Out & about Magazine - Dec 2011 - Cheese & Wine by Out & About Magazine

VOL. VOL. 24 24 NO. NO. 10 6

DECEMBER AUGUST 20112011

OutAndAboutNow.Com

COMPLIMENTARY COMPLIMENTARY

L'HOMAGE du FROMAGE What Shape Is Your Glass? | Great Wine Finds | Local Cheeses That Please Musicians and Music Stores | Peco's Liquors Turns 75 | Movies About Movies

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INSIDE

Publisher Gerald DuPhily

jduphily@tsnpub.com

Contributing Editor Bob Yearick byearick@tsnpub.com

Director of Publications Jim Hunter Miller jmiller@tsnpub.com

Director of Sales Marie Graham Poot

mgraham@tsnpub.com

Creative/Production Manager Matthew Loeb mloeb@tsnpub.com

December 2011 | Vol. 24, No. 10 | www.outandaboutnow.com

FEATURES 13-23 UP CLOSE: WINE & CHEESE

What shape is your glass? By Eric Miller Say cheese! By Pam George Area experts name their top wine finds in 2011. Wine and music. By Ben LeRoy

25-37 FOOD & DRINK

Peco’s: A family tradition since 1936. By Matt Amis Taste: Break out the good stuff for the holidays. By Robert Lhulier Suds: Adventures in Germany and Belgium. By J. Burke Morrison

45-47 MOVIES

Movies about movies highlight award season. By Mark Fields Screen cheese: Diverse curds from the cineplex. By Mark Fields

48-53 MUSIC

Exploring the music store-musician connection. By Matt Amis Meet Chris Cromer: The horn doctor. By Bob Yearick

Art Director Shawna Sneath

ssneath@tsnpub.com

DEPARTMENTS Contributing Writers Geno Bisconte, Mark Fields, Richard L. Gaw, Pam George, Lauren Golt, Robert Lhulier, Lauren Marchionni, Eric Miller, J. Burke Morrison, Larry Nagengast, Scott Pruden, Ben Young Contributing Photographers Joe del Tufo, Dennis Dischler Tim Hawk, Les Kipp Tony Kukulich, Matt Urban Special Projects John Holton, Kelly Loeb

Out Front

Food & Drink

Getting Crafty

Style

Movies

Music

Nightlife

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

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O&A pays tribute to the illustrative approach to liquor advertisements of the 1920s and ‘30s. Illustration by Shawna Sneath

11/23/11 1:25 PM

A writer/editor’s slightly snarky and relentless crusade to eliminate grammatical gaffes from our everyday communications

You asked for it, and here it is — just in time for Christmas!

Compiled from the popular column in Out & About Magazine

All of Bob Yearick’s War on Words columns since the 2007 debut of this wildly popular feature — collected in one paperback book! Every page contains a lesson, whether it’s grammar, spelling, pronunciation, or definitions of frequently misused terms, like “begs the question” — all presented with humor and occasional snarkiness.

Order your copies at outandaboutnow.com $9.95 plus $3 shipping. VISA, MasterCard and American Express accepted. Checks, made out to TSN Publishing, should be sent to Out & About, 307 A St., Wilmington, DE 19801 For the e-book, go to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks or Sony.

Gird your grammar loins with this book, and help stem the tide of semi-literacy that is sweeping the country.

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OUTFRONT

The War

ON WORDS

WORD OF THE MONTH

By Bob Yearick

A monthly column in which we attempt, however futilely, to correct some of the most common errors in English usage

Media Watch

• In a story on Steve Jobs, ˜ e News Journal recently ran this jump head: “Music: Consensus (our italics) on influence is mixed.” Consensus means agreement, accord, harmony; so, by definition, it can’t be mixed. The correct word in this case: opinions. • Spark, bless its heart, keeps inventing words, like making tribute a verb in this preHalloween headline: “Tribute the departed this Halloween with these DIY costumes . . .” Really? You can pay tribute, but you can’t “tribute.” It’s a noun, OK? • When those in the sports media slide into metaphors, it often turns into a slippery slope. (OK, so that was a bit strained, but at least it’s not a mixed metaphor.) This is particularly true when they attempt biblical references. Take Bob Ley of ESPN’s Outside the Lines. In an interview about NBA labor negotiations, he asked, “What was the ‘come to Damascus’ moment?” In doing so, Bob performed an awkward mashup of the terms “come to Jesus” – often combined with the word “meeting” to connote a dressing down or chewing out — and “road to Damascus.” The latter refers to a religious conversion like the one that occurred to Saul, soon to become the apostle Paul, when Jesus spoke to him on the road to Damascus. • A lesser offender was David Jones in the Harrisburg Patriot-News, who wrote this: “. . . making an arbitrary and strident comment to ˜ e Times without checking to see if he had any bullets in his holster.” Holsters hold guns, not bullets. Dave’s an Easterner (I think), but hasn’t he ever seen a John Wayne movie? • A Fox Sports online feature listed the “Most stupid athletes.” That’s stupidest athletes.

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venal Pronounced VEEN-l, it’s an adjective meaning capable of being bought: open to bribery.

Department of Redundancies Dept.

During the World Series, an ESPN announcer reported that Albert Pujols “drove in six RBIs.” Note to said announcer: Batters drive in runs, not RBIs, which stands for runs batted in. From a reader: “Just received a spam e-mail with the subject line, ‘Let’s collaborate together.’”

How long, oh Lord, how long?

(In which we feature misuse of that most maligned punctuation mark, the apostrophe.) A reader cited (and sighted) a recent obituary that reported the deceased’s nickname as Pop’s. Wow, now we know: apostrophe abuse follows us to the grave.

Signs of the times

Another reader tells us he saw this sign ﬂashing on I-95 near Philadelphia: “Traﬃc Delays Dailey.” He adds, “Hopefully, they won’t turn into monthley or yearley delays.”

Barnyard Banter

. . . in which the sports world makes yet another contribution to our humble column. We heard a commentator refer to a running back who had carried the ball many times as “a bell cow,” thus mixing his farm animals, we’re sure. He meant “workhorse.” Everyone knows what that is. A bell cow, on the other hand, is the lead cow of a herd, having a bell attached to a collar so the herd can be located easily; which is not to be confused with bellwether, meaning any entity in a given arena that serves to create or influence trends or to presage future happenings.

BONUS

WORD OF THE MONTH bloc

Pronounced blok, it’s a noun describing a group of persons, parties or nations united for a common cause. (Note spelling, as opposed to the more common block.)

Seen a good

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

And check out the new War on Words blog at thewaronwords.blogspot.com

11/22/11 1:00 PM

Young@Art creators Ashley Biden (2nd from left) and Joni Silverstein (2nd from right) with program participants Donald Williams, Hakeem Sanders and Daneya Wheeler.

PAINTING A DIFFERENT PICTURE Inaugural Young@Art exhibit shows promise

he juvenile justice system probably isn’t the first place you’d think to discover budding artistic talent. Ashley Biden and Joni Silverstein would like you to think again. The duo hosted the first Young@Art event last month in Wilmington’s Trolley Square, an art show featuring works created by youth held in Delaware detention centers or in mental health facilities. The evening drew more than 50 people and generated $4,000, with $1600 of those proceeds coming directly from the sale of student art. A portion of those proceeds will go into a bank account for the artist; the balance will be used to purchase supplies so the incarcerated artists can continue to polish their skills. “When I saw the quality of work produced, with little or no training, I knew this [program] had potential,” said Biden, Career Development & Education Liason for the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth & Their Families. “The response from the community has been tremendous.” Biden and Silverstein are planning a second Young@Art event to be held at the same location (1715 Delaware Ave.) as part of the December 2 Art on the Town. In fact, the duo is hoping to convert that Trolley Square location (formerly Magpie and Sandy Hollow Herb Co.) into a retail co-op that would feature an eatery, a gallery for Young@Art, a community art center, and a community garden. For more information on Young@Art or the co-op program, contact Ashley.Biden@state.de.us or Joni Silverstein at jsilverstein@dcjustice.org — Out & About

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11/22/11 4:09 PM

CALLING ALL CARTOONISTS Skewer politicians, win a prize

Out & About’s Holiday Giveaway

‘T

is the Season to Spread Some O&A Cheer! We’re making a list and checking it twice, and if you’re an Out & About E-Newsletter subscriber, then you just might win one of many great prizes that will be given away this month. Prizes include gift certiﬁcates to local restaurants, wine shops, retailers and more. Not a subscriber yet? Go to outandaboutnow.com and sign up to be entered for a chance to win.

an you draw? Do you have a political point of view? Good, then you’re the one we’re hoping will enter the Out & About Cartoon Contest. The subject: politics. Lord knows there’s enough of it – from the City of Wilmington, to the state, to the nation (How about those Republican candidates?). Give us your best, most creative take on politics in a single-panel, black and white cartoon. Entries must be submitted in both hard copy and

PDF or JPEG forms. Hard copies should be sent to Out & About, 307 A St., Wilmington, DE 19803. Electronic ﬁles should be sent to ryearick@comcast.net. Entries will be judged by the O&A editorial staff. Deadline is Dec. 30. The winner will receive a prize package from Out & About, and ﬁrst and second runnersup – if they are chosen – also will receive a prize. The winning cartoon will be published in the February, 2012 issue.

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Loss of license Fines, court costs and attorney fees averaging $3,400 Jail time Alcohol and drug counseling Install an Ignition Interlock device if applicable ($480 cost to you)

11/23/2011 12:50:30 PM

DELAWARE DAY December 7, Toast at 7pm

win Lakes Brewery, located in the Heart of the Brandywine Valley, producing Fresh-Local-Delicious™ beer from our Farm. We would like to thank all the beer drinkers, bars, restaurants, taverns and liquor stores who have helped make our little Brewery a part of Delaware history. Please go out on December 7 and support your local establishments in celebration of this historic day in Delaware. God Bless America!

The Statewide Toast:

On December 7, 1787 Delaware became the First State to ratify the Constitution of the United States! In honor of our founding fathers, we ask that you take a moment, enjoy your family and friends and raise your glass to the great State of DELAWARE, THE FIRST STATE! CHEERS!

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11/22/11 1:04 PM

On 10th Anniversary, Two Greenville Shops By Lauren Golt Give Back

Photos by Amber Shader

hen retailers celebrate their 10year anniversary in the midst of a recession, you hardly imagine the words “giving back” to be associated with the celebration. But Houppette and Peter Kate, two businesses located in Greenville’s Powder Mill Square Shopping Center, wanted to use the milestone to honor the devotion and commitment of their target customers: moms. The owners chose to do a complete makeover on Mary, a deserving mom and resident at Mom’s House. Created in 1983 in Johnstown, Pa., Mom’s House offers safe, secure and free childcare to low-income parents wishing to continue their education. The organization helps mothers prepare for college and obtain their high school equivalency diploma. It also provides counseling, arranges legal guidance and other assistance. Most important, Mom’s House offers support to mothers who are facing the possibility of abortion or the despair of welfare. Currently, there are seven loca.OAAN.

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tions: two in Delaware, three in Pennsylvania, one in New York, and one in Ohio. The Wilmington site, at 1715 Howland St., has been making a difference in the community since 1997. Cristi Miller, of Houppette, and Sissy Harris and Kathy Savage, the motherdaughter team behind Peter Kate, know that children are a mother’s ﬁrst priority, making “me time” difﬁcult. The women recognized that shopping, skincare and hair appointments are luxuries that most moms don’t have time for. “As a mom, you forget to take care of yourself, so we want to help give deserving moms a lift,” says Harris. Peter Kate and Houppette enlisted the help of Salon 828, in Wilmington, and photographer Amber Shader to make the makeover a success. Mary’s day started with a trip to Salon 828 for a haircut and color. Next was a stop at Houppette where Miller and her team provided makeup and

L to R: Mary before the makeover, her wardrobe selection at Peter Kate, putting on the ﬁnishing by Lauren Golt touches at Houpette, and Mary after her complete transformation.

skincare from brands like Laura Mercier and Paula Dorf. A visit to Peter Kate followed, where Harris and Savage outﬁtted their special client with a stunning new wardrobe, including accessories. Shader captured the day’s events and did a photo shoot of the newly made-over Mary. In addition, donations for Mom’s House were accepted at both locations. “The makeover event was a great success,” says Miller. “We spent a very gratifying day helping a busy and deserving mom feel special. It was a pleasure helping Mary look and feel beautiful and was truly rewarding for everyone involved.” Miller says that Houppette plans to offer makeup and beauty seminars to all of the women at Mom’s House, and Pete Kate also will continue to be involved with the organization.

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11/22/11 1:07 PM

UP CLOSE

L to R: Deep Fries Apple Pie, Choc Hazelnut Macarons, and Pumpkin Cheesecake by chef Daniella Keenan at Presto! photo by Dennis Dischler

Our annual

ine and cheese—what could be more appropriate for those holiday parties? Herewith, an up-close look at both. Wine: how to enjoy it and what to drink it from, even if you’re not, as our expert Eric Miller says, a “cork dork,” along with some favorites from our Facebook pals. Cheese: where to find some unusual and tasty in varieties the area, and some little-known facts about this ancient food. Eat, drink, enjoy!

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UP CLOSE

XX . Up Close

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D  | O&A

11/22/2011 2:11:42 PM

Does the glass a˜ ect the taste of the wine?

’ve been a professional involved in the New York and Pennsylvania wine industries for more than 40 years. Wine is and has always been both my vocation and avocation. I live it, breathe it and rarely miss a day without a glass of it on my dinner table. Yet my favorite wine glass is a vintage jelly jar used on Sundays to finish off all the partial bottles on my kitchen counter so I can start the week with new bottles and an uncluttered refrigerator. There’s something warm and fuzzy about the peeling Flintstones picture on the jar and my memories of Sundays when I was too young to drink (that much) wine. But I also love to use a good crystal wine glass. A good wine glass is like any well-designed tool. It’s there to do a job. It’s there so you can see the wine, smell it and taste it. A well-designed wine glass contributes to the appreciation of the wine in it, and many wine glass manufacturers (especially Riedel) have researched what shapes and sizes work for particular wine types and varieties. In short, the bell of the glass is designed to bring out positive features in the smell of wine. The diameter of the rim is designed to deliver wine to the front, middle or back of the mouth, much like the height of the glass affects how far the head is tipped back (and therefore how far back in the mouth it is delivered) when drinking. Let me elaborate. When looking at a wine, most of us winos like to confirm what we are drinking. Most young white wines should be pale straw in color (vs. deeper yellows and golden hues, which indicate bigger/older wines). Most young reds should have a little blue in them (vs. brown tinges that indicate oxidation). Wines that look like old brown shoes within three or four years of the vintage (the year the grape was grown) are likely to be aged or in trouble. If the wine has bubbles we want to see them, because— unless the wine is a sparkling wine—bubbles may indicate a re-fermentation, which is not good. If it is cloudy we want advance warning before putting it in our mouths.

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By Eric Miller It’s probably obvious that if we want to see the wine, the glass should be thin and clear, so stash those dreadful cut-glass Waterfords until grandma comes on Sunday. For me and my cork dork friends, another big part of the thrill is smell. Current thinking is that a big old fishbowl-shaped glass increases the surface area of the wine when partially filled and therefore releases more fruity smells. Use those big babies for fruity wines like light Beaujolais and pinot noirs. Versions of the slimmer tulip-shaped glasses are favored for bigger, fuller, earthier reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Malbec. When tasting dry tannic wines like young Cabernet, the goal is to shoot most of the wine to the back of the mouth ASAP—thus the tall glass with wide-diameter rim. In order to linger a little longer with soft pretty things (think port and dessert wines) a shorter glass (and that includes both the stem and the bell) with a narrow rim exposes more of the mouth longer. Of course it’s all about first impressions because sooner or later the whole mouth is going to be exposed and you will get down to the essentials, like drinking and enjoying the wine. So what’s really important to you? If you’re a young, hip wine drinker, you most likely don’t care about all this wine geek talk. So just select a good, solid, all-purpose glass that works with your tableware and lifestyle. For everyday use in my house I have a 12-ounce all-purpose tulip shape that stands about 8 inches and goes in the dishwasher every night. (Just don’t let it touch other hard tableware or it will scratch and break). I got mine from ˜ e Wine Enthusiast for about $6 each, but you can sometimes find something similar and cheaper if you’re on the lookout, especially at big department store sales. — Eric Miller is the winemaker at Chaddsford Winery and author of ˜ e Vintner’s Apprentice.

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16 . Up Close

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11/22/2011 2:14:28 PM

CHEESE! Area cheese-makers abound, and some are teaming with wineries and restaurants to broaden their market By Pam George

efore opening Va La Vineyards in Avondale in 2002, Anthony Vietri decided he wanted to share and sell local products. “Our family has been on this little hill since 1928,” he says, “and we’ve always grown and eaten local.” Selling local cheese products, therefore, seemed a natural, especially considering the star attraction was wine. “That was easier said than done,” he recalls. “Wineries were supposed to serve crackers and water, and farm markets were few and far between.” Undeterred, he and family members spent six months driving around the area, tasting local cheese to pair with the wines Va La was making. As a result of their research, the winery chose cheese from Shellbark Hollow in West Chester; Wakefield Dairy in Peach Bottom, Pa.; Doe Run Farm in Coatesville, Pa.; and Oak Shade Farm in Nottingham, Pa. And that’s just to name a few. “We think that local cheeses are definitely something special,” Vietri says. .OAAN.

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Evidently he’s not alone. As with fruits and vegetables, local cheeses are garnering favor. “Business is growing by leaps and bounds,” says Roberta Rotelle of September Farm, who in 2007 started making cheese on the family’s property in Honey Brook, Pa. “Locally produced cheeses are in high demand.” That’s particularly true this month, when September Farm sells gift baskets that group its cheddar cheeses with other local products, such as bologna, mustard, and homemade pretzels. Over at Talula’s Table in Kennett Square, employees this month are busy creating custom cheese boards for customers. “They’re artfully designed and always include something fun and delicious,” says Abby Morgan, the shop’s cheesemonger. And they may also include something local. More than 10 percent of the shop’s cheeses are from area providers. On Friday, Dec. 9, from noon until 4 p.m., Harvest Market Natural Foods in Hockessin will offer samples of cheese as part of its month-long Fermentation Festival. continued on next page

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18 . Up Close

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continued from previous page

The shop, which will sell samplers on that day, features cheese from several Lancaster County cheese-makers, including Hillacres Pride in Peach Bottom. “I like the idea of supporting our local farmers, knowing the people who make our food, and knowing that what I choose to put into my body is great quality,” says Sara Riedmiller, the store’s cheesemonger. “Local” is admittedly a relative term. In locavore parlance, it refers to purveyors within 100 miles of the consumer. Not surprisingly, Lancaster is a good source. But Chester County in the past few years has come on so strong that the Chester County Cheese Artisans Association was formed in 2010. Increasingly Chester County dairy farmers have added cheese to their operation. That was the case for Rotelle of September Farm. “My husband and I had the dream to start a business on the farm, working with our children,” she says. (Their five children range in age from 9 to 19.) The farm’s cheddar cheese options run from mild to extra, extra sharp, and flavored cheeses include apple-cinnamon cheddar, horseradish cheddar, and orangecranberry Jack cheese. Visitors to the onsite shop can watch the cheese-making process through a window. The cheese is also available at various locations, including Kreutz Creek Vineyards and Winery, which has locations in West Chester and West Grove. Indeed, as Va La proves, local wine and cheese are an ideal pairing. Chaddsford Winery sells selections by Conebella Farms in Elverson, Pa., and Goot Essa, a cooperative of Amish and Mennonite dairy farmers. Both operations primarily offer cheddar cheeses with flavoring, such as oregano or garlic. While the taste is attractive, it’s the local connection that is “one of their biggest selling points,” says Lindsey Pollard, tasting room manager. Chaddsford Winery on Saturdays in January will feature wine and cheese pairings from 2 to 4 p.m. Some of the cheeses will be from local providers. Restaurants have also jumped on the cheese wagon. Fair Hill Inn offers products by Doe Run Farm, situated between Unionville and Coatesville and owned by Richard Hayne, founder of Urban Outfitters. Cheese-maker Kristian Holbrook is “a world-class cheese-maker,” says Fair Hill co-owner Phil Pyle. “His cheeses are very

December 2011 | O&A

11/22/2011 2:17:00 PM

highly sought after in New York, Philly, and on the West Coast.” Chef Jason Dietterick at The Stone Balloon Wine House in Newark also appreciates Doe Run, especially its Seven Sisters cow’s milk cheese. Harry’s Savoy Grill in North Wilmington and Harry’s Seafood Grill on the Riverfront recently began offering cheese boards. Executive Chef David Leo Banks likes an Amish-made cheddar cheese called Bouche from Lancaster, which is creamier than normal cheddar. He’s also fond of a cheese called Smeyth, which is “a fragrant, assertive, gourmet-style,” he says. By now, you may wonder where all the Delaware cheesemakers are hiding. The only one that comes readily to mind is M. Fierro & Son in Wilmington’s Little Italy, which started in 1928. Purchased by Hy-Point Dairy in 2007, M. Fierro & Sons makes mozzarella and ricotta. Making cheese at Hy-Point would require a separate pasteurization system, says Jessica Meany, vice president at M. Fierro, whose family owns Hy-Point. Raw milk sales are illegal in Delaware, but they are allowed in Pennsylvania, both on farms and in retail stores. Chester and Lancaster counties also have more dairy farms. M. Fierro has no plans to add cheddar to the mix. “We’re just concentrating on Italian cheeses,” Meany says. “If anything, we’d add provolone.” The company recently purchased a machine to make small mozzarella balls. (The large ones are made by hand.) This holiday season, customers can buy 24- and 48-ounce oldfashioned tins of ricotta. The Union Street shop is open Monday through Saturday. Buying local cheeses is yet another way to support local agriculture, a worthy trend that shows no sign of stopping. But there’s another reason to try them. “We wouldn’t keep them with us if they weren’t delicious,” says Morgan of Talula’s Table. “These are really high-caliber cheeses. Our selection has them right next to the Old World classics. It’s exciting to be able to tout Chester County cheeses.” Vietri would agree. “Every day of my life is spent with a wine from our soil and a cheese from the nearby fields,” he says, “and I find it to be a little bit of joy for the body and the soul to be able to do so.”

KRESTON WINE & SPIRITS

SERVING THE COMMUNITY FOR 78 YEARS

Family owned for four generations, Kreston’s offers the very best in wine, cordials, liquor and beer, at competitive prices. Take a tour of our wine cellar and you will see why we are the place to buy wine in Delaware.

Customized & pre-packaged gift sets Free Gift wrap Party Planning Services

GIVE A GIFT CARD THIS HOLIDAY SEASON! SIGN UP FOR A KRESTON CARD AND START SAVING NOW! Free To Join!

TWO LOCATIONS MIDDLETOWN 448 E. Main Street Middletown, DE 19709 Tel: (302) 376-6123

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WILMINGTON 904 Concord Avenue Wilmington, DE 19802 Tel: (302) 652-3792 19

11/23/2011 1:16:37 PM

We asked our Facebook followers if they’ve tried any good wines lately. Here’s what they had to say.

14 Hands Hot to Trot - it's a red blend, fruity and a little spicy! I ﬁnd it at Avenue Wines & Liquors, corner of Delaware Avenue and Union Street. —Paula Warrington Kreutz Creek Winery wines. They are very reasonable and wonderful...our favorite is their Niagra which is consistent each year. —Penny Badders Rogers My local favorite is the Spring Wine from Chaddsford Winery. Red Velvet by Cupcake Vineyards is a crowd pleaser. When looking for a decent white, I always go to Conundrum from California. —Crystal Myers

“The Wine Store of Character”

You can't go wrong with Concha y Toro for an economical house red. —Betty Olmstead Rose, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Gris, (cousin to Pinot Grigio) are always good picks for Turkey Day. —James Gleason

Visit our underground Wine Cellar featuring Wines from around the World Oscar Zelaya • 302.656.8548 • 1704 N. Lincoln St. • Wilmington 20 . Up Close

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I also enjoy Red Velvet from Cupcake and Windmill Zinfandel from San Fran! I can only ﬁnd it at Premier on Route 7. —Lin Jonik D  | O&A

11/22/11 5:03 PM

WINEFINDS AREA EXPERTS SHARE A FEW OF THEIR FAVORITES

Angel’s Landing Cabernet 2009 ($16.99) Deep black garnet in color with a nose of plums, black cherries and spice. The ﬂavors are abundant with red cherries, blackberries and nuances of sweet licorice and chocolate. —Bob Kreston, Kreston’s Wine & Spirits

Botani Moscatel Seco 2010 ($16.99) It is fragrant and delicately grapey with citrus and ﬁne herbaceous notes and an unexpected mineral edge. Delightfully aromatic but much more than that. —Brad Kittleman, Kreston’s Wine & Spirits

Capcanes Mas Donis Barica Monsant 2008 ($12.99) An old vine blend of Garnacha and Syrah, this wine has the richness and velvety texture that new world wine drinkers love and the complexity and balance that old world aﬁcionados crave. —Sarah Weisser, Total Wine & More

Cliff Lede Sauvignon Blanc ($23.99) A fabulous Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc that exhibits great balance. Nice acidity up front followed by a delicious creamy ﬁnish. —Mike Whitwell, Premier Wine & Spirits

CMS Red Blend 2009 ($12.99) (45%Merlot, 39% Cabernet, 16% Syrah) A nicely balanced medium bodied wine with well integrated tannins that linger on a long ﬁnish! A great compliment to many foods. —Chip Owens, Hockessin Liquors Guigal Cotes du Rhone, 2007 ($16.99) A delight for Rhone fans, this wine has a complex and fragrant nose of dried ﬂowers, earth and tobacco followed by strong Syrah characteristics of layered dark fruits on the palate. —Pete Missimer, Hockessin Liquors

GOT ANY CHEESE? Cheese facts from the interwebz that you'd probably never Google • The earliest archeological evidence of cheese making can be found in Egyptian tomb murals that date back to 2000 BC. • The United States is the top producer of cheese in the world, with Wisconsin and California leading the states in production. • The world's largest consumers of cheese include Greece (63 pounds per person each year), France (54 pounds), Iceland (53 pounds), Germany (48 pounds), Italy (44 pounds), the Netherlands (40 pounds), the United States (31 pounds), Australia (27 pounds), and Canada (26 pounds). • Pizza Hut uses about 300 million pounds of cheese per year. • Someone who sells cheese professionally at a cheese shop or specialty food store is called a cheese monger. • The terms "Big Wheel" and "Big Cheese" originally referred to those who were wealthy enough to purchase a whole wheel of cheese. • A giant wheel of Cheddar cheese was given to Queen Victoria (1837-1901) for a wedding gift. It weighed more than 1,000 pounds. • The best way to taste hard, sharp cheeses is with the tip of the tongue. • The best way to taste softer and blue cheese is pressed to the roof of the mouth. • In 1987, a 1,400-year-old piece of cheese was unearthed in a Tipperary bog in Ireland. It was still edible.

Proprieta Sperino Uvaggio, 2007 (under $25) This Nebbiolo blend is crafted to simulate a perfectly aged Barbaresco or Barolo. It shows wild strawberry fruit with subtle spice and citrus notes that lead to ﬁne tannins, all for under $25! —John Ryan, Ryan’s Wine

ZD Cabernet Sauvignon ($39) A classic Cabernet that always gets good reviews. It’s a full-bodied wine that has longevity. You can store it for three to ﬁve years and it’s still a wonderful wine. —Oscar Zelaya, Ward’s Fine Wines .OAAN.

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11/22/11 5:03 PM

YOUR HOLIDAY PARTY HEADQUARTERS! 3,300 VARIETIES OF WINE, 1,000 LIQUORS, 500 BEERS AND GROWING Holiday Gift Cards and Custom Gift Baskets Available

THURSDAY DECEMBER 8TH at Premier Limestone location

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presented by 16 Mile Brewery & Standard Distributing

◄ Scan this QR Code with your smart phone for the Tasting Bar experience! PremierWineSpirits.com LIMESTONE | 2052 Limestone Rd | Wilmington, DE 19808 | P. 302.996.WINE ( Limestone Shopping Center next to Buffalo Wild Wings and Wawa) NEWPORT | 2 West Market St | Newport, DE 19804 | P. 302.998.6903 (Next to James Street Tavern in Newport on Rt. 4)

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11/22/2011 3:22:52 PM

planted my mini-vineyard in 2003 and had my first harvest and subsequent vintage five years later. In that time, and since then, I learned a few things and confirmed a few more. Here are my top five lessons: 1. The best wine comes from the best grapes—just like the best music comes from the best musicians. 2. My most enjoyable glass of wine is the one I am having. And my most enjoyable song is the one I’m listening to.

Ben LeRoy with dogs Jersey (L) and Georgia at his home and mini-vineyard in Fairhill, Maryland.

3. The smallest bit of pre-first-sip knowledge/discussion enhances every glass. Anticipating the music you’re about to hear always makes it a better listen. 4. Ninety-five percent of red wine is served too warm. Ninety-five percent of music is in the background. 5. The most important thing about tasting wine is really tasting it—pay attention. The most important thing about music is really hearing it–pay attention.

TRY THIS . . .Open a bottle that is five years old or older. Do not immediately

swirl. Sniff it, sip it, swallow it. Now swirl three times for three seconds. Sniff it, sip it, swallow it. Notice anything? Ahhh—the complexity of the wine changes—every time. The nose changes, and the taste changes. Bonus points if you can swirl in the opposite direction. Good luck.

AND THIS . . .Open a bottle of red, pour enough to last you five minutes, then

Life without wine would be like music without melody

put the bottle in the fridge. Finish your first glass, now pour a second glass to last you five minutes and place the bottle back in fridge. Repeat one last time. The difference in taste between pours will surprise and usually amaze you. Try this as a blind tasting with a friend and ask him which glass he liked best. I bet you a shot at the bar that 90 percent of your friends believe all three glasses were different wines, and 90 percent of those will choose the last glass!

PARTING NOTE: One of the most important lessons I have ever learned about understanding and enjoying wine is this: Taste it and you decide— yuk or yum. By Ben LeRoy

— Ben LeRoy is a local musician and amateur winemaker. 23

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11/22/2011 2:24:48 PM

LOWEST PRICES • INCREDIBLE SELECTION • GREAT SERVICE

Delaware’s Largest Selection of Wine, Spirits and Beer Under One Roof – at the Lowest Prices!

TOTAL WINE & MORE CELEBRATING TWENTY YEARS

Total Wine & More. The selection is ridiculous.

Total Wine & More is like no other wine store you have ever visited. Each of our stores carries over 8,000 different wines, 3,000 spirits and 2,500 beers. With 78 superstores, we have the buying power to bring you the best wines at the lowest prices. Our wine team is the best trained in the industry. Just think of them as tour guides, guiding you through the great wine regions. They are committed and dedicated to bringing you the Total Wine Experience.™

CLAYMONT Northtowne Plaza

WILMINGTON Milltown Shopping Center

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11/23/2011 11:58:11 AM

Above: Founders Joseph and Frances Peco, who opened the store in 1936

A ﬁxture on Philadelphia Pike since 1936, the liquor store welcomes a fourth generation

own in the hand-built wine cellar of Peco’s Liquors, carved out from a century-old farmhouse on Philadelphia Pike, are 75 years of treasures: the owners’ most prized bottles. Scattered about the 58-degree (and 5060 percent humidity) cellar are boxes from Opus One Winery and Chateauneuf-DuPape. ˜ ere are a few bottles that survived a ﬁre in 1985, plus a few slightly degraded wine presses. In one corner are the favorite microbrews of 22-year-old Ed Mulvihill, the youngest of the Peco clan, and the fourth generation to work here. Mulvihill is the great-grandson of founders Joseph and Frances Peco. “˜ is is where I keep my Dogﬁsh Head Bitches Brew, Hell Hound, and Life and Limb,” he says.

Peco’s (522 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington) has spent 2011 celebrating its 75th anniversary. Its history is built on family traditions, passion for the trade, and the joy of being the neighborhood momand-pop shop. It certainly isn’t the largest or the bestpositioned liquor store around. ˜ ere is no sommelier on sta˛ , or a brewmaster. But the business has persevered through four generations—a span that included a World War, Blue laws and ever-changing liquor regulations. Joe and Frances purchased the old farmhouse in springtime 1936, converting the front porch into a general store. But soon after the store opened, Delaware passed a law forbidding grocery stores from selling liquor, so the Peco family was forced to rent out its grocery and focus solely on

the liquor store. Post-Prohibition Blue laws also barred the sale of liquor on Sundays, a law that lasted in Delaware until 2003. For years, the family simply hung curtains around the liquor shelves on Sundays. ˜ e founders passed ownership down to their daughter and her husband, Rita and Frank Gazzillo. During World War II, Rita remembers, nationally imposed rationing limited the merchandise Peco’s could obtain. “It was hard to get products,” Rita says. “We couldn’t get any top-shelf anything, just whatever the wholesalers had. But our customers and the whole country took up the cause of the time. ˜ ey adapted, and so did we.” ˜ eir outgoing personalities made Rita and Frank the neighborhood faces of Peco’s. Frank parlayed his many friends, connections and ambition to grow Peco’s to continued on next page

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11/22/11 5:16 PM

Holiday Open House

December 4 & 5

12 p.m. - 5 p.m. each day

omplete all your holiday shopping as you relax at our wineries on December 4 and 5! The wineries will be decorated in their holiday finery and will be hosting carolers, holiday musicians, and special holiday sale pricing.

Peco’s: A Family Tradtion

continued from previous page

the next level. He also helped introduce fine wine to a beer- and whiskey-dominated market. ° eir daughter and Mulvihill’s mother, Francine, has worked in the store since 1993. At 86, Frank still reports each day around 9 a.m. for work. Rita does, too. “° is was just supposed to be a summer job,” he says, laughing. “I guess I stayed a while longer.” Twelve-hour days were the norm for Frank, as he strengthened Peco’s roots in the Bellefonte community. “I just enjoy the people,” he says. “When we first started here, there weren’t as many homes or businesses or churches around. But as the community built up, we built up.” Another community pillar, Ralph Gio˛ re has owned Scissor Sensations barber shop, just across the street from Peco’s, since 1956. He’s watched Frank and the family business grow through the decades as a friend, customer, neighbor and a fellow business owner. And though his visits to restock on wine are less frequent than they used to be, his admiration for Peco’s remains strong. “° ey’ve established trust in the community because they give the people honest service,” he says. “° at, and Frank is always ready with a joke, so you’re relaxed when you’re in there.” Local musician Paul Cullen, whose Sonata wine label is in stock at Peco’s, hosted a tasting in the old wine cellar. He got the family treatment, he says. “It’s small, but there’s no place like that around. It reminded me of Italy--friends and family gathered around an old, old table with a little music and a little wine. We had a great time.” ° roughout the years, family members have added their individual touches to Peco’s. Where grandfather Frank greatly expanded the wine program, Mulvihill has brought the business to the forefront of the craft brew revolution. He’s a Dogfish Head devotee, and points proudly to the 260 varieties of craft beers from 65 brewers. He also created Peco’s website and maintains a blog and Facebook page. Along with the sta˛ , Mulvihill hosts wine tastings on Saturdays and beer tastings on Fridays. In September, the Peco’s crew hosted Grapes vs. Grains at Harry’s Savoy Grill, which pitted wines against beers in three food-pairing courses. Tastings and events help wrangle new customers, Mulvihill says, while giving the regulars something to get excited about. ° e store is an active participant in the tightly-knit Bellefonte community. Peco’s donates wine to St. Helena’s Parish, and has sponsored football and baseball teams under the Diocese of Wilmington’s Catholic Youth Ministry athletic programs. ° is fall, it held a fundraising wine tasting for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Delaware Chapter, as well as one for the Miracles of Engineering robotics club, a group made up of students and volunteers who build robots and enter them in competitions. “People are heading back to the mom and pop stores,” Mulvihill says. “You see it with craft beers. People are trying new things.” Variety isn’t an issue at Peco’s. It carries 2,000 selections of wine and nearly 1,000 choices of beer. A pumpkin beer tasting in October opened eyes and palates of employees and customers. “° ere’s no reason to be complacent in what you drink,” Mulvihill says. “° ere are so many options.”

BVwinetrail.com | 610.444.3842 26 . F  D

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D  | O&A

11/22/11 4:30 PM

Celebrating 20 years!

TOP 10

Holiday Drink Recommendations from Ed Mulvihill of Peco’s Liquors:

“Best Greenville Classic” – Delaware Today, 2010

SUNDAYS OPEN-CLOSE 1. Sequana Russian River Valley Pinot Noir Beautiful citrus and ﬂoral aroma. Silky, light body with long, lingering ﬂavors of spice, rose petal, citrus and cherry. The perfect complement to your holiday meal, especially a classic turkey dinner. 2. Rivarey Rioja 2007 One hundred percent Tempranillo, young and vibrant. A great aroma of berry and citrus, medium bodied with loads of raspberry, black plum, and holiday spice. Balanced masterfully with silky smooth tannins and light acidity. This wine will complement a variety of holiday meals, including turkey, ham, prime rib and goose.

HALF PRICED

HALF pound

BURGERs

3. Domaine du Margalleau Vouvray Brut A dynamic sparkling French wine. Complex aroma consisting of lemon, honey and white flower. Citrus and almond dominate its flavor profile. Perfect for toasting friends and family, or for ringing in the New Year. 4. Sonoma-Cutter Chardonnay 2008 A wonderfully full-bodied chardonnay with aromas of ginger and caramel. Full flavors of cedar and oak, with notes of honeysuckle with a smooth buttery finish. Try it with turkey. 5. Dry Creek Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Vibrant lemon grass, citrus peel, and pineapple aromas. Mediumbodied, zesty and full of life with flavors that echo its aroma. Balanced nicely with acidity and a long, full-flavored finish. Perfect to complement your holiday salad and vegetable side dishes. 6. Fess Parker’s The Big Easy 2008 Big and bold. This wine has a complex aroma consisting of blackberry, mocha, black pepper and leather. Its flavor profile is equally complex, featuring blackberry, vanilla, barbecue spice. Its long, lingering finish makes it a perfect complement to your holiday meal, especially prime rib. 7. Fireside Chat Winter Spiced Ale - 21st Amendment Brewery An English dark style ale brewed with holiday spice. Cinnamon and nutmeg pervade the aroma as well as this beer’s complex taste. Goes great with your holiday meal or while relaxing around the fireplace. 8. The Mad Elf - Troges Brewing Company This unique and elusive holiday beer is a must for any holiday celebration. Flavors of cherry, honey, and chocolate complement this brew’s malty character. Get it while you can -- this beer goes fast.

MONDAY NIGHTS

Entire Wine List

Half Priced Glasses and bottles

WEDNESDAY NIGHTS

Authentic Mexican Cuisine

Patron

Margaritas

9. Black Chocolate Stout - Brooklyn Brewing Company Chocolate beer—what else is there to say? A marriage of two of the greatest things on earth. Full-bodied with chocolate, mocha and coffee. We have tried plenty of chocolate beers and this one is our absolute favorite. 10. Peco’s Winter Signature Cocktail: The Winter Spice Box 1 part Spice Box Spiced Whiskey 4 parts warm apple cider ½ part butterscotch schnapps (or maple syrup) Pinch of cinnamon Add all ingredients to your favorite mug, stir, and enjoy. Perfect for relaxing after your holiday meal or warming up with family and friends.

92” HD TV SporTS & Blu-ray ConCerTS cromwellstavern.com 3858 Kennett Pike | Powder Mill Square, Greenville | 302.571.0561

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11/22/11 5:18 PM

Great food. Great drinks. No TV’s. Because there is more to the weekend than football. Serving brunch from 10am–3 pm Saturday and Sunday Best Selection of Craft Beer on Main Street!

> > > Don't Forget!

Ulysses Hopes to Tap Into North Wilmington Market

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BachettiBros.

Since 1934

Gourmet Market & Catering

LET THE EXPERTS AT BACHETTI CATER THIS YEAR’S HOLIDAY PARTY FOR YOUR FAMILY OR BUSINESS We Offer Everything from Full-Service to Buffet-Style Arrangements Example without use of logo: Delaware Today’s Best of Delaware® - Best Desserts 2009 Readers Choice Downstate Examples of use with logo:

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raft beer enthusiasts and gastropub lovers in North Wilmington will have a new place to call home when Ulysses opens its doors this month at the Shoppes of Graylyn. For executive chef Sean McNeice, the recent decision to run Ulysses’ kitchen meant leaving a similar position at Chelsea Tavern, the popular downtown Wilmington eatery he helped launch in early 2010. Yet, for McNeice, the occasion also represents a homecoming of sorts. “At Ulysses, I’m just two miles from where I grew up, and about a mile away from where I live now,” McNeice says. “It’s my hood.” If it sounds like McNeice feels at home in his new surroundings, he is. Look for Ulysses to feature “a fun twist on old favorites” along with many of the slow-cooked signature dishes he showcased at Chelsea and before that at Washington Street Ale House. It’s a cuisine style he calls “handcrafted food.” The 120-seat restaurant will feature a 24-tap bar and 30 beers by the bottle. Most of the selection by local and regional brews. “We’re going to support the local farms and the local breweries,” McNeice says. For more information, visit ulyssesgastropub.com. — Out & About D  | O&A

11/23/2011 1:21:59 PM

CONGRATULATIONS TO CROMWELL’S Out & About congratulates Cromwell’s Tavern for recently celebrating its 20th anniversary

romwell’s Tavern first opened its doors on Nov. 5, 1991. “I purchased the assets from the former Schoonover’s, and five days later we opened Cromwell’s,” says owner Pat Nilon. “People told me I was crazy, that a Greenville restaurant had to be high end to be successful. I disagreed. I felt that Greenville needed a casual, comfortable, neighborhood tavern.” That is just what Cromwell’s is, and its friendly service and cozy atmosphere have kept people coming for two decades. The menu matches the ambience, with comfort foods like the Greenville Grilled Cheese, Hour Brisket, and Smokehouse Barbeque Chicken. The “Big Pour,” (eight-ounce glasses of wine) is still featured at Cromwell’s, with five-ounce pours available as well. For the beer drinker, the tavern has expanded its craft beer list to include Fordham, Magic Hat, Victory, and, of course, Twin Lakes. — Out & About

3,000 Wines — 1,500 Beers — 1,000 Liquors

DECEMBER’S SPECIAL PRICING Wine Yellow Tail...........................................1.5ltrs 9.99 each Kendall Jackson Chard.......................750ml 9.97 each Liquor Crown Royal....................................750ml 19.99 Jack Daniels....................................1.75ltr 36.99 Southern Comfor t..........................1.75ltr 24.99 Grey Goose.....................................750ml 27.99

each each each each

Beer Yuengling Lager 24pk Loose Btls..........15.99 each Miller Lite or Coors Light 30pks.............18.99 each

Always adding new products! One of the Best Beer Selections in the State! Mon – Thurs • 9am-9:30pm | Fri – Sat • 9am-11pm | Sun • 12p-8pm 727 ACE MEMORIAL DRIVE | WELLINGTON PLAZA (Next to Okura & 2 Fat Guys) HOCKESSIN, DE | 302 235 5848 | HOCKESSINLIQUORS.COM 29

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11/22/2011 3:55:33 PM

BEST DEALS FOR NEW YEARS EVE UPSTATE | DOWNSTATE

New Year’s Eve with BuffetBuffet & Hors’doeuvres 8pm-10:30pm & Hors d’oeuvres 8pm-10:30pm Countdown Celebration & Champagne Toast Countdown Celebration & Champagne Toast • $25 per person $25 per person

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FINE FOOD MAKES A FABULOUS GIFT This holiday, surprise everyone on your list with something special from Janssen’s Market. From unique cheeses and gourmet fare to delicious bakery treats, we have something for everyone!

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Main St., Newark, DE | stoneballoonwh.com | 302.266.8111 30 . F  D

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D  | O&A

11/22/2011 3:52:17 PM

FOOD&DRINK

hy does great wine command such respect and awe? Perhaps because it is one of man’s greatest achievements: harnessing nature to create a product solely for his pleasure. Great wine is the result of superior craftsmanship. But table wine is not sacred. Open it, drink it, share it. And, when it comes to the holidays, go ahead and break out the good stuff. No matter where that special bottle may have come from, you’ve been sitting on it, weighing which occasion is the right one to drink it. The wonderful thing about rare or special wines is that just when you think you’ll never drink a wine of equal stature again, you do. That’s because wine is a pay-it-forward kind of thing. Wine lovers always share special wines. They know it’s not just about what’s in the bottle, it’s the fleeting moment in time when the planets and people are all aligned. And when you uncork the magic, you can remember who was at the table when it was opened, what you were eating, what time of year it was, and yes, even what it tasted like way back when. Like love, thus is the power of magnificent wine and friendships. A reputable wine shop will help you choose a special wine for the holidays, but try not to focus too much on finding the perfect pairing for turkey or smoked

www.OutAndAboutNow.com

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that leaves a woman beautiful after drinking it.” (Mme. Pompadour was apparently not so much the feminist.) Some tips on when and where not to open “the precious”: At a holiday party where the grape is flowing and people are conversing in small groups, put the Chateau Laffite on hold. Just out of curiosity, people will wonder why “oohs” and “ahhs” are coming from your little corner, which is not only rude, but you likely don’t have enough for everyone. Alternately, a small dinner party is the perfect time for gifting your special bottle, but remember: some hosts have already planned their wine choices and may rack your bottle immediately. If you want them to experience it with dinner, ask ahead of time, otherwise you could be opening what they perceived as a host gift. You needn’t be a book-smart cork dork to enjoy a great wine. But if you are, be humble. No matter how much you think you may know about wine, you will never know all there is to know. And that, just like a bottle of 1982 Chateau Mouton Rothschild, is humbling.

For the holidays, break out that special bottle By Robert Lhulier salmon. A quality wine will always taste good, no matter what you’re eating with it. For optimum enjoyment, think about who you’ll drink it with. I’m certain that I’ve tasted some really incredible wines while dining alone or at a trade tasting, but I can’t remember what they were. There’s no connection to what was in the bottle for me. A pop of a cork, the arc of an eyebrow, a swish and a swirl, and they’re quickly relegated to my short-term memory, along with seven-digit telephone numbers and locker combinations. My former maitre d’ once offered this chestnut of wisdom regarding champagne: “We love it so much because we always associate it with a happy time when we’re drinking it.” Bubbly is one of the most wonderful and appropriate wines for celebrating. The French Benedictine Monk Dom Perignon, upon drinking bubbly for the first time, reportedly exclaimed, “I’m drinking the stars!” Those tiny bubbles are a natural palate cleanser and provide just the right amount of “buzz” for feeling festive and appropriately tipsy. Madame Pompadour postulated, “Champagne is the only wine

— Robert Lhulier is the executive chef at the University & Whist Club and author of the food blog forkncork.blogspot.com.

11/22/2011 3:51:34 PM

Wishing you

Holiday Warmth.

Christmas Eve

Featuring our traditional Seven Fish Dinner and our special Christmas Eve menu

New Year’s Eve

Featuring a special New Year’s Eve menu Or reserve for our Seven-course Wine Dinner, Cocktails, Live Music by Joe Dawson Band, Dancing and champagne toast 9:00pm – 1:00am

Mon–Thurs 11:00am-10:00pm Fri & Sat 11:00am-11:00pm Sunday 11:00am-9:00pm

www.SOFFRITTO.com 1130 Kirkwood Highway | Newark, DE | (302)455-1101

Established 1936

“Delaware’s Premier Source For Wine, Spirits, and Beer Since 1936”

– Over 270 Craft Beers – – Over 1,500 wines – Wine tastings every Saturday 4-6 pm – Beer tastings every Friday 4-6 pm – – Celebrating 75 years family owned and operated –

Personal Training Sports Performance Nutrition

(302) 762-9170 4001 Miller Road • Wilmington, Delaware

www.CoreFitnessStudio.com

522 Philadelphia Pike Wilmington • 302.764.0377 • PecosLiquors.com 32 . F  D

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Like Us On FaceBook! D  | O&A

11/22/2011 2:50:20 PM

Plymouth Cheese & Beer Tasting at Pizza By Elizabeths

n early November, local cheese and beer lovers united at Pizza By Elizabeths to be among the first in Delaware to sample new offerings from Plymouth Cheese. Pairing the Vermont cheese with brews from Twin Lakes and Dogfish Head, Chef Paul Egnor served up three courses of deliciousness, including a delectable beer cheese soup with pumpernickel croutons, crème fraiche, and chili powder.

L to R: Carolyn Sullivan, Beverly Zimmermann, Bob Downing, Nick Gianoulis, Alison MacKenzie, Sean McNeice (up front), Kalai King, Stacia Brown Reaney, Mark Brebach (partially hidden), and Chris Bell.

201

—

— Out & About

NEW Friday Night Specia

$3 Corona, Corona Lig and Bud Light Lime

Voted Best Burger Upstate!

JOIN US

TUESDAYS FOR HALF-PRICE BURGERS! Monday Night Football with WSTW featuring

$2.50 Bud Light Drafts 1/2 Price Wings and Nachos Photo by Jared Castaldi

www.OutAndAboutNow.com

302-658-4600 • 1801 W 14th St • Wilmington, DE www.kidshelleens.com 33

getting

CRAFTY you don’t want to miss

{

{ Select beer events

Deer Park’s 1st Annual Beer Week Deer Park Tavern, Newark Monday, Nov. 28-Sunday, Dec. 4 deerparktavern.com

Grilled Cheese and Craft Beer Tasting World Cafe Live at the Queen, Wilmington Tuesday, Dec. 27, 6pm queentickets.worldcafelive.com

Evolution Brewing Event Two Stones Pub Wednesday, January 4

Delaware Day presented by Twin Lakes Participating locations Wednesday, Dec. 7 inwilmingtonde.com

34 . Food & Drink

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11/22/2011 2:51:46 PM

HAPPY HOUR MON-FRI • 4:30-7pm

TAKE A BREAK FROM

LET US HOST YOUR OFFICE &

HOLIDAY

HOLIDAY PARTIES!

SHOPPING!

We’re located right across the street from the Brandywine Town Center—relax with a margarita!

Food & drink specials available throughout the holiday season.

Tequila Tastings Every Thursday Night! December 8th

Latin Party: Lessons from 9-10pm, Dancing all night long!

December 29th

Mexican Pre-New Years Eve Party!

Catering available on and off premise Gift Certificates to the Mexican Post make great holiday presents! Featuring 60 types of tequila!

AWARD WINNING MARGARITAS!

Buy $25 in Gift Certificates Get and extra $5!

302.478.3939 | 3100 Naaman’s Road | Wilmington, DE | MexicanPost.com | facebook.com/Mex.Post

NE W YE AR ’S E V E BAS H AT K ATE’S

NO COVER!

DJ Andrew Hugh • Party Favors • Hor d’eouvres • Champagne Toast at Midnight

Count Down Specials 5,4,3,2,1! MONDAYS 1/2 Price Burgers, ALL DAY!

TUESDAYS

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

$5 Domestic Light Pitchers • $4 Long Island Iced teas $3 Shot Specials • $2 Rails Drinks • $1 Jello Shots

WEDNESDAYS

THURSDAYS

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

1/2 Price Wings, ALL DAY!

1/2 price appetizers from 9pm-close!

Taco Bar Happy Hour 4pm-7pm

FRIDAYS Seafood Night

HAPPY HOUR MON-FRI 4-7PM:

Discounted Drinks and Complimentary Bar Grub

Live Music Every Friday from 6pm-9pm SATURDAYS

SUNDAYS

Brunch 11am-2pm

1/2 Price Entrees 4pm-10pm

Steak Night with Prime Rib Specials

1/2 Price Appetizers 10pm-close

158 East Main Street | Newark, DE 19711 | 302-737-6100 | www.klondikekates.com 3. Lobster Bake and Raw Bar every Friday .OAAN.

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11/22/2011 3:48:30 PM

SERIOUS BEER EVENTS FOR SERIOUS BEER LOVERS!

COMING JANUARY 4...

EVOLUTION BREWING CO. Join 2SP and the Evo Brew crew for some PHENOMENAL beers! Beers like- Morning Wood, Menagerie 3, Spring 2011 Migration, Fall 2011 Migration, Lot #6 & #3, Rise Up, Exile ESB, Primal Pale, Lucky 7 Porter and a surprise Firkin PLUS- Gumbo has some other fantastic brews goin’ on too!

MUG CLUB RENEWAL ALERT! Your 2011 Mug Club card expires January 31, 2012 So get in here soon and buy up that 2012 card so you don’t miss a beer!

NEW MENUS Our new Cheese Menu o˜ ers some great beer worthy cheeses including Plymouth Creamery of Vermont.

Dont miss our new Winter Menu for lunch and Dinner. Chef Donovan is rolling out some great winter food for those brews!

2 CHEsMAr PlAZA, Rt 4, NeWARK, DE | 302 - 294 - 1890 | www.twostonespub.com

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SUDS

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

By J. Burke Morrison

Wherein our bier expert ventures to Germany and Belgium December—what a great time of year! For thousands of years, people all over the world, with myriad religious and spiritual customs and beliefs, have ordained this time to be special—a time of celebration and communal gathering. Friends and family, tribes and countrymen join together. In most ancient cultures, and in traditions still recognized today, the winter solstice—the shortest day of the year—marks the beginning, or rebirth, of a new year. It’s an almost universal phenomenon—one we should all embrace.

t should come as no surprise that bier is embedded in so many of these traditions and celebration. Then as now, bier held a special place in the fabric of human development. Ancient pharos, Druid priests, Aztec warriors, Chinese Emperors, Sumerian rulers and so many more have shared a mutual appreciation of this season—and of bier—as sacred. There can be no question, though, that the most iconic influence on modern Western society has been the pious, the humble, the drunken monk. .OAAN.

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And nowhere is the influence of these (often) nameless yet universally venerated friars’ customs and traditions more evident than in the cloistered walls of the monasteries of Belgium and Germany. Which brings me to my little story. Once upon a time—about two months ago, to be exact—a fat but scrappy bier salesman (that would be me) embarked on a great adventure. Steadfast and determined, he took on the European continent with the brashness of a recent college graduate and with wisdom to match.

First stop: Germany—Munich, to be exact, and the legendary HofBrauhaus, replete with Dirndl-clad bier “baronesses” and horse-trough urinals. No reservation? No problem! Simply plop yourself down on the first piece of three-meter-long wooden bench you find. Don’t speak German? No problem! The five gentlemen, ranging in age from 18-80, sitting on the bench with you do! They don’t speak English? No problem! You want a bier. They want you to have a bier! They order you a bier. And now, we’re all friends! (Truth be told, I know just enough German to find a bathroom, get another bier, and, unwittingly, start an international incident. I do not, however, know enough German to keep myself out of jail, so, as a rule, I never try to speak German to someone who, natively, speaks German, unless I’m really thirsty or actively peeing in my lederhosen). Let’s face it, you gotta love a place that serves some of the freshest, smoothest, bestest damn bier in the world in a one-liter mug, with nothing less than the resolute expectation that you will be an enthusiastic, if somewhat oblivious, participant in a series of random acts of revelry. Face it, you signed on to the social contract when you accepted the mug. Do what they say and do, and no one gets hurt! Also in Munich: Oktoberfest. Yup, that Oktoberfest. What can I say that hasn’t already been said? In the immortal words of Bob Wiley (Bill Murray), of What About Bob fame: “There are two kinds of people in the world: those who love John Denver and those that don’t.” In Munich, they love the guy, and “Rocky Mountain High” is the most popular drinking song. I, for one, love John Denver! Note to future attendees: The mugs (steins), while thick and strong, are, in fact, made out of something called glass. When they break, well, bad things happen. Don’t break the stein without proper supervision from a professional trained in the art of the “no stitches need apply!” school of injury aversion. Third Stop: Belgium—Brussels Airport. You know there’s something different going on when the first thing you see in a country is a Coca-Cola vending machine with the image of a cherubic… See my column next month for the completion of that sentence and much, much more!

11/22/11 4:11 PM

One of Vermont’s Rich Traditions Now Available in Delaware

A New Restaurant featuring

Proudly Being Served at Two Stones Pub Newark, Delaware

Upscale Casual Dining Give the Gift of Plymouth Cheese This Holiday Season

Farm-to-Table Offerings in Early 19th Century Ambiance in the Beautiful Historic Settings of Odessa

Order Online at PlymouthArtisanCheese.com Plymouth Cheese | 106 Messer Hill Road, Plymouth Notch, Vermont | 802.672.3650

Weddings, Special Events, Private Parties & Banquets Available

Opening in December!

302.376.0600 109 Main Street, Odessa, DE 19730 38 . F  D

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D  | O&A

11/23/2011 1:40:56 PM

Get

Frost Right

STYLE Compiled by Lauren Marchionni

Banana Republic Fall 2011 Lookbook

inally embracing that fashion can be functional, many designers showed winter accessories along with their fall collections. But don’t think that a scarf is the only way to heat up your look; the Banana Republic show featured plenty of daytime looks topped off with a warm chapeau or embellished with colorful gloves. Add these items to any outﬁt and keep cozy in the big chill. All items can be found at The Ski Bum on Main Street in Newark.

Fur

FUR

Everyone needs a touch of fur this winter, whether you prefer faux or go for the real thing. A pair of earmuffs or a chic headband is just enough to give your outﬁt a luxe feel.

TRAPPER CAPS

Trapper Caps

If you couldn’t tell from the above images, trapper caps are having a moment. Now coming in a variety of colors and patterns, for the gents and the ladies, these caps are guaranteed to keep you toasty.

Earmuffs

EARMUFFS

Keep your ears warm and your hair in place with a pair of earmuffs. Look for a pair with a cloth, not plastic, band and a touch of fur for added comfort.

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11/22/11 5:20 PM

McGlynns Pub, Deer Park Tavern, and Cantwell’s Tavern Gift Cards make great holiday gifts!

BRING IN THE NEW YEAR AT MCGLYNNS! On New years Eve there will be a DJ Dance Party at all 3 locations, Champagne Toast and Party Favors!

Come try our NEW 32 DRAFT BEERS at McGlynns in Peoples Plaza! Featuring over 20 craft beers! $5 Absolut Mixed drinks All Day Everyday!

Wednesday: Craft Draft Night $1.00 off all craft drafts – 6pm-close

Saturday: Craft Bottle Night $1.00 off all craft bottles – All Day

Be our friend on Facebook!

www.mcglynnspub.com Ho lid Av ay C ail at ab er le! ing

Rocco’s New Years Eve Celebration December 31 • 8pm-1am

LIVE MUSIC FEATURING THE CHRIS DONOVAN BAND $55 per person (gratuity not included.$25 non refundable deposit) Open Bar (8pm-1am) • Personal table with server All you can eat Buffet • Midnight Champagne Toast

$35 per person Open Bar (10pm-1am) • Midnight Champagne Toast Car Service available (rates vary)

MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW! SPACE IS LIMITED!

Rocco Buffet Antipasta Broccoli Rabe House Salad Shrimp Cocktail Vegetable Rolls Pizza Meatballs & Sausage Baked Ziti Chicken Marsala Chicken Picante Pork Tenderloin Wings

Regular Dinner and Bar service ends at 7pm. We thank you in advance for your understandingand would like to wish all of our loyal patrons a safe and Happy New Year!

701 North Union St. Wilmington De 19805 (the old Pala’s) | 302.384.6052 | Monday-Sunday 11am-1am 40 . F  D

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D  | O&A

11/22/2011 3:00:39 PM

NOW Open On the RiverfrOnt

3 Decades of Authentic & Traditional Family Recipes

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Now Accepting ReservationsFor Holiday Happy Hour Parties! — Holiday Gift Certificates Available — DINNER & PARTY

GUEST 8

to 1

with: • Open Bar white wine, drinks house red & house made draft beer and included • Dinner Buffet ne Toast • Champag

on, DE 19801 West St, Wilmingt estonewilmington | 110 South 302.658.6626 t.com | facebook.com/fir FireStoneRiverfron

Happy Hour 4p-7p with $5 App & Drinks Specials

PARTY GUEST

to 1

with: • Open Bar white wine house red & draft beer drinks house made ne Toast • Champag

on, DE 19801 West St, Wilmingt estonewilmington | 110 South 302.658.6626 t.com | facebook.com/fir FireStoneRiverfron

Signature Desserts

GENERAL ADMISS Toast

ION

• Champag

to 1

on, DE 19801 West St, Wilmingt estonewilmington | 110 South 302.658.6626 t.com | facebook.com/fir FireStoneRiverfron

friends?

by Chef Dana from Desserts by Dana and Homemade Specialty Liqueurs Tues–Thurs 11am–10pm Fri 11am–11pm Sat 12pm–11pm Sun 12pm–9pm www.ubonthaicusine.com | 302-656-1706 936 Justison Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

.OAAN.

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11/22/2011 3:01:45 PM

presents

Centerspread_dec11.indd 2

11/22/2011 3:04:16 PM

Out & About Magazine’s

SANTA

22 CLUBS

Crawl

Sat, Dec 10 • 8PM • $5 Cover Wear a Santa Hat and don’t pay a cover!

Centerspread_dec11.indd 3

11/22/2011 3:04:53 PM

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11/23/2011 1:44:20 PM

MOVIES

Jean Dujardin and BĂŠrĂŠnice Bejo in The Artist

MOVIES ABOUT MOVIES Highlight Award Season

Hollywood delivers love Letters to Marilyn and the era of silents

By Mark Fields

s autumn transitions to the austere conditions of winter, Hollywood too experiences its own evolution from the cotton candy kid-centric films of warmer months to a schedule of more thought-provoking adult fare. The studios also save these serious or at least multi-dimensional films for the period right before they collect nominations for the ever-expanding award season. The result, even in an industry driven largely by the almighty dollar, is the occasional enjoyable and rewarding movie experience. Here are a few films made for us:

Who would have believed that the French creative actor-director team behind the OSS 117 spy spoofs (which are delightfully goofy, by the way) could create the poignant homage to 1920s Hollywood that is The Artist? This contemporary film has virtually no audible dialogue and is filmed in glorious black and white. It tells the story of a stubborn silent film star eclipsed by the emergence of the talkies. Jean Dujardin captures the wistful decline of suave idol George Valentin, while director Michel Hazanavicius packs the film with witty references to numerous movie classics, including The Mark of Zorro, A Star is Born, Top Hat, and even Vertigo. continued on page 47

www.OutAndAboutNow.com

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11/22/2011 3:05:46 PM

Voices of Caring Friday, December 16th, 6pm

The Patio at Archmere Academy

Valet Parking Provided • RSVP by December 2nd Tickets can be purchased at MinistryOfCaring.org

GIVE THE GIFT OF

Good Health Let Your Holiday Present Be Someone’s New Year’s Resolution

$65 for Monthly Membership Plus 3 Select Classes (Zumba, Ballroom Dance, Indoor Spin, and Skinny-Barre)

Personal Training • Yoga • Nutritional Consultations Physical Therapy • Pilates • Boot Camp • Dance Classes

62 Rockford Road • Wilmington, Delaware 19806 • 302.777.4FIT • www.fitdelaware.com 46 . M

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D  | O&A

11/23/11 1:05 PM

Movies About Movies Muppet Movie

SCREEN CHEESE Some diverse curds from the Cineplex By Mark Fields

n keeping with our December theme, our ﬁlm critic offers a sampling of ﬁlms that are, um, “cheesy.”

Wallace and Gromit. Stop-motion animator Nick Park has created a set of delightful cartoon shorts (and one feature) starring Wallace, a human inventor with a serious hankering for dairy products, and his far-smarter canine companion Gromit. The Wrong Trousers, a sly caper spoof, is my favorite, but A Grand Day Out is the cheesiest of the bunch. In it, Wallace and Gromit build a rocket ship, planning a vacation to the moon (which is, of course, made of cheese). Ratatouille. In Pixar’s tribute to French cuisine and the rats who adore it, Remy is a rodent with a hankering for fine food, wine, and cheese. His unexpectedly refined palate sparks a desire to become a chef, with predictably comic results. Pixar’s familiar mixture of broad comedy, touching characters, and first-class voice talent (Patton Oswalt, Janeane Garofalo, Peter O’Toole) is made even tastier by the exquisite animated renderings of Paris and the French countryside. Pulp Fiction. Cheese appears only in the amusing conversation between hitmen Vincent and Jules (Royale with Cheese – French for Big Mac -- anyone?), but why not use that as an excuse to watch this Quentin Tarantino masterpiece? Snappy, profane dialogue, cleverly overlapping storylines, and numerous star turns make this a delight for anyone with the stomach for it. Mystery Science Theater 3000. Don’t forget to check out this cheese-fest of 1950s horror and sci-fi films as deconstructed by Joel Hodgson and friends on the late, lamented and long-running Comedy Central series (now available on DVD). The show’s offbeat premise and sense of humor has to be experienced rather than explained, but it involves gonzo commentary on the worst, cheesiest movies ever made.

continued continued from from previous pagepage 45

Mania

My Week with Marilyn focuses on another era but an equally dramatic juxtaposition in cinema history. In 1956, British stage and film legend Laurence Olivier filmed a light-hearted movie romance with American screen siren Marilyn Monroe called The Prince and the Showgirl. The experience of making the film has long been a classic insiders’ tale of a culture clash between studied acting technique and unbridled star power. Michelle Williams astonishes in her embodiment of Monroe, evoking both the star’s overpowering charisma and her crippling insecurities. Kenneth Branagh is equally touching as Olivier, who was both flummoxed and entranced by his vulnerable co-star. Expect to see lots of George Clooney on the red carpet as the star of Alexander Payne’s impressive dramedy, The Descendants. Payne won acclaim for quirky earlier features — Election, About Schmidt and, most notably, Sideways, but he hasn’t made a film since 2004. Clooney plays Matt King, a self-described back-up parent who must rekindle a relationship with his two daughters after his wife slips into a coma following a boating accident. Payne also co-wrote the screenplay, which cleverly balances the pain of a family in turmoil and the offbeat personalities of its well-drawn characters. Robert Forster, Judy Greer and Matthew Lillard are all effective in smaller roles, but Clooney finds real support in the two young actresses playing his children, Amara Miller and especially Shailene Woodley.

The Artist My Week with Marilyn The Descendants

E A RTIS

STARS .--.

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11/22/2011 3:09:46 PM

MUSIC

WORKING IN Skill with an instrument is a plus for music storesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; and for the musicians who work there

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11/22/2011 3:33:52 PM

By Matt Amis Photos by Tim Hawk L-R: Kyle Buzalek, sales; Jim Pennington, store manager, Kirkwood Hwy; Morgan Whitcraft, instructor; Adam MacKinnon, store manager, Concord Pike, and Drew Keane, assistant store manager, Kirkwood Hwy.

12_Music.indd 3

hen Drew Keane reports for work at Accent Music, amid the walls festooned with shiny guitars, the polished drums, the kick pedals, amps, and mic stands—it hardly seems like work at all. “This is the best job in the world,” he says. “I’m surrounded all day by the things I love. I hardly consider it work.” Keane, a drummer in the local band Brixton Saint by nightfall, is an assistant manager at Accent’s Kirkwood Highway location, where he has be an employee for three years. He’s one of several local musicians manning the registers, tuning the strings and tightening the drumheads at area music shops. The arrangement, it seems, is mutually beneficial. For customers, there’s comfort in knowing their sales rep can actually handle an axe, and has a high degree of personal expertise in the instruments he’s selling. For Keane and others like him, the benefit is a work environment where their musical experience is a perfect fit, and where it can become a sales tool. Keane, who also performs in Josten Swingline, often shows customers cell phone pictures of himself onstage with his Gibson guitar. “I’ll say, ‘Look at how cool I look—that could be you!” he says with a laugh. Jim Pennington, a manager at Accent and a guitarist in The Collingwood, says musicians and music stores are a natural fit. “Apart from the good deals we get on equipment, yeah, it’s what we know best.” Pennington can sense the ease in a customer’s voice once he reveals his musical background. “There is an element of security there,” he says. Chris Julian, a sales rep at Guitar Center and guitarist in the band Villains Like You, revels in helping customers find the guitar of their dreams. One such customer had searched for months until Julian led him to a Gibson Les Paul Standard electric guitar, Cherry Sunburst. “This guy wrote me a page-long follow-up email about how much he loved it,” Julian says. “He was super stoked. He said it felt like a friend sold him his guitar, not a salesman. Those are the interactions you strive for on a daily basis.” The job amplifies Julian’s most intense passion. “It complements what I do on a daily basis,” he says. “It makes everything easier. The worst part of my job is breaking down cardboard boxes. I mean, come on, I have this dream job. It’s freakish, almost. “It’s not as if I’m some kind of banker, and only play during the weekend. Working at a music store, you’re totally submersed in it. It becomes more of you.” But there’s another aspect to the musicians-as-salesmen phenomenon, one that most financiers would appreciate: networking. “The networking is the hidden secret of working here,” Keane says. “I hear a lot of ‘hey, weren’t you that guy in that band? Well here’s my band. We’d love to do a show with you.’” Aside from the occasional encounters with fans, music store reps make frequent and often meaningful connections Continued on page 51 49

11/22/2011 3:34:36 PM

Check out our NEW Greenville Location!

3801 Kennett Pike • Greenville, DE 19807 Behind M&T Bank • 302-543-4053 Hockessin • 701 Ace Memorial Dr. • Hockessin, DE 19707 • RT 41 at DE & PA Border • 302-235-0333

2FatGuys.net FULL CATERING SERVICES AVAILABLE!

50 . M

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Working in Harmony

continued from page 49

with other musicians. Sometimes the payoff is as little as conversation and note-trading. But it can also lead to a gig, or a recording studio, or a new musical venture. Pennington, who has worked at Accent for nine years, landed a spot in The Collingwood through work connections. The band’s frontman, Chris Malinowski, teaches guitar lessons at Accent. “We became friends as colleagues, and he gave me a shot,” says Pennington. “It was a stretch for me musically, but the friendship that Chris and I developed was the key.” Aaron Smith, another Accent sales rep, does solo acoustic sets and performs with bands My New Dream Sequencer and The Goldﬁsh Line. His ties to the local music scene not only helped him land a job, but excel at it too. “It made transitioning into the job a lot easier,” says Smith, “especially the fact that I already knew a few people who worked there, and I didn’t really need to be trained too much on guitar or bass products, so that was a huge advantage.” Even more advantageous was Smith’s ability to hand-select his musical co-workers to form My New Dream Sequencer, his hard-rock project. The all-Accent band includes Malinowski and Keane. Another convenience: their shared workspace doubles as a rehearsal space.

N  | O&A

11/23/11 1:07 PM

Perhaps the one downside of musicians working in music stores is the chronic issue of pumping their paychecks back into the store. “I’ve had the cable shut off a few times,” Pennington says. On the other hand, he adds, “I do have a great collection of gear.” Smith, a self-proclaimed guitaraholic, is constantly looking for the next purchase to add to his more than 40 guitars, basses, amps, and recording and PA gear. “At 22, I pretty much own every piece of gear that I could ever want to use,” he says. “I think it’s the best kind of downside I can imagine.” The sense of musical immersion and connections made at local music shops seems to trump any price tag. “I’ve made a lot of friends—repeat customers I’ve jammed with, gone out and seen play and become fans of,” Pennington says. “Recently I had a death in the family, and quite a few customers came to the viewing in New Jersey. That heartens me a lot.” “I get to sell guitars for a living,” he says. “If you ask my parents, I should be doing more with my life. But I like it.”

Below: Student Derek Shen, 13, from Hockessin, gets a violin lesson from Morgan Whitcraft, instructor, at Accent Music on the Kirkwood Highway.

www.OutAndAboutNow.com

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11/23/11 1:08 PM

Support your local music scene

MUSIC

Coming this month

Fat Daddy Has Been Thurs, Dec 22

Doors 8pm/Show 9pm

Upstairs Live at World Cafe Live at the Queen

oasting an award-winning line-up of area music vets and a wide array of songwriting influences, Fat Daddy Has Been has earned the respected reputation of being an upbeat and worldly party band. Like an 18-wheeler picking up serious speed, this act effortlessly switches gears from Soul and Reggae to high-energy HipHop and Rock, resulting in a lively, toe-tapping vibe that drives one to the dance floor. Fat Daddy has thrived and survived for years by consistently delivering its brand of good times and fresh rhymes to the fans. With wit and charm, vocalist Mark “Marchitect” Watkins deftly leads this sevenpiece outfit (including a three-piece horn section). Cannot Kill My Music is the band’s most recent effort, and speak volumes about a band that as much about durability and persistence as it is about fun.

ALSO AT WORLD CAFE LIVE THIS MONTH Every Monday Night: Groove Night Every Tuesday Night: Acoustic/Electric Open Mic Every Wednesday Night: 4W5 Blues Jam (except 12/7) 1 – SuiteFranchon Presents: Peace, Love & Poetry 2 – Brixton Saint w/Deadbeatz Inc., Rich Raw, and Josten Swingline 3 – Pearl & the Beard w/You Won’t (7pm) DJ H Mazz (10pm)

11 – Live Connections and ClassicAlive! Present The Serafin String Quartet (noon) Graham Colton (7pm) 15 – Jared Paul w/Kage 16 – The Sermon! w/ Good Vibes, Inc. 17 – Zydeco A-Go-go 22 – Fat Daddy Has Been 23 – Rick & Rick’s A Very WACKY Christmas

7 – WXPN welcomes Duncan Sheik 8 – Get Inspired w/Rod Kim 10 – Universal Funk Order w/Forward Motion and Joe Keyes & The Late Bloomers 30 – The Bullbuckers 31 – New Year’s Eve-olution w/ IKE & Friends

World Cafe Live at the Queen • 500 N Market St, Wilmington, DE 302-994-1400 • WorldCafeLive.com 52 . M

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ML_Lo

go_4C

GIGS

DEC

Angelee (acoustic rock) December 8: BBC December 17: Roccos Italian Sports Bar

Mad Sweet Pangs December 16: Arden Gild Hall December 31: Home Grown Café

Deadbeatz Inc. (funk/rock) December 9: The Note

World Café Live at the Queen December 1: WSTW’s Hometown Heroes Holiday Show featuring Charlie Phillips/ Battleshy Youths December 2: Brixton Saint, Deadbeatz Inc., Rich Raw and Josten Swingline December 3: Peanut Butter and Jams welcomes The Okee Dokee Brothers December 3: Pearl and the Beard with You Won’t December 3: DJ H Mazz December 7: WXPN welcomes Duncan Sheik December 8: Raul Malo Holiday Show December 8: Get Inspired with Rod Kim and friends every second Thursday! December 10: Peanut Butter and Jams welcomes Two of A Kind December 10: Universal Funk Order with Forward Motion and Joe Keyes “the Late Bloomer” & The Late Bloomers December 11: Graham Colton December 16: The Sermon! w/ Good Vibes, Inc. December 17: Peanut Butter and Jams welcomes TAHIRA: Kwanzaa Tales December 17: Zydeco A-Go-Go December 22: Fat Daddy Has Been December 30: The Bullbuckers December 31: New Year’s Eveolution with IKE & Friends

The Deer Park Tavern December 1: Lifespeed December 3: Cougar Crossing December 8: MoFaux December 10: Hippocampus December 15: Goodman Fiske December 17: What Mama Said December 22: Drop Dead Sexy December 29: Cougar Crossing December 31: Big Chief The Grand December 11: A Charlie Brown Jazz Christmas featuring the Eric Mintel Quartet December 11: Irish Christmas in America Josten Swingline (punk/alternative) December 2: World Café Live at the Queen Home Grown Café December 2: Splashing Pearls December 3: Spontaneous Underground December 7: Bruce Anthony December 9: Boomslang December 10: Unity Reggae Band December 14: Rockabilly Wednesday with Hot Toddy & the Wilmington Wastoids December 16: Modern Exile December 17: Bullbuckers December 21: Bruce Anthony December 28: Rockabilly Wednesday with Hot Toddy & the Wilmington Wastoids December 30: Quimby Mountain Band December 31: Mad Sweet Pangs

Villains Like You (blues/rock) December 2: The Note December 9: The Wedge

57 O  | O&A

11/22/2011 3:41:23 PM

Chris Cromer treats another patient.

HORN DOCTOR they produce, how to repair them, and how to customize them. Then he returned to Delaware and enrolled at UD as a music education major. There, he opened a small business repairing and customizing trumpets. That first year, he says, his business grossed about $3,000. Eleven years later, his shop—A “minor” Tune Up, at 1704 N. Scott St.—now takes in about $30,000. (The shop name comes from an on-field warm-up exercise played by the Blue Devils.) Cromer, who works full time as a claims analyst for Bank of America, sees customers nights and weekends by appointment. He rebuilds, cleans and modifies horns for a clientele that includes members of the Philadelphia Orchestra and extends to Alaska and Italy. His website—www. aminortuneup.com—includes testimonials from musicians with some impressive credentials. His local customer list is growing too. “It used to be I knew everyone who came into the shop,” says Cromer. “Not anymore.”

Top musicians from around the world depend on Chris Cromer to repair and modify their trumpets

n 1995, a year after graduating from Camden-Wyoming’s Caesar Rodney High School, Chris Cromer headed for California. But unlike many other young hopefuls, he didn’t have the lights of Hollywood in his sights. He had a much more esoteric form of show biz in mind: drum and bugle corps. Young Chris went to the town of Concord, a city near San Francisco that is home to the Concord Blue Devils, one of the leading drum and bugle organizations in the country. Cromer, who began playing the trumpet at the age of 11, had auditioned for the Blue Devils and, to his surprise, was accepted. He spent two years in the Golden State, absorbing everything he could about marching bands and trumpets—the music

.OAAN.

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— Bob Yearick

11/22/2011 3:42:15 PM

54 . Music

12_Music.indd 8

December 2011 | O&A

11/22/2011 3:44:08 PM

12_Music.indd 9

www.OutAndAboutNow.com

.com

Give Us A Call For A Free SEO Evaluation Today â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 302.655.9949

What Good Is Your Website If Nobody Can Find It?

MUSIC

Something For Everyone.

WVUD.ORG

11/23/11 1:10 PM

presents

Out & About Magazine’s

SANTA

CLUBS

Crawl

BAR CODE BLUE PARROT CATHERINE ROONEY’S CLUB 3

Sat, Dec 10 • 8PM • $5 Cover

CHELSEA TAVERN CR HOOLIGANS

Wear a Santa Hat and don’t pay a cover!

DEAD PRESIDENTS DEL ROSE CAFÉ DUDE’S EXTREME PIZZA FIRESTONE GALLUCIO’S CAFÉ GROTTO PIZZA KELLY’S LOGAN HOUSE KID SHELLEEN’S KOOMA LIME PUBLIC HOUSE ROCCO 701 SHENANIGANS TIMOTHY’S RIVERFRONT WORLD CAFE LIVE

OutAndAboutNow.com

Photo from 2008 Santa Crawl

302.655.6483

SantaCrawl_dec11.indd 1

11/22/2011 4:08:31 PM

NIGHTLIFE

A COLORFUL NIGHT 32nd Halloween Loop spices up Wilmington Photos by Tony Kukulich

t would take a dramatic act of nature to dampen the spirits of those intent on attending Wilmington’s annual Halloween Loop. The state’s first recorded snow on Halloween Weekend tried its best. But while the inhospitable conditions made things challenging for Loop attendees, more than 10,000 still donned costumes and braved the elements to be part of Wilmington’s biggest night-life event.

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Twenty-three nightspots from the Riverfront to Downtown, from the West End to Trolley Square, participated in this annual rite of fall. As usual, Trolley Square, which boasts six clubs within short walking distance of one another, was a big draw. Next Loop: The Santa Crawl on Sat., Dec. 10. Santa hats are suggested.

11/22/11 3:42 PM

FOOTBALL IS BACK! FOOTBALL 2011 at Stanley’s

Watch every game in HD, every week on our 25 HDTVs. SUNDAY: 1pm-9pm Our Famous 2 for 1 Wing Special (in house special only)

Enjoy Our $2.25 Pint Special! Hosted by Bill Bergey & our own Gianni

• Great Raffle prizes like coolers, chairs, windshirts, hats, and t-shirts. ML_Logo_4CP

• Our famous 2 for 1 wings: 8:30pm - 11:30pm (in house special only) • $2.25 pint special: Miller Lite, Coors Light, Yuengling Lager

7th Annual Sheridan

GREAT CAR GIVEAWAY

Win a 2-year lease on a New Ford Fusion or Nissan Altima Courtesy of

Join our Frequent Fan Club (it’s free to join). Every visit you make to Stanley’s from Sept. 1, 2011 until Jan 1, 2012 gives you a chance to be one of the 4 weekly finalists.Drawing will be during half-time of the Super Bowl Game on Feb. 5, 2012. You must be present to win. Must be at least 21 years of age. Must qualify for lease & supply your own insurance for the car lease.

2038 Foulk Road | Wilmington, DE 19810 | (302) 475.1887 | www.stanleys-tavern.com 58 . N

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D  | O&A

11/22/11 3:44 PM

A CRAFTY IDEA WCL’s grilled cheese and beer tastings hit the spot Top: Jamie Rosini, Shauna Vogl, and Erika Dunham. Left: Gordon Vincent entertains the crowd.

es, there is a National Grilled Cheese Month (it’s April, by the way). And you can thank that little factoid for being the inspiration behind one of World Café Live’s greatest gifts to the area entertainment scene: Grilled Cheese & Craft Beer tastings. The concept began at WCL’s Philadelphia location last spring and since then the venue has sold out 23 consecutive GC&CB events. WCL at The Queen, which opened just eight months ago, is relatively new to the GC&CB game, but so far, so good. The venue has sold out both of its tastings, the most recent taking place in November. Obviously, WCL is on to something. “Instead of doing something like a typical wine-and-cheese event, we went in this direction,” says Ryan Starr, venue manager at WCL at The Queen. “It was an offshoot of the burgeoning craft beer scene, which continues to grow. And grilled cheese is as American as apple pie, so it just made sense, considering the timing.” The tastings consist of four courses of craft beer paired with creative grilled cheese sandwiches. Take, for instance, a Yards Saison paired with Old Bay cheddar on brioche, with a mini crab cake thrown in. Then there’s dessert. “We’re all about the music, but we’re about other stuff, too,” says Starr. The Queen’s third GC&CB tasting is set for Tuesday, Dec. 27, and will focus on holiday and seasonal brews. Tickets are $34 and can be reserved at queen.worldcafelive.com — Out & About

.OAAN.

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11/22/11 3:48 PM

An American Classic

Call Today to Reserve Your Holiday Party or Happy Hour! Award-Winning Lunch, Dinner & Late Night Served Seven Days a Week Coming Dec. 14th

Delaware KIDS Fund Holiday Food Drive with Special Guest Vance Worley! 60 . N

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2 West Market Street (Corner of Market & James Streets) Newport, DE | 302.998.6903 | jstavern.com D  | O&A

11/22/2011 5:16:42 PM

HOLIDAY TOAST Annual Santa Crawl set for Sat., Dec. 10

onsidering we had snow on the Halloween Loop, there’s no telling what weather is in store for this month’s Santa Crawl. One thing is certain, however: You should definitely wear a hat. A Santa hat, to be exact. The reason? Those sporting a Santa hat will gain free admittance to all 22 venues on this year’s Crawl, set for Saturday, Dec. 10, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Same holds true for those dressed as Mrs. Claus, The Grinch, elves — you get the picture. Show your holiday spirit and you get in free; otherwise it’s a $5 cover at the first venue you visit. This year’s venues include: Bar Code, Blue Parrot, Catherine Rooney’s, Club 3, C.R. Hooligan’s, Chelsea Tavern, Dead Presidents, Del Rose Café, Dude’s, Extreme Pizza, Firestone, Gallucio’s Café, Grotto Pizza, Kelly’s Logan House, Kid Shelleen’s, Kooma, Lime, Public House, Rocco Sports Bar, Shenanigan’s, Timothy’s and World Café Live. The Go Dewey and Delaware Sports League teams will be making the rounds in special Santa Crawl shuttles. Public shuttles begin at 8 p.m. and will run until 1:30 a.m. Looking ahead, the much-anticipated St. Paddy’s Loop will be held on Sat., March 10, in conjunction with the Irish Culture Club of Delaware’s St. Patrick’s Parade. —For complete Loop information, visit outandaboutnow.com.

www.out-and-about.com

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11/22/11 3:53 PM

C.P. GOODWIN’S 105 KIRKWOOD SQUARE - WILMINGTON, DE

$2 $9 62 . N

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LITE BOTTLES BUCKETS OF 5 DURING ALL FOOTBALL GAMES

D  | O&A

11/22/11 3:55 PM

The Deer Park Tavern

DECEMBER

Entertainment Schedule THURSDAYS

NO COVER

1 – Lifespeed EVER! 8 – MoFaux 15 – Goodman Fiske 22 – Drop Dead Sexy 29 – Cougar Crossing

SATURDAYS

Dec. 1

Christmas Ball with Lifespeed

3 – Cougar Crossing 10 – Hippocampus 17 – What Mama Said 31 – Big Chief - NYE Party!

NEW YEARS EVE PART Y

w/BIG CHIEF, CHAMPAGNE TOAST & PARTY FAVORS

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

EVERY TUESDAY JEFE

Sunday Brunch from 9am–2pm

EVERY WEDNESDAY KARAOKE

EVERY FRIDAY DJ Dance Party w/ Next Generation DJs

Sunday Night CHORDUROY

Made exclusively for Deer Park and McGlynns Pub. Wednesdays only $2.50. Brewed by Twin Lakes Brewery

Be our friend on Facebook!

302.369.9414 | 108 West Main Street, Newark www.deerparktavern.com

Dec 14th • 6:30PM Special Guest Vance Worley! Presented by M & T Bank & 1290 The Ticket AM

Collecting non-perishables and canned goods for needy Delaware children this holiday season For more info, visit:

dekidsfund.org 2 West Market Street (Corner of Market & James Streets) | Newport, DE | 302.998.6903 | jstavern.com .--.

12_NightLife.indd 7

11/22/2011 5:17:04 PM

COMING IN JANUARY 2012 Our New Seasonal

SamAdams_dec11.indd 1

11/23/2011 9:51:45 AM

MAGAZINE

2011: this issue

12_Wilmington_Cover.indd 1

A BIG Year for Market Street

• 2011 CITYLIFE AWARD WINNERS • OUT-OF-THE-ORDINARY HOLIDAY SHOWS • RIVERFRONT MAP & SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR

DECEMBER, 2011 Vol. 3 ISSUE 6

11/22/11 3:34 PM

12_Wilmington_Inside.indd 6

11/22/11 2:50 PM

WORK, LIVE & PLAY

in WILMINGTONLIVE and benefit& PLAY WORK, from our core focus:

owntown Visions is a business improvement district dedicated and determined Downtown Visions tois keeping a Downtown Wilmington clean, safe & attractive. business improvement district If you are considering: dedicated and determined to

• Starting, expanding or relocating your keeping Downtown Wilmington business to Downtown Wilmington clean, safe & attractive. • Living in one of Downtown If you are considering: Wilmington’s residences ★ Starting, expanding or • Enjoying relocating Wilmington’s thriving art,tomusic, your business culture orDowntown restaurant Wilmington scene ★ Visions Living in Downtown is one hereoftoDowntown help & serve you. Wilmington’s residences ★ Enjoying Wilmington’s thriving art, music, culture or restaurant scene then…

… Downtown Visions is here to help & serve you.

12_Wilmington_Inside.indd 1

in WILMINGTON and benefit from our core focus:

Design

DESIGN Getting downtown into top physical shape

Getting downtown into top physical shape

eECONOMIC conomic RestRuctuRing RESTRUCTURING Helping existing downtown businesses

Helping existing downtown businesses and recruiting new ones and recruiting new ones

ORGANIZATION

o Rganization Getting stakeholders to work towards the same goal Getting stakeholders to work towards

PROMOTION the same goal

Communicating the image and promise

PRomotion

Communicating the image and promise a ”main street“ community

a ”main street“ community

11/22/11 2:46 PM

Division of Motor vehicles

The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles is now issuing more secure, federally compliant driver licenses and identification cards. In order to obtain your new driver license or ID card, you will need to collect and bring a few important source documents to provide proof of: • Identity (Name and Date of Birth) • U.S. citizenship/Legal presence • Social Security Number • 2 proofs of Delaware residency • Name change documents (if applicable) You can find everything you need to know at

SecureID.dmv.de.gov or call toll free

877-477-7117

Get in the Holiday Spirit in Downtown Wilmington!

Wilmington Renaissance Corporation (WRC) will present the following Downtown Holiday Happenings: • Santa Saturdays at the Delaware Historical Society. Visit Santa and his elves Saturday Dec. 3, 10, 17 at the Delaware History Museum from 11 a.m.—2 p.m. • IN Discount Cards. Present an IN Discount card to participating merchants between Nov. 26 and Dec. 31 to receive special offers. Contact WRC or participating merchants for a card. • As you walk around downtown check out the holiday window paintings designed and painted by DCAD students and local artists. • NEW this year — local schools will display Gingerbread Houses in downtown merchant shops as part of a Gingerbread House Contest. Take a walk down Gingerbread Lane and vote for your favorite house!

Check for details and participating merchants at

downtownwilmington.com This program is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency dedicated to nurturing and supporting the arts in Delaware, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.

12_Wilmington_Inside.indd 2

DECEMBER 2011

11/22/11 2:38 PM

For ed

Produced by

TSN Publishing, Inc. President Gerald DuPhily

December 2011 volume 3, issue 7

6 Cover Story

2011: A Big Year for Market Street

Contributing Editor Bob Yearick

Art Director Shawna Sneath

Production Manager Matt Loeb

Advertising Sales Jim Hunter Miller Marie Graham

Project Manager Christine Serio

Contributing Writers Josephine Eccel, Carol Kipp, Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald, Larry Nagengast, Christine Serio, Ben Young

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

At long last, thanks to growth and a spirit of cooperation Wilmington’s main drag seems to be flourishing. By Larry Nagengast

10 In This Together 2011 CityLife Award Winners Wilmington Renaissance salutes city standouts.

By Christine Serio

13 Arts Spirited Shows Out-of-the-ordinary ‘artstuff ’ to boost your holiday spirit. By Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald

“in” Calendar

Riverfront Map & Events Calendar

City Notes

Wilmington Renaissance News

Art Is... On the cover: Alex Karlsen and Danielle Quigley take an early November stroll along lower Market Street with their four-year-old shadrach. Photo by Tim Hawk

ABOUT THE “IN” CAMPAIGN For editorial and advertising information: p (302) 655-6483 f (302) 654-0569

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

Wilmington is truly in the middle of it all, and the “in” campaign is a celebration of the accomplishments we continue to achieve as a community to make our city stronger and more attractive. From neighborhood and business development to our arts and cultural scene, the people of Wilmington are working together to support our city’s ongoing growth and prosperity.

ABOUT WILMINGTON MAGAZINE

The mission of Wilmington Magazine is to capture, through stories and images, the ongoing energy present in the city. We aim to inform readers, both inside and outside Wilmington, of the city’s residential, financial, and cultural progress while remaining entertaining and vibrant. 3

12_Wilmington_Inside.indd 3

11/22/11 2:47 PM

THRU SUN, JAN 1

FRI, DEC 2, 5PM-11PM

FRI, DEC 2 THRU SAT, DEC 17

FRI, DEC 2, 8PM

Christmas at Hagley

Alternatives Holiday Craft Show

City Theater Company: A Little Night Music

Clifford Brown Year-Round Jazz Series: Point Blank

DCCA • 200 S. Madison Street 302.656.6466 • bit.ly/s6MyYz

OperaStudios • 4 South Poplar Street 302.220.8285 • bit.ly/uH9FxK

CCAC • 705 N. Market St. 302.652.0101 • bit.ly/uvWJRf

SAT, DEC 3, 10 & 17, 11AM

TUES, DEC 6 THRU SUN, DEC 11

WED, DEC 7, 7PM

WED, DEC 7, 8PM

Santa Saturdays

Cirque Dreams: Holidaze Dupont Theatre • 11th & Market Streets 302.656.4401 • bit.ly/usH0G2

Delaware Day - 225th Anniversary Statewide Toast

Duncan Sheik

Delaware History Museum • 302.425.5500 504 N. Market Street • bit.ly/v4nMzQ

THURS, DEC 8, 6PM

One Dame Night of Whoopi

201 Hagley Creek Rd. • 302.658.2400 bit.ly/qywsRU

Various Locations • bit.ly/tm1rNA

World Cafe Live at the Queen 500 N. Market Street • 302.994.1400 bit.ly/tZXZR7

SUN, DEC 11, 3PM

SUN, DEC 11, 4PM

THURS, DEC 15, 7PM

Brandywine Baroque: Dueling Violins

Rainbow Chorale: Home for the Holidays Concert

Grand Baile/Latin Dance Nights

Barn at Flintwoods • 205 Center Meeting Rd. 877.594.4546 • bit.ly/sgVN1g

First & Central Presbyterian • 888.512.5093 1101 N. Market St. • bit.ly/vyzSPA

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

FRI, DEC 16 THRU SUN, DEC 18

MON, DEC 19, 7:30PM

MON, DEC 26, 8PM

SAT, DEC 31, 7:30PM

First State Ballet Theatre: The Nutcracker

Delaware Valley Chorale: Holiday Concert

Spring Standards

New Year’s Eve Celebration: Hollywood & Vienna

The Grand • 818 N. Market St. 800.37.GRAND • bit.ly/vnqseD

Saints Andrew & Matthew Church 302.740.2410 • bit.ly/uiLNN6

New Candlelight Theatre • 302.475.2313 2208 Millers Rd. • bit.ly/rF0Kok

Arden Gild Hall • 2126 The Highway 302.475.3126 • bit.ly/t15AGz

presented by DSO and the Delaware Art Museum

800.37.GRAND • bit.ly/uj18Dw

find more at { inWilmingtonDE.com }

12_Wilmington_Inside.indd 4

MUSIC

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

CHECK OUT OUR QR CONTEST

WHAT’S ‘IN’ FOR DECEMBER 2011

FOOD & DRINK

11/22/11 2:57 PM

ART IS IN - EXHIBITS OPENING & CLOSING THIS MONTH Delaware ART IS Art IN Museum - EXHIBITS OPENING

Hockessin Flyer Train Ride

• Perception/Deception: in & CLOSING THIS Illusion MONTH Contemporary Art thru September 25th • Pre-Raphaelites in Print: The Age of Photomechanical Delaware Art Reproduction Museum • Artists thru September 17thof the Studio Group Exhibition thru Jan • The Storyteller’s Art:15th Reimagining 302.571.9590 2301 Kentmere Parkway America through •Illustration September 7th thru December 2012 302.571.9590 • 2301 Kentmere Parkway

& September 24th Wilmington Western Railroad Scrooge: The Musical 302.998.1930 thru Dec 18• 2201 Newport-Gap Pike Delaware Children’s Theatre 302.655.1014 • 1014 Delaware Avenue

Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts

• Colors by Ken Mabrey & Scott Delaware Center fot the McClurg thru Jan 1st Contemporary Arts

• Walkshed by Amanda Burnham • The Elliptical Frontiers Dec 16 thru Feb 16th thru September 18th 302.656.6466 • 200 South Madison Street • Gust thru September 23rd 302.656.6466 • 200 South Madison Street Mezzanine Gallery • Deluge by A.D. Loveday thru Dec 23rd 302.577.8278 • 820 N. French Street

Mezzanie Gallery

• Rise of The Jou Jou Mama by Joy The Station Gallery Robinson • Art for the30th Holidays thru Dec 24th September 6thWorks thru September 302.654.8638 3922 French KennettStreet Pike 302.577.8278 • 820 North

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1ST THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST A Cappella Humana Grease: Rockin’ Rydell Delaware Theatre Company Sing-a-Long 302.594.1100 • 200 Water Street

World Live Cafe at the Queen 302.994.1400 • 500 North Market Street

Delaware Today’s Women in Business Luncheon The ONEworship 2011 Chase Center Summit of the Riverfront Doubletree Hotel • 815 Justison Street 302.656.1809 700 King Street

Holiday Kickoff Show: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 NDA Toys for Tots Benefit

World Cafe Live at The Queen

Shape302.994.1400 Robots •500 N. Market Street Delaware Children’s Museum 302.654.2340 • 550 Justison Street

Market Street Music Noontime Concert Series every Thursday, 12:30pm RD

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3Market St. First & Central Presbyterian • 1101 N. Auburn Heights Steamin Day Yuletide Trains, Trains, Trains! at Winterthur

thru Jan 8 thru September 4th 800.448.3883 • 5105 Kennett Pike Marshall Steam Museum

302.239.2385 • 300 Creek Rd.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2 ND

Lilie Anel w/the Fusionhouse Art on Town

World Live CafeLocations at the Queen Various 302.994.1400 • 500atNorth Buses leave 5:45pmMarket from theStreet DCCA, returning at approximately 8:00pm for the last official re:Fresh after-party! SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER Twin Lakes Brewery 302.576.2135 • 200 S. Madison Street

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5TH

AND&4Tastings Tours TH

every Wednesday and Saturday 2 Year Anniversary Bash at Twin Lakes Brewery Poppycock Tattoo!Pike 302.658.1826 • 4210 Kennett 302.543.7973 • 115 W. 8th Street

Woodside Farm Annual SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3RD Arts and Crafts Show 302.239.9847 • 1310 Little Baltimore Road

Christmas Classics at Theatre N

various films and dates throughout December SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH 302.571.4699 • 11th & Tatnall Streets

2011 Taiwan Film Festival Giants: African Dinosaurs

various dates thru Sept 25 thru Feb 26 Delaware Art Museum Delaware Museum of Natural History 302.571.9590 • 2301 •Kentmere Parkway 302.658.9111 4840 Kennett Pike

302.994.1400 • 500 Market Street Theatre N 302.571.4699 • 11th & Tatnall Streets

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH Serafin String Quartet World Cafe Live at The Queen Monarch Migration Celebration 302.994.1400 • 500 N. Market Street Open House

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4TH

Rod Kim & Mean Lady: Get Inspired by The Beatles Anchorman Viewing Party w/ World Live Cafe at the Queen Poppycock Tattoo 302.994.1400 • 500 North Market Street

DuPont Enviornmental Education Center TH 302.656.1490 • 1400 Delmarva 13 Lane TUESDAY, DECEMBER

Theatre N 302.571.4699 • 11th & Tatnall Streets

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 TH

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Musikarmaggedon: The Final Battle The Grand

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8TH

The Grand 800.37.GRAND • 818 N. Market Street 800.37.GRAND • 818 North Market Street

Band Together for Kid’s Music

Benefit forAnnual the Light up the Queen Foundation 23rd Black Achievers in featuring Allgood,&Angel Band & New Sweden Business Industry World Live Cafe at the Queen Chase Center of the Riverfront 302.994.1400 • 500• Market Street 302.472.YMCA 815 Justison Street

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14TH Zumbathon Fundrasier Opera Delaware Abenifiting Kwanzaa Celebration

Opera Studios Wilmington Public Library 302.442.7809• 10 • 4East S. Poplar St. 302.571.7400 10th Street

ArtRaul on the Town Malo Holiday Show WorldLocations Cafe Live at The Queen Various 302.994.1400 N. Market Street Buses leave at 5:45• 500 PM from the DCCA 302.576.2135 • 200 South Madison Street

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16TH 18TH SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER Hagley Film Showcase Slaying the Dragon by Michael Ching

FRIDAY, re:Fresh DECEMBER 9 TH

302.658.2400 • 200 Hagley Rd. Music Read-through Opera Studios 302.442.7809 •Pangs, 4 S. Poplar Sreet Mad-Sweet The Hold-Up &

When you’re done browsing, join us for live music at theArdensingers Riverfront Blues Festival, this month’s official presents Fezziwig’s after-party spot forParty Art on the Town! Christmas ADD ADDRESS Arden Gild HallHERE! 484.319.2350 • 2126 The Highway

AlyCat

Arden Gild Hall • 2126 The Highway

Victorian Lecture Series

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH

Rockwood Museum

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17TH 302.762.2075 • 610 Shipley Road

First State Symphonic Band AloHoliday Brasil Concert

Faith Baptist Church World Live Cafe at the Queen 302.998.4105 • 4210 Limestone Road 302.994.1400 • 500 Market Street

Holiday Brass Concert

Grace Episcopal Church THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 ND 302.478.9533 • 4900 Concord Pike

The Wizard of Oz Garden and thru DecArchitecture 30 Water Features Wilmington Drama League

Candlelight Comedy Club 302.475.2313 • 2208 Millers Tric Town December w/Road This Show is Fire

Winterthur 302.764.1172 • 10 W. Lea Blvd. 800.448.3883 • 5105 Kennett Pike

Mojo 13

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23RD 302.798.5798 • 1706 Philadelphia Pike

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12TH

One Step Away Kickoff/Fundraiser SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18TH Film Brothers Movie Co-Op 205 North Market Street

CCAC presents Carols in Color w/Polish Eleone Dance Theatre 2011 Festival

Opus One Vocal Jazz Concert

thruThe SeptGrand 17 800.37.GRAND • 818 North Market Street Riverfront Wilmington

Bellevue Hall

302.761.6963 • 800SEPTEMBER Carr Road SATURDAY, 24TH Arts in Recovery Month Rally

302.594.1400

Rodney Square

Delaware Dance Company

WEDNESDAY, 14TH presents The SEPTEMBER Nutcracker thru Dec 11 Dickinson High School Theater

11th & North Market Street Silver Screen Sundays: The Black Shield of Falworth Delaware Art Museum Golden Pheasants Fall Blast 302.571.9590 • 2301 Kentmere Parkway Hagley Museum and Library 302.658.2400 • 200 Hagley Road

Bruce Anthony 302.738.2023 • 1801 Milltown Road Bellevue Noontime Concert Series 302.761.6965 • Bellevue State Park

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11TH

Winter Choral Concert: A

Celebration of Lights SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH Congregation of Beth Emeth 302.762.1132 • 300 W. Lea Blvd.

Reel Talk with Santa Brunch

documentary on Gov. Jack Markell benefitting the Green Room at the Hotel du Pont Jewish Family Services of DE 302.594.3154 • 11th & Market Streets World Live Cafe at the Queen 302.944.1400 • 500 Market Street

Harry’s Fall Bridal Fair

Harry’s Savoy Grill and Ballroom SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31TH 302.475.3000 • 2020 Naaman’s Road

Cool Spring Annual Christmas Caroling Progressive PartyTH

New Year’s Eve-olution w/ IKE &

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28TH Friends

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World Cafe Live at The Queen 302.994.1400 • 500 N. Market Street

Fall Family Cruise

An Intimate Evening Graham Colton with Erin Mckeown

DuPont Enviornmental Education Center 302.656.1490 • 1400 Delmarva Lane

World at The Queen World LiveCafe CafeLive at the Queen 302.994.1400 • 500 N. Market 302.994.1400• 500 Market StreetStreet

New Year’s Eve Gala

Green Room at the Hotel du Pont 302.594.3154 • 11th & Market Streets FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 TH

Irish Christmas in America TheThe Life Grand

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thru800.37.GRAND Oct 1 • 818 N. Market Street Wilmington Drama Leauge 302.764.1172 • 10 W Lea Blvd

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Rhett Miller w/ The Spring Standards World Live Cafe at the Queen Opera in Cinemas: Don Giovanni

World Live Cafe at The Queen 302.994.1400 • 500 Market Street

MUSIC MUSIC

ARTS ARTS&&ENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT

FOOD & DRINK FOOD & DRINK

11/22/11 2:58 PM

MARKET STREET: Music, Menus, and More At long last, thanks to growth and a spirit of cooperation,

Photos by Tim Hawk

Wilmington’s main drag seems to be ﬂourishing

“I

f this keeps going forward,” Steve Bailey says, “certainly 2011 would be remembered as the year things turned around on Market Street.” Anyone who has watched revitalization efforts on the city’s retail-entertainment backbone for the last couple of decades knows that’s a very big “if ” in Bailey’s statement. But the executive director of the Grand Opera House and just about everybody else who does business on Market these days are speaking in one voice. And not only are they

delivering a consistent message, they’re working together, too. That could make all the difference on a street that has gone through countless transformations in the past four decades, since the late Mayor Tom Maloney turned Market into a pedestrian mall six years after the National Guard occupation in the wake of the 1968 riots, which were sparked by the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. “I had 13 years of revitalization that wasn’t real,” says Bailey, who came to the Grand in 1998. “Now we’re finding out the

LOMA Coffee Opens 239 N. Market St.

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

By Larry Nagengast

reason it wasn’t real is because then it was always somebody else’s job. The simple fact is the city has a part to play, the small shop owner has a part to play, everybody has a part to play. That message is not falling on deaf ears anymore.” According to Downtown Visions, the management company for Wilmington’s downtown business improvement district, nearly 40 new businesses have opened downtown since the spring of 2010, including 25 on Market Street or within a block of it.

Dimensions & Co. Opens 221 N. Market St.

MARCH

World Cafe Life at the Queen Theatre Opens 500 N. Market St.

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

Bloomsbury Flowers Opens 207 N. Market St.

6 . COVER STORY

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GREAT TIME TO REBUILD

It’s enough to make one ask: Does anyone realize there’s a recession going on? “They totally realize there’s a recession,” says Will Minster, director of economic restructuring and Main Street program manager for Downtown Visions. “Recessionary times are great times to do rebuilding. Take a look in the mirror and make a change. You have to do something extra so you can shine better, and so you can be ready when the economy changes.” Minster’s words echo everywhere on the street, but nowhere more loudly than at the Queen Theater, which returned to life in April after a $24 million restoration. Philadelphia entertainment maestro Hal Real opened his second World Café Live there and was so taken by Wilmington’s burgeoning entertainment scene that he moved to the city as well.

“We’re very pleased,” Real says, citing about 150 ticketed shows, 75 free shows and a well-received restaurant. Bookings for private parties, both business and personal, have been “overwhelming, about double what we anticipated,” and that, in turn, should bring new fans back for paying events at the theater, he says. Earlier this year, that thought had Bailey at least a little worried. Would the Queen become a success by cannibalizing the Grand’s audiences? He says the Queen “is proving to be at least as much of a game-changer as the hype and investment indicated it would be. It has had a much larger effect on the revitalization than anyone would have imagined.” And, no, it hasn’t hurt the Grand. “We’re having a tremendous year,” Bailey says. “We continue to set and break attendance records in a down economy.”

What the Queen has done, he says, is “up the ante for all of us.” Its impact is being felt up and down Market, from LOMA, the funky enclave of “the creative class” in the 200 and 300 blocks, to as far north as the staid DuPont Theatre on Rodney Square. There’s live music in LOMA — at Shenanigans, Extreme Pizza, Zaikka, LOMA Cafe and the Film Brothers Co-op — and farther north at the Queen, the Christina Cultural Arts Center, the Chelsea Tavern and the Grand. “We’ve got a little music strip going, and I think it’s awesome,” Real says. Joe Van Horn, general manager at the Chelsea Tavern, across the street from the Grand, a popular dinner and after-show destination for the entertainment crowd since its opening in April 2010, would have to agree. “There are nights when everything is going on,” he says. continued on next page

Babe Styling Studio Opens 213 N. Market Street

DiMeo’s Pizzaiuoli Napulitani Opens 831 N. Market Street

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

Zaikka Indian Grill Opens 209 N. Market Street

Homme: A Gentleman’s Barber Opens 223 N. Market Street

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Bain’s Deli Opens 225 N. Market Street

11/22/2011 5:07:52 PM

MULTIPLE VENUES CROP UP

How have things changed in the past year? “Well, last year, we’d ask our dinner guests ‘Are you going to the show?’ to make sure we served them on time,” says Van Horn. “Now, we ask ‘Are you going to a show?’ because it could be the Queen, the Grand or the DuPont.” Just as the addition of one music venue seems to beget another, the restaurants seem to be feeding off one another. When diners come in and his place is packed, Van Horn says he asks, “Have you parked yet?” If they have, he suggests

8 . COVER STORY

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Vinoteca 902 or the just-opened Dimeo’s Pizzaiouli Napulitani. If they haven’t, World Café Live often gets his recommendation. Bailey says he has observed some interesting synergies in October, when the Queen had a sold-out David Sanborn show and the Grand featured comedians Wanda Sykes and Louis C.K. on back-toback nights. He saw a friend at the Chelsea one night and assumed he was headed to the Wanda Sykes show. Wrong -- he was going to see saxophonist Sanborn. And, he added, some of those dining at the World Café that evening were headed up to the Grand to see Sykes.

“That’s how it’s supposed to work,” he says. “You’re not taking anything off my plate. You’re going to a very different show at a very different venue in Wilmington.” But there’s much more to the new magic on Market than music and menus. “There’s a whole new sense of collaboration,” says Christine Serio, director of marketing and public relations at Wilmington Renaissance Corporation. “People aren’t out just for themselves. There’s a spirit of ‘let’s work together and make this great for everyone.’” Much of that spirit, she says, is fueled by a new generation of business owners who

DECEMBER 2011

11/22/2011 5:11:32 PM

feel a shared responsibility for downtown’s success. As an example, she points to James Baker – not the mayor, but the owner of the Extreme Pizza franchise at Second and Market. “He gets it. He’s part of a chain, but instead of going with all their vendors, he’s supporting the people on his block.” Baker says he orders his workers’ shirts from Al’s Sporting Goods, gets his menus printed at Parcels, sells coffee from the LOMA Café, buys chicken breasts from Bill’s Meat Center, and offers discounts to employees of those businesses and to the folks living in upstairs apartments on the block.

“It’s only going to work if we work together,” Baker says. “We’re coming up on our one-year anniversary in [this month]. It’s getting busier every week. It’s a totally different Market Street.” Downtown Visions’ Minster, a former jewelry store owner, sees clothing retailer Danny Valentine, owner of Dimensions & Co. by Ace in the 200 block, as an example of the new breed of business owners. “When I was 20-something, I thought I knew everything and you weren’t going to tell me anything,” says Minster. “Young people today have a tremendous amount of intelligence and pride, and they’re willing

to listen. With Danny, it’s not like you’re giving him advice. It’s two minds working together to think out what you can achieve.”

FAÇADE IMPROVEMENTS

“Everyone has great dialog, everyone is helping each other,” Valentine says. He thanks Minster for helping him navigate through the paperwork involved with Downtown Visions’ façade program, which provided the financing needed to improve the look of his storefront. “That was a blessing,” he says. So far this year, Downtown Visions has approved nine grants for façade improvecontinued on next page

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ments. Next year, Minster says, a big target will be replacing security gates at about 30 shops, mostly in the 600 and 700 blocks, with contemporary security systems. The roll-down gates, most installed in the wake of the 1968 riots, leave the impression that crime is prevalent on Market Street, he says. “They’re the single worst thing you can have in a neighborhood,” says developer Don Meginley, a principal in Preservation Initiatives, a primary force in the revitalization of lower Market Street. “People are not breaking into windows.” Perhaps the best illustration of Market Street’s revival is the 200 block, where lead

investor Mike Schwartz, formerly of Mike’s Famous Harley Davidson, and Preservation Initiatives have taken over from Baltimorebased Streuver Brothers, who struggled with the block for more than a decade but left locals with the feeling that they were never truly committed to Wilmington. The block is fully rented now – 86 apartments and 19 businesses, with one more lease pending, Schwartz says. “People are discovering true city living,” he says. “It’s convenient. It’s entertainment-based. It’s got a lot of cool elements. And it’s safe.” The next big redevelopment project

on the street is on the east side of the 400 block. There, Preservation Initiatives, with its friendly rival, the Buccini/Pollin Group, handling construction, is putting $10 million into converting what remains of an iconic Wilmington Dry Goods department store into 14 loft apartments and 9,000 square feet of commercial retail space. Tenants should be moving in during the summer, Meginley says. One of the drivers of the residential boomlet has been the Delaware College of Art and Design, which has been compensating for its student housing shortage by taking out one-year leases on Market Street

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Party Place!

(Across From The Grand!)

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DECEMBER 2011

11/22/2011 5:13:35 PM

apartments that students use for only nine months, DCAD President Stuart Baron says. DCAD is about to remedy that situation. Baron says the school is “really close” to a deal to take over the vacant Brandywine Suites hotel, which fronts on the 700 block of King Street and features potential “artsrelated retail space” on the Market Street side. Baron said Buccini/Pollin will be involved in the deal but “real construction work will not be required” to prepare the building for use as student housing. Meginley, who redeveloped neighborhoods in Boston, Philadelphia and Miami Beach before coming to Wilmington, sees

more work on the horizon in the coming years, with DCAD, the Delaware Historical Society and the Delaware Technical & Community College campus becoming more integrated into the Market Street revitalization. In what may be a somewhat over-the-top prediction, he says that, by 2020, “people will know as much about Market Street in Wilmington as they do about the River Walk in San Antonio.” Mayor James M. Baker loves what’s been happening on Market Street. “People are seeing development taking place that they had been waiting on for a long time. It builds their confidence,” he says.

He too credits the new generation of entrepreneurs with turning the tide. “All over the country, young people are the saviors of the city. They have the enthusiasm, and they don’t have the baggage,” he says. “We’re getting new people who believe in the energy of downtown, in the possibilities of downtown.” Meginley believes it will take a couple more years to define those possibilities. “We’re still building who we are,” he says.

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CityLife

S D R A AW

10 . PROFILE

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SEPTEMBER 2011

11/22/11 3:08 PM

A CITY SALUTE Wilmington Renaissance honors community standouts

By Christine Serio Photos by Jeni Barton

“We had an amazing evening honoring the achievements of very deserving individuals and organizations,” said Carrie W. Gray, WRC managing director. “The event is always a fun evening with great food, great music, great company and great reasons to celebrate the heroes of Wilmington.”

his year, The Reverend Canon Lloyd S. Casson was named Wilmingtonian of the Year. Canon Casson has more than 40 years of experience in diocesan and national levels of the Church, in urban community affairs and world issues, and in interfaith relations locally, nationally and worldwide. He was honored for his service as the rector of the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew for 10 years. He also has become known as a pastoral and prophetic voice as preacher and community leader. Casson was also the principal organizer and founding president of Delaware Opportunities Industrialization Center, a job-training and placement center for Delaware’s marginalized citizens, and he served as president of the Council of Churches of Wilmington and New Castle County. Casson has made and continues to make his mark on the educational front in Wilmington as well. He served as the first black president of the School Board of Wilmington. And he is now the board chairman

of Reach Academy for Girls and was instrumental in fighting to keep the school open in recent months. He also sits on the Board of Overseers for the American College Dublin, a division of Irish American University, and serves on the advisory council for Equality Delaware. The Partnership of the Year award was given to West Side Grows. The partnership consists of West End Neighborhood House, Cornerstone West, Little Italy Neighborhood Association, Cool Spring/ Tilton Neighborhood Association, Public Allies Delaware, The Delaware Center for Horticulture, Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Ed Kee, and the Department of Public Works for the City of Wilmington. In 2011, they were able to create the first community garden at the Rodney Reservoir with 20 plots for participants. Now the space has become a place to not only expand backyard gardens for homegrown produce, but a place where neighbors can gather. The 2011 CityLife Award for Rising Star of the Year went to Urban Bike Project, a small nonprofit organization with

Pictured clockwise L-R: The Reverend Canon Lloyd S. Casson (Wilmingtonian of the Year); West Side Grows (Partnership of the Year); Brian Windle, Sarah Green and David Hallberg of Urban Bike Project (Rising Star of the Year); Clair Zahradnik and Heather Hook from Cool Springs/Tilton Neighborhood (Neighborhood of the Year); World Cafe Live at The Queen founder Hal Real (Entrepreneur of the Year).

a mission to serve the community’s needs by educating and promoting cycling as a safe, practical, cost-efficient mode of transportation. They conduct bike workshops that allow the public to become more selfsufficient both in bicycle maintenance and transportation, and they work with youth from the community. Since February, when it opened after renovations, UBP has served more than 1,500 people and in the last year alone gave away 59 bikes. Since 2010, the nonprofit has completed four “kids earn-a-bike” programs, run by Corry Wright, and was able to have 30 kids take home bikes. Some 140 minors are authorized to work on their bikes at the shop, which shows that it serves a great need in the community and has become a place where youth feel comfortable and can find a place to fit in. The Neighborhood of the Year award was given to Cool Spring/Tilton Neighborhood, which is adjacent to downtown and has a beautiful landscape. The neighbors have worked together on major projects like the creation of Cool Spring Reservoir Park and the Cool Spring Farmer’s Market, which also was in partnership with West End Neighborhood House and Bright spot Ventures. “The neighbors in Cool Spring/Tilton have proven the strength of a community when it comes to accomplishing great things,” Gray said. “But it’s often the case that it’s the little things that make a big difference, and gatherings like the ‘porch party’ series, organized Christmas caroling, movies in the park, neighborhood meet-ups and impromptu croquet matches in the park make the difference in Cool Spring/Tilton.” The final award of the event, Entrepreneur of the Year, went to Hal Real of World Cafe Live at The Queen. Real took a major risk when he opened the second World Café Live location at 5th and Market streets. He was brought to an old, dilapidated theater that had been all but abandoned for decades and was asked to see —a lively something almost unimaginable entertainment venue. Today that corner is a bright beacon on the lower end of Market Street, with a vibrant scene of live music, special events, packed jam sessions and a restaurant serving up unique offerings. “All of the 2011 CityLife Award winners make Wilmington a better place each day and we are forever grateful for their contribution to the progress of Wilmington,” Gray said. “We look forward to seeing which individuals and organizations become our next winners at the CityLife Awards.” 13

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RIVERFRONT 3

1 4

MAP OF

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

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

11/22/11 2:59 PM

26 24 23

17 19

21 16 28

HOLIDAY GIFT AND FOOD FESTIVAL December 10th (10a-6p) December 11th (10a-4p) Chase Center

www.riverfrontchristmas.com

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

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

Photo by Dick Dubroff of Final Focus Photography

11/23/2011 1:01:27 PM

Kevin Ramsey

YMCA’s Bl ack Achievers Awards Cere mon y December 8 5:00 – 9:30 p.m. Guest speaker Soledad O’Brien. Chase Center A CAPPELL A HUMAN A Through December 18 Created & Directed by Kevin Ramsey. A Cappella Humana is a musical celebration of our common humanity that explores the power and boundaries of the human voice. It blends innovative and uniquely arranged compositions from Baroque to jazz, from secular to sacred, from Broadway to hip hop, and so much more! Delaware Theatre Company COLORS EXHI BIT Through January 1 By Ken Mabrey & Scott Alan McClurg DCCA

WAlkshed December 16 – February 16 By Amanda Burnham Burnham creates installations based on American urban landscapes. Starting with observational sketches made on site, she compiles, manipulates, and then pieces together fragments to arrive at a more subjective representation of place. In Walkshed, impressions of quotidian details from routine daily encounters trace the terrain of community and home. DCCA Holid ay Gif t and F ood F estival December 10, 10am-6pm December 11, 10am-4pm The weekend festival will introduce a celebration of arts, crafts, and gourmet foods set in a holiday atmosphere amid Christmas trees, wreaths, Gingerbread houses and even Breakfast with Santa Claus. Admission is $5 per person. Breakfast with Santa Claus will take place at 9am on December 9th. Tickets are $25 for adults & $15 for children and includes entrance into the festival. riverfrontchristmas.com. Chase Center

Soledad O’Brien, acclaimed Special Investigations correspondent and host of CNN’s In America Documentaries, will be the guest speaker at Guest speaker of the YMCA’s Black Achiever’s awards ceremony.

16 . Life on the Riverfront

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11/23/2011 1:02:20 PM

‘ARTSTUFF’ TO BOOST YOUR HOLIDAY SPIRIT Try some of these out-of-the-ordinary events By Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald

ith all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, many of us need to recharge our holiday cheer. I’ve got some suggestions that can do just that, and they aren’t your everyday Nutcracker fare.

Carols in Color is an annual collaboration between Christina Cultural Arts Center and the Philadelphia-based professional troupe Eleone Dance Theatre. This year is the program’s 20th anniversary, and if you’ve never seen it, you’re missing a truly stunning performance. Carols in Color is a passion-filled holiday musical, retelling the Gospel according to St. Matthew (i.e., the life story of Jesus) through contemporary dance and music. This onenight-only event will be held at The Grand Opera House on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25; get them at www.ticketsatthegrand.org or call 800-37-GRAND.

City Theater Company

“A Little Night Music” December 2-17 The Black Box @ OperaDE Enter code “CITY” for an online ticket discount! Tix: city-theater.org

Tired of caroling but still searching for music? Two Wilmo theaters can help! City Theater Company presents A Little Night Music Dec. 2-17 at The Black Box at OperaDelaware Studios. This is a traditionally elegant musical, featuring well-known Sondheim numbers like “Send in the Clowns,” but this time it gets a CTC twist. Directed by CTC founders Michael Gray and Tom Shade, this version, says Gray, “is somewhat skewed, but always fun; it’s not your parents’ Sondheim.” For something else completely new, Delaware Theater Company brings Wilmington the world premiere of Kevin Ramsey’s A Capella Humana now through Dec. 18. It features tunes ranging from Baroque to jazz, secular to sacred, Broadway to hip hop. CTC tickets are $25-$40 and available at www.city-theater. org or at the box office. DTC tickets are $35-$49 at www.delawaretheatre.org or call 302594-1100. OK, maybe you do want to revel in some seasonal tunes. I’ve got ideas for that, as well. Thursday, Dec. 8, brings the Cartoon Christmas Trio to Market Street Music’s Thursday Noontime Concerts. Jeff Knoettner on piano, Jackie Brown on drums, and Rob Swanson on double bass specialize in nostalgia, playing all your childhood favorite holiday cartoon music, including Vince Guaraldi’s A Charlie Brown Christmas compositions, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” and others. Get details and tickets at www.marketstreetmusicde.org. The Wilmington Children’s Chorus presents its annual Holiday Candlelight Concert on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m. at First & Central Church in Wilmington. Far from just another seasonal sing-along, this features kids delivering an amazing performance in 10plus languages and music from every corner of the globe. This year’s concert includes French and German carols from the 14th and 15th centuries, traditional Hebrew and Scottish songs, and popular holiday favorites from Irving Berlin. Get more info and tickets by calling 302-762-3637. Now if you really want to get your holiday Nutcracker fix, I suggest the joint performance from First State Ballet Theatre, with the Delaware Symphony Orchestra performing in the pit and the Wilmington Children’s Chorus singing from the balcony. Three dates— Dec. 16, 17 and 18 at the Grand Opera House—give you ample opportunity to enjoy this unique artistic blend of three of the most talented arts organizations in the state. Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketsatthegrand.org or by calling 800-37-GRAND. Finally, always remember this season of giving easily can be extended to the arts. A wonderful display of holiday joy and a unique gift idea: tickets to arts events or a donation in honor of a family member, friend, neighbor, or co-worker. Need a hint? Email me at mfitzgerald@artsinmedia.com for some very worthy options.

Carols in Color

Sat., December 10, 7pm The Grand Opera House A spectacular holiday dance musical from Christina Cultural Arts Center & Eleone Dance Theatre Tix: ticketsatthegrand.org 800.37.GRAND

Winter Choral Concert: A Celebration of Lights

Sun., December 18, 4pm Congregation Beth Emeth 300 W. Lea Blvd. The Music School of Delaware & Beth Emeth choirs perform seasonal music from many traditions! Free holiday program! 17

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11/22/11 3:02 PM

Also located on the 200 block of Market Street, Bain’s Deli recently opened its doors to the public. Originating in Philadelphia in 1910, Bain’s is a regional New York-style deli that delivers a healthier and higher-quality alternative to typical fast food. Bain’s menu features an assortment of traditional deli meats, a variety of sides, salads, soups and bread choices. The restaurant also serves breakfast sandwiches. Bain’s is family-owned and operated. General manager Ken Friedman grew up in North Wilmington and spent many weekends dining with his parents at the Jewish delis around town—namely Jack Lundy’s with its Satellite Room and Gamiel’s for delicious corned beef or pastrami sandwiches -- always served with a Kosher pickle.

Wine List Kudos LOMA Continues to Grow

The 2nd & LOMA property on the 200 block of Market Street continues to grow with new and expanded tenants. Last month, Babe Styling Studio expanded the salon and also added Homme: A Gentleman’s Barber to the block. Babe Styling Studio and Homme are co-owned by Wilmington residents Ebon and Yvonne Flagg. The new salon was a great fit for Wilmington’s LOMA District (short for “Lower Market”)—the heart of Wilmington’s creative district. Babe Styling delivers a broad range of multicultural services. According to Ebon, Babe differs from other salons in its more organic approach to hair care. After moving Babe Styling Studio a few doors down the block, the Flaggs converted their original space at 223 N. Market into Homme: A Gentleman’s Barber. Homme specializes in high-quality haircuts, luxurious straightrazor shaves, beard trimming and design, and clipper cuts—all in an environment designed exclusively for men. “Both Babe Styling Studio and Homme happily welcome new clients,” said Ebon. “We are excited to challenge Wilmington’s perceptions of what a hair salon and barbershop should be.”

OpenTable.com has ranked Domaine Hudson’s wine list as one of the 50 best in America. The ranking is a result of user recommendations. OpenTable.com is the world’s largest on-line, real-time restaurant reservation system. Domaine Hudson is well known in the Delaware region for offering more than 400 wines by the bottle and some 40 wines by the glass. The wine list includes an extensive mix of better known labels as well as unique and lesser-known but highly rated wines. The fine dining restaurant is also known for offering a flight of three 3-oz. pours of three different wines each evening during happy hour. Mike Ross, restaurant owner, is taking some of the mystery out of wine lists and injecting some fun in the process by offering patrons the use of an in-restaurant iPad to peruse the wine list, learn more about the depth of the restaurant’s collection, and see which bottles and vintages are available in real time. For more information, visit www.domainehudson.com.

Beautifying Neighborhoods

Two streetscape projects, Bancroft Parkway and Baynard Boulevard, were recently completed in the city.

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“On behalf of our citizens, I thank the members of the Delaware General Assembly who helped secure funding for these streetscape projects,” Mayor James Baker said. “Residents and visitors alike are already benefitting from attractive new sidewalks, curbs, and landscaping, new handicap accessibility ramps, and a host of safety-related traffic improvements. We are extremely grateful for the support of Representatives Keeley and Williams as well as Sen. McDowell.” The $77,000 Bancroft Parkway project was funded through matching funds from the federal, state and local levels, including $41,000 from the state’s Community Transportation Fund and approximately $36,000 from the city. The project focused on the area from Lancaster Avenue to the Woodlawn Library known as The Flats, and consisted of three parts -- beautification, lighting and sidewalk and curbing. “This project preserves the character of the neighborhood while increasing public safety and returning the central parkland back to the residents,” Rep. Helene Keeley said. “It’s the best kind of project, marrying aesthetics with safety and recreation. We made sure the beautiful oak trees that give Bancroft Parkway its character were trimmed back but preserved. New lighting protects pedestrians as they walk along the parkway -- and we’ve already noticed fewer calls for police assistance in the area. And the curbing, sidewalks and parking measures we installed prevent people from double-parking on the parkway, returning the green space to the residents.” The $75,000 Baynard Boulevard transportation enhancement project secured $50,000 in federal and state matching funds and $25,000 in federal and state matching funds. The project was managed by the Delaware Department of Transportation, with participation from the 9th Ward Civic Association and the Delaware Center for Horticulture.

DCCA names New Director of Development

Maxine Gaiber, executive director of the Delaware Center for Contemporary Arts (DCCA), recently announced that Anne Coleman has joined the organization as director of development. Coleman has a background in for-profit and nonprofit leadership in Wilmington institutions past and present, including the MBNA Foundation and Winterthur Museum. Most recently she served as director of marketing at Calico Corners - Calico Home in Kennett Square. “DCCA is unique in our region. It encourages everyone to explore contemporary art and society in new ways,” says Coleman, who lived many years in downtown Wilmington. “Contemporary art stretches the mind and helps all of us tap into our creative potential as artists and thinkers. From changing exhibits to educational programs October 2011

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to artists’ studios, there is always something new at DCCA. I can’t wait to work with community leaders and individuals who understand the vital role DCCA plays in Delaware, fostering new ideas and art. What a great time to be part of the growth and revitalization of this terrific city.” For more information, visit www.thedcca.org.

Justison Landing Phase II Announced

The Buccini/Pollin Group recently announced plans for Phase II of the Justison Landing residential project on the riverfront. Expanding the residential community of rental properties known as “The Residences” will include building a 116-luxury unit community. “To us, this is about seeing Wilmington continuing to grow into its potential,” says Rob Buccini, co-president of BPG, which completed the first phase of residential projects at Justison Landing in 2008. “We remain confident in our hometown and we’ll continue to build on the city’s strong foundation for growth.” Throughout BPG’s three luxury apartment communities in The Residences family, occupancy rates are at least 95 percent and retention rates are exceeding industry benchmarks. Demand for urban living continues to increase in Wilmington, with renters seeking communities within walking distance of Wilmington’s corporate headquarters and train station. The new community, to be built at 401 Justison St., is the next step in realizing the master plan that is Justison Landing, a live-work-play environment on Wilmington’s Riverfront. The Justison Landing project will begin in early 2012 and is expected to be completed by spring of 2013. The five-story building will contain one- and two-bedroom units, each with a full bath and kitchen and many with balconies offering scenic views of the Christina River. The building’s amenities will include a welcoming lobby, fullyequipped fitness room, club room with catering kitchen and an outdoor pool with a stone terrace. “BPG is once again demonstrating its unwavering commitment to a better and stronger Wilmington by moving forward with another significant development project,” says Mayor Baker. “During both good economic times and bad, BPG has invested millions upon millions of dollars in our local economy and has created new neighborhoods and communities that have brought new citizens and businesses to our city, all of which adds greatly to Wilmington’s bright future. I express my thanks to Rob, Chris and all of the BPG team for their support for our city and its citizens.” A site map and renderings of the project can be found at www.wilmingtonde.gov.

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downtownwilmington.com

Wilmington Renaissance Corporation

WRC News •

Downtown Holiday Happenings Wilmington Renaissance Corporation (WRC) and its partners have worked together to enhance the festive feel of downtown, bring more holiday cheer to Market Street and make shopping easier. WRC has teamed with the artistic students at Delaware College of Art and Design (DCAD) and Market Street merchants for part of the festive fun. DCAD students were paired with various merchants along Market Street to create holiday and seasonal scenes on the storefronts. The paintings include wreaths, reindeer and Christmas trees as well as snowmen, skiing and ice skating. Another addition to merchant storefronts is also adding to the holiday cheer. WRC worked with local schools to coordinate a Gingerbread House Contest. Nine schools created 21 gingerbread houses now in storefronts and eateries along Market Street. People can walk along the Gingerbread Lane and vote on their favorite houses. Gingerbread houses garnering the most votes will win a prize. In addition, celebrity judges Dana Herbert of Cake Boss and Jennifer Behm of MasterChef will visit each of the gingerbread houses on Saturday, Dec. 17. The winners of the public vote and the celebrity judges’ vote will be revealed at 2 p.m. that day in the Copeland Room above the Delaware History Museum. A full list of gingerbread house locations is available at www.downtownwilmington.com. If you want to avoid the malls for shopping and Santa, downtown has your answer as well. Santa Claus will be at the Delaware History Museum (504 N. Market St.) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on three consecutive Saturdays: Dec. 3, Dec. 10 and Dec. 17. Parents are welcome to bring cameras to capture the memories or provide an email address for pictures to be sent to them. The “IN” discount card will make shopping even nicer in downtown Wilmington. Participating merchants will give a deal or discount to anyone who presents an “IN” card, which can be picked up at merchant locations or at the WRC office (100 W. 10th St., Suite 206). For a list of participating merchants, check www.downtownwilmington.com. Parking during the holiday season is a breeze as well. In addition to numerous parking garages and lots, parking meters are free after noon from Nov. 26 to Dec. 31! Parkers must adhere to time limits at the spaces (the majority are two hours). For more information, visit www.downtownwilmington.com.

Every month we feature a few of the staff’s favorite things that are happening in the city. Our favorites for December include: • Bain’s Deli is now open on the 200 block of Market Street • Santa is back downtown for Saturdays in December • Babe Styling Studio has expanded and owners opened the gentlemen’s salon HOMMES downtown • Cavanaugh’s is open during the evenings, Tuesday through Friday • Holiday shopping for everything from ties and purses to stocking stuffers and sweet treats can be accomplished in downtown Wilmington.

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