Chorale with DSO: Ein Deutsches RequiemImmanuel ChurchFeaturing soloists Grant Youngblood and June Suh, conducted by David Christopher 302.740.2410 • 2414 Pennsylvania Avenue
The Rainbow Chorale of Delaware Presents “We Belong”The Music School of DelawareWith guest director Elinor A. Armsby888-512-5093 • 4101 Washington Street
Wilmington Community OrchestraThe Music School of Delaware Featuring winners of the Concerto Competition for Young Musicians. Conducted by Dr. Timothy Schwarz302-762-1132 • 4101 Washington Street
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change Wilmington Drama League302-764-1162 • 10 West Lea Blvd.
Preppy for Life or Just for a NightUniversity & Whist ClubSupports St. Michael’s Scholarship Fund302-658-5125 • 805 N. Broom Street
Whose Live AnywayThe GrandFeaturing cast members of the hit TV showWhose Line Is It Anyway800-37-GRAND • 818 N. Market Street
Winnie the Pooh: Broadway BoundDelaware Children's Theatre thru May 22Theatre for the very young - all ages welcome302-655-1014 • 1014 Delaware Avenue
The Delaware Center for Contemporary Arts• Edgar Jerins thru Sunday, August 21• The Elliptical Frontiersthru Sunday, September 18302-656-6466 • 200 South Madison Street
Brandywine Baroque:The Dumont ConcertsThe Barn at Flintwoods877-594-4546 • 205 Center Meeting Road
Sierra Leone's Refugee All StarsWorld Cafe Live at the Queen302-994-1400 • 500 North Market Street
Tea in Trinity VicinityTrinity Vicinity NeighborhoodResidents will open their unique homes and prize-winning streets and gardens to visitors 10th & Madison Streets
Bellefonte Arts Festival800 Block of Brandywine Blvd., Bellefonte
Delaware Art Museum• ‘Battle of the Sexes thru May 22, 2011• Escape to Adventure: Focus on Arthur E. Becher thru December 31, 2011• Chinese Arts & Culture Lecture Series Sundays, May 1, 15 & 22• Mary and Max May 1, 2011Clay animation film that explores the pen-pal friendship of an autistic man.302-571-9590 • 2301 Kentmere Parkway
The Delaware Center for Contemporary Arts• Deborah Appleby - Works of Glassthru Friday, May 27• Jayoung Yoon - Sensory Thoughtthru Thursday, May 5• Perforations thru Sunday, May 15• "Philadelphia" by Jeffrey Stockbridgethru Sunday, May 8• Splinters thru Sunday, May 8• We Are Our Stuff thru Sunday, May 22302-656-6466 • 200 South Madison Street
The Delaware Center for Contemporary Arts• Claire Folkmanthru Thursday, July 7• I Need Some Space to Thinkthru Sunday, September 4• Members Juried: Duets thru August 14302-656-6466 • 200 South Madison Street
School of Rock presentsPink Floyd’s The WallMay 1, 2011 World Cafe Live at the Queen302-994-1400 • 500 North Market Street
Steppin' Out…Under the Starsthru January 12 Delaware History MuseumMajor exhibition celebrating the sparklinghistory of entertainment through time indowntown Wilmington302-655-7161 • 504 North Market Street
The Delaware Symphony Orchestra Champagne Chamber SeriesGold Ballroom at the Hotel du Pont 800-37-GRAND • 11th & Market Streets
Thursday Noontime ConcertsFirst & Central Presbyterian ChurchEvery Thursday of the month. This month featuring A Trio of Serafins and Center City Chorale.1101 Market Street
THURSDAY, MAY 5
Delaware College of Art & Design’s 5th Annual Scholarship GalaWorld Cafe Live at the Queen302-622-8867 x 107 • 500 North Market Street
Wilmington Flower Market
MAY 20116 . TAKE IT OUTSIDE!
COVERSTORY
TAKE IT OUTSIDE!After a rough winter and a soggy April, warmer weather is here, and we’re more than ready to enjoy it. Here’s a look at what’s happening outdoors in and around the city these next couple of months.
By Arielle From
WILMINGTON FLOWER MARKETMay 5-7, 10am-7pmRockford Park
This year’s Wilmington Flower Market is filled with fun for the entire family. The Flower Market tradition began in 1921 as a way to bring families together over Mother’s Day weekend. Enjoy food, live music, and a large selection of plants, flowers, and arts-and-crafts merchants. Kids can keep busy with carnival rides and games. All proceeds go toward children’s charities in Delaware. wilmingtonflowermarket.org
THE ART LOOPMay 6, June 3, July 1, Aug. 5; 5:30-8pmVarious downtown galleries & art spaces
Since 1988, the Art Loop has been Wilmington’s chance to show off its wide range of art galleries, studios, museums, and alternative art spaces. On the first Friday of
each month, the city hosts a free self-guided tour, designed as a five-step adventure.
Step 1: Choose the art openings you want to attend from the Art on the Town magazine (viewable online at wilmingtonde.gov/artloop).
Step 2: Map out your route.Step 3: Choose your transportation (either a free shuttle
service on a set loop or self-guided tours at your own pace).Step 4: Collect stamps during the Loop to redeem prizes.Step 5: Hit the re:Fresh after-party.
WILMINGTON GARDEN DAYMay 7, 10am-4pm
The Brandywine Valley serves host to 16 beautiful gardens on the 64th annual self-guided tour. These charming gardens and landscapes will dazzle visitors. Funds will be distributed to agencies benefitting underserved children in Delaware.
$30/person in advance, $35/person day of event.wilmingtongardenday.org
THE GREEN STREETSCAPES TOURMay 11, 5-7:30pmTrolley Square
The Delaware Center for Horticulture hosts a self-paced tour through its beautifully maintained gardens and green streetscapes. Learn how these stunning landscapes improve the environment while Kelly’s Logan House, Piccolina Toscana, and Kid Shelleen’s offer drinks and appetizers along the way.
The eighth annual running festival, sponsored by Christiana Health Care System and presented by New Balance Delaware, is Delaware’s premier race event, featuring a full marathon, half-marathon, and relay marathon. Chances are you won’t be showing up to run without having trained for months beforehand, but spectators are more than welcome. delawaremarathon.org
GET READY FOR ROCK! OUTDOOR CLIMBMay 15, 1-3:30pmAlapocas Run State Park
Challenge yourself with a climb up the Alapocas rock wall, part of Alapocas Run State Park’s Get Ready for Rock! series. If you’ve had the itch to rock-climb but haven’t made it out before, here’s your chance—this will be the first public climb of 2011. (Must be ages 11 and older to climb.) $20/person. destateparks.com/park/alapocas-run
WILMINGTON GRAND PRIXMay 20-22, various start times for events; Market Street and surrounding blocks downtown
The bikes are back in this annual cycling event, which includes many family-friendly features. Race weekend kicks off Friday, May 20 with the Monkey Hill Time Trial and Party in the Park in Brandywine Park, starting at 4 p.m. The Grand Prix officially kicks off the following day (May 21) with an opening parade at 10 a.m., followed by racing on six blocks surrounding Market Street. Many downtown bars and restaurants will be holding post-race festivities following the victory celebrations. On Sunday, May 22, the Governor’s Cup Road Races start at 8 a.m., which take cyclists from the Grand Opera House to Dover and back—nearly 111 miles in all. The 11-mile family-friendly Governor’s Ride gets underway at 10. Both rides wrap up in front of the Grand Opera House at noon. wilmgrandprix.com
OLD-FASHIONED BASEBALL GAME AT HAGLEYMay 22, 12:30pmHagley Museum & LibraryWatch the Diamond State Base Ball Club, Delaware’s vintage baseball team, square off against the Eclipse Base Ball Club of Elkton in this regular-season game.
Admission to the game is included in regular admission.
hagley.org
JUNE & BEYOND
GREEK FESTIVALJune 7-11, 11am-11pm808 N. Broom St.
The annual five-day Greek Fest returns to the grounds of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. Sample Greek dishes that range from the familiar (gyros and souvlaki) to the more traditional (mousaka, pastichio, dolmades, and spanokopita) while taking in music and dance performances by the award-winning Terpsechorian Dance Troupe. There’s also children’s entertainment on the south grounds during the festival.
holytrinitywilmington.org/greekfestival
ST. ANTHONY’SITALIAN FESTIVALJune 12-19Monday – Friday, 5:30-10:30pmSaturday & Sunday, 2-10:30pm901 N. Dupont St.
A week-long event that celebrates Italian culture, music, and food, the Italian Festival is a time-honored city tradition held on the grounds of St. Anthony of Padua Parish. The festival sports a Renaissance theme this year, featuring a full-sized Renaissance garden. The Italian festival is one of the largest celebrations on the East Coast and Kids can go take to the rides and games while adults enjoy Italian wines and spirits at DaVinci’s (formerly the Bellini Bar). Italian jazz musicians Peppe Cairone and Vincenzo
Fiore will perform throughout the week. St. Anthony will also hold a 5K on June 12 to kick-off the event. $5 admission for ages 14 to 61; $12 eight-day pass (purchased before June 7); $15 eight-day pass (purchased at the gate). stanthonysfestival.com
SUMMER SALON SERIESJune 15 thru Aug. 24, 12-1pm818 N. Market St.
Bring your lunch and enjoy live music in front of the Grand Opera House every Wednesday during the summer. The Salon Series encourages music in public places by featuring the sounds of progressive jazz, country, Caribbean, and singer/songwriters. thegrandwilmington.org
DuPONT CLIFFORD BROWN JAZZ FESTIVALJune 20-26Rodney Square
The city’s 23rd annual Jazz Festival is a week-long outdoor music celebration named after Wilmington’s very own trumpeter Clifford Brown, whose life was tragically cut short. Stay tuned to cliffordbrownjazzfest.com for updates and a lineup of performances.
IN THE PARK LUNCHTIME CONCERTSJune 20 thru Aug. 26,12:30-1pmH.B. DuPont Park
The city’s lunchtime concert series returns, beginning with jazz performances on Monday, June 20, to correspond with the DuPont Clifford Brown Jazz Festival. (Lunchtime concerts will run Monday through Friday at both H.B. DuPont Park and Willingtown Square that week.) Then, following the Jazz Fest, the series features music across all genres (including jazz) on Fridays at H.B. only. wilmingtonde.gov/lunchtimeconcerts
FREE EVENING CONCERTSJune 20 thru Aug. 15, 6:30pmRockford Park
The Monday-evening concert series held next to the historic Rockford Tower is a perfect way to relax during those warm summer nights. The tower will be open during each concert, so mix in some history and exercise while you’re there. Performers will include: Papili, Chapel Street Junction, Runaway Train, Rivers Rockabilly Trio, Karen Rodriguez, Delirious Rush, Witchdoctors, and Seven Rings. Free admission. destateparks.com
BIKE & HIKEJuly 6, 13, 20, 27 & August 3, 10, 17, 23, 31; 5-8pm
Every Wednesday evening, Hagley hosts a Bike and Hike through its beautiful wooded trails, which go across Hagley’s grounds. Set up a picnic along the Brandywine River or dine at the Belin House Organic Café. $2/person; free for members. hagley.org
WILMINGTON BEER WEEKJuly 9-16
In the spirit of the popular City Restaurant Week, the inaugural Wilmington Beer Week is a citywide summer celebration of food and beer,
featuring more than 50 brews. Stay turned to cityrestaurantweek.com/beer-week for updates.
PEOPLES’ FESTIVALJuly 25, 1-10pmRiverfront
The 15th annual People’s Festival was founded by Ibis and Genny Pitts, who were friends of one-time Wilmingtonian Bob Marley. This year’s event will have two stages for live reggae and world-beat music as well as food, a beer garden, and arts and crafts. Stay turned to peoplesfestival.com for lineup info. $15 in advance, $20 at the gate.
RIVERFRONT BLUES FESTIVALAugust 5-7Riverfront
Tubman-Garrett hosts this three-day celebration of the blues, held rain or shine. An after-party at Sheraton Suites follows the closing sets on Friday and Saturday. Advanced tickets: $50 weekend pass, $15 for Friday only, $20 Saturday or Sunday. At the door: $20 Friday only, $25 Saturday or Sunday. riverfrontbluesfest.com
Students of Wilmington history know that our fair city was once named Willingtown (or Willing
Town), and some might even recall that it was Thomas Willing, an early resident, who named it after himself. “Wilmington” is not just an accidental misspelling of “Willingtown”; the name was officially changed, and it was done to honor a man who had nothing to do with the city’s founding.
In 1731, Andrew Justison, owner of a large track of land along the Christina River, deeded the property to his son-in-law, Thomas Willing, from Philadelphia. Willing saw the potential of the location for a port that would rival nearby New Castle, which was already a busy commercial center. He planned streets in an orderly grid pattern and carved out lots for his new town. At what would become Second and French streets, he built himself a one-story hip-roofed brick house.
In 1736, when Willingtown boasted about 600 residents, the citizens petitioned King George II of England for a town charter. It was granted in 1739, but with the proviso that the little settlement along the Christina River be renamed Wilmington.
No one knows how Thomas Willing felt about the change, but it was
apparently a small enough price to pay for self-government. The next year, in the borough’s first elections, William Shipley was chosen Chief Burgess.
The name Wilmington is not unique to Delaware. The first Wilmington is a community in the southeastern corner of England. But Wilmington, Delaware—along with two other Wilmingtons in the United States (in North Carolina and Vermont)—immortalizes not a place, but a man: Spencer Compton, first Earl of Wilmington.
Born in 1673, the son of James Spencer, the Earl of Northampton, and his second wife, the daughter of Viscount Compton, Spencer Compton was elected to Parliament in 1698. He held several government positions before assuming the role of prime minister in 1742. A longtime favorite of King George II, whom he had served as treasurer before his ascension to the throne, Compton was made Baron Wilmington, then Earl of Wilmington, and finally knighted at the age of 60. In poor health at the time of his appointment as prime minister, he died the next year, a bachelor and childless at the age of 70.
The town charter doesn’t explain why the king wanted Wilingtown to take the earl’s name. One explanation is the longstanding friendship between the Comptons and the Penn family. The earl’s uncle at the time of Pennsylvania’s founding was a counselor to William Penn. Penn’s successor as proprietor of the colony was his son Thomas, and since Delaware was still part of Pennsylvania in 1739, the younger Penn
would have been the one to sanction the town’s petition to the king.
The Earl of Wilmington never set foot in America, but thanks to his portrait, which used to hang in the Wilmington Library, he was recognized by some of the local citizenry. One in particular, Alice Gage Baker, a self-taught artist and wife of a Wilmington dentist, sculpted a plaster bust of the earl based on the portrait in 1925. Her 38-inch-tall sculpture was unveiled in a Wilmington Fine Arts Society exhibit at the library that year.
Wilmington Trust purchased a bronze casting of the bust in 1928 and displayed it in the bank’s main office in the Du Pont Building until the bank moved its headquarters to the Wilmington Trust Center on Rodney Square in the 1980s. The earl’s image was used as their logo from 1928 until 1962.
In 1961, Wilmington Trust acquired Spencer Compton’s original patent of nobility signed by King George II, making him a baron. Discovered in a private New York collection, it was donated to the bank and put on display alongside the bust. Both were moved to the executive offices of the new building.
The plaster bust was donated to the Delaware Historical Society by the artist in 1933 and is in storage. The library no longer has the Spencer Compton portrait, which was a copy of a painting done in London in the early 1700s. So while the Earl of Wilmington’s name lives on in the state’s largest city and in one of the city’s senior-housing facilities, Compton Towers, few people today recognize the man behind his namesakes.
FAR-OUT FOOD The Ragin’ Rooster, one of Extreme Pizza’s signature creations.
It was a sunny afternoon downtown, and James Baker, co-owner of Extreme Pizza at Second and Market streets, was happy. But that’s not unusual.“He’s always so energetic and so excited,” says frequent
customer Lee Mikles, principal of the Archer Group.On that afternoon, however, Baker—not to be confused with
the mayor of the same name—was particularly happy. “Today was an even keel on everything—takeout, delivery, and dine-in,” he said, sitting at a four-top table in the restaurant.
The Next LevelLOMA’s Extreme Pizza takes a local approach to being a franchise
It’s not just luck. Despite his youthful demeanor, Baker is no stranger to the restaurant scene. He’s worked his way up from dishwasher in a pizzeria to the manager of a large chain’s location.
Extreme Pizza is also a franchise, but you would never know it. The restaurant boasts an independent ambiance. Part of that is because Baker is usually on site. Another part stems from his talent at community relations. “He knows he has to be part of the community, not just a standalone,” Mikles says.
Baker, who grew up in Hockessin, was a young teen when he started washing dishes at Two Cousins Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant. He continued working there through high school and college.
“I loved it,” he says. “I developed a passion for the business, never knowing what to expect on any given day and the people you meet who are from all walks of life.”
He liked it so much that the financial-planning career he launched after graduating with finance and economics degrees proved disappointing. “It’s great money, but I wasn’t happy,” he says. “In a cubicle, I’m like a caged animal.”
He took a job as the assistant manager at Don Pablo’s Mexican Kitchen. From there it was a quick leap to assistant general manager. He crossed over to Ruby Tuesday in Middletown, where he was the manager for three years.
Then opportunity knocked. Brett Forest, owner of Cloudburst, which installs lawn-sprinkler systems, always wanted to own a restaurant. The men initially met when Brown was at Two
Cousins. Forest’s accountant—a friend of Baker’s family—had an office in the building, and he’d often leave materials at the restaurant for him to pick up after hours. “I told him, ‘Whenever you decide to open a restaurant, I’m your man,’” Baker recalls.
Forest, who lives on the Riverfront, came across San Francisco-based Extreme Pizza while researching franchise opportunities. “I like the model,” he says. The chain started in 1994 as a take-and-bake concept. Bowing to customer demand, Extreme Pizza became a restaurant. (You can still get take-and-bake pizzas.) Extreme began franchising in 2004.
On the way to visit his daughter, then living in North Carolina, Forest would stop in Virginia, then the closest location, for pizza. “I’d bring it home, invite people over and see how it tasted.”
Their response encouraged him to start a franchise. His accountant reminded him about Baker. “I spoke with him, and he had excellent credentials,” Forest says. “It felt right.”
The name Extreme is a play on X sports, and some locations carry the theme to an “extreme.” Not Wilmington. Only photographs of athletes on walls hint at the concept’s original premise. The restaurant, formerly home to the Rebel, has a full bar and features table service. Both are firsts for Extreme Pizza’s U.S. locations.
The chain allows owners to use local vendors. LOMA Coffee will supply Extreme’s coffee. Parcels handles all the printed materials. Al’s Sporting Goods is the T-shirt and hat vendor. Bill’s Meat Center provides fresh protein, and Natural House on Kirkwood Highway supplies produce.
The approach goes both ways. The new jazz club at Ninth and Orange streets, Nomad Bar, has Extreme menus in the club, and orders are delivered.
Also an anomaly: the Wilmington Extreme Pizza has its own recipes for meatballs, chicken parmesan, grilled chicken, and wings. Brown is working with the Rebel’s former owner to create a Caribbean jerk pizza named, appropriately, the Rebel.
It should be right at home with the other far-out pizza names, which include Pandora’s Box, made with baby spinach, marinated artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, feta, and tomato sauce; and the Ragin’ Rooster, made with chicken marinated in a barbecue sauce, red onions, fresh cilantro, cheddar cheese, and mozzarella.
Extreme Pizza has been a bonus for workers in the LOMA area. “I come here every day,” says Joe Yeager, an employee at Al’s Sporting Goods, who is only mildly exaggerating. “Everything is done in a timely manner. The staff is great.”
Yeager this time is picking up a grilled chicken Caesar. “And a fresh-baked oatmeal cookie,” Baker adds. Yeager nods. “You have to have dessert,” he quips.
Forest and Baker are working on a Trolley Square location next. And then? Maybe they’ll conquer the East Coast. “We’re having fun,” Baker says. “We really are.”
That’s evident. Whenever Mikles asks Baker how’s he doing, Baker always replies: “Living the dream!”
Delaware Children’s Museum hosts Real Simple editor
As part of the Mom’s Night Out speaker series at the Delaware Children’s Museum, Real Simple magazine editor (and mother of three) Kristin
van Ogtrop will discuss how to simplify life as a working mom. The ongoing speaker series focuses on challenges we all face as parents and in raising families. Be a part of the discussion on Saturday, May 11. It’s just $15 for DCM members and $20 for non-members. (delawarechildrensmuseum.org/speaker-series)
Eat to the sounds of jazz at FireStone’s Sunday brunch
Enjoy food and drinks each Sunday at the FireStone Roasting House during the restaurant’s Jazz Brunch Buffet, which features a live jazz band from 11 a.m.
to 3 p.m. Drink specials include a $5 Bloody Mary and a fresh-fruit crush bar and $5 mimosas and Ventian Sunsets. (firestoneriverfront.com)
On May 14, the Delaware Sports League presents their third annual adult kickball tournament on the Riverfront. Create a team with 8 to 16 of your closest
friends and play multiple games beginning at 10 a.m. It’s just $20 per person, including all-day kickball games and lunch. Proceeds go to Best Buddies Delaware, a nonprofit organization aiming to benefit people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. (bestbuddiesdelaware.org)
Walk or run a 5K for agood cause this month
Go for a walk or run to benefit one of Delaware’s many nonprofit organizations this month. Several nonprofits will hold 5Ks on the Riverfront to help
those in need, including the Camino Latino-Pasos Para Nuestro Futuro 5K on May 19, which raises funds for the Latin American Community Center. (races2run.com)
on the riverfrontYOUR GUIDE TO WHAT’S HAPPENING AT RIVERFRONT WILMINGTON
Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
S. Madison St.
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1 Amtrak Station2 Tubman-Garre� Riverfront Park3 Residences at Christina Landing4 Harry’s Seafood Grill Riverfront Market5 Delaware Theatre Company6 FireStone Roasting House7 Justison Landing8 Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts9 Joe’s Crab Shack10 Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant11 Frawley Stadium & Delaware Sports Hall of Fame12 Chase Center on the Riverfront13 Dravo Plaza & Dock14 Shipyard Shops15 Timothy’s Restaurant Molly’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream16 Wilmington Rowing Center17 Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge/DuPont Environmental Education Center18 Wilmington Youth Rowing Assoc.19 Cosi @ the Barclays Crescent Building20 ThoroBreads at Christina Landing21 Opera Delaware Studios/City Theater Co.22 Hare Pavilion/Riverwalk23 Public Docks24 AAA Mid-Atlantic25 Kooma26 Big Fish Grill27 Delaware Children’s Museum
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A P R I L 3 0 – MA Y 1DCM B IR THDAY CELEBRAT IONParty with games and activities@ Delaware Children’s Museum9am-4:30pm
MA Y 1 , 8 , 1 5 , 2 2 , 2 9JAZZ BRUNCH BUFFETEnjoy deals on food and drinks every Sunday @ FireStone Roasting House11am-3pm
MA Y 2DEL STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SUPERSTARS IN EDUC AT IONSeven winning schools will be honored at a dinner@ Chase Center on the Riverfront5-8:30pm
MA Y 1 1MOM’S N IGHT OUT SPEAKER SER IESFeaturing Real Simple magazine editor Kristin van Ogtrop@ Delaware Children’s Museum6-8pm
MA Y 1 4BEST BUDD IES DEL AWAREK ICKBALL TOURNAMENTMake a kickball team and join the competition@ Justison Landing Park10am
MA Y 1 8COMMUNITY ACCESS N IGHTVisit the museum for just $2/person@ Delaware Children’s Museum5-7pm
MAY 2011 | XXFOR MORE ON THE R IVERFRONT, V IS I T: R IVERFRONTWILM .COM
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Itching for a carriage ride through a scenic area? On Saturday, May 21, you can hop in a carriage for a ride
through historic Trinity Vicinity during the neighborhood’s Tea in Trinity event.
With its tree-lined streets, gingerbread accents on homes, and quaint streetscapes, Trinity Vicinity feels more like a place in a quiet neighborhood at the shore, not in the midst of a bustling urban area.
Tea in Trinity will allow visitors to spend the afternoon (from 1 to 4 p.m.) exploring more than a dozen historic homes for tea and pastries. The homes will be in varying states, from still-in-progress to well-established. Guests can enjoy carriage rides through the neighborhood and see why it was named Best Garden Block by the Delaware Horticultural Center.
Admission is $5, which includes carriage rides and tea and pastries. Children under 12 are admitted free but must be accompanied by an adult. Free parking is available in the lot on 11th street between Monroe and Madison. Proceeds from the event benefit the Trinity Vicinity Neighborhood Association. Ticket holders will be eligible to win gift certificates to several popular Wilmington restaurants.
For more information, call 571-1754 or 777-7144, or visit trinityvicinity.org.
Street sub-name honorsAl and Hazel Plant
Street sub-naming is a long-held tradition of honoring community leaders who have made
an impact in an area, and the recent sub-naming of Eastlawn Avenue is no exception.
Mayor Baker, First District Council Member Charles Potter Jr., Council President Norman D. Griffiths, and a
large gathering of elected officials and Eastlawn community representatives recently held a ceremony at the intersection of Locust and Eastlawn Avenue to announce the honorary sub-naming of Eastlawn Avenue to “Al O. & Hazel D. Plant Memorial Route.”
The sub-naming honors two former State Representatives: Al O. Plant Sr., who served in the Delaware Legislature from 1975 to 1993 and from 1995 until his death in 2001, and Hazel D. Plant, who held the seat formerly occupied by her late husband from 2001 to 2010. Hazel died last November.
“I couldn’t be more pleased to honor Al and Hazel Plant,” Potter said. Member Potter. “These remarkable individuals worked tirelessly as a team to the benefit of the entire city and state. The sub-naming of Eastlawn Avenue—home to the Plants for many years—is a fitting tribute to this great family.”
Al and Hazel Plant, originally from Arkansas, settled in Delaware following years of military service and employment with Chrysler. In 1957, the Plants settled in Wilmington with their three sons: Al O. Jr., Al Anthony, and Alfonzo N. Plant.
Upon his election to the Delaware Legislature in 1975, Al quickly established a reputation as a champion for the rights of the oppressed. Some of his achievements include passage of the first statewide housing code in Delaware and the establishment of the state holiday commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. Along with his wife, Al founded the Eastlawn Area Human Service Center and the Organization of Minority Women. Al also served on the Board of the Wilmington Branch of the NAACP.
When Al died in 2000, Hazel was elected to fill her late husband’s seat in the General Assembly. Prior to her election, Hazel was employed with the State of Delaware Justice of the Peace, Court 10. Hazel worked diligently with the Welfare Rights Organization, and was a board member of the Eastlawn Area Human Services Agency. In her final session as a Representative, Hazel served as the chair of the House Labor Committee and on the Corrections, Judiciary and Housing and Community Affairs committees.
Federal grant further assists city’s fi re department
Last month, we reported that a $1.7 million federal FEMA grant, titled SAFER (Staffing for Assistance
for Fire and Emergency Response), will allow the city’s fire department to hire 13 additional firefighters and reduce fire-department expenditures by $500,000 in Wilmington’s operating budget for FY 2012, which begins July 1.
In addition, the city has received a separate federal grant for $1 million that will allow for the purchase of a new fire boat. (The city is providing a match to the grant for $250,000.) The WFD has responsibility for patrolling the waterways within city limits, as well as assisting with emergency responses along regional waterways. The WFD is the major responder to fires and emergencies along rivers in this region.
The Archer Group, downtown Wilmington’s—and the Delaware Valley’s—fastest-growing interactive
marketing firm Wilmington, took top honors for interactive websites in the Philadelphia Advertising Club’s annual Addy Awards—the ad industry’s largest creative competition—sponsored by the Philadelphia Advertising Club.
Wilmington native brings fl are to Market Street
The Second & LOMA block recently celebrated the opening of a men’s and women’s boutique,
Dimensions & Co., at 221 Market St.The store offers a range of footwear, outerwear,
business-casual attire, and accessories. Entrepreneur Danny “Ace” Valentine is inspired by his experience in the music, film, and fashion industries. “I want to contribute a slice of pop culture to downtown Wilmington,” Valentine says. “The boutique offers shoppers the style and sophistication of a SoHo boutique but at much more reasonable prices.”
Valentine is a native Wilmingtonian whose most recent business venture included performing commercial and branding work with Fila, one of the world’s largest sportswear companies. He has also worked on film projects with director James Tobak and a host of celebrities, including Neve Campbell, Samuel L. Jackson, Lucy Liu, Mike Tyson, RZA, Damon Dash, and Robin Givens.
A talented musician, Valentine has also worked on several albums with Wu-Tang Clan. Prior to Dimensions & Co., Valentine successfully ran Numani Couture, an upscale urban-retail store that was a fixture on 29th and Market for six years.
Fashion-forward ladies’ boutique opens downtown
Ladies looking for a new place to buy trendy clothes, shoes, and accessories in the vein of
SOHO need look no further than 222. W. Ninth Street and NOSO Boutique.
Fashion entrepreneur Anne Hamilton is the founder and owner of NOSO. She graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology with a degree in fashion merchandising/marketing. In the late ’90s, she worked as a product developer in the garment industry of New York City and was involved in launching fashion brands for celebrities and major retailers.
Along with the fresh air and fl owers springing up everywhere, this month, something else is getting a fresh look as well.
As of May 1, you will see the “in” campaign sporting a fresh look and message everywhere you turn. Th e arts and entertainment of Wilmington will take center stage with ads, billboards, and social-media outreach.
Of course, as readers of this publication, you are already aware of the fantastic arts, culture, and entertainment options we have in such a geographically small area. But the campaign will not only remind Wilmington residents of the great opportunities we have here, it will reach into surrounding communities and states to let those folks know they don’t have to go far for world-class shows, exhibits, events, and dining experiences.
Th e arts and culture community has truly come together in a collaborative eff ort and a unifi ed voice that can’t be denied or ignored. Th e multi-year campaign is sure to dispel any misperceptions about what Wilmington has to off er, fi nally putting an end to that age-old statement, “Th ere’s nothing to do!”
Th e website will have an extensive calendar and interactive elements that make it user-friendly and easy to navigate. Th e campaign will also use new technology and innovative ideas to promote the fun in Wilmington.
If your organization or company wants to get in on the movement, it’s not too late. Th ose looking to fi nd ways to utilize the “in” campaign and help promote the exciting happenings in our city can contact Brianna Hansen at Mobius New Media at 475-9880, ext. 31 or [email protected].
Don’t forget to head downtown for the Wilmington Grand Prix—downtown’s premier event that features pro cycling, six blocks of free family fun, live music, and so much more! Head to Market Street on May 20-22 to be part of the fun! Learn more at wilmgrandprix.com.
WRC’s FavoritesEach month we’ll feature a few of the staff ’s favorite things
happening in the city. Our favorites for May include (in no particular order!):
• The Wilmington Grand Prix will be a three-day event this year from Friday, May 20 to Sunday, May 22! Get more info at wilmgrandprix.com.
• If you don’t know already, you can buy a “boo boo” bag of candy from Govatos at Eighth and Market streets. The decorative swirl on top may not be perfect, but there’s nothing wrong with the taste!
• Many downtown restaurants offer outdoor dining in the nicer-weather months. Check out all the tables and chairs on Market Street!
• June kicks off festival season in Wilmington! The Greek, Italian, and Jazz festivals all take place. See the cover package in this issue for a preview.