Out & About Magazine -- Feb 2013 by outandabout

VOL. 25 NO. 12

FEBRUARY 2013

OutAndAboutNow.Com

COMPLIMENTARY

Food: The New Sexy Steaks Are Still Sizzlin' The One-Hour Vacation Delaware's Brick Warriors

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DDPHTO 9657_DateUpTo Ad_8x10.5_Layout 1 1/23/12 2:19 PM Page 1

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ADD SOME SPICE TO YOUR VALENTINE’S DAY!

3 Decades of Authentic & Traditional Family Recipes

NEW ENTRÉE SPECIALS! LOBSTER TAIL – Split Lobster

Tail atop Wok-Sheared Vegetables along with Stuffed Squid dazzled with a Sesame Black Sauce.

HALF DUCK – Crispy Half Duck marinated in hand-picked Thai Herbs, paired with a Vegetable Medley and your choice of Spicy Garlic or Mango Sauce.

Book your Valentine’s Day With Us! Visit the website for specials. LIVE MUSIC COMING SOON! Check the website for more information!

Extended Happy Hour! Tues-Sun, 4pm-7pm Featuring $5 Apps Try one of our many Craft Beers on Tap or in Bottle! Signature Desserts by Chef Dana from Desserts by Dana

SOON TO BE OPEN MONDAYS! Tues–Thurs 11am–10pm | Fri 11am–11pm Sat 12pm–11pm | Sun 4pm-7pm

www.ubonthaicusine.com | 302-656-1706 936 Justison Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

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1/25/2013 11:28:39 AM

Can YOU believe who’s playing THEGRAND next?!

John

WATERS

This FilThy World saturday, February 9 | 8PM | $33-$40 Eccentric, boundary-crossing film director in hilarious and uncensored one-man show

Wednesday, February 20 | 8PM

International Grammy® nominated superstar combines reggae, rap, and hip hop

$32-$38

Co-Sponsored by

sunday | February 10 | 2PM | $26a • $21dc dult

hildren iscount

Family musical about an eager young mouse and her balletic friends

4 STARS FROM THE ORIGINAL CAST OF JERSEY BOYS

Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. Friday, February 8 | 8PM | $37-$45

Endearing song stylists and TV stars from 5th Dimension: “You Don’t Have to Be a Star”

Not a Performance of the Show Jersey Boys

saturday, February 16 | 8PM | $32-$40 Traditional gospel from one of the most legendary groups in the business

sunday, February 17 | 7PM | $43-$65 Last year’s Grand Gala stars back with more pop hits of the ‘60s

Host your next Retirement Party at TheGrand Call 302.658.7897 www.thegrandwilmington.org/Rentals/Special-Events

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1/24/13 2:57 PM

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17TH PRESiDENTS DAY

NooN-7Pm

CELEBRATION!

BAGG-O TOURNEY

Call in advance to register your team, or register day of by 2pm!

cOMMANDER-IN-cHIEF 6 1 8 N . U N i o N S t. • W i l m i N g t o N

???

3Pm START!

o z z i Qu

WE’LL BE GRILLIN’ ALL YOUR TAILGATE FAVORITES!

PRESiDENTiAl CoSTUmE CoNTEST ~living presidents & 1st ladies welcome~

GIVEAWAYS, PRIzES & DRINK RINK SSPEcIALS PEcIALS c cIALS START @ NOON

PART Y IN OUR PARKING LOT ALL DAY LONG!

HD TV • DropKick Murphy’s Bus Trip Area Lift Tix • CASH! • DP Beer Dinner Tix

Photo: Dougherty PhotoDesigns

6 1 8 N . U N i o N S t. • W i l m i N g t o N

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d a i ly h a p p y h o U r : 5 - 7 p m BrUNCh: sunday 10am-2pm saturday 11am-2pm 302.652.7737

for more daily specials: deadpresidentspub.com 1/24/13 2:58 PM

R OT G!

m m m 7

: m

INSIDE

Publisher Gerald duPhily

jduphily@tsnpub.com

Contributing Editor Bob Yearick byearick@tsnpub.com

Director of Publications Jim Hunter Miller jmiller@tsnpub.com

Director of Sales Marie Graham Poot

mgraham@tsnpub.com

Creative/Production Manager Matthew Loeb mloeb@tsnpub.com

Art Director Shawna Sneath

ssneath@tsnpub.com

Contributing Writers Matt Amis, Eric Aber, Krista Connor, Christine Facciolo, Mark Fields, Pam George, Robert Lhulier, Allan McKinley, J. Burke Morrison, John Murray Larry Nagengast, Scott Pruden

February 2013 | Vol. 25, No. 12 | outandaboutnow.com

FEATURES 9 VACATION HORROR STORY CONTEST RUNNERUP Echo Chamber. By Jim Hawkins

12 UP CLOSE: TREAT YOURSELF

Spas: The one-hour vacation. By Pam George

18-27 FOOD & DRINK

Steak still has sizzlin’ appeal. By Matt Amis Food: The new sexy. By Robert Lhulier The meaning behind certified angus beef.

28 MADE IN DELAWARE

UD grads build booming business by creating LEGO-compatible weapons, armor and accessories. By Larry Nagengast

37 MOVIES

DVDs that celebrate, excoriate livin’ large. By Mark Fields

38 MUSIC

14 Songs, 28 Days. Local songwriters hope to rise to the challenge of February Album Writing Month. By Krista Connor

45 DAY TRIPPIN’

Centralia: Town on fire. By Krista Connor

Contributing Photographers Joe del Tufo, Tim Hawk, Les Kipp, Tony Kukulich, David Norbut, Matt Urban Contributing Designer Tyler Mitchell Special Projects John Holton, Kelly Loeb Interns Mitchell Hall

For editorial & advertising information: (302) 655-6483 • Fax (302) 654-0569 Website: www.outandaboutnow.com Email: contact@tsnpub.com

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DEPARTMENTS 7

The War on Words

Movies

Gigs

Nightlife

1/24/2013 5:44:23 PM

LOVE BEER

IT WILL LOVE YOU BACK www.twostonespub.com Wilmington 302.439.3231 Newark 302.294.1890

6 . Out Front

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February 2013 | O&A

1/24/2013 1:42:18 PM

WORD OF THE MONTH

(This month, a couple of words from Greek mythology)

Sisyphean Wherein we attempt, however futilely, to correct some of the most common errors in English usage By Bob Yearick

Media Watch/Literally of the Month

The Wilmington News Journal sometimes exhibits an unfortunate tendency to highlight errors. A story on NBA legend Julius Erving included this “callout” (a quote taken from the story and highlighted in bigger, bolder type): “Erving Literally carried the NBA.” That will serve as our Literally of the Month. A few days prior to that, an NJ story on fracking featured this callout: “We're . . . more active listeners now, so we’re better able to hone in on . . . [blah-blah-blah].” As noted frequently in this space, the term is home in, as in the homing device in a bomb. Hone means to sharpen. And hardly anyone uses it correctly. And cleaning up the 2012 Spark file, a couple from the editor: • “[We were happy about] the party going off without nary a hitch.” That’s a double negative. Nary means “none, not a single.” Should be “with nary a hitch.” • “I wanted to write this week and ensure all of you reading this week’s issue that no ill humor or offense is intended.” (Setting aside the repetition of “this week") ensure is a verb that means to guarantee an event or condition, as in, “To ensure there would be enough food, he ordered twice as much as last year.” The word needed here is assure, a verb that applies to a person, a group of people, or an animal and means to remove doubt or anxiety, as in, “He assured me that he would come to the party early.”

Department of Redundancies Dept.

My new least favorite football term is “the play is under further review,” uttered by referees as a play is about to be reviewed for the first time.

Pronounced sis-a-FEE-n, it’s an adjective describing a task or activity that is unending and perhaps pointless and unrewarding. Sisyphus was a king punished in Tartarus by being cursed to roll a huge boulder up a hill, only to watch it roll down again, and to repeat this throughout eternity.

Hard to believe, Harry

(In which we channel the late Richie Ashburn, Phillies announcer, who would utter that phrase to his booth mate, Harry Kalas [also late], after observing an especially stupid play or managerial move.) A Facebook friend tells me she recently read in an online publication that someone was “airing” on the side of caution. The word, of course, is erring.

Contest

OK, grammar geeks, here’s a challenge for you. A family member received a T-shirt for Christmas with the text below printed on the front of the shirt. The text contains three punctuation errors. What are they and where do they occur? The first reader to respond to ryearick@comcast.net with the correct answer will receive a gift certificate to a local restaurant. Note: We are not counting the use of “between,” which, to some purists, should be “among.” I am a grammar geek. I mentally correct your grammar while you are speaking. I know the difference between “their”, “there”, and “they’re”. When I rule the world, improper grammar will be punishable by death. Note: O&A staff and freelancers are ineligible.

BONUS WORD OF THE MONTH

icarian

Pronounced i-KAR-eeuhn, it’s an adjective meaning of or relating to an over-ambitious attempt that ends in ruin; derived from Icarus, who, in Greek mythology, flew too close to the sun, which melted the wax holding his artificial wings. Icarus plunged to his death into the sea.

How long, oh Lord, how long?

(In which we chronicle the misuse of that most abused punctuation mark, the apostrophe.) A friend’s son plays for a grade school basketball team named “Tigers.” The schedule lists the team’s first game thusly: “Tigers vs. Bee’s.” Let’s set aside for a moment the misuse of the apostrophe in Bee’s. Here’s the deeper question: Why doesn’t the same logic apply to Tigers? It never ceases to amaze.

Seen a good (bad) one lately? Send your candidates to ryearick@ comcast.net

Buy The War on Words paperback on OutAndAboutNow.com, at Ninth Street Books in Wilmington, the Hockessin Book Shelf, or on Amazon. Check out the website: thewaronwords.com.

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eclipse bistro

taverna rustic italian

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RED GRILL

STEAKHOUSE

PlatinumDiningGroup.com

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Echo Chamber By Jim Hawkins

y father loves to travel. He is not a patient man. I the Trans-Canada Highway or on the at-the-time-still-unfinished quickly discovered that this is not always a pleasant Interstate system). Long lines in amusement parks, inefficient combination, but anyone who leads epic, six-to- workers at supermarket checkouts, inattentive wait staff in pizza eight-week cross-country adventures with two parlors, or slow service when he was buying film or flashbulbs for his camera all irritated him. The occasional outburst was children and a dog crammed into the back seat of a 1969 Buick Skylark is either a travel fan or a masochist. usually a small price to pay for the opportunity to see the wonders of the continent and spend time with family Or maybe both. and friends who lived from coast to coast. For eight straight summers we went on One summer, as we were traveling through the extended road trips with a travel trailer in tow. Southwest, my father planned a visit to Carlsbad The trailer was one of the few luxuries we could enjoy because my father was a teacher and Caverns. I could tell this must be a significant stop on our itinerary. The national park is my mother didn’t work outside the home. We out of the way, tucked into the southeastern visited 48 of the 50 states and all the provinces Vacation Horror corner of New Mexico. The entrance to the of Canada except Newfoundland. We fished in Story Contest park is 142 miles from El Paso, and even farther Kentucky, ate lobster in Maine, and saw salmon heading upstream in Oregon. We explored the from Albuquerque and Santa Fe. No other nearby great national parks throughout North America, attractions beckoned. You only go to Carlsbad Caverns if you make a point of going to Carlsbad Caverns. Making including the Smoky Mountains, Grand Canyon, this much effort was evidence that my father really wanted to see Yellowstone, Yosemite, Glacier, Banff and Jasper. We explored big cities and small towns, all without GPS, cell phones or other this underground wonder. It was also significant that my father made sure to stock up technology that makes traveling so much easier today. My father’s impatience flared at times on our journeys. He on the important supplies: film and flash bulbs. He wanted hated to wait, no matter the cause. Traffic jams set him off, whether to document our journey down into the earth with bountiful caused by accidents, rush hour or highway construction (be it on photographic evidence. After hours of driving that morning, we ►

SECOND

PLACE

www.OutAndAboutNow.com

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Family owned since 1898 • at the Heart of Trolley Square

302.652.9493 • 1701 Delaware Ave www.LoganHouse.com

craf T Bee r Take-ouT menu! Trolley2's only

Introducing Our New

f ies Old th e b . 1 3 with

TAKE-OUT CRAFT BEER PROGRAM! Stop By And Grab One of Our Special Large Bottle Offerings or Your Favorite Six-Pack! For a list of available products And more details, go to our website!

WATCH THE SUPER BOWL HERE! More than 20 TVs!

$5 Cheesesteaks, $4 Pretzels $3 Yards Philly Pale Ale Drafts and Sam Adams Drafts

TUESDAYS

Quizzo with Dan Healy (starts at 8pm)

WEDNESDAYS

e t ‘eG m up!

etup! G ‘em 10 . O F

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THURSDAYS

Live Acoustic with Barely Rarely

feb. 14

FRIDAYS

Joel & Friends (every Friday) 1 – Hippocampus 8 – Full Carbon Get-Up w/ Awesome Thought 15 – Skinny B 22 – Universal Funk Order

facebook

tup! Ge ‘em

Open Mic with Chorduroy

1701 Del. Ave. Wilmington

Logan House.com F  | O&A

1/24/2013 2:08:03 PM

Echo Chamber

continued from page 9

finally reached the park. My father pulled the car and trailer into as shady a spot as possible. Then we headed to the visitors center, entered the elevator and descended to the caverns below. I wish I could say that I still vividly remember seeing the formations carved into the limestone by dripping water over the centuries. I have seen spectacular photographs. I have heard that the sights are jaw-dropping. Yet I recall none of what I saw that day. Instead, what I remember is that soon after we left the elevator, my father stopped to take a photograph. The flash failed. He tried again. Still no flash. “S#%&!” he said, almost under his breath. He tried again. Nothing. New flash bulb. Nothing. “Son of a b&^$*!” he said louder, the cursing bouncing off the rock surrounding us. As I said, my father is not a patient man. Yet this time he did not give up easily. He raised the camera once again. Point. Aim. Click. Nothing. Another new bulb. Still nothing. “G+} d*#$ it to h%@@!” he yelled, stomping his feet for added emphasis. The expletives and stomping kept spewing from him, reverberating deep in the earth. Dad’s salty language was embarrassing enough above ground, but this was mortifying. His frustration echoed off the stalactites, stalagmites and helictites. I wanted to walk away, yet knew that was not an option. I tried to ignore him, but that, of course, was impossible. I was trapped in that echo chamber. My father has never been one to make false claims. He never stopped at a seafood market to buy flounder filets after an unsuccessful fishing trip, or passed off store-bought chicken as pheasant he bagged himself. But that day in New Mexico, my father did what to me was unimaginable: he bought a set of slides in the Carlsbad Caverns, slides that would be incorporated into the family slide show for years to come. Slides of rock formations I remember only from viewing those commercial images dozens of times. Someday I will have to return to Carlsbad Caverns to see the beauty I cannot remember. I will be sure to bring my camera. And, just in case, I will stop by the gift shop to buy postcards of the visual glory below.

.OAAN.

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First Annual Kennett Winterfest Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013 • 12:30-4pm Bundle up and enjoy winter brews from at least 25 unique craft breweries

Tickets $65

Includes unlimited tastings & warm food. Tickets are limited so get yours early.

KennettBrewFest.com

1/24/2013 11:08:11 AM

THE ONE-HOUR Area spas offer a menu of treatments to soothe the mind and tighten and tone the body By Pam George

12 . Up Close

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December 2011 | O&A

1/24/2013 11:09:01 AM

he overstuffed sofas are comfy, the cucumber water is the gleaming wood floors and exposed stone give certain areas a refreshing, and the robes are soft as puppy fur. rustic yet very Wyeth-like elegance. These are just some of the amenities that make a The spa has a locker room and lounge. “You can change into a visit to the Sherif Zaki Salon & the Oasis Day Spa in big, fluffy robe and relax,” says Aimee Moulder, the spa manager. Greenville a getaway, even if it’s only for an hour or two. “We have fresh fruit, water with antioxidants, or you can have The spa, which is separated from the salon by a a spa-friendly lunch from Krazy Kats—and never change out of door and glass wall, has its own lounge and eight treatment rooms. your robe.” Peaceful music filters through the space and the scent of essential The property clearly benefits from being linked to an overnight oils perfume the air. destination, and that’s also the case at Toppers Spa/Salon at Dover Twenty years ago, an escape to such a spa would have required Downs Hotel & Casino, one of five Toppers in the Delaware travel and possibly an overnight stay. Massage was just breaking area. Each spa pays homage to an exotic location. “Our tagline is into the mainstream, and it was a big deal for hair salons to offer ‘Experience a world away right around the corner,’” says Judi Little, manicures, let alone facials, waxing, and body wraps. general manager of all five salons. “We provide an escape.” Today, there is seemingly a day spa on every corner. According Inspired by Bali, the Dover site—which opened in 2007 as to the International SPA Association (ISPA), there were 19,850 part of a major renovation—has hand-carved Indonesian wood locations in 2011, and spa visits increased more than desks and a meditation “hut.” Along with serving hotel four percent, from 150 million in 2010 to 156 guests, the 12-treatment-room spa has built a million in 2011. strong local business. That’s also the case for Laron Thomas, owner of Cielo Salon Spa at the Inn at Montchanin, which is & Spa in downtown Wilmington, has open seven days a week. noticed the uptick. “In the toughest The Oasis Day Spa opened in economy, we’ve seen our spa 2008 in digs that formerly housed business grow,” says Thomas, who Beaux Visages. The Zakis kept the opened her business in 2003. “I general layout, but they revamped think people feel like there’s not the interior to reflect their a lot of money for vacations, but Mediterranean roots, and the tile they want to feel good.” in the room that houses the Vichy Baby boomers and shower is Adriatic blue. Generation Xers are also looking One of the few—if not the for convenient, noninvasive ways only—Vichy shower in Delaware, to counter the signs of aging. the device hangs horizontally above “All the technology that’s being a table that has holes for drainage. A introduced is appealing to people series of showerheads direct the water — Laron Thomas, owner of Cielo Salon & Spa who don’t want injections or surgery,” onto the client, who reclines on the says Emon Zaki, co-owner of Sherif table. Usually part of a body treatment, Zaki Salon & the Oasis Day Spa. The spa the horizontal shower allows the client to recently introduced VenusFreeze, a skinstay in place rather than hop into a traditional tightening device that uses radiofrequency and shower to rinse off. magnets to treat sagging areas. Along with taking time out from a busy schedule and The Right Treatments There was a time when water fighting wrinkles and frowns, spa customers also want to treatments like the Vichy shower defined a spa. Spa towns or spa reduce stress. resorts were located near hot springs or waters believed to have But with all the available services—including private healing powers. But while whirlpool tubs and other hydrotherapies practitioners, small salons with a single treatment are still present in vacation spas, they’re not overly popular in day rooms, and dedicated day spas—it can be a challenge spas, says Little of Toppers, a chain that’s more than 30 years old. to stand out in the crowded marketplace. Customers, she says, want the basics, namely massage and deep-cleaning facials. “There’s nothing quite like human touch,” The Right Attitude Some say that atmosphere Little says. To keep things competitive, Toppers offers bamboo makes the difference. Take Cielo’s, for instance. massage, which uses warmed bamboo rods; hot stone massage, The spa area is located on the second floor, so and Thai massage. customers go up to “heaven.” They’re not the only ones. Currie Hair Skin Nail at its Glen “It’s like a loft with a fireplace—like someone’s Mills location also offers Thai and bamboo massage. Fabrizio home,” Thomas says. “I have people say they’ve Salon & Spa in Trolley Square features a “body butter” massage gone into spas that are cold-feeling with lots of in different “flavor blends” (lemon, lime, and mango, for instance) marble. They say they’ve never felt as welcome as that’s relaxing and moisturizing. they did when they came to our spa.” Using smart The Cielo Signature Massage involves hot stones and essential phones is verboten. “I want you to slow down and oils. Thomas says energy work, such as reiki, is becoming relax,” she says. increasingly popular. The Spa at the Inn at Montchanin, which has four Along with relaxing treatments, clients are interested in chemical treatment rooms, was built onto an existing barn, and peels, micro-dermabrasion and other complexion-enhancing ►

“In the toughest economy, we’ve seen our spa business grow. I think people feel like there’s not a lot of money for vacations, but they want to feel good.”

www.OutAndAboutNow.com

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1/24/2013 12:42:52 PM

A Tasteful Fundraiser Ronald McDonald House of Delaware hosts fourth fundraising gala at Sullivan's

here can you get a five-course meal with wine pairings—while helping families of ill or injured children? Answer: the fourth annual fundraiser gala at Sullivan’s Steakhouse sponsored by Ronald McDonald House of Delaware. The event is set for Monday, Feb. 25 at 6:30 p.m. Seventy percent of each $125 ticket sold will be donated to the House. Tickets include the meal, wine, live music, a silent auction and gratuity. Last year brought out 125 guests, and $14,000 was raised. Ronald McDonald House special events coordinator Dawn Brooks says the House hopes to raise between $14,000 and $17,000 this year.

Ronald McDonald House, located across from Nemours/ Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children, was founded in 1991 and provides a nurturing and supportive environment and services to improve the health and well-being of children while bringing comfort to their families. The House is a nonprofit corporation that operates as a “home away from home” for families with ill or injured children, ranging from newborn to age 21, who must travel to hospitals for specialized medical treatments. For event reservations, contact Brooks at 428-5330 or d.brooks@ rmhde.org. — Krista Connor

THURSDAYS

$5 GREY GOOSE MARTINIS

4pm-9pm WEDNESDAY NIGHTS Authentic Mexican Cuisine

$5 Patron MarGaritas

since 1991

4pm-9pm TUESDAY NIGHTS

½ Priced nachos

25% off Drafts & Crafts 4pm-9pm

MONDAY NIGHTS

Entire wine list ½ Price Glasses and Bottles 4pm-9pm SUNDAY

½ Price ½ Pound burgers

AFTER WORK HAPPY HOUR 25% Off All Drinks & Appetizers Tues-Fri • 4pm-6pm

Open-close

cromwellstavern.com

14 . Up Close

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@EatAtCromwells 3858 Kennett Pike | Powder Mill Square, Greenville | 302.571.0561

F  | O&A

1/24/2013 5:42:33 PM

One-Hour Vacation

continued from page 13

services. “It’s growing tremendously,” Thomas says of that sector. Her firming treatment involves fatreducing essential oils applied by hand. Oasis Day Spa highlights the VenusFreeze machine. Other body maintenance services at area spas include waxing, ear candling, reflexology, and airbrush tanning. To encourage repeat business, many spas offer packages that discount one or more services. Several also have VIP programs. “People can come in more frequently at a lower price,” Zaki says. “They can have a regimen.” Spas nationwide continue to offer new treatments, products, packages, and shorter treatment times to appeal to the demands of harried customers on a budget. Apparently, it’s working. “I have three steadily busy estheticians,” Zaki says. “That’s good in today’s economy!”

Indulge Yourself and Your Sweetie without the calories! Our luxurious chocolate-themed manicures, pedicures, massages, and facials celebrate the romance of Valentine’s Day. Couples Massage ala Chocolate Chocolate Hot Stone Massage Chocolate Mud Mask Facial Addicted to Chocolate Manicure Chocolate Mint Pedicure

$130 $120 $ 85 $ 35 $ 65

Valentine Spa Packages Cupid’s Arrow $295 Love Elixir $175 Gift certificates available

Spa Sense

1604 W. 16th Street | Wilmington, DE 19806 | fabriziosalonspa.com | 302.656.8660

• If you are claustrophobic, a wrap might not be for you. Talk to spa personnel about options. • Even if you’re not phobic, place your hands across your body mummy-style before the aesthetician wraps you so you feel you can easily move the blankets aside if you wish. • The aesthetician should not leave the room while you are wrapped, experts agree. She or he should do a scalp massage, facial, or simply stay with you to make sure you are OK. • Talk to the spa about any allergies to lotions, scrubs, or certain ingredients. • Certain treatments are not suitable for pregnant women or people who have high blood pressure or other medical conditions. The spa should take a brief medical history from you. • Talk to the spa about discounts if you combine treatments. Many also offer package discounts on facials and other services. .OAAN.

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Gather your friends and Relax with us.

Enjoy 20% Off Spa Services for Groups of 3 or more during february 2013 Don’t forget to ask about our Krazy Kat’s Spa Menu!

Route 100 & Kirk Road • Montchanin, Delaware 19710 302.888.4205 • www.montchanin.com 15

1/24/2013 2:05:57 PM

HAPPY HOUR MON-FRI 4-7PM:

Discounted Drinks and Complimentary Bar Grub

1/2 PRICE ENTREES Every Sunday Night 4pm-10pm

MONDAYS 1/2 Price Burgers, ALL DAY!

TUESDAYS

Kate’s Famous Nachos, 1/2 Price ALL DAY

WEDNESDAYS

THURSDAYS

All Sandwiches and Salads 1/2 Price 11am-4pm!

1/2 Price Wings, ALL DAY!

1/2 price appetizers from 9pm-close!

FRIDAYS Fajita Night

Taco Bar Happy Hour 4pm-7pm

Live Music: 6-9pm

Live Music Every Friday from 6pm-9pm SATURDAYS

SUNDAYS

Brunch 11am-2pm

1/2 Price Entrees 4pm-10pm

Steak Night with Prime Rib Specials

1/2 Price Appetizers 10pm-close

158 East Main Street | Newark, DE 19711 | 302-737-6100 | www.klondikekates.com

Live Music 2/6 - Joe Daphne 2/13 - Jefe 2/20 - Joe Daphne 2/27 - Jefe

Exciting changes happening at the “Tavern at the Inn” stay tuned in 2013!

♥ Valentine’s Day ♥ Join us for an intimate evening in our romantic atmosphere with seductive cuisine. Valentine’s night featuring 4-course Tasting Menu $65 per person.

Nightly Specials

HAPPY HOUR 4PM-7PM featuring half price glasses of wine, $5 snack menu, $5 martini menu, and $5 specialty drinks Enter your email address to win a Free Happy Party for 20 people in our lounge!

Monday...................................................Braised Shortribs

Tuesday...................................................Chicken & Waffle

Wednesday................................................Wagyu Meatloaf

Thursday..........................................1 1/2lb Grilled Lobster

Friday................................................................Bronzino

Saturday.............................................Roasted Prime Rib

23/29

Sunday...................................................Classic Steak Frites

2216 Pennsylvania Avenue • Wilmington, DE 19806-2444 • 302-571-1492 • ColumbusInn.com 16 . Up Close

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F  | O&A

1/24/2013 4:25:53 PM

COCOA

by the numbers

75 dinner for 2. For menu and

reservations call 302.777.2040 or visit DeepBlueBarAndGrill.com available 2/14 – 2/16

111 west 11th st. wilmington

3.5 million the number of pounds of whole milk used every day to make chocolate.

50%

the percentage of adults that prefer chocolate to any other ﬂavor.

10-12

the number of pounds of chocolate that an average American eats per year.

1 year

the general shelf life of chocolate. It's best to store in cool dry areas that are 55-60 degrees F.

.OAAN.

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the average number of beans a cocoa pod contains. It takes up to 270 cocoa beans to make a pound of chocolate.

11-12

the age children are most likely to prefer chocolate than when they are younger.

75 dinner for two

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1/24/2013 11:14:16 AM

STILL SIZZLIN’ The area’s high-caliber steakhouses keep discerning patrons coming back for the traditional celebratory entrée By Matt Amis

18 . Food & Drink

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December February 2013 2012 | O&A

1/24/2013 12:20:34 PM

ew pleasures in the food kingdom can the Rolls Royce of cattle that occupies the top 1.5 percentile of match the visceral, primordial satisfaction U.S. beef. Culled from black-hided cattle, Certified Angus Beef of plunging a serrated blade into the charred prime is noted for its excellent fat marbling, which yields more outer surface of a perfectly grilled steak. The tender and flavorful meat. crust, hardened by salt and flame, gives way to “There’s a big difference between us and the Lonestars and the soft, pink meat—tenderized and dripping the Outbacks of the world,” Lientz says. “The quality of beef from melted veins of intramuscular fat. at those places is equivalent to grocery store quality. What’s Baked potato? Cajun spice rub? Creamed interesting is if you check on opentable.com, you’ll see the spinach? Sure. Whatever. No matter how you dress it up, a steak higher-quality steak restaurants have the highest reviews.” dinner is a marvelous thing. “That’s what makes a steak dinner so special,” Banks says. The classic steak dinner has long preserved its status as “We can source a more premium product. People don’t seem a sacred institution. With its considerable price tag (not to to shy away from the cost—even over the past years when meat mention its fat and caloric content), a steak is how we treat costs are higher than they’ve ever been in the world. People are ourselves when we celebrate a milestone or a special occasion. still looking at it as a special occasion sort of thing.” Birthdays, anniversaries, promotions—all just cause to reward Another aspect unique to steakhouses is the equipment. ourselves with a steak dinner. High-temperature broilers, which carry a five-digit price “Over the past 25 or 30 tag, cook steaks quickly and years, a steak dinner means a efficiently while producing a celebration,” says David Leo seared outer crust that makes Banks, executive chef for the a good cut of beef taste even Harry’s Hospitality Group. better. A charred surface means “Even if they’re on a diet or caramelization—the browning watching their cholesterol, of the meat’s natural sugars— they say damn the torpedoes, which yields a flavor and I’m going to have a filet.” texture that makes our taste Says John Constantinou, buds do back flips. Searing at owner of Walter’s Steakhouse high temperatures is also said in Wilmington: “Nothing else to lock in the meat’s juices, satisfies like beef. People have although this effect has been grown up to love the flavor.” disputed by food scientists in But does the classic steak recent years. dinner pack the same sizzle “We have a chophouse it used to? In Delaware, our broiler, a beautiful piece of dining options have widened equipment that gets up to 1,200 considerably. Today we can degrees,” said Carl Georigi, — John Constantinou, owner of Walter’s Steakhouse opt for Peruvian or Malaysian whose Platinum Dining cuisine for our special night. Group owns Redfire Grill & In a time when we can choose Steakhouse in Hockessin. “It molecular gastronomy and essentially sears the beef on an Spanish tapas, steak and extremely hot flat top, which potatoes seem brazenly old-fashioned. keeps in all the natural juices and then once the beef has been And due to many factors—including historic droughts seared we finish it to temperature in the 1,200 charbroiler. It that have deeply affected the industry—our beef consumption produces an incredibly tasty cooked piece of beef.” has been on a slow but steady decline over the past five years. Inside Texas Roadhouse’s high-volume Bear location, it isn’t Americans consumed about 25.6 billion pounds in 2011, the equipment, but specially trained in-house meat-cutters according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That’s down that make the difference. They butcher 3,000 pounds of steak from 26.4 billion pounds in 2010, and down from 28.1 billion every week, turning sides of beef into the restaurant’s signature pounds in 2007. sirloin, filet and rib-eye cuts, says managing partner Joe Russo. Still, Delaware’s steak authorities say there’s been no drop in “When people see that our meat is cut fresh every day, customer appreciation. they’re blown away,” he says. “That, and the fact you can get an “What might surprise some people is how into the steak 8-ounce filet with two sides for $19. We really scream value.” experience the good majority of my clientele is,” says Dan And while most of us would be content with a bag of Butler, owner of Brandywine Prime Seafood and Chops in Kingsford and a splash of lighter fluid, the crew at Firebirds Chadds Ford. “They know the cuts; know what makes them Wood Fired Grill near Newark take hunks of hickory, oak good and what they like. They can often recount details of and mesquite wood and painstakingly burn them down into steaks they’ve had at other places both good and bad but either natural charcoal, which passes a unique flavor profile onto the with great enthusiasm.” ever-popular bacon-wrapped filet mignon and chili-rubbed So what’s keeping steak patrons so steady? For one, customers Delmonico steaks. recognize that high-caliber steakhouses provide them with a “The coals impart smoky flavor over the steaks and help with product they simply can’t acquire at the supermarket. even cooking,” says general manager Anthony Vitelli. At Mile High Steak and Seafood in Glen Mills, owner Chris Despite their propensity for tried-and-true methods, even the Lientz sources prime cuts of Certified Angus Beef—considered classic steakhouses have to adapt to modern dining tastes and ►

“Nothing else satisfies like beef. People have grown up to love the flavor.”

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continued from page 19

trends. Today’s beefeaters, according to the experts, are developing an even more carnivorous desire: bone. Sullivan’s Steakhouse in Wilmington recently began bolstering its lineup of house-cut steaks with bone-in cuts, and customers have responded with rapt reviews. “In a strict operator parlance, our bone-in percentage is continuing to rise,” says general manager Bill White. “To be honest, I didn’t think it’d be the great seller that it is. But anytime you get a bone-in steak, whether it’s rib-eye or strip steak, that bone will impart more flavor as it cooks on the broiler.” Sullivan’s currently offers an 18-ounce bone-in Kansas City strip steak, a 22-ounce “cowboy cut” bone-in rib-eye, and a monstrous 24-ounce long-bone rib-eye, which the staff colloquially refers to as the Fred Flintstone steak. “I see customers taking pictures of that thing and I know it’s going on Facebook seconds later,” White says. “It’s just an awe-inspiring piece of beef. A carnivore’s delight.” Look for an 18-ounce bone-in Black Angus sirloin at Harry’s Savoy Grill in Wilmington, a 20-ounce bone-in ribeye at Texas Roadhouse, and a 16-ounce bone-in “cowboy” rib-eye at Mile High and Brandywine Prime. “Bone-in filet and tomahawk steaks are hip,” Butler says. “The idea of leaving the bone on is sound. Bones are where the flavor is.” “The cut [at Redfire] that garners the most attention and has the wow factor is the barrel-cut rib-eye, which is essentially a rib-eye with the cap trimmed off,” says Georigi. “This leaves you with the flavor from a rib-eye and the lean qualities of a filet—the best of both worlds.” Matthew Curtis, the chef-owner behind Union City Grille in Wilmington, knows that Delaware diners can be finicky. In response, he gives waistlineconscious customers ample choices when it comes to his acclaimed tenderloin filet. “I think the huge porterhouses have gone by the wayside,” he says. “People are watching their caloric intake, but still enjoying their meats. So we’re just getting creative with the sizes.” Curtis offers a 5-ounce and 8-ounce portion of filet (the 5-ounce is more popular), and on Sundays, customers can customize their cut at $2 an ounce. F  | O&A

1/24/2013 3:53:00 PM

Another weight-saving measure that’s regaining some steam in upscale steakhouses is dry aging. The time- and cost-prohibitive method involves either hanging large sections of cattle on racks in temperature-controlled rooms, or placing cuts inside vacuum-sealed bags. As moisture from the meat evaporates, its flavor becomes more concentrated. Mold grows, but instead of causing spoilage, it creates a crust on the meat’s surface that actually adds more flavor and tenderness before it’s trimmed away. Both Brandywine Prime and Mile High serve NY strip steak that’s been dry-aged for 28 days. Purists argue that a cut of steak this tender, this carefully procured, is a treat unto itself—prime quality beef in its most distilled state. But we can’t talk steak without at least mentioning its trusty sidekicks. And unlike the steak itself, where less finagling is a good thing, steak accompaniments allow chefs and customers to flex a little creativity. The classics—the loaded baked potato at Firebirds, the charred onions at Walter’s, the creamed spinach at Sullivan’s—never seem to go out of style. But At Mile High, customers can embellish with a Cajun spice rub, crumbled stilton or gorgonzola cheese, or an au poivre preparation with its peppercorn crust and cognac-laced mushroom gravy. Walter’s takes the occasional break from classic grilled steak by adding dishes like chimichurri-braised short ribs and steak Alexander to the menu. And the house rub—a spice mixture enhanced with Arabica and Columbian coffee grounds—adds a rich, well-rounded dimension to any steak’s crust. The slow-cooked prime rib will forever take top-billing at Harry’s Savoy Grill, but the kitchen is constantly tweaking. This winter, go for the 12-ounce Iowa-cornfed New York strip steak with smoked date demi glace and sweet corn puree. No matter how you dress it up, steak isn’t going anywhere. “It’s like rock ‘n’ roll,” Banks says. “It’s here to stay.” Says Curtis: “I don’t consider steak and potatoes a trend. They’re a staple in our dining diets.” “Get a nice char,” he advises. “Let it rest a little bit. Medium rare. Some butter right on it. Some sautéed onion and a nice cabernet. I’m in heaven.”

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2_FoodDrink.indd 7

1/24/2013 3:52:04 PM

YOU ARE INVITED TO A DINNER GALA BENEFITING

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n the beef business, the word “Angus” is magic. That’s why it is used to promote everything from big burgers at greasy fast-food joints to freezer-burned patties at local supermarkets. The ploy works because the word 5525 concord pike, wilmington, De · 19803 Angus implies a high-end product. But the truth is that not all Angus beef is Certified Angus Beef ®, a brand carries the distinction of top quality. FOR RESERVATIONS Price According to the Certified Angus Beef ® website, less than 1.5 percent of beef sold earns CONTACT DAWN BROOKS $12 5 pe r pe r so n· Gratuity includedthe distinction of being CAB approved. “That’s what the public needs to know,” says Bob Hill, director of Meat Operations at 302.428.5330 or 70% of each ticket sold will be donated to ShopRites of Delaware. “Angus is simply a breed of cattle. But there are 10 specifications that d.brooks@rmhde.org the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware must be met for beef selections to be considered CAB. And only licensed retailers approved by the CAB council can carry the products.” RONALD f o r rMCDONALD e s e r v a t i oHOUSE ns If anyone in the area is an expert on CAB, it’s probably Hill. He has been in the business OF DELAWARE’S co n tac t DawnMISSION b ro o k s for 34 years—the last 26 with ShopRite—and introduced the first CAB section in the ShopRite 302.428.5330 or d.brooks@rmhde.org To provide nurturing and chain in the early ‘90s. Since then, other ShopRite stores in the chain have followed, and supportive environments demand for the product has grown substantially. Today, only one other supermarket chain in ronalD mcDonalD house the country sells more CAB than ShopRite. and services to directly improve o f D e l awa r e ’ s m i s s i o n Hill suggests that shoppers look for the CAB seal when shopping for high-end Choice the health and well being of to provide nurturing and supportive environments and Prime meats. Not many other stores are certified to carry CAB in Delaware, but children and improve to bringthe comfort and services to directly health and well Bachetti Bros. Gourmet Market & Catering has been offering it to their customers for to their families being of children and to bring comfort to their families more than 12 years. “It seems to be a popular attraction at our store,” says Mike Quimby, Meat Manager at Bachetti. “We cut them a bit thicker so it’s a nicer steak. In fact, I bought two Delmonico steaks for myself tonight.” With more than 25 years at Bachetti Bros., Quimby knows a good steak when he sees one. “If you want to treat yourself to a steak, [CAB] would be the way to go,” he says. 70% of each ticket sold will Where the s ube l l donated i va n’s stot e a kRonald house McDonald House of Delaware

— Jim Hunter Miller

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  | O&A

1/25/2013 1:34:52 PM

FOODThe New Sexy A picture is worth a thousand words—or not

s a kid, I loved my Kodak camera. There was something thrilling about removing the roll of film from its tangerinecolored box and silky pouch and gingerly threading up the little plastic memory catcher. Doing so committed you to the second part of the process, sending the finished roll off for development and prints (glossy or matte). Getting the package back felt like finding a full wallet. I look back at those photos now and see my childhood captured in sand castles and Christmas trees, haircuts and birthday parties. Hiding under the sticky cellophane of outdated photo albums is my chronological life. However, I cannot recall a single snapshot of food I would have deemed worthy of the 9-cent development cost or the wait involved to see it, even if I had

.OAAN.

2_FoodDrink.indd 11

By Robert Lhulier yet to discover my inner foodie. Sharing food, that most personal of memories, remained a sacred act left to the mystery of my five senses. Food and memory is a common theme in my columns. So strong is the power of a meal that I sometimes recall more details of the event just by closing my eyes and picturing the scene than with a snapshot. Gourmet magazine was the first and longest-running publication to begin selling the idea of food as lifestyle. Yet even it featured mostly recipes and in-depth articles on the nuances of travel and chestnut soufflés. It wasn’t until magazines like Food Arts and Saveur began devoting full pages to glistening, gleaming food porn with nary a caption to ruin it that things really exploded. Today, food is the new sexy, and it sells. Even publications not devoted to food reserve the occasional cover for a sizzling steak or gratuitous gateau.

What is our fascination with photographing our meals and sharing them? I now post food photos from my professional and private life on social media. It’s part promotion, part bragging (“Look what we ate/prepared and served!”). But, caveat eator: You live by the shutter and die by the shutter. One minute you’re amping up the contrast on the shot of an oyster, and the next you find a customer’s Facebook post of your sea bass that looks like a dog’s breakfast. This is a modern problem of public image control that has many chefs and restaurateurs gnashing their teeth. Not only is their work being judged from a photograph, but many people who haven’t even eaten there are judging too. Food and beverage photos are powerful imagery. Last month, I saw a rather unfortunate photo of a cocktail posted on Facebook by a local restaurant. It was ► 23

1/24/2013 11:17:37 AM

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F  | O&A

1/24/2013 12:26:32 PM

Food: The New Sexy

continued from page 23

unfortunate because many were quick to judge its appearance without any thought whatsoever as to its taste or that it might just be a bad photo (which it was). Several dozen comments later, the frustrated poster removed the photo and remarks, then went on a rant about how critical and callous nonrestaurant people can be when judging the work of a bartender, chef or operator. Then came the comments in defense of the drink, the creator and the restaurant. All from a single photo posted on a chilly Wednesday evening in January. The concept of peer review is powerful, but as with any form of opinion you must consider the source when judging its validity. Let’s say I was to go on a rant on my blog about a Red Lobster meal (even if I hadn’t eaten there). Some may deem my opinions worth consideration because of my profession and access to a platform. On the other hand, most who know me already understand my distaste for chain restaurants, and so they might dismiss it as a cranky day at the office. With instant blogging and review sites like YELP!, everyone really is a critic. It is not uncommon for a disgruntled diner to shred a place online, in real time, with the aid of his or her smart phone. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but a YELP! review has unlimited characters. Food photography, food modeling, food journalism and photo-sharing sites like Instagram and Flicker are all intertwined in our national passion for food imagery. I am pretty sure that, along with puppies, kittens and kids, the most responded-to photo-posts on Facebook are easily food shots. Although we’re unable to even smell, let alone taste, the featured feasts, these posts evoke immediate emotional responses because of their immediacy and our ability to viscerally relate to them. Perhaps what’s required is a dash of perspective. I have a collection of menus from my favorite meals and restaurants. I often look at them, some of which are signed by the staff, and I think of the people, the meal they created and the experience as a whole. I can recall who was with me, the weather, what we ate and what we drank. Details of a limp garnish, surly server or chilly draft whither away, and I smile, thinking of what a lasting image that meal had created in my mind. No photo required. Robert Lhulier is the executive chef at the University & Whist Club and author of the food blog forkncork.blogspot.com.

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www.cantwells-tavern.com 26 . F  D

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undle up and enjoy selections from 25 of the area’s best craft breweries at Kennett Square Winterfest on Saturday, Feb. 23, 12:30 to 4 p.m. Kennett Brewfest presents this first-ever event, which is set to be an annual festival. Tickets are $65 and include unlimited craft beer tastings and warm food from Philadelphia’s Talula’s Table gourmet market. “Designated Driver” tickets are $15 and include soft drinks and food. The Shady Grove Trio will perform, getting everyone moving and dancing. The festival, which is restricted to those 21 and older, will be held under a tent on South Broad Street between State and Cypress streets in downtown Kennett Square. It’s an all-weather event, although a heated area will be set up for those needing a break from a brisk winter day. For more info, email info@ historickennettsquare.com or call the Historic Kennett Square office (610) 444-8188. For a full list of participating breweries and for tickets, visit kennettbrewfest.com.

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MADE IN DELAWARE Delaware is home to some innovative companies that create unique products. This is part of a series of articles spotlighting these sometimes overlooked enterprises.

Ryan Hauge and Amanda Taylor, both 23, with Brick Warriors accessories for figurines.

BRICK BY BRICK A couple of recent UD grads build a booming business by creating Lego-compatible weapons, armor and accessories

By Larry Nagengast photos by Tim Hawk

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yan Hauge and Amanda Taylor graduated from the University of Delaware less than two years ago, but they have already learned the value of thinking outside the box—the LEGO box. Hauge, who began playing with the iconic building bricks when he was 2 or 3 years old, and Taylor, who remembers having only one tub of the bricks around the house in her youth, are building their own business, creating plastic weapons, helmets, armor and accessories designed to be compatible with the mini-figures found in boxed LEGO sets. Working from their apartment on Lancaster Pike in Greenville, the 23-year-olds are selling their BrickWarriors pieces online (brickwarriors.com) and through resellers in Canada, Europe and Japan. From November through January, they also set up a cart in Christiana Mall, not far from the LEGO store. Their “Warrior Packs”—bags of seven to nine accessories—also are on sale at YoYo Joe’s toy store on Concord Pike and at a toy shop in Ellicott City, Md. “They sell great. It’s a good product. Kids love them,” says Joe Mitchell, owner of YoYo Joe’s. This month, Hauge and Taylor hope to take their game to the next level—exhibiting the prototype of their BrickWarriors board game at the Toy Industry Association’s Toy Fair 2013 in New York City. “We’re used to going to LEGO conventions and selling for maybe five hours a day,” says Taylor, who serves as BrickWarriors marketing director. For the Feb. 10-13 event in New York, “it will be nine or 10 hours a day.” Hauge, the creative force behind BrickWarriors, was one of those kids who was never quite satisfied with the hundreds of pieces in the typical LEGO box. Star Wars, Superheroes, Monster Factory—no matter what the product line, he always wanted a different helmet, another type of gun. He found that he could buy some of these specialty items online, and then started doing some design work for one of the online dealers. Hauge’s big break came in the fall of 2009, in his junior year at UD, when he took Economics of Entrepreneurship, taught by Jim O’Neill, director of the university’s Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship. A highlight of the class is its “Business for a Day” project, where students develop an idea for a business, write a plan, test it out and figure out what they would change to make it better.

“It was a unique idea, and he was leveraging it with a very successful product, the LEGO blocks” —Jim O’Neill, director, Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship at the University at Delaware “I’m not as interested in how much profit you make as what you learn,” O’Neill says. But Hauge, who packaged and sold pieces he made in conjunction with the online dealer, says he turned a profit of about $8,000 over a couple of months, and his classmates voted his project the best idea. “It was a unique idea, and he was leveraging it Nagengast with a very By Larry successful product, the LEGO blocks,” O’Neill says. That’s part of the product’s appeal, Mitchell says. “They connect right to the existing LEGO figures, so you don’t need to buy a new figure.” Fresh from that success, Hauge began thinking of starting his own business. He would work the design side, with Taylor focusing on sales. It didn’t take much to convince Taylor to go along, not after she heard one of the guest speakers in O’Neill’s class say that “the best time to try your own business is when you’re right out of college, when you don’t have a family and you don’t have to put other people’s lives on hold.” With custom BrickWarriors’ designs, Hauge hopes to keep LEGO fans connected to the blocks for a couple of years longer than expected. “When kids get to be 13 or 14 years old, they sometimes get embarrassed to admit that they like LEGOs,” he says. “They hide them from their friends. But if they have cooler pieces, well, it’s not as kiddish.” Working from home, Hauge searches online for images of swords, guns and other weapons, as well as helmets, armor and ►

K 2_MadeInDE.indd 3

1/25/2013 10:44:44 AM

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F  | O&A

1/25/2013 10:45:20 AM

Brick Warriors

continued from page 29

other protective gear. When he finds one he likes, he copies it into a computer-assisted design program and starts tweaking it into something he likes even better. He keeps an image of a LEGO mini-figure on his computer, and uses that to test whether the accessories he designs are correctly sized and will attach properly to the LEGO piece. If his LEGOloving friends approve the design, he sends the file to a 3D printing business in California, which makes a prototype. After creating about a dozen new pieces, Hauge ships them to China—yes, even recent grads are into outsourcing—where a manufacturer creates a steel mold and injects it 1,000 times with ABS plastic. The ABS is acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, the same plastic used for LEGO bricks. A couple of weeks later, boxes filled with bags of 100 of each type of piece arrive in Greenville. Those bags cover much of the floor of a spare bedroom at Hauge and Taylor’s place. The walls of an office area are lined with color-coded plastic bins, each one holding up to 100 pieces of a particular item. Designing a new piece takes two to three hours, and the entire process—from design to prototype to production—takes three to four months, Hauge says. In addition to the accessory pieces, BrickWarriors sells custom mini-figures, created by sealing waterslide decals that Taylor designs onto the body of a standard LEGO mini-figure. Besides designing the decals, Taylor takes care of sales and distribution for the business. She fills about 100 orders a week. The custom mini-figures cost $10 and up. Most of the accessories sell for $1 each, but there’s a $10

minimum and the average order is $30, so there’s a lot of handling tiny pieces that goes into the $4 charge for shipping and handling. The inventory is rather complex, too—about 100 designs already, with many of them available in up to six different colors, and about 50 more in the pipeline. The best orders, Taylor says, are from BrickWarriors resellers in Sweden, France, Hungary, Japan, Canada and the United Kingdom. They typically order 100 of each piece they want, “so they’re easier to pack,” she says. Although they grew up a couple of miles from each other in Brandywine Hundred—Hauge graduated from Concord High School and Taylor from Brandywine High—they didn’t meet until they were freshmen at Delaware. Because they work largely through the internet, their youth is hardly an issue when dealing with older and more experienced suppliers, Hauge says. “Nobody thinks we’re right out of college. They think we’re about 30,” Taylor adds, laughing. Next up for Hauge and Taylor is the Toy Fair and marketing their board game. While they have found success selling BrickWarriors pieces online, they want exposure for the game at brick-and-mortar retailers. Toy stores and shops that sell comic books and fantasy games are their primary targets as they try to develop broader distribution channels. “I don’t know anything about marketing games,” Hauge says. “But we designed a game, and had fun with it. Hopefully other people will have fun too.” Mitchell is already on board, saying he will host a “game night” at YoYo Joe’s when they’re ready to roll out the BrickWarriors game. By leveraging their product with LEGO, “the potential is tremendous” for Hauge and Taylor, O’Neill says. “All it takes is one break.”

Hauge and Taylor play the game they invented, Chains to Champions.

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F  | O&A

1/24/2013 11:31:39 AM

Indulge Me

DVDs that Celebrate, Excoriate Livin’ Large By Mark Fields

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)

Enchanted April (1991)

Gene Wilder’s wistful performance as the reclusive candy maker anchors this quasi-musical adaptation of the Roald Dahl children’s book. Of course, Wonka’s factory is full of the most delightful sweets any child could imagine, if one could avoid the tests of character that come as a side dish. The special effects and sets look pallid compared to Tim Burton’s 2005 remake, but the original has one quality the later ﬁlm lacks: real heart.

In the 1920s, four London women splurge on a beautiful rented Italian villa as a break from their daily routines. The Italian countryside and the strange power of moonlight do wonders for the women’s assessments of their lives and loves. Exquisitely photographed and well-acted by a sterling British cast (Joan Plowright, Alfred Molina, Miranda Richardson), the movie is a feast for the eyes and ears.

The Jerk (1979)

Like Water for Chocolate (1992)

In his ﬁrst starring role, Steve Martin plays Navin Johnson, an earnest, lovable idiot who becomes fabulously wealthy because of a single goofball invention. Having come from nothing, Navin naively spends his wealth on the most bourgeois possessions and absurd causes (including the terrible scourge of cat juggling). It’s a wildly uneven ﬁlm and yet still entertaining in spots.

Big (1988)

One of Tom Hanks’ early-career charmers. Josh, an awkward 14-year-old (Is there any other kind?), asks a carnival wish machine to make him big and he wakes up with an adult body but the same teenage mind. Josh’s natural instincts for what kids want from toys leads to surprise corporate success, awkward romance, and the money to equip his NYC apartment with every boy’s fantasies: sports, games, bunk beds and his very own soda machine.

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This melancholic Mexican romance tells the story of Pedro and Tita, whose love is thwarted by Tita’s tradition-bound mother. Tita pours all her anguish into exotic recipes that have mystical effects on those who eat them, most notably a wedding cake for her sister that drives the reception guests to unexpected tears.

The Queen of Versailles (2012)

Lauren Greenfield directed this controversial yet affecting documentary about a nouveau riche couple building the largest single family home in America in the midst of the recent economic downturn and a profound reversal of their own fortunes. The family’s absurdly flamboyant lifestyle crumbles around them while their unfinished mansion serves as a glaring reminder of their unhappy and poorer new status.

1/24/2013 11:32:15 AM

14 Songs, 28 D 2_Music.indd 2

1/24/2013 11:33:59 AM

rin Magnin and Michael Natrin are looking forward to another sleepless February. Like many of their fellow musicians, the folk duo known as The Honey Badgers will be pulling all-nighters as they compete in February Album Writing Month, or FAWM—a free international online challenge to write and upload 14 songs in 28 days to fawm.org. Musicians receive criticism and support from other users on the website and, in Delaware’s case, from a growing local community. Magnin and Natrin, both 23, met in high school. They’ve been singing since they can remember. Magnin started playing violin at the age of 7, while Natrin has played guitar for 10 years and performed in bands since he was a teenager. While attending the University of Delaware, the two became closer and began collaborating in June, 2011, when Natrin said he wanted to try out for a folk contest but wanted “to sound more folky.” So he asked Magnin to play violin while he sang and played guitar. “I said yes, and we started an adventure,” says Magnin. When they showed up at the contest—Delmarva Folk Festival’s Folk Hero Contest—they were rehearsed and ready to go. But, at sign-ups, they realized they didn’t have a band name. The first thing that came to Magnin’s mind was YouTube’s “Crazy Nastyass Honey Badger”— a video of a honey badger with a humorous voiceover. “I was like, ‘Oh, my God, can we be The Honey Badgers?’ and Michael said yes, and now we’re accidentally The Honey Badgers for life,” says Magnin. Since then, with Natrin on guitar, harmonica and vocals, and Magnin on violin, vocals and the glockenspiel, they’ve been performing in the region and recording EPs, including their November, 2011, Booth Bay EP and December, 2012, Christmas with The Honey Badgers. They won 2012’s Folk Hero Contest, and have had radio play on WSTW’s Hometown Heroes. Within the next few months, they plan to release another EP, and in the summer they’re hoping to record their first full-length album. But for now, they are focused on one thing: FAWMing. FAWM launched in 2005, and this is Natrin’s fifth and Magnin’s second year as FAWMers. The two plan to collaborate on about half their songs this year. FAWM spread throughout Delaware from musicians like Aaron Nathans, the first Delaware FAWMer, and Shane Palkovitz, who introduced it to Natrin and Newarkbased folk musician and current FAWM enthusiast Em McKeever. FAWM brought many of these musical friends together, and now they perform regularly together and record on each others’ EPs and albums. During his first two years, Natrin says he wasn’t especially serious about FAWM because nobody else was doing it with him. “Things become a lot more fun and a lot easier to do when you have a local community,” Natrin says. “I was just this kid in my dorm room and everybody thought I was weird for posting songs online.” Now the group of likeminded musicians starts getting excited about FAWM in March. “Em and I would both consider ourselves to be FAWM-vangelists,” Natrin says. “We spread the word about it to local songwriters we meet.” ►

8 Days 2_Music.indd 3

That’s the challenge for The Honey Badgers and other local artists as they participate in February Album Writing Month Text and photo by Krista Connor

1/24/2013 11:34:16 AM

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40 . M

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1/25/2013 10:53:43 AM

14 Songs 28 Days

continued from page 39

McKeever, 26, who has been playing guitar since age 12, is excited about her fourth year of FAWMing. She and Natrin began organizing FAWM showcases in 2010, and focus on drawing more local artists into the project by hosting pre-FAWM meet-ups and planning and promoting shows in Wilmington and Newark. She says she’s found that FAWM is a great tool to spur the development of the Delaware singer-songwriter community. “It’s not common within the FAWM community to organize on a local level like Michael and I have,” McKeever says. “Most folks are happy to complete the challenge online and that’s it.” Palkovitz is a folk artist from Landenberg, Pa., who began songwriting, drumming and playing guitar at the age of 6. He has been gigging and recording since 9th grade. “FAWM inspires local musicians to hunker down and hash out those song ideas,” Palkovitz says. “For instance, five of the 10 songs on my new album, Good Times, are a result of February Album Writing Month. Without the support of a great circle of local songwriters, I probably would not have forced myself to finish those songs.” FAWM is what got Natrin to start writing songs seriously, developing his songwriting from “nothing to something,” he says. Magnin agrees, saying FAWM is a great way to force herself into better songwriting. Most FAWMers aren’t fulltime musicians and have busy schedules, she explains, so if musicians don’t make themselves create music, they might not even get 14 songs in a whole year. Thanks to the challenge, Natrin says the majority of participating local musicians, ranging from 30 to 50 people, owe many of their current songs to FAWM.

And all of these musicians agree: even if you only get one song written the whole month, it’s one more than you would have had. Playing in a duo is something new for Magnin and Natrin— Natrin says it’s a lot more intense and intimate than his previous full-band experiences. There is more room for error while performing in bands, but as a duo they have to be more in tune with the other. They say writing songs together, too, is more of a challenge than writing separately, since it’s two perspectives trying to merge into one song. Typically it takes hours until they’re both content with a song—they may start at noon, Natrin says, and not finish until 3 a.m. They believe the art of songwriting is particularly important in their style of music. “I think that the genre that we write in is more authentic,” Natrin explains. “I think the song content matters more than the music itself—and the lyrics and meaning behind them ring true and mean more than a lot of other styles of music.” Magnin adds that she feels their music is simple, but in that simplicity, it becomes something more. “Michael is a vetted guitar slinger and songwriter. He’s got tons of momentum and verve,” McKeever says. “Erin’s got that haunting, pure voice that grips audiences. I’ve seen her bring rowdy audiences to silence just with her voice. Plus, they’re just stinkin’ cute. They have a great dynamic onstage, and they’re just wonderful to be around. It’s a winning combo.” Natrin thinks that because of their lyrics and music, many listeners who talk to them after shows aren’t necessarily people who listen to “Top 40” music. They’re often an older crowd who grew up in the folk revival of the ‘60s and ‘70s, although younger crowds also appreciate the duo. It’s the harmonies and how their voices “meld together” that, Natrin says, nine out of 10 people say they love—along with the harmonica and violin. “They’re rootsy, they’ve got tons of soul, their songs will haunt you,” says McKeever. “But they also know how to have a good time. They take snapshots of life and stretch them out over chords.” One challenge The Honey Badgers say they face is the lack of interest in original music by many Delaware listeners. “When you get out of that circle of friends, it starts to get a lot harder, and I feel like there’s only a certain amount of people you can reach that are gonna want to listen to your music and follow your music, and then the rest are like ‘Freebird!’” Magnin says. “But I think it’s definitely cyclical,” says Natrin. “I talked to people who have been in the local music scene for 20 or 30 years, and it gets better and it gets worse.” For now, though, Palkovitz, along with The Honey Badgers, McKeever and other local artists, believe the arts are growing and thriving in the margins of Delaware. “The lack of established venues and legitimate nightlife has not sent locals to bed early,” Palkovitz says. “It has merely caused them to assemble in basements, living rooms, sheds, garages and woods.” For FAWM challenge details and to sign up and post songs for free, visit fawm.org. Check out The Honey Badgers at their website, honeybadgerfolk.com, or Facebook. Upcoming shows: Friday, Feb. 8, at Young Bean Coffeehouse in Clayton; Friday, March 15, at Central Perk in Newark; Saturday, March 16, FAWM showcase at Film Bros. Co-op in Wilmington.

“Em and I would both consider ourselves to be FAWM-vangelists,” Natrin says. “We spread the word about it to local songwriters we meet.” The main idea behind FAWM is summed up by the Jack London quote: “You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” “It would take me forever to write a song if I had forever. Giving me that time limit made me upload songs I didn’t like,” says Magnin. “It’s not something I’d do for a year, but for a month it’s a really incredible way to force yourself to get better and actually look at your songwriting and acknowledge what’s bad about it and what’s good about it.”

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1. Support your local music scene

ML_Lo

go_4C

GIGS

FEB

Rubber Skunk

Check out The Honey Badgers on Feb. 8 at The Young Bean!

Brixton Saint Feb. 17 @ The Shrine, New York, N. Y.

June Divided Feb. 9 @ Trocadero, Philadelphia

Bullbuckers Feb. 5 @ Time Warner Studios, New York, N. Y. Feb. 6 @ Dogﬁsh Head, Rehoboth Feb. 15 @ Dogﬁsh Head, Rehoboth Feb. 22 @ Hard Rock Cafe, Philadelphia

Lovebettie Feb. 16 @ Rams Head Live, Baltimore

The Honey Badgers Feb. 8 @ The Young Bean, Clayton

42 . M

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Mad-Sweet Pangs Feb. 9 @ Home Grown Café, Newark Mama Gold Feb. 1 @ Pizza By Elizabeths, Wilmington Feb. 23 @ Presentation Of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church Hall, Lansdale, Pa.

N  | O&A

1/24/2013 11:36:17 AM

UPSTAIRS IN FEBRUARY Every Tuesday Night: Open Mic Night. Perform to win monthly prizes from Accent Music, Aztec Printing, Spaceboy Clothing, Planet Ten Multimedia and more! Kevin Tarzanin (center) with Bullbuckers. Photo by Tim Hawk

Every Wednesday Night: 4W5 Blues Jam

UK Honors for Bullbucker Bassist Kevin Tarzanin was finalist in annual songwriting contest

ocal boy makes good! Delaware’s Kevin Tarzanin, bassist and vocalist in the Wilmington-based band Bullbuckers, was a finalist in the 2012 international UK Songwriting Contest. Tarzanin was a first-time entrant in the annual contest with multiple songs from the Bullbuckers’ 2011 debut album When Push Comes to Shove. He was awarded finalist status in the “Open” category—the “anything goes” section—for the song “Remedy,” and in the “Love Song” category for “St. Patty’s Day.” He was a semi-finalist in “Open” for “Sangria” and “Time.” Established in 2002, the UK contest is one of the most prestigious songwriting competitions in the world. This year, some 6,000 musicians entered. Contest directors and judges include top Grammy, Emmy and BRIT Award-winning producers who have worked with artists such as Sting, Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, Kylie Minogue, Paul McCartney, James Brown, Mariah Carey, Cher, Elton John and Oasis. Tarzanin, who studied bass composition at Berklee College of Music, for years has been heavily involved in the music scene here and in Baltimore and New York City. His reggae-ska-soul group, the Bullbuckers, was formed in 2009 and has played 200 shows. The group has won several awards, including WSTW Hometown Heroes Awards 2012, Spark’s 2009 Summer Music Series, and more. Upcoming Bullbuckers performances include an appearance on New York City’s Time Warner Cable program Mallet’s Place on Wednesday, Feb. 6. For more info, see bullbuckers.com. — Krista Connor .OAAN.

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Fri 1 – Tatnall School Coffee House featuring performances by Students and Faculty Sat 2 – “Highs In The 70’s” Rock & Soul Dance Party with WXPN’s DJ Dan Reed Mon 4 – Spotlight Series: The Cab Calloway School featuring “Dexterity” with Cedric Napoleon from Pieces of A Dream Tue 5 – In the Aeroplane Over the Sixpoint with DJ Jersey Dan Thu 7 – Metric Halo, January Jane, and Midnight Mob Fri 8 – The Joe Trainor Trio Sat 9 – Can You Canoe, Rumours, and Juston Stens and The Get Real Gang Tue 12 – Shakespeare and St. Valentine Thu 14 – Comedy Rocks! “Valentine’s Day Spectacular” Fri 15 – Infinity with special guest SuiteFranchon Sat 16 – Bernie Worrell Orchestra Wed 20 – Corb Lund Thu 21 – Yarn Fri 22 – The Nighthawks Sat 23 – Zack duPont - FREE SHOW! Wed 27 – Ben Taylor with Grace Weber Thu 28 – Gable Music Ventures’ Monthly Singer Songwriter Showcase

World Cafe Live at the Queen 500 N Market St, Wilmington, DE 302-994-1400 WorldCafeLive.com

1/24/2013 5:48:48 PM

The Deer Park Tavern

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Deer Park now offers catering to go for your next special event! EVERY MONDAY • Showtime Trivia

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Catch all 44 . Day Trippin of the NFL Games Here! 2_Music.indd 8

F  | O&A

1/24/2013 4:23:44 PM

DAY Trippin’ This narrow little state and the surrounding areas conceal many fun, quirky and fascinating destinations. Sometimes we just have to veer off the highways to find them. That’s what Day Trippin’ is all about. Have ideas? Send them to Krista at kconnor@tsnpub.com.

CENTRALIA: TOWN ON FIRE By Krista Connor

perched on a lump of slate and crumbled rocks, a cold wind whipping at my face and hair, and scanned the silent panoramic view. Untended growth, collapsing brick walls, rickety fences, a few houses, two or three stop signs, and snowy, narrow roads stretched out before me. A 20th-century church stood in the distance, the final rays of sunlight reflecting off its three steeples. Below my feet, thin plumes of smoke drifted from the ground. This is what remains of the coal mining town of Centralia, Pa.—current population: 10—nestled in the Appalachian Mountains. At one point, almost 3,000 people inhabited the town of seven churches, five hotels, two theaters, a bank, a post office, 14 general and grocery stores, and 27 saloons. In fact,

the first saloon was built in 1841—25 years before the town was officially founded by Alexander Rae. In 1868, he was allegedly murdered by the infamous secret order of coal miners, the Molly Maguires. According to published articles and history websites, in 1962 workers were going about an annual task—burning trash at the landfill. The fire bled into a vein of anthracite coal, which lay like a sleeping dragon beneath the town. The fire spread to the surrounding coal and it hasn’t stopped burning for 51 years. In 1981, when the population had dwindled to a little more than 1,000, a 12-year-old boy, Todd Domboski, fell into a 150-foot sinkhole in someone’s backyard. His cousin ►

www.OutAndAboutNow.com

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Day Trippin’

continued from page 45

pulled him to safety, but the steam spewing from the hole turned out to contain lethal quantities of toxic gas. That’s when the State of Pennsylvania stepped in and declared the town unsafe. In 1984 Congress earmarked $42 million for townspeople to evacuate. Many moved to nearby Ashland and other surrounding towns. By 1992, leaving was no longer a choice for the remaining few. Pennsylvania declared eminent domain over the town and the homes were condemned. Many residents and conspiracy theorists believe the state had selfish motives for forcing the people out—like claiming the mineral rights to some 3,700 acres of coal. Today, the remaining residents are apparently squatters in what were once their own homes. Everything else was demolished. I made the three-hour trek to Centralia through the Poconos and mountainside towns like Jim Thorpe with my sister Leilah and our friend Jimmy. To say we had no idea what to expect was an understatement. Perhaps something akin to the 2006 horror film

Since a human being was the last thing I expected to see skirting the threshold of a ghost town, I considered making a mad dash through the graves toward my far-off companions. But as he got closer I stuck with “Hi! How are you?” to which he mumbled a greeting and continued on his way. After I caught up with my sister and Jimmy, we explored a nearby ransacked trailer, then searched for the rest of Centralia. The roads all led to nowhere but snow embankments, fences and walls lining the side of the roads, where, we assumed, homes once stood. And where was the smoke and crumbled Route 61 I had read about? After driving around for a while, and starting to question whether we had actually found the town, we spotted the elderly man again. Jimmy stopped the car and politely asked where Centralia was. The man spread his arms and said, “You’re in it.” He asked where we were from, and when we told him he let out a laugh, said, “You came a long way for nothing,” and continued on his apparently endless walk. A few minutes later we found a mangled tree with a sign—“fire”—pointing to the right, and we pulled into a makeshift parking lot, where other outsiders wandered. That’s where we found the smoke billowing from the ground, and signs addressed to Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett. One asked how the state could waste money trying to force residents out of their homes, adding: “These people want to pay their taxes and be left alone and live where they are!!!” Another read: “Why must you force people from their homes to get at the coal underneath? You know the so-called ‘fire’ is an excuse…is Pennsylvania that desperate for money? Are Pennsylvania and the local coal dealers that heartless? Only to tear up this beautiful countryside and leave another big black hole to be filled in with more toxic coal ash. The whole idea is sick. Leave these people alone, dig somewhere else.” I suppose there’s no proof that this is a ploy of the state to get the coal (dozens of books and documentaries explore the issue in depth). But I would side with the remaining holdouts, and wouldn’t be surprised if there is some shady government goings-on. The sun was disappearing behind the mountains as we finally drove away. We stopped in Ashland and ate dinner at May’s Drivein Diner. There I met a young employee named Ryan who actually lived in Centralia until he was 4, when the government gave his family $15,000 and they moved to Ashland. He says his father’s friend was the 12-year-old boy who fell into the hole decades ago. Ryan seemed to scoff at the idea of a government conspiracy, but said a lot of “older folks,” such as his grandfather, believe it. That’s why some have stayed. “The older people who are stubborn, they’re still there. But most people wanted to get out, ‘cause, I mean, you can die from the stuff.” His teacher told him that an underground barrier was made to protect Ashland from the fire, “so apparently Ashland stays safe.” He couldn’t remember much of his home or life in Centralia. “It was pretty much a ghost town by the time we moved out,” he said. “The streets were empty already when I was still there.” The fire is expected to burn out within the next 200 years.

Many residents and conspiracy theorists believe the state had selfish motives for forcing the people out—like claiming the mineral rights to some 3,700 acres of coal. Silent Hill, the town in which was inspired by Centralia? Or a place exploited by tourists and media with residents who may just want to be left alone? The GPS announced that we had arrived, but we saw only a town-like grid amid the snowy trees and roads. I noticed the church up the mountainside, so we drove there to explore. Built in 1911, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary still hovers over the town because it is outside the “danger zone” and was allowed to remain. I believe it still functions to this day, although the doors were locked. Leaving Leilah and Jimmy, I was drawn farther up the hill to the church’s graveyard. A rusty bathtub greeted me on the left, and hundreds of graves, with crosses peeking out of the sunglared snow, stretched out before me. I wandered around for a few minutes, taking pictures and trying to imagine the undergrowth and trees below as a functioning town for more than two centuries. Footsteps behind me interrupted my reverie. An old man wearing an Eagles jacket and sunglasses approached. Either I’m paranoid or strange men have a habit of appearing out of nowhere while I’m Day Trippin’—or both—but all I could think as he walked toward me was The Night of the Living Dead, a movie I once watched through half-covered eyes: vulnerable female, graveyard, zombie approaching, hysteria. www.OutAndAboutNow.com

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LOOne L@

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Night. Ten Comedians. One Winner. March 1, 2013 2013

We’re on the hunt for the NEXT great comedian! Comedians from all over the east coast applied, and The Grand has chosen only TEN up-and-coming finalists to be featured in an evening of comedy. Tickets just $10!

The Best of Downtown & Riverfront Dining

April 22-27 LUNCH: 2 courses $15

THEGRAND

DINNER: 3 courses $35

THEGRAND | 818 N. Market Street |Wilmington, DE 19801

Box Office 302.652.5577 48 • Nightlife

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for more information visit cityrestaurantweek.com

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The Blue Parrot is the place to be on Feb. 12

ark Diamond, owner of Blue Parrot Bar and Grille in Wilmington, has been to New Orleansâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;his favorite city in the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;at least 12 times. So itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no surprise that Fat Tuesday is a big thing for him, and celebrating includes a day-long party at his establishment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What I love about New Orleans is that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a multi-cultural city that specializes in food, music, and celebrationâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;if you can remember,â&#x20AC;? Diamond says. On Tuesday, Feb. 12, the Blue Parrot will offer just that, opening at 10 a.m. and lasting far into the night (after 4 p.m., you must be 21 or older). For an $8 cover, enjoy an enclosed, heated patio, a beer garden throughout the restaurant, giveaways, beads, Mardi Gras hats, T-shirts, free face painting and more. Fifteen-year-old blues guitarist Jesse Loewy will perform from 6 to 9 p.m., and lower case blues will take over from 9 to 1 a.m. Diamond says the food, as usual, will retain the traditional Cajun and Creole flavor. This is Diamondâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ninth consecutive Fat Tuesday party, and he says the Parrot â&#x20AC;&#x153;is absolutely mobbedâ&#x20AC;? every year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fat Tuesday is the one night a year where we get to shine,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are absolutely the place to be.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Krista Connor

ď?ˇď?ˇď?ˇ.Oď?ľď?´Aď?Žď?¤Aď?˘ď?Żď?ľď?´Nď?Żď?ˇ.ď?Łď?Żď?

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Come try our 24 Draft Beers at McGlynns in Polly Drummond!

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Make Your Reservation Today For Valentine’s Day! MONDAY 1/2 Price Appetizers All Day

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1/24/2013 12:17:39 PM

MOVIES

Join us for the

super bowl! 7 HDTVs!

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HAPPY HOUR! $2.50 MILLER LITE DRAFTS $3 BLUE MOON DRAFTS $4 DOGFISH 60-MINUTE DRAFTS $4 SMIRNOFF DRINKS $4 BACARDI & CAPT MORGAN DRINKS

FREE PARKING! Monday-Friday After 5pm, and All Day Saturday & Sunday At Corner of 2nd & Market! 302-384-8012 • 201 North Market Street, Wilmington

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State Line Liquors

Wednesday, March 6 and Monday, May 20 6 - 9 PM | $40 per Ticket

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Since 1937

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Open 7 days a week

For Tickets Contact World Cafe Live (302) 994-1400 www.worldcafelive.com

F  | O&A

1/24/2013 12:35:39 PM

Join Us As We Begin The Next 25 Years! Be seen this March in our commemorative Silver Anniversary Issue—our biggest edition ever—by purchasing an ad at a special discounted rate!

Contact Jim Miller at jmiller@tsnpub.com or 655.6483 for more information.

TOP 20 COVERS • 1988-2008

Readers’ Choice

N N N%F L

VOL. 25 NO. 5

K$8 E ; $8 9

COMPLIMENTARY

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ATIONS: July 28 Food & Brew: O&A BEER CELEBR July 14-21; Newark

JESSICA

Wilm. Beer Week:

Things Worth Doing Kitchen 10 Ideas to Try in the Musicians & 'Crowd Funding'

MUSIKA RMAGED DON PREVIE W NEWAR K BANDS MAKE BIG NOISE NEW Blues VENTUR E IN St. GEORGE LATSHA W: S UNDERG ROUND SENSAT ION

Watch Top Albums & Artists to

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8/22/2008

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ALSO INSIDE:

ity 's Craft Beer Commun >>> Delaware Liquors at State Line >>> Getting Crafty Summer Brews Trying; Great >>> Beers Worth

s Chef s Area Grower Farmer Meets s’Markets Local Farmer

JANUARY 2012

tr y out a bird that you should We heard it from Out & About's annual the stuff inside. Presenting goodies to gadgets. list of favorites, from

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1/24/2013 3:34:32 PM

MAGAZINE

Shine a LIGHT More than 50 musicians join forces at The Queen

this issue

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• A Blueprint for Progress • Boxing Debuts at Chase Center • Sweet Suggestions for the Arts

FEBRUARY 2013 Vol. 4 ISSUE 8

1/24/2013 1:59:05 PM

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1/24/13 3:47 PM

The Challenge Program presents

WOODWORKING FUNDAMENTALS Project Design and Creation Power and hand tool usage Understanding wood movement Art of mallet, chisel & wood handling Discerning wood species Milling rough sawn lumber Creating fine joinery

Wednesday evenings 6-9pm, March 6th though April 10th, Plus Saturday Workshop April 6th Tuition $185 (additional material fees may apply) Register online at challengeprogram.org

Classes will be held at the new CHALLENGE PROGRAM WORKSHOP Construction Training and Education Center (CTEC) Kalmar Nyckel Shipyard on the 7th Street Peninsula

Questions? Contact us at info@challengeprogram.org or 302.655.0945

PRESENTS Sonia Manzano

(“Sesame Street”)

Erica Watson (“Precious”)

Dawn Wells

(“Gilligan’s Island”)

Karyn Quackenbush (Broadway’s “Annie Get Your Gun”)

Sabrina LeBeauf (“The Cosby Show”)

An intimate collection of stories by Nora Ephron & Delia Ephron Based on the book by Ilene Beckerman

March 6-10 & 13-17, 2013

Proving that a great show is always in fashion, Love, Loss, and What I Wore, with its compulsively entertaining subject matter, has become an international hit among both women and the men who love them. This intimate collection of stories by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron is based on the best-selling book, as well as on the recollections of the Ephrons’ friends. Like the popular book, the show uses clothing and accessories and the memories they trigger to tell funny and often poignant stories that all women can relate to, creating one of the most enduring theatergoing experiences in New York and now across the country.

“A show about matters of the heart and matters of the closet” - The New York Times

Tickets on sale now! • (302)594-1100 • DELAWARETHEATRE.ORG

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1/24/13 4:50 PM

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EXECUTIVE BANQUET & CONFERENCE CENTER

Wedding professionals, live fashion show, hors d’oeuvres and more!

Presented by tickets@DelawareToday.com 302.504.1364 or Delaware-Bride.com Custom sponsorships available at a variety of price points. For more information:

Sponsored by:

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What can UD do for you?

3Career enhancement 3Customized learning 3Degree completion

The University of Delaware’s Division of Professional and Continuing Studies can help you build your professional skills, improve your organization’s bottom line, and enrich your life. • • • •

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Produced by

TSN Publishing, Inc. President Gerald duPhily

Contributing Editor Bob Yearick

Art Director Shawna Sneath

Production Manager Matt Loeb

Advertising Sales Jim Hunter Miller Marie Graham

Contributing Writers Barb Bullock, Krista Connor, Josephine Eccel, Christine Facciolo, Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald, Larry Nagengast, Scott Pruden

Contributing Photographers Joe del Tufo, Tim Hawk Les Kipp, Matt Urban

February 2013 volume 4, issue 8

6 Cover Story

Midnight Ramblers Shine A Light benefit concert returns to The Queen. By Krista Connor

11 The Arts Treat Yourself In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, sweet and solid starting points for a rewarding arts experience. By Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald

12 Neighborhoods Blueprint for Progress

Three Wilmington neighborhoods are engaged in revitalization projects that represent “the hopes and dreams of the residents.” By Larry Nagengast

Departments 4

“in” Calendar

On the Riverfront

City Notes

ON THE COVER For editorial and advertising information: p (302) 655-6483 f (302) 654-0569

TSN Media, Inc. 307 A Street Wilmington, DE 19801

IVA performs at last year’s inaugural Shine A Light. Photo by Tim Hawk

ABOUT THE “IN” CAMPAIGN

Wilmington 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 MAGAZINE

The 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. 3

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1/25/2013 11:26:46 AM

WHAT’S ‘IN’ FOR

FEBRUARY

MUSIC

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

FOOD & DRINK

NOW - SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 3PM

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 8PM

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 8PM

Boeing, Boeing

Wilmington Community Orchestra: Tragic Tales of Love

DSO Chamber II

Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr.

Delaware Theatre Company 200 Water Street • 302.94.1100 bit.ly/12EOwlW

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 8PM

John Waters: My Filthy World

The Music School of Delaware 4101 Washington St. • 302.762.1162 bit.ly/QJuTro

FRI, FEB 15 - SUN, FEB 17

Gold Ballroom at the Hotel du Pont 42 W. 11th Street. • 302.658.7897 bit.ly/Trsd0F

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 8PM

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 11AM

Chinese New Year Celebration

Mitzi Gaynor

Angela Sheik Record Release

DuPont Theatre • 11th & Market Streets 302.656.4401 • bit.ly/Uq6rdp

The Grand Opera House 818 N. Market St. • 302.658.7897 bit.ly/WZTEBN

SAT, FEBRUARY 16, 6:30PM

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 8PM

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 7PM

OperaDelaware’s Opera Ball

Ina Garten: The Barefoot Contessa

Gold Ballroom at the Hotel du Pont 42 W. 11th Street. • 302.658.8063 bit.ly/SbhIMA

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 3PM

The Grand • 818 N. Market Street 302.658.7897 • bit.ly/UULbe8

Brandywine Baroque: Dazzling Music for the Sun... Barn at Flintwoods • 205 Center Meeting Rd 302.594.4544 • bit.ly/U6oCUg

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The Grand • 818 N. Market Street 302.658.7897 • bit.ly/VbSKwA

Delaware Art Museum 2301 Kentmere Parkway 302.571.9590 • bit.ly/10sN33F

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23. 6PM

Up Front with FSBT

Stargazing 101

The Grand • 818 N. Market Street 302.658.7897 • bit.ly/Vbx2xe

baby grand’s Studio 1 818 N. Market St. • 302.658.7897x3851 bit.ly/QJwzAX

Brandywine Creek State Park 41 Adams Dam Road • 302.577.3534 bit.ly/U6nGiK

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 7PM

WED, FEBRUARY 27, 7PM

SAVE THE DATE: MARCH 6-10

Arm Chair Traveler Series

Three Centuries of Musical Magic & Rising Stars

MidAtlantic Food & Wine Festival beneﬁtting 9 Delaware-based

Woodlawn Library 2020 West 9th Street • 302.571.7425 bit.ly/TnzNZY

The Music School of Delaware 4101 Washington St. • 302.762.1132 bit.ly/SbiERc

arts organizations! Various Locations #inWilm • bit.ly/RJnlFt

1/24/13 2:18 PM

ART IS IN - EXHIBITS OPENING & CLOSING THIS MONTH

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5TH

• State of the Art: Illustration 100 Years After Howard Pyle Feb 9 thru Jun 1 • Gertrude Käsebier’s Photographs of the Eight: Portraits for Promotion Feb 23 thru Jul 7 302.571.9590 • 2301 Kentmere Pkwy

Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts

In the Aeroplane Over the Sixpoint with DJ Jersey Dan • The Queen

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH

500 N. Market St. • 302.994.1400

Boundless Borneo: Rainforest Conservation in Action

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6 TH

The Delaware Center for Horticulture 1810 North Dupont Street • 302.658.6262

Walk & History 9am every Wed

Bellevue • 800 Carr Road • 302.761.6963 Alternating Wed & Thurs Bellevue State Park • 302.761.6963

• Annual DCAD Student Exhibition thru Feb 22 302.622.8000 • 600 N. Market Street

The Station Gallery

• Winter Group Show thru Feb 23 302.654.8638 • 3922 Kennett Pike

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1ST

1810 North Dupont Street • 302.658.6262

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH

Open Mic Night w/ Mason Dunn 7pm every Wed • Shenanigans 125 N. Market St. • 302.691.8090

Nature Explorers Club

Brandywine Creek State Park 41 Adams Dam Rd • 302.577.3534

TheDCH Lectures: The Extraordinary Secret Lives of Everyday Trees

Gable Music’s Comedy Rocks! Valentine’s Day Spectacular

1810 North DuPont Street • 302.658.6262

Judy Gold: Up Close and Personal

• Lonny Syfrit Photography “Let There Be Light” opens Feb 1 302.658.6262 • 1810 N. DuPont St.

Delaware College of Art & Design

TheDCH Lectures: Wild Abandon: Converting Vacant Railways into Urban Greenways

Wee Have Fun Club 10am & 1pm

Delaware Center For Horticulture

World Cafe Live at the Queen 500 N. Market St. • 302.994.1400

Siegel Jewish Community Center 101 Garden of Eden Rd. • 302.478.5660

Valentine's Evening w/ Street

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7TH

Corner Symphony • The Queen 500 N. Market St. • 302.994.1400

Art Salad 12pm every Thurs Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts 300 S. Madison St. • 302.656.6466

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15TH Cadette Girl Scout Day: Night Sky

HOT! Cider Sessions & Feb 21

Brandywine Creek State Park 41 Adams Dam Rd • 302.577.3534

Rockwood Museum & Park 4651 Washington St. Extension • 302.761.4340

Grand Baile • The Grand • 800.37.GRAND

DuPont Party on a Budget

DelawareToday, Delaware Yesterday daily thru March 30

Bellevue Hall • 800 Carr Road • 302.761.6963

Infinity w/ SuiteFranchon • The Queen 500 N. Market St. • 302.994.1400

Delaware History Museum 505 N. Market Street • 302.655.7161

Sharon Sable Quintet

Glory of Stories every Friday 10:30am

Metric Halo, January Jane & Midnight Mob • The Queen

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16TH

Gallucio’s • 1709 Lovering Ave. • 302.655.3689

Delaware Art Museum 2301 Kentmere Parkway• 302.571.9590

Art is Tasty: Romeo and Juliet, Ford Maddox Brown Delaware Art Museum 2301 Kentmere Parkway• 302.571.9590

Art on the Town

Various Locations Buses leave 5:45pm from the DCCA, making the last return at approx. 8:30pm 302.576.2135 • 200 S. Madison Street

Make a Valentine

Delaware Art Museum 2301 Kentmere Parkway• 302.571.9590

Peanut Butter & Jams: Chris & Lou

The Queen • 500 N. Market St. • 302.994.1400

500 N. Market St. • 302.994.1400

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8

Rockwood Ladies Night Ghost Tour

4651 Washington St. Extension • 302.761.4340

State of the Art Exhibition Preview Party • Delaware Art Museum

Blind Boys of Alabama

The Grand • 818 N. Market • 800.37.GRAND

2301 Kentmere Pkwy • 302.571.9590

Bernie Worrell Orchestra

Bootless Stageworks: Death is a Drag - A Murder Mystery Dinner Show

World Cafe live at The Queen • 302.994.1400

Stooges Brass Band

Elks Lodge #307 1310 Carruthers Lane • 302.887.9300

Arden Concert Gild 2126 The Highway • 302.475.3126

Boxing at the Chase Center (NABA)

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17TH

815 Justison Street • 302.235.2500x32

Midtown Men

The Joe Trainor Trio

Tatnall Coffee House

The Grand • 818 N. Market • 800.37.GRAND

World Cafe live at The Queen • 302.994.1400

World Cafe live at The Queen 500 N. Market St. • 302.994.1400

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20 TH

Spokey Speaky’s Bob Marley Birthday Celebration • The Queen

Flashdance thru Feb 3

Lola's Ladies' Night Out

500 N. Market St. • 302.994.1400

DuPont Theatre 11th & Market Streets • 302.656.4401

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9

Chase Center • 866.962.LOLA TH

TheDCH Lectures: Heirloom Plants for Grace, Beauty and Sustainability

Family Fun: Blooming Together

The Producers - A Mel Brooks Musical thru March 16

1810 North Dupont Street • 302.658.6262

The Delaware Center for Horticulture 1810 North DuPont Street • 302.658.6262

New Candlelight Theatre 2208 Millers Rd. • 302.475.2313

Corb Lund • The Queen • 302.994.1400

PB & Jams: Bill & Tammy's Children's World Music Express

Seldom Scene

Pinocchio thru Feb 10

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23RD

Free Energy w/ Bleeding Rainbow

Zack duPont • The Queen • 302.994.1400

Arden Concert Gild 2126 The Highway • 302.475.3126

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10

H.M.S. Pinafore & Feb 24 • The Grand

818 N. Market • 800.37.GRAND

Silver Screen Sundays: Romeo and Juliet (1968) • Delaware Art Museum

Jimmie Van Zant • The Queen 500 N. Market St. • 302.994.1400

2301 Kentmere Pkwy • 302.571.9590

Shine a Light on The Queen

Victorian Valentines & Feb 21

500 N. Market St. • 302.994.1400

Rockwood Museum & Park 4651 Washington St. Extension • 302.761.4340

Delaware Children’s Theatre 1014 Delaware Avenue • 302.655.1014

Angelina Ballerina

School of Seven Bells

Brandywine Baroque: Harpsichord Concert: Kristian Bezuidenhout

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24TH William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet (1996) • Delaware Art Museum

The Grand • 818 N. Market • 800.37.GRAND

Arden Concert Gild 2126 The Highway • 302.475.3126

2301 Kentmere Pkwy • 302.571.9590

Paul R. Jones Annual Lecture: Sonya Clark From Hair to There

Barn at Flintwoods • 877.594.4546

DCCA • 200 S. Madison St. • 302.656.6466

brown bird w/ Joe Fletcher

OH BOY! A Tribute to Buddy Holly

Arden Concert Gild 2126 The Highway • 302.475.3126

World Cafe live at The Queen • 302.994.1400

“Highs In The 70’s” Rock & Soul Dance Party with Dan Reed

The Grand • 818 N. Market • 800.37.GRAND

World Cafe live at The Queen • 302.994.1400

Peanut Butter & Jams: Rolie Polie Guacamole

Rockwood Museum & Park 4651 Washington St. Extension • 302.761.4340

Classic Albums Live: Hotel California

Peek-a-Boo Revue: Blow Us a Kiss!

Brandywine Creek State Park 41 Adams Dam Rd • 302.577.3534

HOT! Cocoa Crafts & Feb 16

Clay Date • Delaware Art Museum 2301 Kentmere Pkwy • 302.571.9590

Can You Canoe • The Queen • 302.994.1400

Day Camp Open House

Brandywine Creek State Park 41 Adams Dam Rd • 302.577.3534

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22 ND

Delaware Art Museum 2301 Kentmere Pkwy • 302.571.9590

World Cafe live at The Queen • 302.994.1400

Groundhogs Galore

Yarn • The Queen • 302.994.1400

State of the Art Gallery Talk

Freelance Whales

World Cafe live at The Queen • 302.994.1400

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21ST

World Cafe live at The Queen • 302.994.1400

The Grand • 818 N. Market • 800.37.GRAND

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28TH CTC Presents “8” - The Play

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12TH

World Cafe Live at the Queen 500 N. Market St. • 302.994.1400

find more at { inWilmingtonDE.com }

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World Cafe live at The Queen • 302.994.1400

Chelsea Tavern • 821 N. Market Street

• Joe Girandola’s Rise and Fall: Monumental Duct Tape Drawings thru Feb 10 • Freak Antique: Contemporary Art Curios thru Feb 10 • Sam Blanchard Feb 1 thru Apr 28 • imPERFECT City Feb 9 thru Jun 16 • An Implied Narrative: Contemporary Figurative Drawing Feb 1 thru Apr 28 302.656.6466 • 200 South Madison Street

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2

Shakespeare and St. Valentine

Flight Club every Tuesday 5:30-7:30

Delaware Art Museum

Theatre N • 11th & Tatnall Streets

An Evening w/ Patrizio Buanne

World Cafe live at The Queen • 302.994.1400

MUSIC

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

FOOD & DRINK

1/24/13 2:19 PM

MIDNIGHT RAMBLERS Second annual fundraising concert, another tribute to the Stones, is set for Feb. 23 By Krista Connor photos by Tim Hawk

wo years ago a group of local musicians approached board members of World Cafe Live at The Queen’s Light Up the Queen Foundation and asked, “What can we do to help?” The idea originated with Chip Porter, member of local band Montana Wildaxe. LUQ board member Rob Grant took the offer to the rest of the board and came up with the idea of a Rolling Stones-themed fundraiser called “Shine a Light on The Queen.” The hope was that a few of the musicians’ friends would turn out and enjoy an evening of Rolling Stones cover songs. To everyone’s surprise, tickets rapidly sold out and 2,000 people showed up, raising thousands of dollars for LUQ. The board quickly decided that this would be an annual event. 6 . PERFORMING ARTS

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“Arguably, it’s the best event that The Queen has had since its inception, certainly by local standards,” says board member and concert participant Ben LeRoy. “It was great for me to be a part of it on stage, but I had the opportunity to run back and get out in the audience and get the vibe from there, and oh, my God, it was electric.” On Saturday, Feb. 23, 54 Delaware musicians will come together at The Queen to present the second annual Shine a Light. Once again, it will be a tribute to the Rolling Stones, and LeRoy says the board hopes to raise more than $100,000 this time. Among those scheduled to perform are Joe Trainor from the Joe Trainor Trio, all members of Mallory Square, and members of the Bullbuckers. FEBRUARY 2013

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“It was so unique that the musicians in this community are the ones who started this idea,” says LeRoy. “It’s a groundswell of support coming from the musicians, which is really incredible, because that never happens.” Since 2010 the LUQ Foundation has been dedicated to the revival of The Queen Theater, located on Market Street in Wilmington. The Foundation also aims to make The Queen a catalyst for building community through high-quality programs in music, education, workforce development and mentoring. Every song performed this year will be a Rolling Stones cover. And like last year, the musicians on stage will be mixed around—no previously established bands get to play together. “In a way it’s more like casting a play than planning out a typical show with different bands,” says co-organizer and music director Brad Newsom. Newsom is in charge of organizing the musicians, helping with the set list, assisting musicians at rehearsals, and “managing the chaos.” “You need some chaos for a proper Stones show,” he says. When selecting the musicians for each song, Newsom says it can get complicated, since there are so many people to choose from. Usually everyone tries to get together and create a set list, then brainstorm who should perform each song, he says. “We have 50-plus musicians from 25-plus bands,” says Delawarebased Mallory Square drummer and concert participant Kevin McCabe. “Each song has a different lineup. No two songs will have the same musicians. It’s a big challenge to make something like that work, but we seem to get it sorted out and everyone has fun.” One early hurdle was finding a rehearsal space big enough for so many performers. Luckily one of the musicians, Scott Morris, owns a warehouse and offered it for practice. LeRoy says the musicians put in more than a thousand hours of practice—all volunteered. He describes the five-hour rehearsals as “aggressive.” There are six official rehearsals, not including the dress rehearsal, mini sessions and practices. LeRoy says 20 to 30 musicians are at each rehearsal, and they work on about eight tunes per rehearsal, with seven to10 people playing on each song. “Image what that’s like,” he says, “trying to get 50 musicians to practice for a show. It’s a monumental Rubik’s Cube.” The set list is a secret, although LeRoy does reveal that there are 34 songs. Following an early January rehearsal, LeRoy said, “It’s gonna be incredible, I can tell you. After last night’s rehearsal, with the energy and excitement that’s going on with the musicians—everybody kind of knows each other now, everybody’s excited to make that happen again,” Each of the event organizers—Grant, LeRoy, Newsom, McCabe and more—will join in the fun again this year and perform. “Last year was amazing. It built a strong community among Delaware musicians,” McCabe says. “A lot of us have known each other for years, but this was the first time we got to play with each other on the same stage.” As for the future Shine a Light events, Grant says, “There isn’t much we can do to expand the number of songs or musicians, nor can we add any more attendees, so my goal is to continue to make it fun for everyone, maintain the integrity of the set list, and work to bring in additional sponsorship revenues so we can continue to grow through that avenue.” McCabe says Shine a Light is a concert no one in the area should miss. He expects the show to produce “lots of smiles, some amazing music, and time well spent with close friends, all for a great cause.” Porter, who will be performing again this year, agrees. “Last year was the single greatest rock and roll experience of my life. The energy in the theater was incredible. I expect this year to be even better.” Doors open at 7 p.m. and the concert starts at 8:30. Tickets ($45) sold out a month before the show, however, you can still get tickets through sponsorship. Contact lightupthequeen@gmail.com 5

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1/24/13 4:47 PM

RIVERFRONT 3

1 4

MAP OF

1. Amtrak Station 2. Opera Delaware Studios/City Theater Co. 3. Wilmington Youth Rowing Assn., WYRA.ORG 4. Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park 5. Residences at Christina Landing 6. Asnan Sushi Bar & Asian Cuisine, ASNANRESTAURANTS.COM 7. Harry’s Seafood Grill / Riverfront Market, HARRYS-SAVOY.COM 8. Delaware Theatre Co., DELAWARETHEATRE.ORG 9. FireStone Roasting House, FIRESTONERIVERFRONT.COM 10. Cosi at the Barclays Crescent Building, GETCOSI.COM

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11. Hare Pavilion/Riverwalk 12. AAA Mid-Atlantic Travel Center, AAAMIDATLANTIC.COM 13. Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts, THEDCCA.ORG 14. Justison Landing, Currie Hair, Skin & Nails, CURRIEDAYSPA.COM Veritas Wine & Spirits, VERITASWINESHOP.COM 15. Kooma, KOOMASUSHI.COM CrossFit Riverfront, CFRIVERFRONT.COM 16. Delaware Children’s Museum, DELAWARECHILDRENSMUSEUM.ORG

1/24/13 2:31 PM

26 24 23

17 19

21 16 28

17. Joe’s Crab Shack, JOESCRABSHACK.COM 18. Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, IRONHILLBREWERY.COM 19. Public Docks 20. Big Fish Grill, BIGFISHRIVERFRONT.COM 21. Frawley Stadium, BLUEROCKS.COM Delaware Sports Museum & Hall of Fame 22. Chase Center on the Riverfront, CENTERONTHERIVERFRONT.COM 23. Dravo Plaza & Dock 24. Shipyard Center Planet Fitness, PLANETFITNESS.COM

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25. Timothy’s Restaurant, TIMOTHYSONTHERIVERFRONT.COM Molly’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream, MOLLYSICECREAM.COM Ubon Thai Restaurant 26. Wilmington Rowing Center, WILMINGTONROWING.ORG 27. Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge/ DuPont Environmental Education Center, DUPONTEEC.ORG 28. DART Park-n-Ride Lot

Photo by Dick Dubroff of Final Focus Photography

1/24/13 2:35 PM

FEBRUARY RIVERFRONT EVENTS Art on the town February 1, 5-9pm ART ON THE TOWN Sponsored by the City of Wilmington, Art on the Town is a great way to view the exhibitions in our galleries and visit the artist studios during our extended gallery hours. Held on the first Friday of the month, Art on the Town is free and open to the public from 5 - 9 pm unless otherwise noted. Gallery talks 6:30 pm. Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts TheDCCA.org Who Goes There? February 7, 10-11:30am Explore the marsh to find animal tracks and make a few of your own. What other clues can we find to discover who comes to the marsh at night. Retrace your steps to find a fun snack. DuPont Environmental Education Center DuPontEEC.org Champs at the Chase February 8, 6pm Join us for Delaware’s first double title fight at the Chase Center on the Riverfront. ‘Champs at the Chase’, will feature Dennis Hasson fighting for NABA’s light heavyweight belt. Co-featuring will be “The New” Ray Robinson, looking to secure the welterweight title. Local boxers Dan Biddle and Lamont Singletary will be competing for the Delaware Cruiserweight Title. ChampsManagement.com Parents Night Out- Hearts in Nature February 8, 6:30-8:30pm Set mom and dad loose to have dinner along Wilmington’s Riverfront while you stay at DEEC and have all the fun with games, a scavenger hunt and an evening hike. Dinner provided. Parents receive a discount coupon for Timothy’s Riverfront Grill. DuPont Environmental Education Center DuPontEEC.org

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in MY world: Children in Charge at the DCCA February 17, 12-3pm Have you ever thought, “If I ruled the world…?” Well now you can! Join the DCCA as we hand over the reins. In conjunction with the exhibition imPERFECT CITY families will be able to show us what things would look like if they were in charge! Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts TheDCCA.org Garden Design Workshop February 20, 6-8pm Itchin’ to dig in the dirt this spring? Join Alison Long, Landscape Designer & DNS Naturalist, and Greg Gagliano, Backyard Habitat Coordinator, for a hands-on primer in landscape design to help you plan for seasons of beauty and wildlife. Bring property dimensions and a few photos for reference. DuPont Environmental Education Center DuPontEEC.org 2013 CODE Conference February 23, 8am A product of the Delaware Financial Literacy Institute / The Money School, CODE celebrates National Entrepreneurship Week each February by hosting a conference that includes speakers, breakout sessions and exhibitors covering various aspects of business start-up, survival and growth. Registration is suggested. Free admission. Chase Center on the Riverfront dfli.org Delaware Family Expo February 23, 10-4pm Discover resources that will strengthen, enlighten, encourage and entertain children and families at the daylong expo. One stop access to the most respected local, state and national companies and organizations that specialize in children’s products and services, styles and ideas for families with plenty of hands on demonstrations, free samples

and on-site product demonstrations. From clothing and room décor, to schools, summer camps and educational opportunities, from healthcare to family safety and everything in between and on the fringes. Free Admission Chase Center on the Riverfront mountainexpos.com/family_expo.html Delaware Health & Wellness Expo February 23, 10-4pm The Delaware Health & Wellness Expo will offer first state families an opportunity to discover resources that will strengthen and promote a healthy lifestyle. The Expo is designed to provide area consumers with one stop access to the most respected local, state and national companies and organizations that specialize in health care products and services. Products and services, styles and ideas for area residents with plenty of hands on demonstrations, free samples and on-site product demonstrations. From traditional health options to holistic care, foods and lifestyles and the latest trends and technologies to improve your health and wellness. The Expo is held on the same weekend and location as the popular Delaware Family Expo, which drew over 3,000 people last year. Admission is FREE! Chase Center on the Riverfront mountainexpos.com/health_ and_wellness_expo.html Art Salad Thursdays, 12-1pm Art Salad is a free lunchtime lecture series that features multi-point perspectives into the world of contemporary art from artists, historians, educators, and curators. Bring your own lunch or have your lunch delivered by Cosi®. For the full schedule, visit TheDCCA.org Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts TheDCCA.org

February 2013

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LOVE Treat Yourself to Some ‘Sweet’ Arts Events this Month Love (of the Arts) is in the air this month! Many will be scampering about trying to find just the right ‘sweet treat’ to delight their partners during the month of love and romance. What could be more suitable than an Arts experience? Let me give you sweet and solid starting points to make your Valentine swoon… By Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald Treat yourself to some belly laughs… Comedy runs wild with City Theater Company (CTC) this month, starting with the return of Wilmington’s only comedy troupe, Fearless Improv! They’ll make your date night sidesplittingly hilarious with bawdy word games, kooky re-enactments, and compromising positions. Don’t miss their next gig on Friday, Feb. 15, at 8 p.m. in the Chris White Gallery at Shipley Artist Lofts. Admission is only $5 (cash only, please) and there’s a cash bar as well. They return to the gallery on the third Friday of every month. CTC continues the funny stuff with a world premiere original comedy musical—On The Air—with music & lyrics by Joe Trainor (of Joe Trainor Trio & CTC music directing fame) and story by By Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald Kevin Regan (mastermind of CTC’s Murder at the Mansion and the online series, The Clink). The plot: A radio soap opera is making the leap from NYC to Cali…while comic hijinks and killer songs ensue. Get your tickets now because this run is limited: Friday, Feb. 22, through Saturday, March 2. All shows are 8 p.m. at the The Black Box in OperaDelaware Studios. General tickets are only $20 at city-theater.org. City arts series The Arts at Trinity partners with Delaware’s off-Broadway City Theater Company for a night of hilarious, off-the-wall, interactive comedy with Fearless Improv. If you like their brand of funny, you can’t miss this gig, either: Saturday, Feb. 23, 7:30 p.m., at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1108 N. Adams St. Best of all (for you frugal types), this performance is a free-will donation! Treat yourself to tragic tales of love and lusty notes of jazz Want the orchestra experience but on a slightly smaller, more intimate scale? The Wilmington Community Orchestra – housed at The Music School of Delaware’s Wilmington location and conducted by noted musician Dr. Timothy Schwarz—is an accomplished amateur orchestra featuring standard orchestral repertoire and amazing regional guest artists, this time incorporating soprano, cello and narrator into the program. Just in time for the season, they present Tragic Tales of Love on Sunday, Feb. 3, at 3 p.m. with such apropos works as Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet and Bizet’s Suite No. 1 from Carmen. Tickets are affordable, too: $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.

Jazz is next onstage this month, again at the Music School. Noted local composer, musician and Music School alumnus Wilson Somers presents Wilson Somers & Company—An Evening of Jazz on Saturday, Feb. 16, 7 p.m., again at the Music School’s Wilmington location. The performance highlights the music of Ellington, Brubeck and of Somers himself, with guest artists Bill Stumm on bass, Ed Kirkpatrick on alto saxophone and Stan Slotter on trumpet and flute. General tickets are $20 and students under age 15 are $10. For tickets for either program, call the Music School—762-1132— or purchase at the door. Treat yourself to the spotlight and give back in return… World Cafe Live at the Queen launches a new series this month, and it’s pretty sweet itself. Monday Spotlight Nights are geared toward partnerships with area nonprofits and private groups. This month, in the name of L-O-V-E, the Spotlight is on singles. On Monday, Feb. 11, the Queen offers a “V-day Singles” theme complete with Love Quizzo, a delectable chocolate menu, and more. Jake Rogers, corporate & community partnership coordinator, notes that they are looking to expand the program’s partnerships, so if you’d like to know more or submit an application for your organization, visit queen.worldcafelive.com for details or contact Jake at jrogers@ worldcafelive.com. Treat yourself…next time around! The hottest new programming from the Delaware Art Museum —following the smash success of Concerts on Kentmere and Art is Social—is Art is After Dark, a series of late-night events and activities geared to adults—events like beer and wine tastings, strolls through the Museum exhibitions, hands-on messiness in the Studio, and themed parties. This month’s installment, Clay Date (Friday, Feb. 22), is already sold out, so you’ll have to wait until next month. However, from the looks of the calendar, Art is After Dark is going to be great fun: March brings another Clay Date and “Artful” Salsa Dancing. Happy Arty Month of Love, pals! Hope to see you out and about at one of these venues. Want more ArtStuff ? Follow me and Dewey the Art Dog @ArtsinMedia. 11

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1/24/13 3:55 PM

A mural in Wilmington’s Southbridge area shares the optimism of the Blueprint Communities plan.

BLUEPRINT FOR PROGRESS Three Wilmington neighborhoods are engaged in revitalization projects that represent “the hopes and dreams of the residents” By Larry Nagengast

uilders know the best way to complete a project is to follow the blueprint. Creating that blueprint, however, can be a challenge. And no matter how simple or complex the plan might be, in order to finish the job the builder needs access to all the materials shown on the blueprint. Residents in four sections of Wilmington are engaged in an important sort of construction work these days, rebuilding their neighborhoods with the assistance of a program called Blueprint Communities, developed by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh. Browntown became a Blueprint Community earlier this year. Hilltop/Little Italy, Eastside, Riverside and Wilmington’s Second District were among nine communities statewide chosen in 2008 to participate in the program, but Riverside and the Second District have since dropped out. “These are neighborhood revitalization plans. They represent the hopes and dreams of the residents of the neighborhoods,” says

12 . BluePrint For Progress

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Christian Willauer, a neighborhood planner with the Cornerstone West community development program and a participant in the Hilltop/Little Italy Blueprint effort. “This is very complex work. It’s demanding,” says Raheema Jabbar-Bey, assistant professor at the University of Delaware’s Center for Community Research and Service, which provides training, technical assistance and coaching to Blueprint team members. “It really promotes the civic engagement that has not had a strong presence in these communities.” The Blueprint approach, Jabbar-Bey says, relies heavily on “assetbased community development,” essentially taking stock of existing resources within communities and trying to build on that foundation, rather than focusing on the deficits. “When members of communities start looking at the positives, it can change their perspective,” she says. “They can try to build on what they have.” Each community team includes a mix of stakeholders—residents, business owners, and representatives of government agencies, February 2013

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nonprofits and a financial institution. They work collaboratively, so it’s not another government- or business-driven program, Jabbar-Bey says. The three communities participating in the program offer differing examples of progress. Browntown: Getting Started Browntown, as the city’s newest Blueprint Community, is just getting started. “We’re moving along. We just finished a draft of our strategic plan,” says Yvette Murray, co-leader of Browntown’s Blueprint team. “By this time next year, we should be able to look for grants” to help pay for some of the projects included in the plan. Browntown, Murray says, is a community that could be selfsufficient. “All of our needs can be met right here, and we’re right by the riverfront.” Blueprint Community goals for Browntown, Murray says, include developing more programs to benefit children and teens in the neighborhood and working to strengthen the business corridor on Maryland Avenue and improve its appearance. “Kids do not have a place to go,” especially indoors during colder weather, says Murray. “If you look at other parts of Wilmington, like Little Italy, they have a strong business community because they have business organizations. The businesses look out for one another and set standards for each other.” The Blueprint team hopes to build cooperative relationships among businesses and wants to look into programs that would encourage owners to improve their storefronts. One model to consider, she says, would be the façade improvement program now under way on Market Street that is administered by the city’s Downtown Visions program. Eastside Efforts The Eastside team got off to a promising start, developing a strategic plan and launching some beautification efforts, including improving Herman M. Holloway Park and painting and repairing the exterior of some homes on Spruce Street. Momentum was lost, however, and “I don’t think we’ve catapulted to where we need to be,” says Beverly Bell, the first co-leader of the community’s planning team. Alfie Moss, who now heads the planning team, claims there is now renewed evidence of progress. Jabbar-Bey attributes the recent advances to the addition of eight or nine members to the community team, including Central Baptist Church, which has made its facilities available for team meetings. “They weren’t there in the beginning, but they are now,” Jabbar-Bey says. Moss, who worked on the community’s beautification projects, says the group is now focusing more on items that could have a positive economic impact. The area has nearly 6,000 residents but only 36 percent of its roughly 2,400 residences are owner-occupied. Moss says the group wants to work with the Stepping Stones Community Federal Credit Union, established in the neighborhood only last year, to set up programs to educate first-time homebuyers and help them qualify for loans. The team is also working on a “community benefits agreement” (CBA), a document listing requests that would be presented to any developers who desire to build in the community, according to Moss. Nearby Southbridge developed a CBA several years ago, she says, “and look what they’ve gotten: high-rises, more shopping, and more jobs.” In addition, Moss says, the Henrietta Johnson Medical Center, based in Southbridge, will soon open a new office in a portion of Bancroft Elementary School at Seventh and Lombard streets. The Blueprint planning team meets at 6 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month at Central Baptist. It has five main committees—safety,

beautification, economic development, housing and special events— and welcomes new participants, Moss says. “We’re looking for more partners. We are working to bring the community together and to keep everybody informed.” Hilltop/Little Italy Emphasizes Beautification The Hilltop/Little Italy initiative, like Eastside, began with some highly visible projects with an emphasis on beautification, creating a community garden with 37 plots at the Rodney Street Reservoir, and launching the Cool Spring Farmers Market and improvements to four parks. “We started with the parks because this is public space. It’s visible to the community, and residents can see that the neighborhood is moving in the right direction,” Christian Willauer says. But it soon grew beyond its original boundaries and resulted in the completion of a revitalization plan this summer for the city’s entire West Side, covering the area bordered by Pennsylvania Avenue,

“When members of communities start looking at the positives, it can change their perspective” — Raheema Jabbar-Bey Jackson Street, Lancaster Avenue and the railroad tracks west of Bancroft Parkway. The 10-year plan, if fully implemented, calls for spending up to $35 million on a variety of improvements in housing, economic development, education, safety and youth programs. An important area of emphasis, Willauer says, will be two main corridors—Lincoln and Union streets through Little Italy and Fourth Street and Lancaster Avenue on the south side of the area. Cornerstone West, a community development agency established in 1999 as a collaboration between the West End Neighborhood House and St. Francis Hospital, has hired an economic development coordinator to meet with businesses in the area to survey their needs, with an eye to establishing a Main Street program, similar to the Downtown Visions group that has been credited with sparking recent improvements along Market Street, Willauer says. He is an enthusiastic proponent of the Blueprint approach to planning, with residents of communities deeply involved in the process. “It’s a great thing for neighborhoods to create a plan for what it wants to do.” The fact that the city’s three Blueprint Communities are at different stages in their revitalization process is not surprising, Jabbar-Bey says. “Each community is different,” she says, in terms of their culture, the types of institutions present in them, the types of services provided and what is needed. Communities with more established institutions that are already used to working together will likely make faster progress. And, she says, in today’s economy, securing funding to implement new projects is a significant challenge. She believes the progress made already is significant. “We’re constantly reminding teams of what they’ve accomplished.” Willauer looks forward to all of the teams making progress. “If the city is seen as more than a collection of unique and interesting districts,” she says, “then that’s better for everyone.” 13

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1/25/2013 11:23:53 AM

PLAYING A NEW CARD Pro boxing debuts this month at Chase Center on the Riverfront

s boxing and the Chase Center on the Riverfront a winning combination? Champs Promotion will take a swing at answering that question as it presents a double title fight on Friday, Feb. 8. It’s the first event in what organizers hope will be an on-going effort to bring high-level professional boxing to the city’s burgeoning Riverfront district. The last time pro boxing took place at the Riverfront was in 2005 at the now-defunct Kahunaville. Champs at the Chase will feature six different bouts, headlined by rising heavyweight talent Dennis Hasson (15-0) against Kevin Engel (20-6) of St. Louis in a North American Boxing Association (NABA) title fight. Hasson moved from Pennsylvania to Delaware last year to train under Dave Tiberi, a former world champion. In another championship bout, “The New” Ray Robinson (14-2) will be taking on Prentis Brewer for the NABA welterweight title. Doors will open at 6pm with the first bell at 7pm. Tickets are available at champsmanagement.com and by phone at 888-BLUE (tickets are $45-$125).

CITY NOTES Welcome to the Neighborhood! Made By Hand Gallery, 302 W. 9th St. This popular Philadelphia gallery has moved its home to Wilmington. Artists Roldan West and Jennifer Park have created a gallery featuring contemporary wood carvings, metal art, unique sterling silver jewelry, ceramics, and original paintings by several artists. They are always looking for more local artists to add to the gallery. Open Tuesday-Sunday. madebyhandgallery.webs.com/ the Kitchen, 227 Market St. This new film and video production house in LOMA specializes in producing short films for companies and non-profits. The storefront will serve as the Kitchen’s post-production facility and screening room, and it should also foster a great atmosphere for story development and production meetings. Have a story that needs telling? Bring it to the Kitchen or call 302.464.5824. thekitchen.com.

ASH, PINE OR MAPLE? Don’t know? Take the Challenge Program’s six-week woodworking course

ant to learn the difference between wood species, understand how to operate power and hand tools, and participate in woodworking projects? Well, now’s your chance. Wilmington’s Challenge Program is offering a six-week woodworking fundamentals class, taught by professionals, on Wednesdays, 6 to 9 p.m., from March 6 through April 10. The program includes a workshop on Saturday, April 6. Cost is $200. The class will cover such subjects as wood movement, the art of mallet, chisel, and wood handling, milling rough sawn lumber, and creating fine joinery. Classes will be held at the new Construction Training and Education Center at the Challenge Program Workshop in the Kalmar Nyckel shipyard, 1124 E. 7th St. The Challenge Program has provided vocational training for Delaware’s at-risk youth since 1995. It helps to instill in them the confidence, skills and purpose needed to become productive members of society. The youth, who work on-site Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., receive a modest living stipend while enrolled. Trainees helped construct the new building. Director Andrew McKnight describes the public class as “fundamentals to woodworking”—something for people who have no experience with the art. “We get them familiar with tools and safety, and will work on small projects within class times that they can take home,” he says. McKnight says the program offered classes 10 years ago in its old shop. “Our new shop is now open and ready. It’s a really nice new woodworking shop we’d like to make available to the public after hours when we’re not doing training.” Contact the Challenge Program with questions at info@challengeprogram. org or 655-0945. Register for classes online at challengeprogram.org. — Krista Connor

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1/24/13 3:59 PM

WRC News DowntownWilmington.com Why We ♥ Wilmington

ebruary is the month for love. What better time to ask the true lovers of Wilmington why they are passionate about this fun-filled place to live, work and play!

• “It offers SO much, from amazing, world-class museums and galleries to scrumptious dining options.” — Sarah Willoughby, executive director, Greater Wilmington Convention & Visitors Bureau • “It’s a great place to live and work.” — John Hawkins, president, ab+c • “It has more great artists than any other community I know.” –Jerry Bilton, executive director, Community Service Building • “It’s scale enables one to collaborate with broad coalitions of talent, and the results are immediately accessible.” —Michael Kalmbach, executive director, Creative Vision Factory • “. . . of the amazing commitment of time and energy of so many people to make our city a great place to live, work and raise a family.” — Fred C. Sears II, CEO , Delaware Community Foundation • “. . . of the great people, great beauty, great location, great leadership, great quality of life.” — Chris Buccini, co-president, The Buccini/Pollin Group • “. . . of my strong enthusiasm as a native: strategic location, easy access to community leaders, legal practice without big city hassle, and active effort to revitalize Wilmington.” — Stuart B. Young, chairman emeritus, Delaware College of Art and Design • “It’s a beautiful city—the parks, the architecture, the history. It adds up to a wonderful place to live and raise a family. Plus, Wilmington’s size, scale and ease of accessibility mean that I am able to run errands to three destinations on opposite sides of town in under 30 minutes!” — Carrie W. Gray, managing director, Wilmington Renaissance Corporation • “. . . the potential of the arts, business and residential renaissance happening downtown is infinite!” — Hal Real, founder & president, World Cafe Live at the Queen

Staff Picks

Every month we highlight select happenings in the city. Here’s what we ♥ in February: DSO Chamber II at Gold Ballroom at the Hotel du Pont, Tuesday, Feb. 5 Maestro David Amado brings members of the Symphony to surround him as he leads the powerful and stirring Shostakovich Piano Quintet G Minor, Op. 57 from his place at the piano. Desserts and coffee at intermission are included in the admission price. Cash bar available. For more information: delawaresymphony.org/chamber_amado.html Mitzi Gaynor at DuPont Theatre, Friday-Sunday, Feb. 15-17 Legendary star Mitzi Gaynor lights up the stage in an intimate evening of laughs, love and music from her show-stopping life and career in Razzle Dazzle! My Life Behind the Sequins. Mitzi shares her life through song and side-splitting stories, along with video footage from her television, concert and film work. It adds up to a glittering, multimedia, one-woman tour-de-force. For more information: duponttheatre.com/mitzi-gaynor Angela Sheik at The Grand, Friday, Feb. 15 The Grand and Gable Music Ventures present Angela Sheik, who will collaborate with the Cab Calloway School of the Arts a cappella group, the Jazz Chords. There will be a few surprise guests as well. This event also celebrates Sheik’s first full-length album release. For more information: thegrandwilmington.org/Productions/12-13-Season/Angela-Sheik Chinese New Year Celebration at Delaware Art Museum, Saturday, Feb. 16 Celebrate Chinese New Year at the Delaware Art Museum’s seventh annual event. This celebration will include traditional Chinese art activities, artist demonstrations, a scavenger hunt, a dragon dance, and Chinese yo-yo performance by the Chinese American Community Center Folk Dance Troupe and Yo-Yo Club. The program is presented in conjunction with Hanlin Chinese Culture Association. For more information: delart.org/prog_events/fam_youth/chineseNY.html Ina Garten: The Barefoot Contessa at the Grand Opera House, Tuesday, Feb. 19 Ina Garten, host of the Food Network’s The Barefoot Contessa, discusses her flavorful life in this evening of conversation with James Beardnominated food writer Patricia Talorico, followed by audience questions and signing of her best-selling cookbooks. For more information: thegrandwilmington.org/Productions/12-13-Season/Ina-Garten Up Front with FSBT at the Grand Opera House, Friday, Feb. 22 An informal, in-studio performance in the baby grand’s Studio 1, limited to 100 patrons, followed by a private reception with FSBT’s dancers, staff and board. For more information: firststateballet.com Shine A Light on the Queen at The World Cafe Live at The Queen, Saturday, Feb. 23 A night of Rolling Stones music to benefit the Light Up the Queen Foundation, featuring an incredible lineup of musicians. For more information: queentickets.worldcafelive.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=618 — Barb Bullock 15

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1/25/2013 12:00:48 PM