SEPTEMBER 20, 2018

T h e C a p e F e a r ’ s A lt e r n at i v e V o i c e f o r 3 5 Y e a r s !

VOL. 36/ PUB.8 SEPT. 20-27, 2018

ENCOREPUB.COM

FREE

plate full of purpose

World-renowned chef José Andrés unites with local chefs through his World Central Kitchen to feed ILM in the wake of Florence Photo courtesy of featured chef Christi Ferretti, Pine Valley Market

Friday, May 6 - 11 a.m. #ILMSTRONG And so here we are...

Another hurricane season yet this time we were not spared. The horror reports over the last few years coming from Texas, Florida, Louisiana, and Puerto Rico had so many of us in ILM compassionately reaching out to help communities affected by such devastation and simultaneously being grateful it wasn’t us. But now it is.

While Hurricane Florence may have been a strong cat 1, she is by no means stronger than Wilmington at large. In the face of disaster, our community has come together, as we always do, to help our own. Folks far and wide have come through for us, too—giving their time and resources and money and volunteerism. We are humbled. We are thankful. We are still here.

It will take a while to rebuild and renew, restore and renovate our great city and landscape structurally. But the revival of spirit we have in humanity and unity already has begun. No matter what divides us personally, socially, economically, politically, religiously, we are one.

This week’s encore foregoes the usual standards of what’s going on across town (aside from a film review, Live Local, an op-ed, and fact or fiction).

Instead we have focused on a few stories of what people are doing in the wake of Hurricane Florence.

We will continue such coverage until our town is up and running again on all fronts. And it will be.

We are #ILMstrong.

HODGEPODGE Vol. 36/Pub. 7 8

September 12 - September 18, 2018 September 20-27,

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EDITORIAL> Editor-in-Chief:

Shea Carver // shea@encorepub.com

Assistant Editor:

Shannon Rae Gentry // music@encorepub.com

Art Director/Office Manager:

Susie Riddle // ads@encorepub.com

Chief Contributors: Gwenyfar Rohler, Anghus, Tom Tomorrow, Chuck Shepherd, Mark Basquill, Rosa Bianca, Rob Brezsny, Linda Grattafiori, Bethany Turner, John Wolfe

ON THE COVER

editor’s note

Interns: Nina Caruso, Karen Crawford, Audra Bullard SALES> General Manager: John Hitt // john@encorepub.com

Advertising:

Glenn Rosenbloom // glenn@encorepub.com John Hitt // john@encorepub.com Shea Carver // shea@encorepub.com Published on Wednesday by HP Media. Opinions of contributing writers are not the opinions of encore.

PLATE FULL OF PURPOSE, PG. 22

Chef José Andrés, well-known for his numerous award-winning restaurants worldwide, has posted up in Wilmington during Hurricane Florence with his nonrpofit disaster relief group, World Central Kitchen. As of Wed., Sept.

19, he and a group of local volunteers, including well-known ILM chefs, like Christi Ferretti of Pine Valley Market (cover), have fed more than 80,000 people in the tri-county area. Photo above, courtesy of World Central Kitchen

P.O. Box 12430, Wilmington, N.C. 28405 www.encorepub.com

L

LIVE LOCAL>> Gwenyfar talks preparation for Hurricane Florence and realizes, despite the stress of boarding up a business and three residences, the luxury of having somewhere to go is of itself a blessing.

PGS. 4-5

Photo by Chad Keith

FEATURE>>

Hurricane Florence may have brought the worst of situations but she also highlights the best of people, such as UNCW students who began We Wilm Rebuild in the face of the storm.

Courtesy photo

F

PG. 21

F

FEATURE>> Relief comes in all forms during Hurricane Florence, but rescue and recovery is made easier thanks to the Cajun Navy, who posted up ahead of the storm and have helped residents rebuild thereafter.

Courtesy photo

PG. 33

INSIDE THIS WEEK: Live Local, pgs. 4-5 • News of the Weird, pg. 6

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Op-Ed, pg. 8 • Film, pg. 11 • Gallery Guide, pg. 13 • Dining Guide, pg. 14-19 Hurricane Florence Covearge, pgs. 22-28 • • Fact or Fi, pg. 13 • Horoscopes, pg. 31

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NEWS>>LIVE LOCAL

LIVE LOCAL, LIVE SMALL:

Gwenyfar prepares for Hurricane Florence, reflects on privilege for September 11, 1984—34 years ago last week. I was interested to learn Diana was expected to make landfall as a category 4 and was to be the worst to hit our area since Hazel in 1954. Through unexpected hands of the gods, it looped off shore and calmed down to a cat 2 by the time it landed.

BY: GWENYFAR ROHLER

Hurricane Hugo was scary in the leadup: Preparation was intense and I was old enough to pay attention. Our area had the surprise of a lifetime as Hugo veered off unexpectedly and most of the damage was inland. One friend’s mother was in Charlotte for a business meeting that week. I still remember her describing to me the experience of having the roof of the hotel she was staying in peeled off like it was the top of a can of sardines.

For most of my life, it has been “a (fill in the blank: house, church steeple, tree, statue, etc.) that has withstood every hurricane since Hazel.” Hazel is the demarcation point. When Fran took out the steeple at First Baptist Church on Market, it was the phrase used: It withstood every hurricane since Hazel.

QUIET BEFORE THE STORM: Skies were blue in downtown ILM on Sept. 12 as Hurricane Florence rolled in and began making her presence known. Photo taken by Bryan Moss from 421, across from the river of downtown ILM.

“W

ell, it is basically the only topic of conversation for the next few days,” Jock noted. We were checking the updates on Hurricane Florence and trying to figure out a time line.

Would we stay or would we go? If we left, where would we go? How would we get there? With two dogs to consider, that became more complicated quite quickly.

Ahead of that, we had to get ready to face the storm. The bookstore, Full Belly shop, bed-and-breakfast project, and our own home all needed attention. Our first order of priority: Stock up on dog food.

“We can go to a soup kitchen, if it comes to it,” Jock observed. “But the dogs can’t.”

Horace and Hilda, our canines, supervised the unloading of dog food very carefully.

“What’s the worst storm you’ve lived through?” our neighbor asked.

“Fran—we were without power for 10 days!” Jock responded.

Fran was a Category 3 storm that made landfall at the Cape Fear River on September 5, 1996. I was in high school and, of course, my parents really wanted school to resume as quickly as possible. An unoccupied teenager in a city recovering from a storm had too many opportunities to find mischief.

“Yeah, but we’d just had a storm a month before that, so there was nowhere for the

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water to go,” I reminded him.

“I don’t know. Maybe, Fran? I remember Diana, but I remember Diana the way a 4-year-old remembers it,” I explained. “I remember Dad was out of town and that upset Mom even more. I remember the power was out and listening to the radio with her in the dark and how upset she was.”

Shabbos candles on the kitchen counter, batteries and counting matches—things I wasn’t normally allowed to touch—surrounded us. But I don’t remember the real preparations or the aftermath. That’s not what 4-year-olds concentrate upon.

If you look up the Wikipedia page for Hurricane Diana there is a picture of the radar

Hazel came through in 1954 and actually got up into Canada. By the time it hit Toronto, it was a tropical storm; but to have maintained that power across land, from where it made landfall at Calabash, is pretty tough to fathom. Toronto was unprepared for the flooding and damage so much that rather than rebuild, several impacted areas were made into parks—specifically Raymore Park.

“Yeah, people walk around Toronto and say, ’Wow! Toronto has so much green space! Great parks!’ Well, it came from Hurricane Hazel,” Jock always tells with a chuckle—the rueful, sad one he does when discussing something he’s not proud of.

The rebuilding of Myrtle Beach following Hazel is credited with the current look: changing from cute, Southern beach town to, shall we say, rows of chain business and large, neon advertisements that light it up like Vegas by the beach.

I admit, though I have been taking this storm very seriously—I mean, at the onset of reports, 140-mile-an-hour winds coming our way are terrifying! And if I had to pick anybody to face a crisis with, Jock is the guy to pick. He actually anchored the roof of our house to the ground with an aircraft cable like a circus tent. Yep, it’s true! I got to swing

the sledge hammer to drive some of the stakes into the ground.

“Just call me John Henry,” I grinned.

“You’re a steel-drivin’ woman,” Jock responded with a laugh.

In reality, he almost rebuilt our house in two days, with additional strengthening of roof beams, the porch, windows ... it is impressive to say the least. We decided not to evacuate. Jock and our next-door neighbor plywooded the windows of the book store and I was frantic trying to get the B&B ready for the onslaught.

Probably, like a lot of people, we had the, ‘OK, if this happens, what do we do?’ discussions. At what point would we go to the B&B on higher ground? Jock argued he had been charging batteries with solar panels at the house for a week. That’s where our bed and dogs were; we would get minimal electricity from batteries (cell phones, maybe the fridge and a fan).

“OK, but if a tree comes through the roof, then we and the dogs should go up to the B&B. If, gods forbid, we had to deal with flooding from below, more opportunities to escape water exist there—opportunities for the dogs, too, because they can’t climb ladders.”

We had to discuss worst-case scenarios.

Then Glenn broke my heart that morning before the storm hit. If you have heard beautiful sounds of saxophone music on our downtown streets over the last few years, well, you’ve heard Glenn. He’s an older gentleman who busks as his main form of income. When we were downtown putting wood the bookstore windows, I noticed the area devoid of most of the hustle and bustle of life—most of the pan handlers were gone. I guessed the homeless were encouraged toward shelters. Most people weren’t coming to work as offices closed and store fronts were getting barricaded. But Glenn came shuffling down the street with his saxophone case, like it was any other Wednesday morning.

“Glenn!” I shouted. “Glenn!”

He wandered to me and asked me my name again, like he does every time we meet.

“Gwen, I own the bookstore,” I reminded him.

“Yeah, That’s right. Gwen. I should remember that. Gwen it’s like Glenn.”

“Glenn, where are you planning to spend the storm?”

“I don’t know, that parking deck maybe?”

And I stared at him in horror. The shelters were filling up and it was a drive to get to

The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others.

—Albert Schweitzer them. With no phone to get information, no transportation and no family, how exactly do you convince someone on a day as beautiful as September 12, 2018, a Wednesday morning, that in 36 hours, it would look like the of hell had opened?

“Glenn, they are talking about 140 mile an hour winds. You can not be out in that!”

“Yeah, well if the post office will come through I can get a check and get an apartment,” he trailed off.

None of that was going to happen in two days.

“When did you say it was going to rain?”

“It starts tomorrow,” I said. “This is serious.”

Everything I worried about for the last three days stopped in front of me. All my problems were of privilege. I had options—resources.

Here I was, worried about moving my car to the parking deck—the very parking deck Glenn was planning to sit in during a potential cat 4 hurricane.

“OK, well, I don’t know…” Glenn trailed off and waved a hand at me.

I couldn’t force him to go somewhere he didn’t want to go or be. Free will is exactly that. I wanted so much, at that moment, to scoop him up and bring him home. But he had to go play some music and make some money because it was a working day.

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may eventually be dropped, following an incident area lawyers are calling “moon over Floyd.” McCulley’s husband, Mark, is the JV softball coach for Glenvar High School, and the charges resulted from Debbie’s unusual reaction to her husband’s team’s loss to Floyd County in May. She “stood on or close to the pitcher’s mound and pulled down her pants with her right hand to expose her right butt cheek,” according to Floyd County Sheriff’s Deputy G.H. Scott.

But Debbie told the officer that her husband had confronted the opposing coach after the game, and she was afraid he would be “attacked,” so she was trying to divert attention from the two men. The Roanoke Times reported that Debbie wrote a letter of apology and will be performing community service. Chris Robinson of the Virginia High School League noted that crowd behavior at games is “probably leaning a little bit in the wrong direction.”

at nearby Harvest Power fell into a vat of oil and grease from Walt Disney World. The In Plymouth, Massachusetts, on Aug. plant in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, recycles 17, a friendly game at Southers Marsh Golf the resort’s food waste, then converts it into Club turned ugly when Derek Harkins, 46, renewable energy and fertilizer. John Koroand an unnamed 57-year-old man got into a dy, 61, and another worker were emptying brawl on the 18th hole. But you gotta hand the contents of a semitruck into a vat when it to Harkins: The Patriot Ledger reported Korody slipped on a grate and fell into the that he pointedly ended the fight by biting vat. His co-worker tried to pull him out, but off the other man’s finger up to the knuckle, the fumes overtook them both, and Korody according to Plymouth Police Chief Michael slid farther in, according to The Washington WEIRD SCIENCE Botieri. The victim, from Marshfield, was Post. The Reedy Creek Fire Department reUnited Press International reported that a taken to the hospital, but his finger could sponded, but Korody was pronounced dead 42-year-old British woman saw her eye docnot be reattached. Harkins was arrested at the scene. tor after experiencing swelling and drooping at the scene and charged with assault and of her eyelid earlier this year. After performSMOOTH REACTION battery, mayhem and disturbing the peace. ing an MRI, doctors discovered a cyst and Debbie L. McCulley, 57, of Salem, Virgin- performed surgery, during which they found UNDIGNIFIED DEATH ia, has been banned from all future Floyd a hard contact lens embedded in the eyelid.

The happiest place on Earth couldn’t County High School sporting events but, on It turns out that the patient had suffered a work its magic on Aug. 15 when a worker the bright side, her indecent exposure case blow to the eye 28 years ago and had as-

MMM, TASTES LIKE CHICKEN

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sumed the lens fell out. She experienced no symptoms until the recent discomfort.

ANNOYING After 16 years, neighbors of “Eva N.” in Sturovo, Slovakia, have gotten relief from her particular brand of torment, reported the BBC. From morning until night, the woman had played a four-minute aria from Giuseppe Verdi’s “La Traviata” over and over, with her speakers on full blast. “The whole street is suffering,” complained one resident. At first, the music-lover played the music to drown out a neighbor’s barking dog, but continued the practice until Aug. 6, when she was arrested for harassment and malicious persecution. If found guilty, she could face between six months and three years in prison.

A pothole in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, got a new life as a vegetable garden this summer after area residents grew weary of waiting for the city to repair it. The hole, which is several feet deep, had been expanding for months, neighbors said. So they filled it with tomato plants, which are now ripening and getting so tall they require wire cages for support. Now, “It’s sort of, like, become the community garden,” resident Bryan Link told CBC Radio. Finally, Mayor John Tory has agreed to not only fill the pothole, but to move the tomato plants to a community garden.

! n o o g t s u m w o h s e th Hurricane Florence will preclude us from opening “Pippin” the weekend of Sept. 28. Despite difficult circumstances, we’ve marshalled our talents and resources and plan to stage it the weekend of October 5-7. During these trying times, we wanted to make sure we could bring you a little “magic.” Also, TACT Academy classes will begin the week of Sept. 24, and our TACT Youth Program will always be here to serve our children. Florence can’t stop that!

Thank you for supporting community theatre!

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NEWS>>OP-ED

MORE THAN WINNING:

Pondering back to school, hurricanes and such BY: MARK BASQUILL

N

orth Carolina may go back to school in the dog days of August and play high-school football games before Labor Day, but September’s shortening days and cool breezes mark “Back to School” month for me. With Florence bearing down, evacuations and preparations nearly complete, it’s time to offer gratitude to my teachers.

Offering a variety of craft beer, ciders and wine for you to pay by the ounce • 70 taps • Featuring ILM and NC based breweries • Stouts, porters, sours, ciders

Ask our be er hosts to fill a 32 ounce crowler fo r you to take home !

• Rich reds and crisp whites in the 120 sq. ft. bank vault • Full menu with variety of eats under $10 • Multiple TVs • Live music Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings • Great venue for party’s and special events

Find Us

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Partly due to the patience of my English and science teachers, I’m a member of the community of scientists and writers.I’ve written a couple of plays for local theatre, a few poems, three-quarters of a novel, and “Crowfighting Song,” a short story recently published online in “Entropy.” The short story is not going to make anyone forget O. Henry, Ernest Hemmingway or Joyce Carol Oates, but within the serviceable prose there may be a tear and a smile, some small truths, and maybe even a little wisdom.

Mr. McCabe, my high-school English teacher, would have pithy, humorous, accurate commentary about each of my work products. He would smile at my ongoing struggles to respect language and respect the reader. His humor and guidance continue to influence my attitude toward storytelling.

My plodding practice of writing is satisfyingly frustrating, but the practice of psychology pays the rent. A respect for language is necessary, regardless of scientific discipline. One of the most challenging problems of every discipline is communicating results clearly. When I turned in an early draft of a research project, Dr. Christine Nezu, mentor and friend, complimented me: “Your writing is fundamentally strong.

All the pieces are there. I added a few thoughts for clarity.”

are wrong, but because the writing style is out of step with the times. Today, I’d have to leave the cautious third person of most scientific writing and write in first person, kind of like slapping my name on every building I can.

I’d also have to abandon the respectful tone and cautionary statements of most scientific and legal writing in favor of hyperbole.

Gone would be acknowledgements of the foundations a study stood upon, confidence intervals, probabilistic statements, respectfully offering alternative explanations of the same data, and ideas for future study. No, in the service of “winning” (today’s political correctness), I’d have to short-circuit logic and language centers of the brain and fire up my limbic language centers, the reptilian brain that lives on all-or-none thinking and arouses strong emotions. And who needs “peer review”? A winner would tweet from his hyperbolic hip and rebrand the study, “Basquill’s Best Bias a Winner!” All about me and all about winning, right?

These days it’s not enough for any kind of writing to tell little stories, show little truths, or even hint at wisdom. Winning demands we tell a biggly, yuuge story; show biggly, yuuge truths; and blast everything else as fake news, bad science and hoaxes. Bad hoaxes. It also should use one syllable, maybe two. And it should never use words like “maybe.”

Oops, Florence dipped a little south of us, just as meteorologists predicted earlier. Weathermen have been spot-on in their cautious predictions about Florence, predictions they continually revise with better data.

Millions of people in the Carolinas prepping, evacuating or already storm-drunk, are motivated by little-more than the word of some scientists. It’s ironic many of the same fine folks reject cautious conclusions The pages bled with those few thoughts. of scientists when they predict increasing frequency and intensity of storms like FlorBeing fundamentally an optimist, I made ence and link those predictions directly to the necessary adjustments and focused on human activity. remembering “fundamentally strong.”

Now, that’s psychologically interesting.

That project eventually completed my As Florence gears up (or slows down, degree and earned publication in a wellsince you’ll be reading this post-storm), I’ll regarded peer-reviewed scientific journal. (Search “Hostility Bias and Basquill” keep practicing psychology and my plodif you’re interested in reading sound sci- ding writing style, and thank many teachence.) It is a humbling contribution to a ers who guided me to respect language, respect what’s gone before, focus on small worthy social science. stories, small truths, and developing even a Of course, these days, it would have to dash of wisdom more than “winning.” be rewritten—not because the conclusions

SPECIALS

MONDAYS KIDS EAT FREE with purchase of adult meal and combo TUESDAY BENEFIT NIGHT Contact us to host your next benefit night WEDNEDAY WINE WEDNESDAY half price wine THURSDAY PI(E)NT NIGHT $3.14 BEER

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ARTS>>FILM

EMPTY CALORIES:

‘Predator’ 2018 has it downfalls, but its palatable

T

to warrant the empty calories. It’s a dumb movie, full of dumb characters, who make dumb choices. One of those relatively entertaining slogs where you find yourself rooting for the enemy. Every time the predator sinks his claws and fangs into an unwitting bag of meat, I was entertained. While I wish the movie could have crafted a more engaging character and taken the narrative someplace less predictable, I can’t say this plate of trash isn’t slightly palatable.

BY: ANGHUS

here’s nothing wrong with feasting on garbage, cinematically speaking.

We do it all the time. So many films put out by Hollywood are nothing more than warm trash being poured into a flaming dumpster waiting to be consumed by eager masses who have become all too accustomed to the taste. There is a problem with consuming copious amounts of refuse and pretending it’s Salisbury steak with a side of roasted shallots.

“The Predator” is absolute cinematic garbage—a giant trough of rubbish waiting to be consumed. It’s not a meal, but a collection of scraps scraped from the bottom of the waste bin and reassembled for amusement. It lacks originality and forgoes any attempts at seriousness in favor of an extremely talky, extremely meta take on the classic action franchise.

Quinn (Boyd Holbrook) is a tough-asnails military sniper who ends up engaging with everyone’s favorite dreadlocked killing machine from another world. When he returns from his mission, he’s quickly marked for knowing too much and sent to the military version of the looney bin to be forgotten until a lobotomy can be scheduled and his brain erased.

It turns out the government is well aware of predators visiting Earth and has an entire secret organization where they’re being researched. They recruit an extremely intelligent biologist (Olivia Munn) to help figure out some of the disturbing mysteries surrounding a predator they’re holding in captivity. Surprisingly, keeping a deadly alien contained doesn’t go all too well. The predator escapes and begins to wreak havoc and seriously increase the movie’s body count.

The Predator

KILLING MACHINE FROM ANOTHE RWORLD: The 2018 femake of ‘Predator’ lacks grit. Photo by Davis Entertainment

The best part of this absolute mess are the foul-mouthed, perpetually randy characters who chew scenery with reckless abandon and mug for the camera like a bachelorette party freebasing on dopamine.

Thomas Jane, Keegan Michael Key and Sterling Brown do an admirable job trying to bring joy into a woefully written script.

Writer/director Shane Black is both the best and worst thing about the movie. He brings his trademark style and vernacular to the story, but he never manages to find any substance. Black is a writer who oozes style but it so often comes across as forced.

Every character sounds the exact same.

The dialogue and character traits feel interchangeable. Everyone talks with the same super-hip bravado. Even the dumbest cogs in the machine is a master wordsmith with exactly one thing that defines them.

Rated R Directed by Shane Black Starring Olivia Munn, Thomas While I wasn’t completely satisfied with the refuse du jour served up this week, I Jane, Alfie Allen, Sterling K. Brown long time since I’ve seen people being eviscerated in a brutal and unforgiving fashion. did find myself enjoying the movie enough

There’s some decent action in the movie, though some of it feels a little too polished.

Half the fun of “The Predator” and its underrated sequel, “Predator 2,” involves a kind of gritty vibe which this new film completely lacks. It’s all a bit too clean looking, like the whole thing was shot on a studio back lot in front of a lot of green screens. Still, there are a few fun moments and some absolutely wonderful gore to appreciate. It feels like a

! s l a de .com

Quinn ends up escaping captivity, thanks to a bus full of mentally troubled military men. Think of them as the extremely dirty half-dozen. Everyone is mental to the max and speaks like a drunk, truck-driving sailor competing for the crown in the World’s Most Offensive Human Being Contest.

There are also a few extra layers of drama involving Quinn’s son (Jacob Tremblay) and the head intelligence a-hole (the always excellent Sterling Brown) who tries to keep the whole encounter contained while finding out how to militarize the predator’s bad-ass arsenal.

DETAILS:

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WHAT’S HANGING AROUND THE PORT CITY

GALLERYGUIDE

ARTEXPOSURE!

22527 Highway 17N Hampstead, NC (910) 803-0302 (910) 330-4077 Tues. - Sat. 10am - 5pm (or by appt.) www.artexposure50.com

One-man show “Escape into Plein Air” features Robert Rigsby. The show will highlight oil paintings from Rob’s 6 month trip visiting all fifty national parks. Rob also wrote a book about his journey and it is available under the same name on Amazon.

ART IN BLOOM GALLERY

210 Princess St. Tues. - Sat. 10am - 6pm (or by appt., Sun. and Mon.) (484) 885-3037 www.aibgallery.com

Art in Bloom Gallery is in a renovated 19th-century horse stable and presents an eclectic mix of original art by emerging and established artists. View our featured exhibit “Last Song of Summer: Ceramics

by Traudi Thornton and Paintings by Pam Toll” through September 29. In addition, view the new sculpture, “Without Prejudice” by Paul Hill. The sculpture is in our courtyard and part of the Pedestrian Art Program organized by the Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County in collaboration with the City of Wilmington.

Art in Bloom Gallery is open until 9 pm on Fourth Friday Gallery Nights including September 28.

until September 4.

“Unearthed: Landscape Paintings by Topher Alexander and Kirah Van Sickle” continues at Pinpoint Restaurant,114 Market Street until September 10.

CHARLES JONES AFRICAN ART

311 Judges Rd., Unit 6-E cjart@bizec.rr.com (910) 794-3060 Mon. – Fri. 10am - 12:30 pm 1:30 pm - 4 pm Open other hours and weekends by appointment www.cjafricanart.com

African art: Museum quality African Art from West and Central Africa. Traditional African art for the discerning collector.

Current Exhibition: Yoruba beadwork and Northern Nigerian sculpture. Appraisal services, curatorial services and educational exhibitions also available.

Over 30 years experience in Tribal Arts.

Our clients include many major museums.

The Riverfront Farmers Market is a curbside market featuring local farmers, producers, artists & crafters.

Downtown Wilmington’s Riverfront Farmers Market

DOWNTOWN - Each Saturday

March 31st - November 17th • 8:00am - 1:00pm (no market Apr. 14 & Oct. 6)

NEW ELEMENTS GALLERY

271 N. Front St. (919) 343-8997 Tues. - Sat.: 11am - 6pm (or by appt.) www.newelementsgallery.com

Now exhibiting “Neo+stalgia” featuring the work of local artist Marlowe. Figurative images from pulp fiction are put into beautiful multilayered compositions that spark the imagination..

WILMA W. DANIELS GALLERY

200 Hanover St. (bottom level, parking deck) www.aibgallery.com Mon.-Fri., noon-5pm In addition to our gallery at 210 Prin- http://cfcc.edu/danielsgallery

ART OF FINE DINING

cess Street, Art in Bloom Gallery partners with local businesses to exhibit original art in other locations. Current exhibits include: “Small Collage Art by Elizabeth Darrow” through October 7 at Waterline Brewing Company, 721 Surry Street.

“Waking from Dreams: Paintings by Mark Gansor” continues at Platypus & Gnome Restaurant, 9 South Front Street ,until October 15.

“Archival Ink Transfer Prints by Bob Bryden” and “Photography by (Joe) P. Wiegmann” continues at The District Kitchen and Cocktails,1001 N. 4th Street

Fresh From the Farm

Now featuring the work of Mike Brining through September 28. The gallery will host a a closing reception September 28, 6 - 9 p.m. Brining’s exhibit will use paintings and sculptures to demonstrate the transitional states that a visual image or icon may occupy in our perception— from the beginning state of a black and white conception through to the finalization of the image presented in full color.

Brining will hold an artist at the gallery on Wednesday, September 5 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.

- FRUITS - VEGETABLES - PLANTS - HERBS

- FLOWERS - EGGS - CHEESES - WINE

- PICKLES - KOMBUCHA - ART & CRAFTS

- MEATS - SEAFOOD - HONEY - BAKED GOODS

For more information: www.riverfrontfarmersmarket.org

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SOUTHEASTERN NC’S PREMIER DINING GUIDE

GRUB & GUZZLE

Braised Beef Brisket, Mojo Pork and Mahi. All of our entrees are as delicious as they are inventive.

We also have a full beer and wine list. Come try the “hidden gem” of Wilmington today. 250 Racine Drive Ste. 1, Wilmington 910-523-5362.

■ SERVING BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER: Monday to Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Breakfast served until noon each day!

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: Daily Specials, Gluten Free Menu, Gourmet Hot Chocolates, Outdoor Patio, New Artist event first Friday of every month and Kids Menu.

■ WEBSITE: www.bluesurfcafe.com CAM CAFÉ CAM Café, located within the CAM delivers delightful surprises using fresh, local ingredients. The café serves lunch with seasonal options Tuesday through Saturday, inspired “small plates” on Thursday nights, an elegant yet approachable dinner on Thursday and brunch every Sunday. Look for a combination of fresh, regular menu items along with daily specials. As part of dining in an inspiring setting, the galleries are open during CAM Café hours which makes it the perfect destination to enjoy art of the plate along with the art of the museum. 3201 S 17th St. (910) 777-2363.

■ SERVING LUNCH, BRUNCH & DINNER: Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 10am - 2 pm; Thursday evening, 5pm-9pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ WEBSITE: www.camcafe.org

ROKO ITALIAN RESTAURANT Follks from Roko in Mayfaire delivered homemade pasta and other items to Hoggard High School, which was a shelter for 800 or more people in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence.

Courtesy photo

AMERICAN

BLUEWATER WATERFRONT GRILL Enjoy spectacular panoramic views of sailing ships and the Intracoastal Waterway while dining at this popular casual American restaurant in Wrightsville Beach. Lunch and dinner are served daily. Favorites include jumbo lump crab cakes, succulent seafood lasagna, crispy coconut shrimp and an incredible Caribbean fudge pie. Dine inside or at their awardwinning outdoor patio and bar, which is the location for their lively Waterfront Music Series every Sunday April - October. Large parties welcome. Private event space available. BluewaterDining.com. 4 Marina Street, Wrightsville Beach, NC. (910) 2568500.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Mon-Fri

11a.m. - 11 p.m.; Sat & Sun 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Wrightsville Beach ■ FEATURING: Waterfront dining ■ MUSIC: Music every Sunday in Summer ■ WEBSITE: www.bluewaterdining.com BLUE SURF CAFÉ Sophisticated Food…Casual Style. We offer a menu that has a heavy California surf culture influence while still retaining our Carolina roots. We provide a delicate balance of flavors and freshness in a comfortable and inviting setting. We offer a unique breakfast menu until noon daily, including specialty waffles, skillet hashes and unique breakfast sandwiches. Our lunch menu is packed with a wide variety of options, from house roasted pulled pork, to our mahi sandwich and customer favorite, meatloaf sandwich. Our dinner features a special each night along with our favorite house entrees:

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ELIJAH’S Since 1984, Elijah’s has been Wilmington, NC’s outdoor dining destination. We feature expansive indoor and outdoor waterfront dining, with panoramic views of riverfront sunsets. As a Casual American Grill and Oyster Bar, Elijah’s offers everything from fresh local seafood and shellfish to pastas, sandwiches, and Certified Angus Beef selections. We offer half-priced oysters from 4-6 every Wednesday & live music with our Sunday Brunch from 11-3. Whether you are just looking for a great meal & incredible scenery, or a large event space for hundreds of people, Elijah’s is the place to be.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Sun-Thurs 11:3010:00; Friday and Saturday 11:30-11:00 ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown Wilmington; kids menu available HENRY’S A local favorite, Henry’s is the ‘place to be’ for great food, a lively bar and awesome patio dining.

Henry’s serves up American cuisine at its finest that include entrees with fresh, local ingredients. Come early for lunch, because it’s going to be packed.

Dinner too! Henry’s Pine Room is ideal for private functions up to 30 people. 2508 Independence Boulevard, Wilmington, NC. (910) 793.2929.

SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Sun. - Mon. 11 a.m.10 p.m.; Tues.- Fri.: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.; Sat.: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: Daily blackboard specials.

■ WEBSITE: www.henrysrestaurant.com HOPS SUPPLY CO. The combination of chef-inspired food and our craft bar makes Hops Supply Co. a comfortable and inviting gastropub that attracts guests of all types – especially a local crowd who can feel right at home whether ordering a classic favorite or trying a new culinary delight! At HopsCo, we are dedicated to the craft of excellent cuisine and delivering hops in its most perfect form, exemplified by our selection of craft beers. As hops are the heart of flavor for beer, our local seasonal ingredients are the soul of our culinary inspired American fare. 5400 Oleander Dr. (910) 833-8867.

■ OPEN: Mon-Thurs 10:57 am - 10 pm; Fri-Sat 10:57 am - 11 pm {Serving Brunch 10:57am – 3pm & bar open until midnight}; Brunch ALL DAY Sunday 9:57am – 10pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ WEBSITE: www.hopssupplycompany.com NICHE Niche Kitchen and Bar features an eclectic menu, a large wine list, and a warm and inviting atmosphere. Close to Carolina Beach, Niche has a great selection of dishes from land to sea. All dishes are cooked to order, and Sundays features a great brunch menu!

Niche’s heated covered patio is perfect for anytime of the year and great for large parties. And their bar has a great assortment of wines, even offered half off by the glass on Tuesdays-Thursdays.

Open Tues. - Sun. 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling 910399-4701.

■ OPEN LUNCH AND DINNER: Tues.-Sun., 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: South Wilmington ■ WEBSITE: www.nichewilmington.com PINE VALLEY MARKET Pine Valley Market has reigned supreme in servicing the Wilmington community for years, securing encore’s Best-Of awards in catering, gourmet shop and butcher. Now, Kathy Webb and Christi Ferretti are expanding their talents into serving lunch in-house, so folks can enjoy their hearty, homemade meals in the quaint and cozy ambience of the market. Using the freshest ingredients of highest quality, diners can enjoy the best Philly Cheesesteak in Wilmington, along with numerous other sandwich varieties, from their Angus burger to classic Reuben, Italian sub to a grown-up banana and peanut butter sandwich that will take all diners back to childhood. Served among a soup du jour and salads, there is something for all palates.

Take advantage of their take-home frozen meals for nights that are too hectic to cook, and don’t forget to pick up a great bottle of wine to go with it.

3520 S. College Road, (910) 350-FOOD. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Mon.-Fri.10 a.m.-

Thank you Wilmington!

We are overjoyed to be voted BEST VETERINARIAN for 3 years in a row!

4140 So. College Rd., Wilmington, NC 28412 1337 Bridge Barrier Rd., Carolina Beach, NC 28428 910.395.6555 910.458.3000 www.collegeroadanimalhospital.com www.carolinabeachanimalhospital.com Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am-6pm Sat. 7:30am-4:00pm • Sun. 10am-4pm Wed. Closed 12pm-1pm Mon.-Fri Urgent Care 6-11pm

Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am-6pm Sat. 7:30am-4:00pm • Sun. CLosed Wed. Closed 12pm-2pm

BEST OF 2016 WINNER

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7 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed Sun. ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: South Wilmington ■ FEATURING: Daily specials and take-home frozen meals ■ WEBSITE: www.pinevalleymarket.com ROADHOUSE OF WILMINGTON Roadhouse is an American-style restaurant and focuses on homemade, classic dishes, cooked to order, using fresh ingredients. They are located at in the old Saltworks building on Wrightsville Avenue and open at 8:00 a.m. for breakfast and lunch, and 5:00 p.m. for dinner. Breakfast is served 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., lunch from 11:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Look for daily specials and other important information online at www.facebook.com/roadhousewilmington, or call (910) 765-1103. Please, no reservations.

■ SERVING BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER: 8 a.m. breakfast and lunch; 5 p.m. dinner ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ WEBSITE: facebook.com/roadhousewilmington THE TROLLY STOP Trolly Stop Grill and Catering is a four store franchise in North Carolina. Trolly Stop Hotdogs opened in Wrightsville Beach in 1976. That store name has never changed. Since the Wrightsville Beach store, the newer stores sell hotdogs, hamburgers, beef and chicken cheese steaks, fries, hand dipped ice cream, milk shakes, floats and more.

Our types of dogs are: Southern (Trolly Dog, beef and pork), Northern (all beef), Smoke Sausage (pork), Fat Free (turkey), Veggie (soy). Voted Best Hot Dog in Wilmington for decades.

Check our website trollystophotdogs.com for

hours of operations, specific store offerings and telephone numbers, or contact Rick Coombs, 910297-8416, rtrollystop@aol.com We offer catering serving 25-1000 people. Franchises available ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER ■ LOCATIONS: Wilmington, Fountain Dr. (910) 452-3952 Wrightsville Beach (910) 256-3921 Southport (910) 457-7017 Boone, NC (828) 265-2658 Chapel Hill, NC (919) 240-4206 ■ WEBSITE: www.trollystophotdogs.com

ASIAN

HIBACHI TO GO Hibachi To Go is a locally owned, family business serving only the freshest ingredients with three locations. We invite you to try our menu items at either our Hampstead drive-thru location, where you can walk-up, take-out, or call in and pick up your meal or our Ogden location with dine-in or take-out options. Our new Wilmington location (894 South Kerr Avenue) offers dine-in, take-out or drive-thru service. We’re convenient for lunch and dinner.

Open 7 days 11 am - 9 pm. Our popular Daily Lunch Specials are featured Monday-Saturday for $4.99 with selections from our most popular menu items! We always have fresh seafood selections at Hibachi To Go, like delicious hand peeled shrimp, fresh local flounder and always a fresh catch fillet in-house. We scratch make every item on our menu daily. We offer your favorite hibachi meals and some of our originals like our pineapple won tons. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for the most up to date information on Hibachi

To Go. Always fresh, great food at a super good price. Hampstead Phone: 910.270.9200. • Ogden Phone: 910.791.7800 Wilmington Phone: 910833-8841 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Open 7 days 11am-9pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown, N. Wilmington, Hampstead ■ WEBSITE: www.hibachitogo.com INDOCHINE RESTAURANT & LOUNGE If you’re ready to experience the wonders of the Orient without having to leave Wilmington, join us at Indochine for a truly unique experience. Indochine brings the flavors of the Far East to the Port City, combining the best of Thai and Vietnamese cuisine in an atmosphere that will transport you and your taste buds. Relax in our elegantly decorated dining room, complete with antique Asian decor as well as contemporary artwork and music. Our diverse, friendly and efficient staff will serve you beautifully presented dishes full of enticing aromas and flavors. Be sure to try such signature items as the spicy and savory Roasted Duck with Red Curry, or the beautifully presented and delicious Shrimp and Scallops in a Nest. Be sure to save room for our world famous desert, the banana egg roll! We take pride in using only the freshest ingredients, and our extensive menu suits any taste.

After dinner, enjoy specialty drinks by the koi pond in our Asian garden. Located at 7 Wayne Drive (beside the Ivy Cottage), (910) 251-9229.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Tues.- Fri. 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.; Sat. 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. for lunch. Mon.Sun. 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. for dinner.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ WEBSITE: www.indochinewilmington.com

NIKKI’S FRESH GOURMET For more than a decade, Nikki’s downtown has served diners the best in sushi. With freshly crafted ingredients making up their rolls, sushi and sashimi, a taste of innovation comes with every order.

Daily they offer specialty rolls specific to the Front Street location, such as the My Yoshi, K-Town and Crunchy Eel rolls. But for less adventurous diners looking for options beyond sushi, Nikki’s serves an array of sandwiches, wraps and gyros, too. They also make it a point to host all dietary needs, omnivores, carnivores and herbivores alike. They have burgers and cheesesteaks, as well as falafal pitas and veggie wraps, as well as an extensive Japanese fare menu, such as bento boxes and tempura platters. Daily dessert and drink special are also on order. Check out their website and Facebook for more information. 16 S. Front St. (910) 771-9151.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Mon.-Thurs., 11am-10pm; Fri.-Sat., 11am-11pm; Sun., 12pm10pm. Last call on food 15 minutes before closing.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ WEBSITE: www.nikkissushibar.com/ OKAMI JAPANESE HIBACHI STEAK HOUSE We have reinvented “Hibachi cuisine.” Okami Japanese Hibachi Steakhouse is like no other.

Our highly skilled chefs cook an incredible dinner while entertaining you on the way. Our portions are large, our drinks are less expensive, and our staff is loads of fun. We are committed to using quality ingredients and seasoning with guaranteed freshness. Our goal is to utilize all resources, domestically and internationally, to ensure we serve only the finest food products. We believe good, healthy food aids vital functions for well-being, both physically and mentally. Our menu consists

••••• Specials •••••

ANY DAY / ANY TIME

Veterans & First Responders (Fire, EMS, Police) 10% Discount

MONDAY, TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY 3-5PM Seniors 20% Discount

MONDAY 4PM - CLOSE Children 12 & Under Eat from Kids Menu for 1/2 Price

MONDAY, TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY ALL DAY 1 Free Topping on Cheesesteaks & Chicken Cheesesteaks (Bell, Sweet, Banana or Jalapeno Pepper, Mushrooms, or Olives)

3 locations to serve you Hanover Center: 3501 Oleander Dr 910-763-6466 Monkey Junction: 609 Piner Rd 910-332-5555 Porters Neck: 8232 Market St 910-686-0070

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BEST TEAK CHEESES to g accordinaders e r encore

of a wide range of steak, seafood, and chicken for the specially designed “Teppan Grill.” We also serve tastebud-tingling Japanese sushi, hand rolls, sashimi, tempura dishes, and noodle entrees. This offers our guests a complete Japanese dining experience. Our all-you-can-eat sushie menu and daily specials can be found at www.okamisteakhouse.com! 614 S College Rd. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Mon.-Thurs., 11am-2:30pm / 4-10pm; Fri., 11am-2:30pm / 4pm-11pm; Sat., 11am-11pm; Sun., 11am9:30pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ WEBSITE: www.okamisteakhouse.com SZECHUAN 132 Craving expertly prepared Chinese food in an elegant atmosphere? Szechuan 132 Chinese Restaurant is your destination! Szechuan 132 has earned the reputation as one of the finest contemporary Chinese restaurants in the Port City.

Tastefully decorated with an elegant atmosphere, with an exceptional ingenious menu has deemed Szechuan 132 the best Chinese restaurant for years, hands down. 419 South College Road (in University Landing), (910) 799-1426.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: Lunch specials ■ WEBSITE: www.szechuan132.com YOSAKE DOWNTOWN SUSHI LOUNGE Lively atmosphere in a modern setting, Yosake is the delicious Downtown spot for date night, socializing with friends, or any large dinner party. Home to the never-disappointing Shanghai Firecracker Shrimp! In addition to sushi, we offer a full Pan Asian menu including curries, noodle dishes, and the ever-popular Crispy Salmon or mouth-watering Kobe Burger. Inspired features change weekly showcasing our commitment to local farms. Full bar including a comprehensive sake list, signature cocktails, and Asian Import Bottles. 33 S. Front St., 2nd Floor (910) 763-3172.

■ SERVING DINNER: 7 nights a week @ 5PM; Sun-Wed until 10pm, Thurs until 11pm, Fri & Sat until Midnight.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ FEATURING: 1/2 Price Sushi/Appetizer Menu nightly from 5-7, until 8 on Mondays, and also 10-Midnight on Fri/Sat. Tuesday LOCALS NIGHT - 20% Dinner Entrees. Wednesday 80S NIGHT 80s music and menu prices. Sundays are the best deal downtown - Specialty Sushi and Entrees are Buy One, Get One $10 Off and 1/2 price Wine Bottles. Nightly Drink Specials. Gluten-Free Menu upon request. Complimentary Birthday Dessert.

■ WEBSITE: www.yosake.com. @yosakeilm on Twitter & Instagram. Like us on Facebook.

YOSHI Yoshi Sushi Bar and Japanese Cuisine offers something the greater Wilmington area has never seen before. We are seeking to bring true New York Style Sushi to Wilmington, with classic sushi and sashimi, as well as traditional rolls and some unique Yoshi Creations. We offer a variety of items, including Poke Bowls and Hibachi - and we also are introducing true Japanese Ramen Bowls!

Come try it today! 260 Racine Dr, Wilmington 28403 (910)799-6799 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Sun. 12pm11pm, Mon.-Thurs. 11am-10pm, Fri.-Sat. 11am-11pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ WEBSITE: www.yoshisushibarandjapanesecuisine.com

BAGELS

BEACH BAGELS Beach Bagels is the best spot for breakfast and lunch in Wilmington. Serving traditional New York Style Bagels is our speciality. We boil our bagels before baking them, which effectively sets the crust and produces a perfect bagel made with love.

Don’t forget about our selection of custom sandwiches that are always made to order. Try out our breakfast options like The Heart Attack filled with Egg, Country Ham, Bacon, Sausage, and American Cheese, or the Egg-White Dun-Rite with Egg Whites, Avocado, Pepper Jack Cheese, Spinach, and Tomato. Our Boar’s Head meats & cheeses are the perfect accoutrements for assembling the perfect sandwich, every time! Check out our Cuban Chicken Lunch Sandwich, complete with Boar’s Head Chicken Breast, Ham, Swiss, Pickles, Lettuce, Mayo, and Yellow Mustard. You can also make your own! Not in the mood for a bagel? Don’t worry, we have ciabatta bread, croissants, Kaiser rolls, biscuits, wraps, salads, bowls, omelettes, and more! Make your lunch a combo for $1.50 more, and get a small drink, potato salad or chips, and a pickle spear. Visit us at 5906 Oleander Drive or 7220 Wrightsville Avenue right before the drawbridge to Wrightsville Beach. Look out for our third location, coming to Monkey Junction soon!.

■ SERVING BREAKFAST & LUNCH ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown and Wrightsville Beach ■ FEATURING: Homemade bagels, biscuits, croissants, sandwiches, and more!

■ WEBSITE: www.BeachBagels.biz ROUND BAGELS AND DONUT Round Bagels and Donuts features 17 varieties of New York-style bagels, baked fresh daily on site in a steam bagel oven. Round offers a wide variety of breakfast and lunch bagel sandwiches, grilled and fresh to order. Round also offers fresh-made donuts daily! Stop by Monday - Friday, 6:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., and on Sunday, 7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

■ SERVING BREAKFAST & LUNCH ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: Homemade bagels, cream cheeses, donuts, sandwiches, coffee and more ■ WEBSITE: www.roundbagelsanddonuts.com

DINNER THEATRE

THEATRENOW TheatreNOW is a performing arts complex that features weekend dinner theater, an award-winning weekly kids variety show, monthly Sunday Jazz Brunches, movie, comedy and live music events.

Award-winning chef, Denise Gordon, and a fabulous service staff pair scrumptious multi-course themed meals and cocktails with our dinner shows in a theatre-themed venue. Dinner theater at its best! Reservations highly suggested. 19 S. 10th Street (910) 399.3NOW (3669). Hours vary.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown Wilmington ■ FEATURING: Dinner shows, jazz brunches, and more ■ WEBSITE: www.theatrewilmington.com

FONDUE

THE LITTLE DIPPER Wilmington’s favorite fondue restaurant! The Little Dipper specializes in unique fondue dishes with a global variety of cheeses, meats, seafood, vegetables, chocolates and fine wines. The warm and

intimate dining room is a great place to enjoy a fourcourse meal, or indulge in appetizers and desserts outside on the back deck or in the bar while watching luminescent jellyfish. Reservations are appreciated for parties of any size. Located at the corner of Front and Orange in Downtown Wilmington. 138 South Front Street. (910) 251-0433.

■ SERVING DINNER: 5pm Tue-Sun; open 7 days/ week seasonally, May-October ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ FEATURING: Tasting menu every Tues. with small plates from $1-$4; Ladies Night every Wed; $27 4-course prix fixe menu on Thurs.; “Date night menu,” $65/couple with beer and wine tasting every Fri. and half-price bottles of wine on Sun. ■ MUSIC: Tuesdays on the deck, 7 – 9p.m., MayOct ■ WEBSITE: www.littledipperfondue.com

GREEK

SYMPOSIUM RESTAURANT AND BAR After moving to Wilmington Chef George Papanikolaou and his family opened up The Greeks in 2012 and with the support of the community was able to venture out and try something different with Symposium. Symposium is an elegant experience consisting of recipes that Chef George has collected his whole life. Many of the recipes are family recipes that have been handed down through the years, one is as old as 400 years old. With a blend of fresh local ingredients, delicious longstanding family recipes, and Authentic Greek cuisine Symposium is a restaurant that is unique in its cooking and unforgettable in the experience it offers. Everything on the menu is a mouthwatering experience from the charred octopus, to the lamb shank with papardelle pasta, to the homemade baklava and galaktoboureko! Happy Eating OPA!! Located in Mayfaire Town Center at 890 Town Center Dr, Wilmington, NC 28405 (910) 239-9051. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: North Wilmington ■ FEATURING: Daily Specials ■ WEBSITE: www.symposiumnc.com

IRISH

THE HARP Experience the finest traditional Irish family recipes and popular favorites served in a casual yet elegant traditional pub atmosphere. The Harp, 1423 S. 3rd St., proudly uses the freshest ingredients, locally sourced whenever possible, to bring you and yours the most delicious Irish fare! We have a fully stocked bar featuring favorite Irish beers and whiskies. We are open every day for both American and Irish breakfast, served to noon weekdays and 2 p.m. weekends. Regular menu to 10 p.m. weekdays and 11 p.m. weekends. Join us for trivia at 8:30 on Thursdays and live music on Fridays – call ahead for schedule (910) 763-1607. Located just beside Greenfield Lake and Park at the south end of downtown Wilmington, The Harp is a lovely Irish pub committed to bringing traditional Irish flavor, tradition and hospitality to the Cape Fear area.

■ SERVING BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Greenfield Lake/Downtown South ■ FEATURING: Homemade soups, desserts and breads, free open wifi, new enlarged patio area, and big screen TVs at the bar featuring major soccer matches worldwide.

■ WEBSITE: www.harpwilmington.com SLAINTE IRISH PUB Slainte Irish Pub in Monkey Junction has traditional pub fare with an Irish flair. We have a large

selection of Irish whiskey, and over 23 different beers on draft, and 40 different craft beers in bottles. They have a large well lit outdoor patio with a full bar also. Come have some fun! They currently do not take reservations, but promise to take care of you when you get here! 5607 Carolina Beach Rd. #100, (910) 399-3980 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: 11:30 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: South Wilmington, Monkey Junction ■ FEATURING: Irish grub, whiskeys, beer, wine, and fun.

■ WEBSITE: www.facebook.com/slaintemj

ITALIAN

ANTONIO’S Serving fresh, homemade Italian fare in midtown and south Wilmington, Antonio’s Pizza and Pasta is a family-owned restaurant which serves New York style pizza and pasta. From daily specials during lunch and dinner to a friendly waitstaff ensuring a top-notch experience, whether dining in, taking out or getting delivery, to generous portions, the Antonio’s experience is an unforgettable one. Serving subs, salads, pizza by the slice or pie, pasta, and more, dine-in, take-out and delivery! 3501 Oleander Dr., #2, and 5120 S. College Rd. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Sun.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (Sun., open at 11:30 a.m.)

■ NEIGHBORHOOD DELIVERY OFFERED: Monkey Junction and near Independence Mall ■ WEBSITE: www.antoniospizzaandpasta.com THE ITALIAN BISTRO The Italian Bistro is a family-owned, full-service Italian restaurant and pizzeria located in Porters Neck. They offer a wide variety of N.Y. style thincrust pizza and homemade Italian dishes seven days a week!

The Italian Bistro strives to bring customers a variety of homemade items made with the freshest, local ingredients. Every pizza and entrée is made to order and served with a smile from our amazing staff.

Their warm, inviting, atmosphere is perfect for “date night” or “family night.” Let them show you why “fresh, homemade and local” is part of everything they do. 8211 Market St. (910) 6867774 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Sun.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Sun. brunch, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Porters Neck ■ WEBSITE: www.italianbistronc.com SLICE OF LIFE “Slice” has become a home away from home for tourists and locals alike. Our menu includes salads, tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, homemade soups, subs and, of course, pizza. We only serve the freshest and highest-quality ingredients in all of our food, and our dough is made daily with purified water. Voted “Best Pizza” and “Best Late Night Eatery.”All ABC permits. Visit us downtown at 125 Market Street, (910) 251-9444, in Wrightsville Beach at 1437 Military Cutoff Road, Suite 101, (910) 256-2229 and in Pine Valley on the corner of 17th and College Road, (910) 799-1399.

■ SERVING LUNCH, DINNER & LATE NIGHT: 11:30 a.m.-3 a.m., 7 days/week, 365 days/year.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown, Downtown and Wilmington South.

■ FEATURING: Largest tequila selection in town!

■ WEBSITE: www.grabslice.com

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A TASTE OF ITALY Looking for authentic Italian cuisine in the Port City? Look no further than A Taste of Italy Deli.

Brothers, Tommy and Chris Guarino, and partner Craig Berner, have been serving up breakfast, lunch, and dinner to local and visiting diners for twenty years. The recipes have been passed down from generation to generation, and after one bite you feel like you’re in your mamas’ kitchen. Along with the hot and cold lunch menu, they also carry a large variety of deli sides and madefrom-scratch desserts. Or, if you’re looking to get creative in your own kitchen, A Taste of Italy carries a wide selection of imported groceries, from pasta to olive oils, and everything in between. And last but certainly not least, allow them to help you make any occasion become a delicious Italian experience with their catering or call ahead ordering.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Monday-Friday 8:00am-8:00pm, Saturday 8:30am-7:00pm, Sunday 9:30am-4:30pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ WEBSITE: www.atasteofitalydeli.com ■ FEATURING: Sclafani goods, Polly-O cheese, Ferrara Torrone and much, much more!

MEXICAN

LA COSTA MEXICAN RESTAURANT With three locations to serve Wilmingtonians, La Costa is open daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m with lunch specials. Their full dinner menu (from 3 p.m. on) offers the best in Mexican cuisine across the city. From top-sellers, like fajitas, quesadillas and burritos, to chef’s specialty items, like molcajete or borrego, a taste of familiar and exotic can be enjoyed. All of La Costa’s pico de gallo,

guacamole, salsas, chile-chipotle, enchilada and burrito sauces are made in house daily. Add to it a 16-ounce margarita, which is only $4.95 on Mondays and Tuesdays at all locations, and every meal is complete. Serving the Port City since1996, folks can dine indoors at the Oleander and both Market Street locations, or dine alfresco at both Market Street locations. 3617 Market St.; 8024 Unit 1 Market St.; 5622 Oleander Dr. ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Sun-Thurs until 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.; Fri. and Sat. until 11 a.m.

- 10:30 p.m.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown and Ogden ■ WEBSITE: www.lacostamexicanrestauranwilmington.com

SANDWICHES

HWY 55 BURGERS, SHAKES AND FRIES Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries in Wilmington—on Carolina Beach Rd.—is bringing a fresh All-American diner experience with never-frozen burgers, sliced cheesesteaks piled high on steamed hoagies, and frozen custard made inhouse every day.

Founded in Eastern North Carolina in 1991, Hwy 55 reflects founder Kenney Moore’s commitment to authentic hospitality and fresh food. Lunch and dinner is grilled in an open-air kitchen, and they serve you at your table—with a smile. 6331 Carolina Beach Rd., (910) 793-6350 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Monday - Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. .

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: South Wilmington ■ FEATURING: Delicious burgers and homemade shakes!

■ WEBSITE: www.hwy55.com/locations/wilmington-carolina-beach-rd J. MICHAEL’S PHILLY DELI The Philly Deli celebrated their 38th anniversary in August 2017. Thier first store was located in Hanover Center—the oldest shopping center in Wilmington. Since, two more Philly Delis have been added: one at Porters Neck and one at Monkey Junction.

The Philly Deli started out by importing all of their steak meat and hoagie rolls straight from Amoroso Baking Company, located on 55th Street in downtown Philadelphia! It’s a practice they maintain to this day.

We also have a great collection of salads to choose from, including the classic chef’s salad, chicken salad, and tuna salad, all made fresh every day in our three Wilmington, NC restaurants. 8232 Market St., 3501 Oleander Dr., 609 Piner Rd. ■ OPEN: 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday, 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Friday - Saturday.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Porters Neck, North and South Wilmington, ■ WEBSITE: https://phillydeli.com ON A ROLL Roll on into OAR—a fusion of American-JewishItalian deli fare, interspersed in seasonal specialties with a Southern accent.

Every customer will receive freshly made-toorder sandwiches, wraps and salads, with the freshest of ingredients, all to ensure top quality.

And when the place is hopping, it is well worth the wait.

Whether choosing to dine in or take out—we deliver—On a Roll is the downtown deli to enjoy homemade grub. Come make us your favorite! 125 Grace St., (910) 622-2700

■ SERVING LUNCH: Open Mon-Sun., 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. 24-hour catering available.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ WEBSITE: Check us out on Facebook!

SEAFOOD

CAPE FEAR SEAFOOD COMPANY Founded in 2008 by Evans and Nikki Trawick, Cape Fear Seafood Company has become a local hotspot for the freshest, tastiest seafood in the area. With it’s growing popularity, the restaurant has expanded from its flagship eatery in Monkey Junction to locations in Porters Neck and Waterford in Leland. “We are a dedicated group of individuals working together as a team to serve spectacular food, wine and spirits in a relaxed and casual setting,” restaurateur Evans Trawick says.

“At CFSC every dish is prepared with attention to detail, quality ingredients and excellent flavors.

Our staff strives to accommodate guests with a sense of urgency and an abundance of southern hospitality.” Cape Fear Seafood Company has been recognized by encore magazine for best seafood in 2015, as well as by Wilmington Magazine in 2015 and 2016, and Star News from 2013 through 2016. Monkey Junction: 5226 S. College Road Suite 5, 910-799-7077. Porter’s Neck: 140 Hays Lane #140, 910-681-1140. Waterford: 143 Poole Rd., Leland, NC 28451 ■ SERVING LUNCH AND DINNER: 11:30am4pm daily; Mon.-Thurs.., 4pm-9pm; Fri.-Sat., 4pm10pm; Sun., 4pm-8:30pm.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown, north Wilmington and Leland ■ WESBITE: www.capefearseafoodcompany.com CATCH

THIRSTY THURSDAY LIVE MUSIC Food & Drink Specials from 6-9pm

L SHAPED LOT: SEPTEMBER 27TH BEN AND MARK: OCTOBER 4

Live music every Thursday night on the dock, 1/2 priced oysters every Monday-Thursday 4-6 and Sunday Brunch with live music from 11:30am-3pm every Sunday in our main dining room.

www.elijahs.com

2 Ann St. Wilmington, NC • 910-343-1448 18 encore | september 20-27, 2018 | www.encorepub.com

Check out our daily/weekly specials Always a vegan/vegatarian/gluten free option

125 Grace Street • (910) 622-2700 Mon-Sat., 11 a.m. - 4 p.m

sammies. soups. salads. sides. wraps

Serving the Best Seafood in South Eastern North Carolina. Wilmington’s Native Son, 2011 James Beard Award Nominee, 2013 Best of Wilmington “Best Chef” winner, Chef Keith Rhodes explores the Cape Fear Coast for the best it has to offer.

We feature Wild Caught & Sustainably raised Seafood. Organic and locally sourced produce & herbs provide the perfect compliment to our fresh Catch. Consecutively Voted Wilmington’s Best Chef 2008, 09 & 2010. Dubbed “Modern Seafood Cuisine” we offer an array Fresh Seafood & Steaks, including our Signature NC Sweet Potato Salad. Appetizers include our Mouth watering “Fire Cracker” Shrimp, Crispy Cajun Fried NC Oysters & Blue Crab Claw Scampi, & Seafood Ceviche to name a few. Larger Plates include, Charleston Crab Cakes, Flounder Escovitch & Miso Salmon. Custom Entree request gladly accommodated for our Guest. (Vegetarian, Vegan & Allergies) Hand-crafted seasonal desserts. Full ABC Permits. 6623 Market Street, Wilmington, NC 28405, 910-799-3847.

■ SERVING DINNER: Mon.-Sat. 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: North Wilmington ■ FEATURING: Acclaimed Wine List ■ WEBSITE: www.catchwilmington.com DOCK STREET OYSTER BAR Voted Best Oysters for over 10 years by encore readers, you know what you can find at Dock Street Oyster Bar. But we have a lot more than oysters! Featuring a full menu of seafood, pasta, and chicken dishes from $4.95-$25.95, there’s something for everyone at Dock Street. You’ll have a great time eating in our “Bohemian-Chic” atmosphere, where you’ll feel just as comfort able in flip flops as you would in a business suit.

Located at 12 Dock St in downtown Wilmington.

Open for lunch and dinner, 7 days a week. (910) 762-2827.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: 7 days a week.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ FEATURING: Fresh daily steamed oysters.

■ WEBSITE: www.dockstreetoysterbar.net MICHAEL’S SEAFOOD’S RESTAURANT Established in 1998, Michael’s Seafood Restaurant is locally owned and operated by Shelly McGowan and managed by her team of culinary professionals. Michael’s aspires to bring you the highest quality and freshest fin fish, shell fish, mollusks, beef, pork, poultry and produce. Our menu consists of mainly locally grown and made from scratch items. We count on our local fishermen and farmers to supply us with seasonal, North Carolina favorites on a daily basis. Adorned walls include awards such as 3 time gold medalist at the International Seafood Chowder Cook-Off, Entrepreneur of the Year, Restaurant of the Year and Encores readers’ choice in Best Seafood to name a few. 1206 N. Lake Park Blvd. (910) 458-7761 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: 7 days 11 am – 9 pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Carolina Beach ■ FEATURING: Award-winning chowder, local seafood and more!

■ WEBSITE: www.MikesCfood.com OCEANIC Voted best seafood restaurant in Wilmington, Oceanic provides oceanfront dining at its best. Located in Wrightsville Beach, Oceanic is one of the most visited restaurants on the beach. Choose from a selection of seafood platters, combination plates and daily fresh fish. For land lovers, try their steaks, chicken or pasta dishes. Relax on the pier or dine inside. Oceanic is also the perfect location for memorable events, such as wedding ceremonies & receptions, birthday gatherings, an-

niversary parties and more. Large groups welcome.

Private event space available. 703 S. Lumina Avenue, Wrightsville Beach. (910) 256.5551.

■ SERVING LUNCH, DINNER & SUNDAY BRUNCH: Mon – Sat 11am – 11pm, Sunday 10am – 10pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Wrightsville Beach ■ FEATURING: Dine on renovated Crystal Pier.

■ WEBSITE: www.OceanicRestaurant.com THE PILOT HOUSE The Pilot House Restaurant is Wilmington’s premier seafood and steak house with a touch of the South.

We specialize in local seafood and produce. Featuring the only Downtown bar that faces the river and opening our doors in 1978, The Pilot House is the oldest restaurant in the Downtown area. We offer stunning riverfront views in a newly-renovated relaxed, casual setting inside or on one of our two outdoor decks. Join us for $5.00 select appetizers 7 days a week and live music every Friday and Saturday nigh on our umbrella deck. Large parties welcome. Private event space available. 910-3430200 2 Ann Street, Wilmington, NC 28401 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Sun-Thurs 11am9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10pm and Sunday Brunch 11am-3pm. Kids menu ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Riverfront Downtown Wilmington ■ FEATURING: Fresh local seafood specialties, Riverfront Dining, free on-site parking ■ MUSIC: Outside Every Friday and Saturday ■ WEBSITE: www.pilothouserest.com SHUCKIN’ SHACK Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar has two locations in the Port City area. The original Shack is located in Carolina Beach at 6A N. Lake Park Blvd. (910-4587380) and our second location is at 109 Market Street in Historic Downtown Wilmington (910-8338622). The Shack is the place you want to be to catch your favorite sports team on 7 TV’s carrying all major sports packages. A variety of fresh seafood is available daily including oysters, shrimp, clams, mussels, and crab legs. Shuckin’ Shack has expanded its menu now offering fish tacos, crab cake sliders, fried oyster po-boys, fresh salads, and more. Come in and check out the Shack’s daily lunch, dinner, and drink specials. It’s a Good Shuckin’ Time!

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Carolina Beach Hours: Mon-Sat: 11am-2am; Sun: Noon-2am, Historic Wilmington: Sun-Thurs: 11am-10pm; Fri-Sat: 11am-Midnight.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Carolina Beach/Downtown ■ FEATURING: Daily lunch specials. Like us on Facebook!

■ WEBSITE: www.TheShuckinShack.com STEAM RESTAURANT AND BAR Steam is bringing American cuisine to Wilmington using locally sourced goods and ingredients. With an extensive wine and beer selection, plenty of cocktails, indoor/outdoor seating, and beautiful views of the Cape Fear River, Steam is the area’s new go-to restaurant. Reservations recommended.

Open seven days a week!, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. 9 Estell Lee Pl, (910) 726-9226 ■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Lunch: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Dinner: 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. Bar: 11 a.m.-Until.

Menu Bar: 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ WEBSITE: www.steamrestaurantilm.com

SOUTHERN

country cooking. That place is Casey’s Buffet, winner of encore’s Best Country Cookin’/Soul Food and Buffet categories. “Every day we are open, somebody tells us it tastes just like their grandma’s or mama’s cooking,” co-owner Gena Casey says.

Gena and her husband Larry run the show at the Oleander Drive restaurant where people are urged to enjoy all food indigenous to the South: fried chicken, barbecue, catfish, mac‘n’cheese, mashed potatoes, green beans, chicken‘n’dumplings, biscuits and homemade banana puddin’ are among a few of many other delectable items. 5559 Oleander Drive. (910) 798-2913.

■ SERVING LUNCH & DINNER: Open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Closed Monday and Tuesdays.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: Pig’s feet and chitterlings.

■ WEBSITE: www.caseysbuffet.com RX RESTAURANT & BAR Located in downtown Wilmington, Rx Restaurant and Bar is here to feed your soul, serving up Southern cuisine made with ingredients from local farmers and fishermen. The Rx chef is committed to bringing fresh food to your table, so the menu changes daily based on what he finds locally. Rx drinks are as unique as the food—and just what the doctor ordered. Join us for a dining experience you will never forget! 421 Castle St.; 910 399-3080.

■ SERVING BRUNCH & DINNER: Tues-Thurs, 5-10pm; Fri-Sat, 5-10:30pm; Sun., 10am-3pm and 5-9pm ■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown ■ WEBSITE: www.rxwilmington.com

SPORTS BAR

CAROLINA ALE HOUSE Voted best new restaurant AND best sports bar of 2010 in Wilmington, Carolina Ale House is the place to be for award-winning food, sports and fun.

Located on College Rd. near UNC W, this lively sports-themed restaurant. Covered and open outdoor seating is available. Lunch and dinner specials are offered daily, as well as the coldest $2 and $3 drafts in town. 317 S. College Rd. (910) 791.9393.

■ SERVING LUNCH, DINNER & LATE NIGHT: 11am-2am daily.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown ■ FEATURING: 40 HD TVs and the biggest HD projector TVs in Wilmington.

■ WEBSITE: www.CarolinaAleHouse.com

TAPAS/WINE BAR

THE FORTUNATE GLASS WINE BAR An intimate venue showcasing globally sourced wines, plus creative small plates and craft beers.

The serene ambiance is created by the beautiful wall mural, elegant glass tile bar, castle rocked walls and intimate booths. There are wines from all regions, with 60 wines by the glass and 350 wines available by the bottle. Food consists of numerous small plates, fine cheeses, cured meats and decadent desserts that will compliment any wine selection.

■ SERVING DINNER & LATE NIGHT: Tues. - Thur., 4 p.m. - midnight; Fri., 4 p.m. - 2 a.m.; Sat., 2 p.m.

- 2 a.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. - midnight.

■ NEIGHBORHOOD: Downtown, 29 S Front St. ■ FEATURING: Weekly free wine tasting Tues., 6 - 8 p.m. Small plates, and wine and beer specials.

■ WEBSITE: www.fortunateglass.com

• Wings • Salads • • Sandwiches • Seafood • • Steaks • Ribs • Chicken • Pasta •

16 Cold Draft Beers

CASEY’S BUFFET In Wilmington, everyone knows where to go for solid

encore | september 20-27, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 19

PORT CITY FOOD LOVERS, REJOICE! Courtesy photo from Henry's Restaurant and Bar

Join us for the most delicious week of FALL

participating restaurants DOWNTOWN WILMINGTON Anne Bonny's Bar and Grill Circa 1922 Dram + Morsel Elijah’s The George The Little Dipper Nikki’s Fresh Gourmet & Sushi On A Roll Pilot House Pour Taproom Rollz Ruth's Chris Steak House Steam Restaurant and Bar YoSake

MIDTOWN

Antonio's Pizza & Pasta Bonefish Grill Carolina Ale House Casey’s Buffet Hops Supply Co. J. Michael's Philly Deli

La Costa Mexican Restaurant Might As Well Bar & Grill Okami Japanese Steakhouse Olympia Restaurant Round Bagels and Donuts Yoshi Sushi Your Pie

SOUTH WILMINGTON Antonio's Pizza & Pasta The Greeks Henry's Restaurant and Bar Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries J. Michael's Philly Deli Niche Kitchen & Bar Pizzeria IL Forno Slainte Irish Pub

NORTH WILMINGTON The Italian Bistro J. Michael's Philly Deli La Costa Mexican Restaurant The Melting Pot Osteria Cicchetti

Roko Italian Cuisine Si! Señor Modern Mex Symposium Restaurant & Bar True Blue Butcher & Table

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH Antonio's Pizza & Pasta Bluewater Waterfront Grill Boca Bay Oceanic Restaurant Watermans Brewing Topsail Steamer

PLEASURE ISLAND

Michael's Seafood Restaurant

LELAND

The Joyce Irish Pub

www.encorerestaurantweek.com 20 encore | september 20-27, 2018 | www.encorepub.com

encore | september 20-27, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 21

EXTRA>>HURRICANE FLORENCE

PLATE FULL OF PURPOSE:

Chef José Andrés unites with local chefs through his World Central Kitchen to feed ILM

B

as a second sanctioned World Central Kitchen to help reach smaller neighborhoods and feed 500 people or more daily (the Diamond Catering locale serves up to 13,000 daily). Pine Valley Market will deliver the food, and also have the ability to send out ice and cold items like milk. “Plus, we set up a fundraiser to continue doing the work after World Central Kitchen leaves,” she tells. “We want to keep it going.”

BY: SHEA CARVER

y the end of the day on Wednesday, Sept. 19, Christi Ferretti, owner of Wilmington’s gourmet shop, restaurant and catering company Pine Valley Market, will have helped send out more than 80,000 meals in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence.

She and her head chef Paul Smith have been one of many helping hands chopping vegetables, preparing sauces, prepping meats, and packaging it for delivery through Chef José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen (WCK).

Founded in 2010, after the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Andrés—a James Beard award winner and Michelin star restaurateur—has set up shop among five natural disasters to help feed those in need in its wake, from first-responders, to folks in shelters, to the linemen who help cities get up and running again. Andrés himself was in the throes of delivery on Florence’s heels of pouring 25 inches of rain and swirling 105 mile-per-hour winds around our Port City.

Last Saturday evening, he set out with the US Army and the sheriff leading the way to deliver meals in treacherous flooding conditions (Gov. Cooper sent SWAT teams and the Army to help assist Andrés’ efforts). Yet, they were sidetracked when the military vehicle slid into a ditch, causing them to lose 300 plates of food. The United Cajun Navy (see page 26) set out to aid in their rescue. Without determent on Sunday, Andrés and his crew were at it again and served more than 1,000 meals to folks in Columbus County.

Having set up four or five days before Hurricane Florence in Wilmington at Diamond Catering at 127 S. College Rd, #44, near the government center, WCK launched their local Facebook page (@chefsforcarolinas) and put a call out for volunteers to help. Hundreds have answered, including local culinary mainstays, like Keith Rhodes of Catch, Tommy Mills of Little Pond Catering, Jon Webb from Blue Surf Cafe, and Michelle Rock from Mamma Rock, as well as folks from Hibachi Bistro, Munchie’s, S. College Deli, and Spoonfed Kitchen, not to mention reps from Wards Produce and US Foods. Even Harper Peterson, former Wilmington mayor who is running for NC Senate, showed up to help.

“I am blown away by the people I have worked alongside,” Ferretti praises. “I wasn’t surprised when I walked in on the first day and saw Keith, but then they kept coming.”

“We are so grateful and inspired by how

HELPING HANDS: Volunteers, including Sandie Orsa, map out delivery routes; Paul Smith cooks 150 pork loins to make up a batch of meals for World Central Kitchen. Photos courtesy of Christi Ferretti

folks have come together for our community,” Rhodes adds. “World Central Kitchen is tactfully executed, in a professional, urgent manner—stressful at times and a lot of sweat, but they never let you see them sweat. They’re an amazing group of organizers, volunteers and chefs from across the country.”

When Ferretti arrived she was told to cook 150 seasoned pork loins. “They want to not only feed the masses but to feed them great food,” she tells. “The emphasis is as much on quality as it is quantity.” In other words, the meals aren’t bologna sandwiches and a bag of chips. They are thoughtful, homemade plates of hot food to comfort people.

Roasted pork loin over garlic mash with grilled vegetables made up the menu that day. “Once cooked, the pork had to be sliced, plated, garnished and then another team covered, labeled and distributed them,” Ferretti explains.

Pulled NC BBQ with corn chow-chow and pickled relish was plated next. Mac ‘n’ cheese with chicken and jalapeños and pasta Bolognese also were prepared.

“Delivery of meals all depends on how many volunteers we have,” chef relief team leader Tim Kilcoyne explains. “Generally, the longer we are around, the more locations we get that need a meal, so the need for volunteers to drive goes up.”

22 encore | september 20-27, 2018 | www.encorepub.com

Susan Dietsche responded to the call of help on Monday. She was going on day four without power and was lucky enough to have no damage to her home. A culinary instructor (and former partner) at The Seasoned Gourmet, Dietsche had heard of Andrés’ disaster outreach over the years. “[It gave] me something purposeful to do—to help neighbors who were forced from their homes due to flooding or mandatory evacuations, plus help keep the first responders going,” she tells.

The efficiency and will of the organization impressed her most. WCK arrived with a loaded tractor trailer full of food on day one. “I don’t think anyone in shelters or first responders would have been adequately fed without them,” she says. And Dietsche would know; she served in the US military. “It’s a great model for disaster response, and I’m glad I’ve had a chance to see it in action and be part of the early solution here.”

Kilcoyne says WCK purchases food from local purveyors and farms. They also depend on a network of local chefs to help when needed. For instance, one day Ferretti put out a post on social media for the need for uncompromised, frozen seafood. It didn’t take long before local chefs shared it, and calls were coming in from Seaview Crab Company, while local eatery Bento Box delivered tuna.

What it would become would be at the hands of those helping in the kitchen.

“Generally, we have a base of different recipes and dishes we will put in our normal rotations,” Kilcoyne says. “But when we start working with local chefs, it gives them an opportunity to do local, familiar dishes. Familiar food is comforting.”

While Kilcoyne isn’t sure how long WCK will remain in Wilmington, the effects of the agency already is far-reaching. Ferretti opened Pine Valley Market on Wednesday, Sept. 19,

As well Chef Keith Rhodes began a fundraiser, in order to send out a network of food trucks to operate and feed people who can’t get to a place where food is easily available for free. Both Ferretti’s and Rhodes’ fundraising platforms can be found via Facebook, with monies going toward food costs.

“Any money we do not use toward feeding people in need from our fundraiser will go back to World Central Kitchen,” Ferretti tells.

The two chefs continuing outreach efforts are in and of itself a feat; both wear multiple hats in business and life. They each have families to look after and their own restaurants to get up and running again—and with much of their staff being displaced or having been evacuated.

“Our restaurant will survive,” Rhodes assures. “We had water damage, loss of food and of course loss of business revenue. All can be replaced; I’m just so happy none of my family, friends or staff were hurt. . . . My house went from a family of five to an extended family of 12. Everyone works together to make sure we all have [what we need.]”

Ferretti agrees. She evacuated her son and wife to Florida in order to stay behind, and feed her neighborhood or others nearby who needed it. She set up a “to-go kitchen” of sorts out her own home, which recovered quickly from power outages during Florence.

“When there is a crisis, I am a go-into-action kind of person,” she notes. “The morning my father died, I was in the kitchen within the hour, making breakfast and planning the meals for the days to follow. It brings me comfort. I have always been someone who wants to solve problems for people . . . I cannot ‘fix’ the situation [we are in from Florence,] but I can help fix one facet of it: People are hungry, I can cook. It’s no different than the folks with chainsaws who are helping people out in their neighborhoods or electricians, roofers and plumbers.”

To learn more about World Central Kitchen Hurricane Florence, visit them on Facebook or head to their website at wck.org.

CROSSWORD

Creators syndiCate CREATORS SyNDICATE © 2017 STANLEy NEWMAN

WWW.STANXWORDS.COM

10/29/17

THE NEWSDAy CROSSWORD

Edited by Stanley Newman (www.StanXwords.com)

HALLS OF FAME: Just in time for HALLoween

by S.N. ACROSS 1 Creeps up on 6 National League East team 10 Assume as true 15 Thom of shoes 19 WWII sub 20 Rubik of cube fame 21 Upscale Honda 22 __ podrida (Spanish stew) 23 HALLmark Cards headquarters 25 “HALLelujah Chorus” source 27 Microscope lens 28 Early software versions 30 Thief, in brief 31 Teachers’ org.

32 Back at a track 33 Unload for cash 34 Crowded around 38 Old-fashioned “Cool!”

39 Miss Liberty supporter 43 In the future 44 Annie HALL Oscar winner 46 Modern film effects, for short 47 CNN reporter Bash 48 Boone nickname 49 Oscar role for Cotillard 50 Hong Kong-born action star 51 Comics bark 52 __ HALL (London concert venue) 56 Enter an airplane 57 Guam’s island chain 59 Acts boldly 60 Zedong disciple 61 Dramatist Chekhov 62 Country that became a state 63 Unusual mannerism 64 Pivot point 66 Serbian tennis great

67 Succeeds at surprisingly 70 “Omigosh!”

71 Popular HALLoween costumes 73 Geese flying formation 74 Trent of a Dickens novel 75 Cost to ride 76 Conforms with 77 Are, to Pilar 78 Rightmost sundial numeral 79 Geri HALLiwell’s pop-singer alias 83 Capital of Senegal 84 Former fast flier 86 French school 87 Emeralds, for instance 88 Brewpub creations 89 Narrow escape 90 Move like frogs 91 Health club amenities 94 Goes nowhere close to 95 Where Cabernet is kept 100 Warplanes predicted

by Tennyson in “Locksley HALL” 102 Pro Football HALL of Fame locale 104 __-European languages 105 Only inanimate zodiac sign 106 “King of the road” 107 Oddly amusing 108 Leave speechless 109 Three-legged stand 110 Liveliness 111 Watch unseen DOWN 1 Reheat, in a way 2 Cyberselling site 3 Top-quality 4 Hoarse talk 5 With discoloration

6 Tourism magnet 7 Water that sounds weird 8 Blasting material 9 Essence of tofu 10 Participated (in) 11 Briny expanse 12 Many suburban transports 13 Furious state 14 Discussed 15 Chains built for travelers 16 Movie excerpt 17 With frequency 18 Starter meaning “billionth” 24 Germ of an idea 26 Microsoft cofounder 29 Diminutive ending 32 Most important element 33 Go after 34 Sir’s counterpart 35 Second word of Gone With the Wind 36 Independence HALL VIP 37 Farm sound 38 Future señoras 39 Weak poker hands 40 Conductor at Carnegie HALL’s opening night 41 Food thickeners 42 Swiss chocolatier 44 Six Day War general 45 Sporting blades 48 Endowment source 50 Budweiser competitor 52 Is worthy of 53 Singing star from London 54 More easygoing 55 Tactless 56 Flees, informally 58 Chip giant

60 Obstinate ones 62 Wild West Show shelter 63 Cite 64 Skeptical one 65 Nursery school refrain 66 Electrical rush 67 Subject of haggling 68 Postembryonic 69 Has qualms about 71 Smooths, as a plank 72 Submit returns online

75 Fast disposal 77 Facial feature 79 __ Heights (Mideast region) 80 Judicial disqualification 81 Quick read 82 German auto 83 Hinges (on) 85 Echo location 87 Pro __ (gratis) 89 __ Khan (Kipling tiger) 90 Discover, as an idea

91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 101 103

Je ne __ quoi Nonstandard negative Pakistani language Brothers and sisters Utah Starzz’s league Part of BBC, for short Maritime greeting Agricultural tower City on the Rhein Traveling through Onetime Time Warner partner

o at www.StanXwords.com Reach Stan Newman at P.O. Box 69, Massapequa Park, Ny 11762, is nor

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(910) 632- 0388 www.droneseye.net encore | september 20-27, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 23

EXTRA>>HURRICANE FLORENCE

WE WILM REBUILD:

UNCW students do more than sit and wait after evacuating for Flo

“I

BY: NIKKI KROUSHL

t didn’t start as an independent organization,” Jaz Vanscoy explains.

“It started out as a casual conversation about our passion for our community,” Wes Porter adds. “We found a lot of distress from students. There was a gap; we decided to fill it.”

Hurricane Florence sent more than a million Carolinians scattering. While those who stayed now deal with its aftermath, evacuees refresh Facebook every 30 seconds for updates— many feeling helpless.

Vanscoy and Porter, and dozens of other UNCW-student expats, decided they couldn’t wait for highways to dry out before they stepped in to help. And so they started We Wilm Rebuild, a grassroots organization led by (but not exclusive to) students, dedicated to providing disaster-relief supplies in Wilmington, with focus on low-income communities.

Though the two lived in the same town and went to the same school, Porter and Vanscoy

didn’t know each other before the storm. Social media connected them. “I saw her passion [online],” Porter tells. Vanscoy was posting about ways to prepare for the hurricane and how to help once it passed.

able to do any of this stuff,” Vanscoy explains. “[They] have been behind us 150 percent—it’s overwhelming to us, the great support we have.”

Of course, resources needed also include money. We Wilm Rebuild began a GoFundMe fundraiser on September 12, and by September 17 they had raised more than $2,500.

Porter and Vanscoy used the Instagram account to run a T-shirt and sticker design contest, as well. They plan to sell the apparel to raise additional funds.

“I said, ‘Let’s meet up and see if we can establish our own organization for relief efforts,’” Porter notes.

With a makeshift “office” set up at Panera Bread—a location somewhere between Vanscoy’s and Porter’s respective homes in Greensboro and Winston-Salem—they organized the first two donation drives on September 13 in Charlotte and Greensboro. Then they brought on a third leader, UNCW student Valentina Pantani, who could oversee most of the organizing in Charlotte. The trio launched “We Wilm Rebuild” on Instagram on September 12. Within five days, the account reached almost 9,000 followers. The Facebook group had more than 1,300 members. Plus, they set up more than a dozen drop-off supply sites in cities around North and South Carolina, with plans for more to come.

“One of our Apex locations has . . .

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Made-to-Order Signature & Sweet Egg-Rollz Deli Case Specials • Fresh Fruit • Banana Pudding

TENTATIVE TEE DESIGN: We Wilm Rebuild t-shirts will soon be available for purchase with proceeds benefiting ILM relief efforts. Courtesy photo

reached maximum capacity on donations, [filling] two trailers twice in two days,” Vanscoy explains. “And [Porter and I] are not in Apex. They did that.”

We Wilm Rebuild has collection locations also set up in Asheville, Boone, Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Garner, Greensboro, Henderson, Pittsboro, Raleigh, Rocky Mount/Roanoke Rapids, Wake Forest, Waxhaw, and WinstonSalem. They also have South Carolina dropoffs in Clover and Folly Beach. At least three new locations are in the works. More information about exact drop-offs is available on their social media pages.

“Most of our drives [happen] through participation of our community representatives,” Porter explains. “A community representative is a leader who wants to get involved with We Wilm Rebuild and facilitate drives. They reach out to volunteers, who help get the donations back to Wilmington.”

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The donation drives won’t end when Porter, Vanscoy, Pantani and other volunteers return to Wilmington, either. Though focus will shift to direct outreach. We Wilm Rebuild plans to assemble teams to distribute care packages from a to-be-determined central location. They will establish lines of communication with city administration and local nonprofits, as well as seek direct feedback from neighborhoods most drastically affected.

“We intend to go into the community and ask people affected what they need,” Vanscoy says. “We want to listen. If people are saying, ‘Hey, we need tarps,’ or ‘Hey, we need bologna,’ we’re going to buy tarps and bologna.’”

Though not a formal 501(c)3 yet, We Wilm Rebuild is interested in collaborating with local nonprofit organizations as well. “There are resources [other organizations] have that we don’t,” Porter notes. “We’ve been working with a few student organizations. We’ve been trying to reach out to shelters, but it’s hard since they’ve Felix Carlson is a UNCW senior and the com- been without power. These partnerships have a munity representative managing a collection in lot to teach us, and we have a lot to learn.”

Boone. Waiting for roads to clear is tiresome for Folks interested in partnering with them can him, evacuees and especially those in Wilming- reach out to them via social media. Everybody ton awaiting supplies. can access a full list of drop-off locations on “I am excited to see how the larger NC community will continue to help us rebuild our little one,” he says. “Most of all, I want people to know there are ears out here listening, and help will be ready by the time the roads are.”

Delivery and take out.

“I do want to stress 100 percent of profits are going to the cause,” Porter clarifies.

Transparency is important to the organization. As recently as last year’s Hurricane Harvey fallout, some charities and nonprofits have struggled to account for donated money after natural disasters. “We’re tracking every receipt,” Vanscoy assures.

Because We Wilm Rebuild engages students, it has a unique advantage for sourcing supplies. Many community representatives are student evacuees. They, along with additional volunteers, have offered to transport supplies back when all’s clear.

their Facebook page. Community representatives are collecting nonperishables, toiletries, water, clothing, and more. We Wilm Rebuild Instagram has a link for folks to access a signup form to host a drive. Money can be donated at www.gofundme.com/wewilmrebuild.

“We couldn’t do this without the community helping us,” Vanscoy insists. “It would be two people in a Panera Bread. The organization started by chance, but I’m really happy about it. It’s crazy to think our whole community has really rallied not just behind these efforts but all “Without the community, we wouldn’t be efforts to get Wilmington back on track.”

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encore | september 20-27, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 25

EXTRA>>HURRICANE FLORENCE

PIROGUES AND PICKUPS:

United Cajun Navy volunteers help ILM during and after Hurricane Florence BY: AUDRA BULLARD

“It took all we did Thursday and Friday before they started taking us seriously,” Harrison admits, “and then they started reaching out to us with missions.”

D

ays before the first drops of rain ever fell on Wilmington, volunteers from all over the United States mobilized in anticipation of the emergency response that would be needed when Hurricane Florence made landfall. Among the volunteers is a group of individuals collectively known as the United Cajun Navy.

In recent memory, their heroic efforts were brought to the forefront during 2017’s Hurricane Harvey in Texas, but the nonprofit’s history dates back to 2005’s Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. When I asked Todd Terrell, founder of the United Cajun Navy, who these volunteers are, he explains there are a lot of Cajun Navy factions, many of which come together under the banner of United Cajun Navy. Comprised of mainly private boat owners, the group’s objectives are to rescue, relieve and rebuild in the face of devastation.

They do this by conducting rescue missions, supplying clean water and food to those in need, and assisting with cleanup efforts after disaster strikes.

Volunteers wasted no time setting up a temporary headquarters in ILM and risked their own property—and lives—to help save others.

“Some people think it’s so important to help, they’ll give up whatever they can to do it,” Terrell says. Among the giving souls is volunteer Leonard Harrison. He arrived in Wilmington Thursday evening, along with about 60 other volunteers. Harrison, who is from Mebane, North Carolina, was a medic in the U.S. Army and is now owns Carefree Merchant Processing. He is one of many everyday people with everyday jobs, living everyday lives, dedicated

One of the most memorable operations thus far has been Harrison’s team helping the fire department Saturday night once they called.

“They said, ‘There’s a family we can’t get to, can you help us?’ And we said, ‘Just show us the way.’”

RENEGADE VOLUNTEERS: The United Cajun Navy mobilized to help Wilmington residents affected by Hurricane Florence. Photo courtesy Leonard Harrison

to the United Cajun Navy.

“We did mission after mission after mission,” Harrison recalls, “everything from picking people up in cars, to picking people up with boats, to leading through a neighborhood that was supposed to be one family but turned into, for our team, 155 people, 40 dogs and I think 16 cats and a bird. Other groups did as many as 50 [additional] rescues.”

Terrell adds when other traditional rescue efforts have to cease due to rules and regulations, the United Cajun Navy steps in. For these guys, the mission continues.

“We don’t stop,” he presses. “Everybody else stops when it gets dark or too dangerous. We have boats and equipment; we don’t stop.”

It’s typical of the group’s response. On Saturday, Sept. 15, for example, Terrell and other volunteers rescued people despite shelters being at max capacity. Nobody was going to be

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turned away. Their team made room for the evacuees at their makeshift command center, located at Peace Baptist Church.

“We’re picking these people up that are about to drown, on their roofs, in the middle of the night, and they’ve got no place to go,” Terrell says, “so we feel obligated to help them find somewhere to go.”

To help with relief efforts, Harrison brought with him a johnboat that someone donated from Facebook. “It was [from] somebody I’d never met before in my life,” Harrison tells.

“He was a super guy.” Throughout Hurricane Florence Harrison has volunteered in Wilmington but also in Leland, Ogden, Burgaw, and Belville.

Harrison and Terrell are just two of many heroes working to help restore our community.

In fact, at least 21 states are represented (including Louisiana, Maryland, Florida, Texas, Mississippi and Alabama) in local rescue efforts over the last week. Additionally, there are volunteers from Canada and Australia.

Terrell believes what keeps the volunteer group’s spirit alive is knowing they are a part of something bigger. They stand united in helping others in times of need.

“We’re a team,” he comments, “We high-five each other, we pray, we tell stories. The thing is, I’m boots-on-the-ground. I’m with these guys. I may be the coach, and I may be the leader, but I’m here in the water with them, and they love that. . .We are creating a badass group of volunteers who aren’t paid that can handle anything this country throws at us.”

When it comes to coordinating with local officials, Harrison says United Cajun Navy just lets the city they’re visiting know they’re on the way. Sometimes, it’s not until after a few rescues, the county and city officials buck up and pay attention.

The United Cajun Navy isn’t always received the same way government or well-known organizations are. They don’t wear uniforms, and they don’t have official vehicles­—but they get the job done. According to Terrell, about one-third of the group has assisted with previous disaster-relief efforts, so they know what to expect. They bring everything from life jackets to baby formula, all on a volunteer basis.

“We don’t get any funding,” Terrell points out, “We get donations by the pennies, but we need funding by the thousands.”

All of the United Cajun Navy volunteers are very clear about one thing: They don’t do this for recognition—it’s about helping people during a crisis. “It’s not about credit, it’s about reception,” Terrell said. “I’m trying to get the country and the government to respect my group.”

Their motivation comes from deep within the human spirit. They recognize their ability to be of help beyond the ordinary. “In my lifetime, I’ve served my country, I’ve given a kidney to someone I hardly knew, and I change anywhere between 50 to 70 tires a year,” Harrison explains. “I’m fortunate to be blessed, so I try to make sure I can be a blessing to others.”

These moments of sheer human compassion, when it’s just human hands reaching out to other human hands, bring unity. There is no political, social, religious, or socio-economic divide.

“One thing I say all the time,” Terrell remarks, “is that sometimes I think this is God’s way of bringing the country together. Because during a disaster, there’s no racism, you know? A lot of things go out the window.”

In the aftermath of Hurricane Florence, it is the selfless acts of neighbors—even long-distance neighbors in trucks and johnboats—that set the example for what we can be. It’s an example for what we can achieve when we set aside our differences to rebuild together.

To donate to the United Cajun Navy, visit https://www.facebook.com/unitedcajunnavy.

EXTRA>>HURRICANE FLORENCE

FINDING RESPITE: Relief Center open to all BY: SHANNON GENTRY

“T

his is what we do—we take care of each other,” Darla McGlamery tells me over the phone on Monday. She’s the business agent for International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) at Local 491, which is now a small hurricane relief center. Local 491 never shut down during the duration of Hurricane Florence. Like most of ILM and surrounding areas, they didn’t have power from Thursday (Sept. 13) morning until Sunday (Sept. 16) evening around 7:30 p.m.

said ‘how did you get here?’ They said ‘I don’t know,’” she recounts. “Yesterday the water was over their car and today the water had receded enough. They knew they had a timeframe between when the tide went out and when the tide came in, so they got on the road . . . they thought they had about two and a half hours.”

Local 491’s space may change later on in the week, as the International Association of Firefighters may choose to set up their satellite command center at Local 491. However, they’ll continue to serve the community at large while resources last.

As of Sept. 17 McGlamery had not yet seen “We will have supplies but if we get a mad the state of her Lake Waccamaw home. She rush, we’ll run out of water,” McGlamery notes. and her colleague, whose home is in Carolina “We’re down to 40 gallons of water in 16-ounce Beach, stayed at the 1924 S. 16th St. location bottles.” for higher ground and safety.

Luckily, NC State AFL-CIO headquarters in While McGlamery remained in Wilmington to Raleigh is taking action to get more supplies to keep the doors open at Local 491, her wife and them. They’ve decided to use their upcoming child traveled to Atlanta, Georgia. “I’m excited 61st annual convention on September 20-21 to see them,” she offers, though, like so many to raise disaster relief funds and supply donaevacuees and families, she has no idea when tions in coordination with the national AFL-CIO. that will be.

They’ll be collecting toiletries, hand sanitizer, “We were staying here to answer phone hygiene supplies, canned or other non-perishcalls and respond to members as best we able foods, first-aid kits, and more. could during a storm situation,” she says. In the meantime, McGlamery and company are continuing to provide food, bottled water and sodas, charging stations for electronic devices and even temporary shelter, daily, for anyone in need.

“We’re not necessarily housing people,” she clarifies, “because we are not certified as an overnight shelter. . . . But if people want a respite from all of the madness, we can provide that space. . . . People have been able to keep their food in our refrigerator; we have a gas grill people can come in to cook on if they want to.”

“I have been asked to secure two parking lots for four semi-trailers that are bringing in resources people would need in a storm situation,” McGlamery adds. “Of course, we offered our parking lot, and [Steve Hall] across the street didn’t hesitate to offer his.”

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According to hundreds of Wilmingtonians McGlamery has reached out to, close to IATSE 400 members, tarps also are top priority right now.

“Because of downed trees and limbs in or on their houses and water seeping in,” she says.

“Doesn’t sound like a lot but we came up short there. Tarps, tarps and more tarps.”

McGlamery praises the diligence of the comTo donate to the relief fund, visit aflcionc.org. munity at large. Their preparation and heeding For more information about the center at Local warnings to get out were well received. As well, 491, call Darla McGlamery at 910-367-1367 or the responsiveness of state and local govern- Kelly Doudreaux at 912-509-7022 ment has been effective.

Other supply distribution sites through“The amount of time and preparation [it took out New Hanover County, in partnership with for] Governor Cooper and Mayor Saffo to de- FEMA, the Civil Air Patrol and volunteers from clare a state of emergency so early, and allow General Electric, opened on Tuesday, Sept. 18. trucks to move freely on the interstate as soon These POD sites will offer Meals Ready to Eat as possible, made a huge difference,” she (MREs), water and tarps to NHC residents (insays. “I was able to get gas for our generator cluding beach towns) daily from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.: the day after the storm. . . . People were able to North POD – Formerly The Rock Church now continue to get gas [even if the lines were long], being used as College Park Elementary School and I think that was a huge deal.” at 5301 Sidbury Rd., Castle Hayne.

While the area surrounding the center mostCentral POD – CFCC – Downtown Main ly is clear of debris, folks do have to navigate Campus – 700 N. Front St., between Brunswick some obstacles. For example, a felled tree and and Hanover streets. This location has a walkconcrete barriers were problematic on 16th up option.

Street as of Monday.

South POD – Veteran’s Park – 840 Halybur“Today alone I saw 13 people,” she counts. ton Memorial Parkway.

“Some said they came from Riegelwood, and I

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12 S. WATER ST. • OPENS DAILY AT 3 P.M. encore | september 20-27, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 27

EXTRA>>HURRICAN FLORENCE

SIGHTS OF FLO:

What ILM looked like during and after Hurricane Florence Right page—top left, clockwise: Burnett Blvd. intersection goes down at 3rd St. and Carolina Beach Rd. Photo by Chad Keith; National Memorial Cemetery goes underwater at Market and 21st streets. Photo

by Wade Wilson; kayaker takes on flooding in his neighborhood. Photo by Matthew Ray Photography; Carolina Beach sees area flooding a day after Florence. Photo by Jay Muxworthy; the Jewell family finds respite in Julia’s piano serenade. Photo by Carter Jewell; Topsail Beach takes a pounding as Florence arrives. Thank you everyone for your contribution of photos.

Left: Rx Restaurant owner James Doss dashes to see the damage of his fiancée’s art studio, Ms. Sarah Rushing, after a large tree lands on it during Hurricane Florence. Photo by Sarah Rushing. • Right: Matthew Ray captured massive flood water devastation in his Torchwood Dr. neighborhood, as a car sinks to the depths of Florence. Matthew Ray Photography

Left: The historic shell of a building, Jaffe, located on Castle St. became less of a shell as bricks fell from its façade in the midst of Hurricane Florence’s 105 mph winds. Photo by Michele Seidman • The soonto-have-been opened Tidewater Brewing, located off Chestnut St. downtown, had its roof blown off through Florence. Photo by Chad Keith • The GOGAS in the norther part of the county became a mangled

28 encore | september 20-27, 2018 | www.encorepub.com

WAYS TO HELP IN THE AFTERMATH OF HURRICANE FLORENCE CROWD-SOURCING Started by Michelle Lawson for families suffering severe damage or loss to their homes, fundraiser recipient pictures will be posted on the site. gofundme.com/wilmington-hurricaneflo-relief Set up by Addie Wuensch, the hurricane relief fund benefits ILM nonprofit organization Walking Tall Wilmington.

Walking Tall helps the homeless with cash, food, water, and shelter. gofundme.com/hurricane-relief-forwilmington Based in Senoia, GA, the fund was founded by Matt Rescue to assist local agencies with relief efforts. They also welcome volunteer efforts and personal donations: (704) 998-8676. gofundme.com/HurricaneFlorenceResponse ILM-filmed “One Tree Hill” has its actresses coming together with Random Acts to help their old stomping grounds

amidst disaster. Folks can donate through the site below, hosted by Random Acts, or purchase t-shirts that say: “To: NC (image of the state), With: Love (image of a heart).” They’re $26, and designed by Sophia Bush, Danneel Ackles and Hilarie Burton. crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/capefearlesschallenge Two locals lost their homes in the midst of Hurricane Florence from felled tree destruction. Charlie Blanton and his wife and two girls, who reside in Carolina Place, and UNCW professor Chadwick Roberts and his two pups, who had to be rescued from the Princess Place neighborhood. These funds help cover costs ahead of any insurance waiting period.

Blantons: gofundme.com/64j93i8 Roberts: gofundme.com/vr8zj-relieffrom-hurricane-florence LOCAL UNCW has posted an emergency relief fund for students who need financial help after being adversely affected by

the storm. The Dean of Students allocates funds. giving.uncw.edu/ emergencyrelief The Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC coordinates with local partner agencies during disaster relief to make sure communities do not face hunger after in the face of dire emergency. foodbankcenc.org Catch the Food Truck is hosting a fundraiser in order to stock local food trucks who will feed folks free meals in displaced communities during the aftermath of Hurricane Florence. Major suppliers who want to donate are also welcome wherein food will be distributed among a network of trucks. facebook.com/donate/546658809111467

Founded by Wilmingtonian Jessie Williams, Edge of Urge artisan retail shop, located in downtown ILM and in Raleigh, is making a specialized tee, “North Freakin’ Carolina” (there is also an R-rated version) with proceeds benefiting Nourish NC. The ILM-based nonprofit feeds children in the area who depend on school meals as their primary nutrition. Nourish N.C. keeps them fed beyond school and year-round. edgeofurge.com/ search?q=nourish+nc STATEWIDE A group of grassroots organizations have come together, including Durham Solidarity Center and Southern Vision Alliance, along with Blueprint NC, Environmental

Justice Network, and Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC), to have distribution centers set up across the state. Folks can donate personal and medical items, infant/ children/pet provisions, emergency supplies, and more. They also accept cash donations. tinyurl.com/flodropoff The NC Nurses Association and the NC Foundation for Nursing have teamed up to start a recovery fund to help nurses bounce back from the devastation of Flo in order to continue providing quality healthcare to the people of NC. Donations will be distributed to activelylicensed RNs in NC who have been impacted by Hurricane Florence.

NCNA & NCFN will review applications (apply: ncnurses.org/foundation/ncfn-nurse-recovery-fund/) to determine who receives assistance based on a sliding scale of needs. portal.ncnurses.org/donatenow?reload=timezone

encore | september 20-27, 2018 | www.encorepub.com 29

EXTRA>>FACT OR FICTION

SINGING IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT:

Ch. 19, And when you fin’lly fly away, I’ll be hoping that I served you well BY: GWENYFAR ROHLER

“What do you mean, you failed him?” Kitty pressed.

o I was on another job—a commercial for shoes—when I got the call: ‘Can you come back?’” Cynthia leaned back like someone had just slapped her.

“I was shocked. How? How are you going to complete the movie with the star dead?”

Cynthia looked Kitty directly in the eye and shrugged, looking away and shaking her head.

She realized Kitty would never understand, and there was no way she was going to try to explain it to her.

“S

Her jaw hung open and her eyes were wide with shock as she relived the moment. Twentyfive years as a script supervisor, and she had never encountered a problem like this before.

After months of uncertainty, confusion, rumors, and obfuscation surrounding the film “Blackbird,” suddenly, it was back in production.

The mother of Jeffrey Chen—the now-deceased “Blackbird” star—had settled out of court. One of the concessions made was the film would be finished and released; as she pointed out, her son gave his life for that film. To let it die, too, on the cutting-room floor, was not something she would accept. Now, the producers were faced with a new dilemma: how to finish a film without the star?

“So what did they say?” Kitty asked.

“There is new technology in special effects,” Cynthia answered. “They can put his face on a body double with computer imagery. But they need clear and specific shots of his face. So, as the continuity person, I came in and went through the footage with Frank—frame by frame—looking for the right focus.”

She took a breath.

“It was really hard—I mean, really hard, emotionally—not the work. The work actually was fascinating. To see how they could do it: that’s what fascinates me. But looking into his beautiful young face over and over again, into his eyes … and he’s gone. That’s ... we failed him.”

“You know, finishing the film was … there were some who didn’t come back,” Cynthia told.

“I don’t blame them. But it was important to Jeffrey to finish it, it was important to me that I finish it, and … it’s a good movie. I’m proud of it.”

Cynthia had seen the rough cut. For months, now, Kitty had been dogging the production, trying to see dailies or any reshoot footage. Without press credentials, no one was letting her on set, especially after what had transpired with Jeffrey’s death and subsequent events.

“I didn’t think we could.”

Cynthia lit a cigarette.

“But to see the work that could be done now with body doubles and the imaging...

“You know the movie his father was working on when he died? They finished that without him. It doesn’t look anywhere near as good. But this? It is hard to tell where it isn’t him because it’s his face. I can tell because I know. But the audience?” She shook her head. “It will look seamless to them.”

“So how did they do it?” Kitty asked. “The imaging, I mean. How did it work?”

“There are two body doubles,” Cynthia explained. “One, I think you’ve met—Hank. They go way back—he and Jeffrey. You can tell, too.

They have a lot of similarity in movements. It must be from the training at the same dojo. It’s not identical, but you can see the similarities.”

tors syndiCate

Cynthia gazed into the distance as if visualizing the way the two men moved.

“Anyway, a lot of the shots ... you know Jeffrey did almost all of his own stunts? Which is almost unheard of for a star. But be insisted and he was good—really good. Let me tell you: In continuity that is tough to get stunts or fights to look right again and again.”

She shook her head.

“In a weird way, it really is a form of cheating death, I guess…” she said while pointing at Kitty with her cigarette. “Because on film, he is forever young. And even after his death, his face, his image went on and finished the film.”

She blew out a stream of cigarette smoke.

“Of course, I didn’t realize at first it was part of the court settlement,” Cynthia continued. “They

30 encore | september 20-27, 2018 | www.encorepub.com Not coincidentally, the real sur-

had to finish the film; they were obligated to do it.”

“What do you mean?”

“Go look up the documents—apparently, the terms of the out of court settlement included the producers and Frank agreeing to finish and deliver the film. She didn’t take any money for herself; she just wanted them to fulfill their financial obligations to her son.”

Cynthia took a deep inhale of cigarette smoke and held it in her lungs. it.”

“I can understand it and, frankly, I agree with

Kitty suppressed saying she was an investigative reporter who already had gone through the documents exhaustively. Someone was finally talking to her; she needed to keep her mouth shut and not alienate them. For Kitty, it was harder than it looked.

“So you say people didn’t come back?”

“Yeah, what’s her name that played the girlfriend? She didn’t come back, along with a couple of crew people, but most people did. For me it was important.”

“Why?” “Because he gave so much for this movie. He gave his life for it.”

Cynthia shook another cigarette loose from the soft pack.

“Don’t get me wrong, it was hard. Hard to walk back into that sound stage. Hard to look at it all. Hard to see everyone—it was like you didn’t know what to say.”

She trailed off again and looked down at her hands.

“But it was important, important to finish. Important for it not to be in vain. He was such a wonderful actor and a lovely human. And it was so horrible. We all wanted that for him, for Ashley…”

She turned her face away from Kitty and wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand.

“They were going to be married right after we wrapped. Just weeks away.“ She shook her head.

“Damn it,” she whispered.

“Have you met her?”

“Yeah, of course. She was on set a lot.”

“Did you like her?”

“She seemed nice enough. She responded if you spoke to her, but she didn’t get into it with

anybody, really. She was very wrapped up in him.”

Cynthia paused, considering.

“I think she was a little uncomfortable with watching him kiss the other actress during filming. That kind of thing. It has to be hard to get used to that with actors.”

“So what happened? Where were you?” Kitty asked again. She knew every inch of that night, but she hoped asking Cynthia would shake lose a new detail that hadn’t been shared.

“I was 10 feet way. Wilson the medic was sitting next to me, and he vaulted that table to get to him. I mean vaulted like the goddamn Olympics,” Cynthia answered. “I hate method actors.”

Cynthia pronounced the non-sequitur with such violence Kitty recoiled in surprise.

“Hate them. I have no respect for it at all. It’s because I have seen the best at work. I remember working with Nicholson, and let me tell you, the actors who really understand their work, they don’t need that shit. I’ve seen it.”

Not knowing what else to do, Kitty just nodded. She began thinking about the part in the settlement that stipulated all film of Jeffrey’s death be destroyed. If it was no longer needed by the police if they were not bringing charges, Jeffrey’s mother wanted it destroyed.

“Do you know how they destroyed the film?”

Kitty asked Cynthia, trying to steer away from the method-acting landmine.

“Probably dissolved it in acid.”

She shrugged.

“Can you even imagine if some struck an extra print at the lab?”

Cynthia shook her head.

“Jesus! That would be terrible—some sick fuck would sell it to ‘Entertainment Tonight,’ and it would play on television over and over again.”

She sighed.

“No, his mother did the right thing: insisting upon that.”

She pointed the end of her cigarette square at Kitty. “That is the strength and power of a lady right there.”

Gwenyfar Rohler is encore’s fact-or-fiction writer for 2018. Her serial story, “Singing in the Dead of Night,” follows the death of a young movie star and the emotional aftermath that follows, as local media try to uncover the events leading up to the high-profile “murder,” which takes place while filming in Wilmington, NC. Catch up on previous chapters at encorepub.com.

CORK BOARD NEW

ARIES (Mar. 21–April 20)

The flower doesn’t dream of the bee. It blossoms and the bee comes.” So says poet and philosopher Mark Nepo in *The Book of Awakening*. Now I’m transmitting his observation to you. I hope it will motivate you to expend less energy fantasizing about what you want and devote more energy to becoming the beautiful, useful, irresistible presence that will attract what you want. The coming weeks will be an excellent time to make plans to produce very specific blossoms..

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

Budi Waseso, the former head of the Indonesian government’s anti-narcotics division, had a radical plan to prevent escapes by people convicted of drug-related crimes. He sought to build detention centers that would be surrounded by moats filled with crocodiles and piranhas. But his replacement, Heru Winarko, has a different approach. He wants addicts and dealers to receive counseling in comfortable rehabilitation centers. I hope that in the coming weeks, as you deal with weaknesses, flaws, and sins—both your own and others’—you’ll opt for an approach more like Winarko’s than Waseso’s.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

In one sense, a “patron saint” is a Catholic saint who is a heavenly advocate for a person, group, activity, thing, or place. St. Jude is the patron saint of lost causes, for instance. St. Francis of Assisi is the guardian of animal welfare and St. Kentigern is the protector against verbal abusers. “Patron saint” may also be invoked poetically to refer to a person who serves as a special guide or influence. For example, in one of his short stories, Nathaniel Hawthorne refers to a veteran nurse as “the patron saint of young physicians.” In accordance with current astrological omens, I invite you to fantasize about persons, groups, activities, things, or places for whom you might be the patron saint. To spur your imagination, here are some appropriate possibilities. You could be the patron saint of the breeze at dawn; of freshly picked figs; of singing humorous love songs in the sunlight; of unpredictable romantic adventures; of life-changing epiphanies while hiking in nature; of soul-stirring music.

not predicting your earnings will increase by 83 percent. But 15 percent isn’t unreasonable. So start planning how you’ll do it!

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

As he stepped up to use an ATM in a supermarket, a Scottish man named Colin Banks found £30 (about $40 U.S.) that the person who used the machine before him had inadvertently neglected to take. But rather than pocketing it, Banks turned it in to a staff member, and eventually the cash was reunited with its proper owner. Shortly after performing his good deed, Bank won £50,000 (about $64,500 U.S.) in a game of chance. It was instant karma in dramatic action—the positive kind! My analysis of the astrological omens reveals that you’re more likely than usual to benefit from expeditious cosmic justice like that. That’s why I suggest you intensify your commitment to doing good deeds.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

As you dive down into your soul’s depths in quest for renewal, remember this testimony from poet Scherezade Siobhan: “I want to dig out what is ancient in me, the mistaken-for-monster . . . and let it teach me how to be unafraid again.”

Are you brave and brazen enough to do that yourself? It’s an excellent time to douse your fear by drawing wild power from the primal sources of your life. To earn the right to soar through the heights in November and December, delve as deep as you can in the coming weeks.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

According to author Elizabeth Gilbert, here’s “the central question upon which all creative living hinges: do you have the courage to bring forth the treasures that are hidden within you?” When I read that thought, my first response was, why are the treasures hidden? Shouldn’t they be completely obvious? My second response was, why do you need courage to bring forth the treasures?

Shouldn’t that be the easiest and most enjoyable task imaginable? Everything you just read is a perfect riddle for you to contemplate during the next 14 months, Sagittarius.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

In August 1933, author Virginia Woolf wrote a critical note to her friend, the composer Ethel Smyth, lamenting her lack of emotional subtlety. “For you,” Woolf told Smyth, “either things are black, or they’re white; either they’re sobs or shouts—whereas, I always glide from semi-tone to semi-tone.” In the coming weeks, fellow Cancerian, you may encounter people who act like Smyth. But it will be your sacred duty, both to yourself and to life, to remain loyal and faithful to the rich complexity of your feelings.

A blogger named Sage Grace offers her readers a list of “cool things to call me besides cute.” They include dazzling, alluring, sublime, magnificent, and exquisite. Is it OK if I apply those same adjectives to you, Capricorn? I’d like to add a few more, as well: resplendent, delightful, intriguing, magnetic, and incandescent. I hope that in response you don’t flinch with humility or protest that you’re not worthy of such glorification. According to my astrological analysis, now is one of those times when you deserve extra appreciation for your idiosyncratic appeal and intelligence. Tell your allies and loved ones that I said so. Inform them, too, that giving you this treatment could help mobilize one of your half-asleep potentials.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

CANCER (June 21-July 22)

“People think of education as something they can finish,” said writer and scientist Isaac Asimov, who wrote or edited over 500 books. His point was that we’re wise to be excited about learning new lessons as long as we’re on this earth. To cultivate maximum vitality, we should always be engaged in the processes of absorbing new knowledge and mastering new skills and deepening our understanding. Does that sound appealing to you, Leo? I hope so, especially in the coming weeks, when you will have an enhanced ability to see the big picture of your future needs for education.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Virgo businessman Warren Buffet is among the top five wealthiest people on the planet. In an average year, his company Berkshire Hathaway adds $36 billion to its already swollen coffers. But in 2017, thanks to the revision of the U.S. tax code by President Trump and his buddies, Buffet earned $65 billion—an increase of 83 percent over his usual haul. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, you’re entering a year-long phase when your financial chances could have a mild resemblance to Buffet’s 2017. I’m

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