October 2022 - The Beat Goes On

The

Goes On

Published each month by TSN Media, Inc.

All rights reserved. Contact@TSNPub.com Wilmington, DE 19801

Publisher

Gerald duPhily • jduphily@tsnpub.com

Director of Publications

Jim Miller • jmiller@tsnpub.com

Contributing Editor

Bob Yearick • ryearick@comcast.net

Creative Director & Production Manager Matthew Loeb, Catalyst Visuals, LLC

Digital Services Director Michael O’Brian

Wilmington is Open for Business

Wilmington Alliance, along with its partners, takes on our city’s toughest challenges to find innovative new ways of thinking about age-old problems. Ensuring equity and opportunity for our city's businesses is just one way we foster economic mobility.

Wilmington small businesses are still facing challenges, and they need your help. Support from the local community is more important than ever to help these businesses stay open, recover and thrive. Donate today to help us increase resources for entrepreneurs and small businesses!

OUR IMPACT:

Since the start of the pandemic, 362 businesses were supported by Wilmington Alliance and program partners through small business & entrepreneurship support programming.

Wilmington Strong Fund: 212 businesses received over $300,000 in direct monetary support and we've committed to doing more.

Wilmington Kitchen Collective: Through our first kitchen, 15 culinary entrepreneurs have received direct funding support totaling $77,862. A second commercial grade kitchen is scheduled to open this fall.

WilmingtonMADE: 215 businesses were supported through over $60,000 in WilmingtonMADE programming including being listed in our online business directory.

E3: Through our partnership, 9 Wilmington businesses will receive over $40,000 in resources and direct services.

Kiva Delaware: 7 entrepreneurs were approved for zero interest loans through crowdfunding totaling $54,500. More entrepreneurs are currently in the funding pipeline.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Find local, Wilmington small businesses to support through our WilmingtonMade online directory at www.WilmingtonMade.com and donate at www.WilmingtonAlliance.org today!

From The Publisher

CHANGING BUSINESS CLIMATE?

It was a fascinating news item. One I almost missed as I began to mentally tune out CNN’s over-the-top coverage of the passing of 96-year-old Queen Elizabeth.

That said, I now have new respect for corgis after learning of the Queen’s lifelong affinity. And I have hope for the future knowing there could be a thaw in the freeze out between Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton.

But I digress.

As my son and I made our way back from a recent drive to Philly, the coverage of the Queen’s passing took a merciful pause. There was “breaking news” in the world of philanthropy: Eighty-three-year-old Yvon Chouinard was giving away the $3 billion company he founded — Patagonia.

Why? To fight climate change. “Earth is now our only shareholder,” the company’s website succinctly proclaimed.

Talk about putting your money where your concerns are… I don’t know about you, but I find this announcement jawdropping. My mind immediately raced to: What did his wife think of the decision? She signed off. What about the other heirs, his adult children? They signed off, too. The rest of the inner circle? Evidently, Choiunard’s plan was being carefully crafted for years.

Wow!

In a letter also published on the Patagonia website, Choiunard gave this explanation:

While we’re doing our best to address the environmental crisis, it’s not enough. We needed to find a way to put more money into fighting the crisis while keeping the company’s values intact. One option was to sell Patagonia and donate all the money. But we couldn’t be sure a new owner would maintain our values or keep our team of people around the world employed

Another path was to take the company public. What a disaster that would have been. Even public companies with good intentions are under too much pressure to create short-term gain at the expense of long-term vitality and responsibility.

Truth be told, there were no good options available. So, we created our own.

It’s being referred to as a reimagining of capitalism. We can only hope it spurs copycats like The Giving Pledge has.

Originally created by Warren Buffett, Melissa Gates and Bill Gates, the Giving Pledge pact now has 40 of America’s wealthiest people committed to giving the majority of their wealth to charitable causes either during their lifetimes or in their wills.

But Choiunard’s act is a mic drop. This isn’t a pledge to take future action. He’s doing this now. And with a singular focus: Saving the planet.

Of course, there are skeptics who dismiss his move of transferring ownership to a trust (Patagonia Purpose Trust and Holdfast Collective) as a clever way to save on taxes. Great, I hope he saves a bundle. Perhaps others will then follow his lead.

Or perhaps this is as simple as the latest act by a brilliant man displaying business acuity along with uncommon humanity. After all, Patagonia has a long history of altruistic corporate behavior. And for decades, Patagonia has demonstrated how doing good can also be good for business.

“This is not ‘woke’ capitalism,” wrote Patagonia board member Charles Conn in a recent op-ed. “It’s the future of business if we want to build a better world for our children and all other creatures.”

We do.

— Jerry duPhily

What’s happening this

Celebrate this Fall at the Zoo and learn how the animals prepare for winter.

Check our website for all of the fun activities and events that are coming this fall including: Mighty Monarch Day, Saturday October 1. Monarch butterflies spent their summer in Delaware and are now fluttering their way to Mexico for the winter.

There are also 3 days of Boo at the Zoo. Friday through Sunday, October 21—23. All are invited to wear costumes while visiting the zoo animals at a very merry, not scary, event. This event is sponsored by The Rockford Woodlawn Fund.

And finally Spirits at the Zoo, Friday, October 28. This is a new 21+ event where all can enjoy spooky cocktails and liquid libations, light nibbles, animal encounters, plus bewitching entertainment after dark. Costumes are certainly encouraged.

Enjoy shopping for unique gifts at the Zootique, or having a great treat at the snack bar. So come play, learn and enjoy yourself this fall. We’ll be happy to see you.

Did you know:

Ring-tailed lemurs are the most terrestrial of all lemur species, spending sometimes as much as 40-50% of their time on the ground. Unlike most other primates, they live in female-dominate societies. Ring-tailed lemurs live in some of the largest social groups, up to 30-35 individuals in an extended family!

By Bob Yearick

MEDIA WATCH

•Randy Wilkins, director and producer of The Captain, an ESPN documentary about Derek Jeter, quoted in USA TODAY: “The finale includes a personal moment with he and his wife.” Object of preposition, Randy, so you need the objective pronoun: him

•Also, Ike Reese, a host on Philly’s WIP-FM: During a broadcast, he said, “It was between he and Jalen Reagor.”

•Ike’s colleague, Jon Ritchie, uttered this during his show: “After a game, I would lie my head on the pillow.” A Stanford grad, Ritchie seemed to be a victim of phony sophistication, as he turned the standard lie/lay problem on its head. He used lie (to recline) instead of the correct lay (to place something). Usually, people commit the “I’m going to lay down” error. Remember, lay is a transitive verb, which means it takes an object — in this case, Jon’s head. Lie is intransitive, so it will not have an object after it. You can’t lie something down.

•Phillies TV color man Ruben Amaro (coincidentally, another Stanford alum), broadcasting a Phillies game in San Francisco, messed up the “kinder/gentler” phrase: “I thought they were kindler and gentler on the West Coast.”

•Journalists seem determined to find new uses for old words. USA TODAY’s Jori Epstein, for instance, wrote this: “This is headquarters for the 40-year-old general manager to conduct business, but he doesn’t flock to his desk. The lanky former Princeton basketball player instead takes a seat at the round conference table, ready to converse.” A single person cannot flock. As a verb, flock means to gather or move in a flock, or group. It always takes a plural subject. Better to have written, “but he doesn’t rush to his desk.”

•A reader spotted an unfortunately common miscue in the Daily Mail: “The incident is yet another example of the epidemic of crime that is wrecking havoc on US retail outlets.” That’s wreaking havoc.

•Over at The Philadelphia Inquirer, Erin McCarthy, writing about a man who drove into a crowd of people, committed this dangler: “After being arrested, reporters asked whether he had anything to say.” Were the reporters were granted their one phone call first?

•While discussing Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson’s suspension, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith committed the

always popular double-is: “The problem is, is that . . .”

•Similarly, Rhea Hughes, on WIP: “Here’s the thing is.” Rhea utters this often, and I think the inexplicable addition of is at the end makes this expression part of her idiolect — language peculair to her.

LITERALLY OF THE MONTH

A reader reports that a legal expert on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360°, reacting to the FBI search at Mar-a-Lago, spoke thusly: “Today’s news is literally head-spinning.”

DEPARTMENT OF REDUNDANCIES DEPT.

•Someone named Scooby Axson wrote this in USA TODAY: “When fans go to football games, having access to internet is almost as required as spending $10 bucks for a beer.” I’ve seen this on signs in mom-and-pop shops, but never in a newspaper.

•Jenna Ryu, reviewing a book in USA TODAY: “Instead of providing love and support, McCurdy says her mother instead conditioned her into eating disorders . . .” Always good to remember the qualifier that starts your sentence.

•Darnell Green of the Golden State Warriors, speaking at a press conference after a playoff game, credited teammate Steph Curry with picking up his spirits during halftime. Said Green: “I was having a bad game, and he visibly saw that.”

THANK YOU, DR. OZ

The famous (infamous?) TV doctor’s campaign for the U.S. Senate has spawned a veritable cornucopia of material for “War.” To wit:

•An AP story about a voter included this: “Dr. Nadeem Iqbal, a Pittsburgh-area radiologist who was originally born in Pakistan, said he might be tempted to vote for a Muslim candidate.” Did he come to the U.S. to be reborn?

•An Oz commercial gave us this dangler: “After medical school in Philadelphia, people put their lives in my hands.” Wait — if they went to medical school, couldn’t they treat themselves?

•And finally we have this logic-defying circumlocution from the candidate himself: “I can only speak to what I’m saying.”

Follow me on Twitter: @thewaronwords

A monthly column in which we attempt, however futilely, to defend the English language against misuse and abuse THE WAR ON WORDS

Things worth knowing

ENTREPRENEURIAL SUMMIT SET FOR OCT. 4

The fifth annual Delaware Entrepreneurial Summit will feature a Networking Block Party held along the 500 block of Wilmington’s Market Street from noon to 5:30pm on Tuesday, Oct. 4. The Summit is produced by the Emerging Enterprise Center (EEC) in partnership with the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce (NCCCC).

The event will kick off with keynote speaker Chris Buccini, co-president of the Buccini/Pollin Group Inc (BPG). Panel discussions will be held from 12:45-4:15pm inside The Queen, Old Town Hall and the Delaware History Museum. In addition, attendees can attend a live recording of the podcast Battle Scars — Tales From Entrepreneurs produced by Lee Mikles and Patrick Callahan, former founders of the Archer Group.

The event will conclude with the 10th Annual Swim with the Sharks Pitch Competition at The Queen at 6pm. Five finalists will compete for a Grand Prize of $10,000 (provided by the New Castle County Office of Economic Development initiative NCC Innovates), $2,500 Runnerup Prize (provided by Harvard Business Services), and a $1,000 People’s Choice Award (provided by SCORE Delaware) to help them launch and grow their business.

For more information or tickets, visit EECIncubator.com/entrepreneurial-summit.

A PARTNERSHIP

‘FOR THE GOOD OF ANIMALS’

Adrizzly afternoon couldn’t dampen the excitement at the unveiling of the new era, new name, and new partnership now known as Humane Animal Partners Delaware — the new organization born of the merging of two of Delaware’s largest no-kill animal rescue and welfare agencies, Delaware Humane Association and Delaware SPCA.

Staff, volunteers, and board members from both groups unveiled the new name, logo, and mission at the soon-to-be former SPCA campus in Stanton in early September. The organization will be overseen by Delaware Humane Association’s Executive Director, Patrick Carroll, as Chief Executive Officer and Delaware SPCA’s Executive Director, Anne Cavanaugh, as Chief Operating Officer.

The name and logo were developed with help from Wilmington agency Aloysius Butler & Clark, including several community surveys and focus groups. Carroll noted that they really listened to constituents’ feedback, which indicated that the word ‘humane’ and a continued commitment to No-Kill status were of utmost importance.

“We’ll continue to work for the good of animals and the people who love them,” Carroll said.

“The big thing about partnerships [in caring for] animals is that shelters don’t operate on their own or in a vacuum,” Carroll continued. “A lot of our work also becomes about social work: issues of economics, access, housing, and more. We consider everyone a partner in those efforts — our donors and sponsors, our veterinary contacts, our foster families, and our adopters.”

Carroll, flanked by Cavanaugh, DHA Board President Michele L. Ahwash, and SPCA Board President State Representative Kim Williams, said he sees the future as operating in more of a ‘circle’ that encompasses and addresses all aspects of animals’ (and their people’s) lives.

— Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald

YEARICK WINS OSTROSKI JOURNALISM AWARD

B

ob Yearick, contributing editor of Out & About and author of “The War on Words” column, was one of three winners of the 2021 Drew Ostroski Awards for Excellence in Delaware Journalism.

Yearick won in the Stories About Delaware category for “Fighting the Good Fight,” his profile of former pro boxer Dave Tiberi, which appeared in the September 2021 O&A.

Fay Jacobs won in the Humor category for “Let’s Get Physical,” which appeared in the August 2021 Delaware Beach Life Matthew Trucks won for Outdoor Photography.

The awards honor the memory of long-time Delaware editor and writer Drew Ostroski, who passed away in 2020.

For information on how to enter the 2022 contest, go to the thedrewostroskiaward.com/categories.

ATLANTIC 10 WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP RETURNS

After a successful Delaware debut, the Atlantic 10 will once again hold its annual women’s basketball championship tournament in Wilmington. The 2023 A10 Women’s Championship will take place at the Chase Fieldhouse on Wilmington’s Riverfront and crown the champion of the 15-team conference. Visit Atlantic10.com/ChaseTheCrown.

The nonprofit organization Music With A Mission will present A Concert for Ukraine on Sunday, Oct. 23 at 4pm at St. Helena’s Roman Catholic Church (602 Philadelphia Pike, Wilm.). The organization is dedicated to featuring the music of acclaimed Delaware composer Wilson Gault Somers and this year’s concert will perform reimagined works from Wilson’s first major work, “Mass for the Homeless,” as well as several other compositions. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit the National Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Recovery Fund. Visit DisasterPhilanthropy.org.

BOULEVARD

Wilmington’s monthly Open Streets program moves to Baynard Blvd. on Sat., Oct. 15 from 1-4pm. The program, which closes a designated street to motor vehicle traffic to create a safe space for outdoor activities such as walking, cycling and rollerblading, is a collaboration between Urban Bike Project, West Side Grows Together and the Open Streets Steering Committee. This month’s activities include free bike rentals, free bike repairs, produce giveaways, DJ music and family games. Visit OpenStreetsWilmington.org.

HANOVER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CELEBRATES 250 YEARS

H

anover Presbyterian Church will present Hanover Through the Arts on Sunday, Oct. 16 (11am) as it culminates a year of special celebrations commemorating the church’s 250th anniversary. The event will feature music, dance, art, poetry, drama as well as the church’s stained-glass windows.

Hanover has been a part of Wilmington and Delaware life for more than two centuries. It assembled its first members in 1772 and in 1908 settled at its current location of 1801 N. Jefferson St. The church has always been in the forefront of promoting education and its free day school for children opened in the 1800s became the forerunner for the present free public school system in Delaware.

Today, Hanover has weekly outreach to the community through JB’s Café, its food pantry and a clothing closet. It also is engages in community partnerships that promote social justice, education, health and improving the quality of life for all people and families. Visit HanoverChurch.org.

WILMINGTON

Downtown Visions, the non-profit organization that manages Wilmington’s Business Improvement District, has developed a new APP that will allow visitors, residents and workers to explore Downtown Wilmington and search for restaurants, parking, events and more. You can download the APP by searching for “Downtown Wilm DE” in the Apple APP Store.

Free bike rentals offered at Open Streets.

Hanover Presbyterian Church

BATTLING BLIGHT, BLOCK-BY-BLOCK

BEFORE AFTER

By Bob Yearick

The city of Wilmington, and, by extension, the state of Delaware, came relatively late to the concept of land banking. The Delaware General Assembly passed enabling legislation in 2015, thus joining 30 other states that already had land banks.

A concept that took off in the early 2000s, land banks are public or private organizations that purchase, hold, develop, or otherwise manage foreclosed or abandoned properties and convert them to productive use. Their goal is to strengthen and revitalize neighborhoods and inspire economic development.

It took some time to get the cumbersomely named Wilmington Neighborhood Conservancy Land Bank (WNCLB) off the ground, but four years in, it seems to have hit its stride.

In its first full year of operation — 2019 — WNCLB sold nine properties. That number has increased annually, and now totals 184.

Last year, the organization acquired 78 properties: 46 vacant, dilapidated buildings, 15 vacant lots, and 17 donated lots.

Of those, 72 were sold. Twenty-five went to investors who paid $2,000 and will rehabilitate them for homeownership; 20 were sold for $2,000 to investors who will rehab them for rental; 14 were joint profit ventures, and four were homestead units.

Homesteads go for $1 to buyers who commit to renovating the unit within 12 months and living in it for five years. There have been 16 homesteaders since the program’s inception.

In addition, WNCLB offers the Side Yard program, which sells vacant lots at a nominal fee to adjacent homeowners. In four years, 20 blighted lots have been repurposed into residential side yards.

There is also the Urban Garden Lease program, which encourages creation of community gardens.

15-Member Board

WNCLB is guided by a 15-member board of directors, which includes three City Council members and the mayor’s deputy chief of staff. A four-person staff conducts everyday work.

The organization has been without a director since 2020, when the Board, according to Chair Rick Gessner, asked Bill Freeborn to resign. A former city council member and Republican insider, Freeborn in April pleaded guilty to stealing at least $28,000 from the WNCLB. He admitted to taking more than a dozen cash payments of about $2,000 each from potential buyers for properties that were not owned by the Land Bank (WNCLB’s policy does not allow cash payments from buyers).

Gessner says the Land Bank has moved on from the Freeborn incident. He gives most of the credit to Director of Operations Ray Saccomandi and Contract Manager Natalie DiCostanza.

“We have a very active board and a talented and hard-working volunteer force, but Ray and Natalie have really stepped up,” Gessner says. “They in effect have been executive directors since Bill Freeborn left. Ray has an extensive background in housing, ►

In four years, Wilmington’s Land Bank has made progress in converting vacant properties into productive use

The Wilmington Land Bank helped transform these neglected row homes on W. 9th St. into appealing residences.

Photos provided

and he understands how to work with neighborhood groups. Natalie has boosted our ability to go out and apply for grants. We have had to move beyond funding just from the city.”

The WNCLB 2021 Annual Report bears out that comment. The organization secured grants totaling $4,660,500 last year. The American Rescue Plan Act, passed a year ago, accounted for $3,100,000 of the total. The city contributed $500,000.

Other contributions: $400,000 from the State Housing Authority; $10,500 from corporations; $650,000 from DNREC for remediation projects.

Saccomandi, who joined WNCLB in November of 2018, says the organization is changing Wilmington as a community. “When we came in,” he says, “the city had an inventory of over 250 unoccupied homes they had to move. We sold about 200 (actually 184) of those homes to capable developers, and I’d say 100 of those have been repurposed and sold to new homeowners.”

As an example, he cites the organization’s efforts on a block of West Ninth Street.

“We took every vacant property on that block, six of them, partnered with the NCRC (National Community Reinvestment Coalition), rehabbed and sold them, and property values went from $150,000 to $220,000, and it removed all the blight and all drugselling on that block.”

Block-by-Block Effort

Adds Gessner: “New Castle County, and the city especially, has an aging housing stock with a lot of vacants, and the marketplace has not been dealing with them. If you really want to improve neighborhoods you’ve got to get rid of vacants. Studies show that if you have one vacant on the block you bring everybody’s value down 30 percent. If there are two vacants, values come down more than half. We had blocks where there were three and four of them. Get rid of them and you can turn around neighborhoods. But it’s a block-by-by block effort.”

WNCLB also partners with other area programs and organizations that address housing blight. One of those is Cornerstone West Corp., headed by Sarah Lester.

"We believe in the Land Bank's intent and in the model,” Lester says. “Since its inception, it has been a very helpful entity in putting properties back into use on the West Side.

“The most recent project, called Lifelines III, involved the renovation and new construction of 10 units or beds for youth aging out of the foster care system, and a drop-in center for unaccompanied youth or homeless youth, in partnership with the West End Neighborhood House. Two of the properties bookended a small side street — Douglas. These corners, on 8th and 7th, were vacant and blighted for years and years, and we were able to work with the Land Bank to acquire them. This project transformed the corners, the street and the surrounding blocks, and built on significant previous investment in the Little Italy neighborhood."

Dover and other cities and towns throughout Delaware are plagued with vacant and dilapidated housing, and Gessner laments the fact that the WNCLB is the only land bank in the state. “In addition to us,” he says, “there really should be one in all three counties.”

— The organization’s inventory of available properties can be accessed through the website: wilmingtonlandbank.org. Anyone interested in more information can join the bi-weekly Zoom sessions, and past information sessions also are located on the homepage of the website.

Dressed To Thrill

Gregory Shelton’s Poplar Hall brings unique Halloween experience to Rockwood Museum

By Matt Morrissettte

We all have a friend, coworker or family member whose anticipation for autumn in general, and more specifically Halloween, borders on the fanatical.

You know the sort: they can be found in a hoodie and jeans sipping a high-octane pumpkin beer from the prior year around a raging bonfire on the very first evening the temperature dips to ever-so-slightly below 80 degrees in late July. In his circle of associates, it’s safe to say that Gregory Shelton is this very person.

Born in Chesapeake City, Md., Shelton and his family now reside on a property in Newark that is on the National Registry of Historic Places and known as Poplar Hall. The property boasts a beautiful 18thcentury home and a functioning farm; it also serves as the namesake for Shelton’s marketing, branding, and event planning company, as well as a primary source of inspiration for his personal and professional passions.

Being something of a Renaissance man, Shelton has eclectic tastes and interests, and always has many irons in the fire. He is a collector and rider of vintage British motorcycles, a champion gardener, a talented artist and musician, and a passionate cook. He also somehow finds time to host a successful YouTube show called Historic Living Modern World, which highlights his life, interests, and the various strange adventures he finds his way into.

Shelton is well known regionally for his production of the perennially sold-out David Bowie tribute concerts known as “A Night of Stardust.” These concerts have taken place annually at Philadelphia’s Union Transfer since the death of the glam rock legend. Closer to home, Shelton’s decade-long run of Halloween parties featuring crowds in the hundreds getting their groove and scare on to the sounds of the best Philly DJs (which took place in Poplar Hall’s massive barn) is the stuff of legend. ►

It was towards the end of this 10-year run of parties that Shelton felt a twinge of boredom and creative restlessness. It led him to create a vision closer in spirit to his idea of Halloween.

“I yearned to create a true fall/ Halloween experience that was original and could be a destination event for people 30 years old and up,” says Shelton. “People that also love the true meaning of Halloween, and a great ghost story, and the chill of the fall air, and the glow of a hand-carved pumpkin — all with a dollop of the Victorian macabre.”

From this vision, Shelton teamed with writer April Lindsey to create The Revisionists: A Haunted Victorian Walk, a storytelling event and walking tour in which several ghost stories are told from the point of view of guides (revisionists) who have an innate ability to communicate with the dead. The production made its debut to sold-out crowds and rave reviews in Shelton’s hometown of historic Chesapeake City in October of 2020. In 2021, it was greeted with the same enthusiastic response and advance sellouts.

For 2022, Poplar Hall has partnered with New Castle County to bring a fresh version of the mobile theatrical experience to the grounds of Wilmington’s Rockwood Park and Museum. The 90-minute event will take participants on a lamplit tour throughout the historic gardens and walkways of the Shipley mansion property as revisionists relate six handwritten ghost tales.

The move to Rockwood Park has enabled Shelton to realize his vision on a grander scale.

“I knew the Revisionists concept needed to be amplified at a true Gothic Mansion that would be a future destination for all Halloween lovers alike that yearn for a truly original experience,” he says. “This year’s production will be directed by Lisa Panzer, a professional actor and director that really understands how to bring this effort to life… or death! It will have genius lighting by Robert Cox, and some of the area’s best actors.

"I’m also very excited to work with new Rockwood director Ryan Grover. Ryan already understands what we’re trying to accomplish, and I believe he’ll make a great partner in this production.”

If one is looking for a more subtle, thinking man’s version of a Halloween experience that’s light on being startled by strangers manically wielding chainsaws (though that also has it’s time and place), Shelton’s ode to the ghost story is not-tobe-missed. And for those looking for a Halloween dress-up opportunity, attendees are encouraged to dress in their favorite Victorian and Gothic-styled attire to match the actors and have a more immersive experience.

— The Revisionists: A Haunted Victorian Walk takes place on Friday and Saturday evenings (October 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29) at Rockwood Park and Museum, 4651 Washington Street Extension, Wilmington, DE 19809. Reservations are strongly encouraged.

DRESSED TO THRILL continued from previous page

Gregory Shelton is well know in the area for his creative productions.

Photo by April Lindsey

Don’t keep your future on hold. Put it in drive.

Del Tech has over 100 programs, like Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training, leading to in-demand careers. With our flexible, affordable tuition, there’s never been a better time to make your next move.

Enroll today. Visit dtcc.edu.

Fall in love with sustainable shopping!

Step inside Great Stuff Savvy Resale & Home to discover a carefully curated selection of preloved quality, and designer items including women’s clothing, accessories, and home accents, always at savvy prices.

IG : @greatstuffde

FB : @greatstuffresale

RIVERFRONT

The Delaware Contemporary

200 South Madison Street 656-6466 • decontemporary.org

Artists: Space Beyond Measure by Seonglan Kim Boyce and Through a Glass Darkly

Bridge Art Gallery @ New Castle County Chamber of Commerce

920 Justison Street 353-4527 • bridgeartgallery.net

Artist: Creative Mithila Art Exhibition

DOWNTOWN

2nd & LOMA Leasing Office

211 N. Market Street 655-0124 • 2ndandloma.com

Artist: Art Loop by Amy Nitchman

Chris White Gallery

701 N. Shipley Street 475-0998 • chriswhitegallery.com

Artist: Serious Play solo exhibit by Roderick Hidalgo

Christina Cultural Arts Center

705 N. Market Street 652-0101 • ccacde.org

Artist: Sheila Exum

City of Wilmington’s Redding Gallery

800 N. French Street 576-2100 • cityfestwilm. com/redding-gallery

Artist: Stephen Kingsberry

Delaware College of Art & Design

600 N. Market Street 622-8000 • dcad.edu

Artist: Valetta (New 2nd floor gallery) & Constance M. Simon (Lobby gallery)

Gallery at Grace Church

900 N. Washington Street 331-0719 • gracechurchwilmington.org

Artist: Family & Community Paintings by Yolanda Chetwynd

The Grand Opera House

818 N. Market Street 658-7897 thegrandwilmington.org

Artists: Grand Gallery: Pam Bounds: “BOLD, BRASH and BOUNDLESS — Pam Bounds is BACK!” baby grand Gallery: Eunice LaFate “Diverse Seasonal Perspectives”

Next Art Loop:

Friday, Nov 4, 2022

MKT Gallery

200 W. 9th Street mkt-place-gallery. mailchimpsites.com

Artist: 1994

Mezzanine Gallery at the Carvel State Building

820 N. French Street 577-8278 arts.delaware.gov

Artist: Polymer Painting, Joseph Barbaccia

The Sold Firm

800-B N. Tatnall Street 689-3237 • thesoldfirm.com

Artist: Brick Kastles

WEST SIDE

Trolley Square Art Murals Scavenger Hunt

757-0669

Artist: 18 local artists, who will be there at their mural delawareave.wordpress. com/trolley-squaremural-scavenger-hunt

Church of the Holy City

1118 N. Broom Street 215-840-1757

Artist: Appreciation of Beauty by Jan Wilkinson

Howard Pyle Studio

1305 N. Franklin Street 656-7304 • howardpylestudio.org

Artist: Howard Pyle Studio Art Show and Sale

The Delaware Center for Horticulture

1810 N. Dupont Street 658-6262 • thedch.org

Artist: “Take Me To The River” by Kathleen Keane

Blue Streak Gallery

1721 Delaware Avenue 429-0506

Artist: INTWINED, Sallie Ketcham, Mixed Media

Cab Calloway School of the Arts

100 N. Dupont Road

651-2700

Artists: Delaware Division of the Arts Award Winners at Cab Calloway School of the Arts

BEYOND THE CITY

Blue Ball Barn

1914 W. Park Drive 577-7020

Artist: Following Energy: Intuitive Paintings by Victoria Franz

Arden Buzz Ware Village Center

2119 The Highway, Arden 981-4811 • ardenbuzz.com

Artist: Lon Sullivan’s Rhythmic Flow: Artistry thru Fluidity.

Bellefonte Arts

803-C Brandywine Blvd. 762-4278 • bellefontearts.com

Artists: Original art from members Irena Kelso and AJ Stalloni

COCA Pop-Up Gallery

3829 Kennett Pike, Greenville 218-4411

Artists: Group Show

The Station Gallery

3922 Kennett Pike 654-8638 • stationgallery.net

Artist: October Group Show: Kim Hoechst, Abigail McBride, Mary Pritchard

The Beat Goes On

The State of the Area’s Live Music Scene

By Pam George

In the 1980s, Michael “Kid” Davis decided to move from Delaware County, Pennsylvania, to Wilmington for one primary reason: the music scene. “It was really jumping down here,” says Davis, the front man for The Bullets, a roots/rockabilly band. Venues included Gallucio’s downtown location, the Barn Door, The Buggy Tavern, Zink’s Place and Tally-Ho — to name a few.

The venues are long gone, but Davis is still plugging away, with about 20 or more gigs a month. He’s not the only one. Bassist Tony Cappella performs nearly every weekend — and during the week if he’s not busy with his full-time job. And Pat Kane, who at 32 represents the younger generation, is steadily booked from Thursdays to Sundays.

Musicians like these are keeping the live music scene alive in northern Delaware. “There are just so many musicians, artists and talented people,” Kane maintains. “There always has been, and there always will be.”

Melissa Forsythe agrees. “Some people underestimate the size of the music scene,” says Forsythe, who recently bought Rainbow Records in Newark. She also owns Gingerfox Productions. “The pandemic really threw a meteor in it, but it’s coming back.”

But climbing back into the spotlight is not easy, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic punted bars and restaurants into survival mode. Today, getting gigs requires initiative, ingenuity and community support.

A Long Legacy

Full disclosure: My husband is a musician, and I’ve seen the highs and lows of the job. Like most band members, he has a fulltime job. But music is his passion, and like Davis, he remembers the heyday of The Buggy Tavern and the many restaurants/bars that offered a steady stream of live music.

Gray-haired musicians rarely hang up their guitars or stash their drumsticks. Cappella, for instance, has been performing

before audiences since 1974 and shows no sign of stopping. The bassist has played with so many bands, including Montana Wildaxe, that it’s easy to lose count when he lists them.

Between the old and the new, there are more bands than there are places to play. And that is saying something. Just before COVID-19, there were plenty of options, and many restaurants offered music after the dinner hour or on special occasions.

Those hungry for a steady diet of live local music could find it at Kelly’s Logan House, Rockford Tavern, Jackson Inn, Kennett Brewing Company, Oddity Bar and 1984. The Queen, which opened in Wilmington in 2011, initially featured local acts as well as big names, thanks to World Café Live’s influence. When Live Nation took over that temporarily, changed. Nearby, The Nomad Bar opened in 2011 and is devoted to live music, craft cocktails and beer.

While jazz is a priority, The Nomad began offering other genres, including cover bands, bluegrass and rockabilly. “Nomad is a special place for me,” Kane says. “They gave me a home to play, and I love that they’re a dedicated music venue.”

Then came the pandemic, which closed The Nomad for two years. ►

Tony Cappella has been playing the local scene since 1974 and remains one of area's busiest musicians. "I love all genres," he says. Photo by Joe del Tufo

The pandemic made state and city parks a hub for live performances. “Every town seems to have these little music series in their parks,” agrees Kane, who plays with Bones Brigade and The Bullets. “Everybody comes out and hangs, whether they know the band or not. It’s a great way to get together and enjoy music.”

Inside or out, breweries and wineries are newer platforms for performers. Smaller operations book bands and food trucks for weekend events, while larger brewpubs have a steady lineup.

“Wilmington Brew Works is an example of somebody that embraces the music community and local arts, organizations and businesses,” says longtime Wilmington resident Brianna Hansen, who handles marketing for The Queen.

Wineries in Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey also book bands.

hagley’s biggest show ever!

Making It Happen

A music career is a business, whether you play on weekends or five nights a week. Succeeding requires initiative.

“People are getting really creative, which is interesting and fun,” says Forsythe, who books for the festival Hot Jam, a benefit for the Center for the Creative Arts in Yorklyn.

In Wilmington, Gable Music Ventures started by holding music popups in gallery spaces in downtown art galleries. Gable went on to develop the Ladybug Music Festival, now in Wilmington and Milford. The promoter and event organizer plans to do more along these lines, says founder Gayle Dillman.

Joe Trainor of The Rock Orchestra is equally unwilling to sit idle. Instead, he’s booked theaters and entertainment spaces to pull off high-caliber shows saluting bands like Pink Floyd and the Beatles. On Nov. 27, Tony Cappella and friends will perform the music of Todd Rundgren at the Grand Opera House.

Cappella is arguably one of the busiest musicians in town. Credit his drive — energy. Along with Montana Wildaxe, he plays with the Stone Shakers and What the Funk.

“I love all genres, and it really doesn’t bother me to do something that’s not mainstream,” he says.

He calls up the booking reps and asks what they want — jazz, folk, funk? A duo, trio, or full band? Then he delivers it. Indeed, flexibility is the key to staying busy. Bassist Rich Hanrahan performs with Too Tall Slim & the Guilty Pleasures, Crazy Chester and the Space Farmers and the Delta Cosmonauts, which

Vocalist Joe Trainor and The Rock Orchestra return to The Grand Nov. 27.

The Susquehanna Floods at Kelly’s Logan House. O&A file photo

Photo by Joe del Tufo

THE BEAT GOES ON continued from previous page

Tony "Big Cat" Smith at The Nomad, which has reopened after closing during COVID.

Photo by Butch Comegys

One solution, she says, is for an establishment to put music in the budget, much as they do linens, eggs, and beer. Davis isn’t convinced. “If a place had to put music in their budget, they just probably wouldn’t have music,” he says.

Back to the Start

The rise of new possibilities — parks, parties, breweries and special events — doesn’t mean the traditional outlets are dead. Jackson Inn in Wilmington has taken the lead as a live music venue, and The Bullets play at the establishment every Thursday.

Hansen has successfully lobbied for regional acts to return to the Market Street theater’s Crown Room. “When we first opened, we were community-driven,” she notes. “We want to integrate more local music again — that back-to-the-roots model.”

The Nomad is only open three nights a week, but the place is often packed. David Vandever says that downtown development, including new apartments, has brought fresh faces to the bar. “This whole area is undergoing revitalization.” He notes that offices aren’t back to capacity, but there are more residences than in the past, and the bar attracts a diverse crowd.

Diversity is also a calling card at Oddity Bar, which is broadening its musical offerings to include jazz, blues and other genres, says Manny Hernandez, who has a background in studio engineering. “Original music is near and dear to my heart.”

Music, however, isn’t the only draw. The bar has also had hookah nights, bingo and open mic nights. Other bars and restaurants offer Quizzo and DJs, and younger generations are just as happy gaming, streaming or throwing axes.

“The slices of the pie are smaller, for sure,” Forsythe says of the entertainment dollars. But when people come out for music, “they are dedicated,” Hanrahan says.

Dillman would like to see more of those committed fans in Wilmington. In cities like Austin or Philadelphia, she says, people aren’t wondering if they will see music; the question is where

“By supporting the venues and the musicians, we are going to bring business into Wilmington — it’s a big circle,” she maintains. “People will come from Philadelphia and surrounding areas. They may eat out. They may also stay overnight. It creates a cycle of success.”

Davis, for one, will be here to greet them. “Financially and psychologically, I have to keep doing it,” he says of his music career. “I don’t picture stopping until nobody comes to see me, or I physically

The annual Ladybug Festival has become a popular showcase for female performers such as Danni Peace (above), earning the area music scene national attention.

Photo by Joe del Tufo

May not be as big or as loud as it used to be, but the area music scene is starting to make noise again.

The pandemic may have canceled shows, shuttered a few venues and caused musicians mayhem and anxiety, but it could not stop the music.

When we endeavored to compile this list, we wanted to focus on places that regularly feature full bands (that means drums, too) — that’s what we did. It was encouraging that the list ending up longer than we first imagined.

That’s a good sign.

Yes, we probably missed a few places on the outskirts of our reach. And there are plenty of places that regularly host acoustic acts. Alas, we only have so much space.

That said, if you are looking to “lively up yourself,” this list will come in handy.

May you enjoy listening.

Whether you are looking for a jazz trio or a rock orchestra, here are some live music venues to get you started STRIKE UP THE BANDS!STRIKE UP THE BANDS!

Compiled by Matt Kaukeinen, Matt Morrissette and Jim Miller

Michael Davis and The Bullets at The Oddity. Photo by Butch Comegys

Arden Gild Hall

In the quiet, artsy hamlet of Arden, this Tudor-styled concert hall has long stood as a community hub for both local and world culture. On Friday, Oct. 7, Butch Zito and Sin City team up for “A Musical Celebration of John Prine,” followed the next night by the lively Ukrainian folk band DakhaBrakha.

Address: 2126 The Highway, Arden Days of Music: Fri & Sat

Musical Styles: Rock, indie, folk, country, bluegrass, world Typical Starting Time: 8pm

Cover Charge: Varied

Argilla Brewing Co. at Pietro’s Pizza

The eight-year home of The Sin City Band on Monday nights, this brewery and pizzeria still holds its own. This month also sees The Blues Reincarnation Project (10/1), Down Confidential (10/8) and Lower Case Blues (10/29).

Address: 2667 Kirkwood Hwy., Newark Days of Music: Mon & Sat

Musical Styles: Rock, blues, jazz, alternative

Typical Starting Time: 7pm

Cover Charge: No cover

Bar XIII

This North Wilmington spot has earned the reputation as an eclectic oasis for alternative rock, punk, hardcore, and metal. For those who enjoy things edgier, it’s a community favorite, boasting a spacious bar, gothic décor, and darker amusements. Often offers a food truck outside.

Address: 1706 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington Days of Music: Thurs-Sat, Musical Styles: Rock, metal, goth, darkwave, industrial

Typical Starting Time: 8/9pm

Cover Charge: $7-15

Bellefonte Café

Owned by Donna and David Farrar since 2014, this North Wilmington destination is a beloved neighborhood bar and a restaurant known for its eclectic and bohemian food, atmosphere, and musical acts. The Sunday brunch with live music is always a winner.

Address: 804 Brandywine Blvd., Wilmington

Days of Music: Wed-Sun

Musical Styles: Original and cover bands, rock, folk, jazz, bluegrass

Typical Starting Time: Wed-Sat (7pm), Sun (12:30pm)

Cover Charge: No cover

Constitution Yards Beer Garden

Open seasonally during the spring through fall, this Wilmington Riverfront venue boasts 30,000 square feet of outdoor space, a rotating craft beer selection, and beautiful river views. The musical entertainment takes place on the weekends with a focus on cover bands and local bands of various styles.

Address: 308 Justison St.

Days of Music: Fri & Sat

Musical Styles: cover and original, rock, blues, funk, alternative

Typical Starting Time: 6/7pm

Cover Charge: No cover

Deer Park Tavern

Where George Thorogood and the Destroyers earned their reputation as one of the rowdiest blues-rock bands on the bar circuit. A recent local legend, Jefe, plays every Tuesday night and longtime Sunday-Funday stalwarts Chorduroy return October 30, for the venue’s rotating schedule of live bands the last Sunday of every month.

Address: 108 W. Main St., Newark

Days of Music: Tues & Sun

Musical Styles: Acoustic, rock & pop cover bands

Typical Starting Time: 7pm

Cover Charge: No cover

Dew Point Brewing Co.

Located in the historic Garrett Snuff Mill in scenic Yorklyn, this family-run brewery features some of the best Belgian-style craft beer in the state, a relaxed family atmosphere, and eclectic live, local music.

Address: 2878 Creek Rd, Yorklyn

Days of Music: Sat

Musical Styles: original and cover, folk, rock, blues, Americana, bluegrass, jazz, alternative

Typical Starting Time: 2pm (outdoors); 7pm (indoors)

Cover Charge: None

The Stone Shakers at the baby grand. Photo by Joe del Tufo

Cover Charge: No cover

Halftime Sports Bar

Monster metal and hard-rock shows in a sprawling pool hall. A serious treat for any fan of ‘70s/’80s/’90s heavy rock. The stage is seriously stacked with speakers, so don’t forget your earplugs.

Address: 500 Plaza Dr., Newark

Days of Music: Fri & Sat

Musical Styles: Rock, metal, tribute acts

Typical Starting Time: 7pm

Cover Charge: $7-15

Hummingbird to Mars

Located above Catherine Rooney’s, Hummingbird to Mars offers live jazz in an intimate setting, where you can enjoy expertly mixed cocktails and a delectable menu while you enjoy the music. Look out for the Sunday jazz brunch happening this fall.

Address: 1616 Delaware Ave. (entrance located on W 16thSt)

Days of Music: Thurs-Sat

Musical Styles: Jazz, blues

Typical Starting Time: 9pm; Thurs (6pm)

Cover Charge: No cover

Gallucio’s Italian Restaurant

On Tuesday nights, the cozy barroom out front is the setting for one of the longest running open mic nights in the area, hosted by guitarist E. Shaun “Q” Qaissaunee. Friday nights sees acoustic duo Side Piece. And the small (but enduring) stage also sees full bands during special events throughout the year.

Address: 1709 Lovering Ave., Wilmington

Days of Music: Tues & Fri

Musical Styles: Rock & pop covers, jazz

Typical Starting Time: 7pm

Cover Charge: No cover

The Grand

Delighting local audiences over a span of more than 140 years, The Grand has opened its stage to musicians from all over the globe. Last month, Austin-rocker Gary Clark, Jr. crushed Copeland Hall, and this month New Mexico’s Ottmar Liebert and Hawaii’s Jake Shimabukuro bring their more intimate acts to the baby grand next door. The Grand has seen local-music success more recently with The Rock Orchestra.

Address: 818 N. Market, Wilmington Days of Music: Varies

Musical Styles: Rock, pop, symphonic, Latin, jazz, country, world, folk, tribute

Typical Starting Time: 8pm

Jackson Inn

The “JI” has taken the lead in bringing new indie rock artists from all over the country to Wilmington, as well as supporting a fantastic stable of local artists. Join in on Wednesdays for their Open Mic event and catch rockabilly veterans The Bullets on stage every Thursday.

Address: 101 N. Dupont Rd., Wilmington Days of Music: Wed-Sat

Musical Styles: Acoustic, alt rock, indie, rockabilly, new wave

Typical Starting Time: 8pm

Cover Charge: $10

Kelly’s Logan House

Plenty of great music outside and on both floors with acoustic acts downstairs on Thursday nights, then bigger bands rocking upstairs on weekends. Legendary for its crowded party atmosphere, Logan House has been a live-music destination in Trolley Square for decades.

Address: 1701 Delaware Ave., Wilmington Days of Music: Thurs-Sat

Musical Styles: Acoustic, rock & pop cover bands

Typical Starting Time: 10pm for live bands upstairs Cover Charge: No cover

The Cocks at Jackson Inn. Photo by Matt Urban

Typical Starting Time: 6pm

Cover Charge: No cover

The Nomad Bar

Excluding its closure during the pandemic, this popular bar has offered jazz on Friday nights for more than 12 years. But it’s more than a jazz club — on Thursdays and Saturdays, you’re likely to hear anything from blues to bluegrass.

Address: 905 N. Orange St., Wilmington Days of Music: Thurs-Sat

Musical Styles: Jazz, blues, soul, funk, rock, island, Americana

Typical Starting Time: 9:30; Thurs (9pm)

Cover Charge: No cover

Oddity Bar

After a tough struggle during the pandemic (when it was sold by its original owners), Oddity Bar is back with new owners Manny and Napoleon Hernandez. The bar still features the funky feel and off-kilter appeal of the original, but with some new twists. Thankfully, Oddity continues its heavy focus on live music.

Address: 500 Greenhill Ave., Wilmington Days of Music: Tues, Thurs-Sat

Musical Styles: covers and originals, funk, rock, blues, jazz, hip-hop, metal

Typical Starting Time: 8pm

Cover Charge: No cover

The Queen

In both its expansive main hall for larger acts and The Crown upstairs for more intimate shows, The Queen is making a noticeable push to get back to its pre-pandemic status as a place to see shows. Last month saw Tom Petty’s former right-hand man, Mike Campbell, rock out with his band, The Dirty Knobs, while this month sees rapper Benny the Butcher and ‘90s stalwarts Better Than Ezra take the stage.

Address: 500 Market St., Wilmington Days of Music: Thurs-Sun

Musical Styles: Rock, pop, hip-hop/rap, Latin, blues, country, metal, jazz, tribute

Typical Starting Time: 7/8pm

Cover Charge: Varies by show

Rockford Tavern

With an abundance of televisions, this neighborhood sports bar on the outskirts of Forty Acres also features a spacious outdoor patio and live entertainment several nights a week

Address: 1705 Lovering Ave., Wilmington Days of Music: Thurs-Sun

Musical Styles: covers and originals, rock, blues, alternative

Typical Starting Time: 8pm, Sun (4pm)

Cover Charge: $5

Tonic

When its Juniper event space opened next door two summers ago, this downtown eatery nearly tripled its overall capacity, which opened the doors to bigger bands. While Juniper’s been busy with weddings this summer, look for bands to come back this winter. In the meantime, the bar hosts popular acoustic acts on the weekends.

Address: 111 W. 11th St., Wilmington Days of Music: Fri & Sat

Musical Styles: Rock, dance & pop covers

Typical Starting Time: 8pm, Sun (4pm)

Cover Charge: No cover in bar; $10 in Juniper

The Oddity Bar plans to keep its commitment to live music under the new ownership of Manny and Napoleon Hernandez. O&A file photo

STRENGTH in Numbers STRENGTH in Numbers

By Jim Miller

Music is a force.

This statement is true both literally and figuratively.

In the scientific sense, music produces a series of physical vibrations, invisible forces that move through the air to our ears, where their frequencies are translated, their meanings interpreted by our minds.

In the more poetic sense, music is a force that moves people. The rhythms of some songs drive us to the dance floor; the lyrics of others bring us to tears.

The force of music is both immediate and enduring. A classic-rock anthem can get a coliseum-full of sports fans off their butts for a raucous rally; while heartful hymns have conveyed universal truths to congregations throughout the ages.

Music defines the moods and modes of generations while defying time itself, dancing in the afterlife of our memories long after the songs are over. Music also lives as a universal language that has the power to break cultural barriers and elevate cultural conversations.

And yet, despite all the evidence that points music’s value to humanity, our society continues to devalue its worth — at the risk of its long-term health. ►

Ancient thinkers understood the vital importance of music in education — why don’t we?

Ancient thinkers understood the vital importance of music in education — why don’t we?

The Decline in Music Education

There are plenty of examples of the devaluation of music from creation to commerce, but the most disturbing trend is the lack of music education in our schools — despite ample evidence to its benefits.

Dozens of well documented studies show that music enhances both language and math abilities; increases neural activity and motor skills; boosts self-confidence and emotional resilience; and may even increase IQ itself.

A 2007 University of Kansas study offered proof that, despite any pre-existing socioeconomic disparities, students in schools with better music programs posted higher standardized-test scores in English and math than students in schools that put less emphasis on music.

Ironically, recent decades have seen the same proportion of resources (or more) go towards programs directly related to standardized testing. All while arts programs like music continue to get cut.

The decline in music funding is nothing new. A nationwide survey conducted in 2008 by the National Endowment of the Arts showed that arts education in public schools may have peaked in the early ‘80s, when 65 percent of 18-year-olds surveyed said they had received arts education at some point in their schooling. By 2008, that number had dropped 15 points to below 50 percent.

Who knows what that number looks like in 2022 after two years of a pandemic?

What we do know is that minority populations are impacted the most by music education cuts. In that same 2008 NEA study, the decline of arts education went from 50 percent among Black students in 1982 to 26 percent in 2008, with a similar downward trend for Hispanic students (47 percent to 28 percent).

These results are echoed in studies conducted by the Save the Music Foundation: “the approximately 7,000 schools [in the U.S.] without music programs are predominantly in school districts that serve Black, immigrant and low-income student populations.”

Pythagoras Would Be Pissed

Plato and Pythagoras would not be pleased with our educational priorities. Both saw music as a vital study. That should mean something coming from two founding fathers of Western thinking.

Plato saw music as an equal counterpart to geometry: the former as an expression of number in time and the latter as number in space. These two fields, combined with arithmetic and astronomy, comprised the four major studies he discussed in The Republic

Later become known as the quadrivium (Latin for “four ways”), these four areas of study joined grammar, logic and rhetoric as the foundation for liberal arts throughout the Middle Ages, setting the groundwork for the Renaissance.

In the 2010 book Quadrivium: The Four Classical Liberal Arts of Number, Geometry, Music & Cosmology , Keith Critchlow writes that, under another name, the quadrivium actually dates to Pythagoras, “in a community where all were equal, materially and morally, and where women had equal status to men.”

According to Critchlow, Pythagoras saw music as “the nature of the Soul.” This coming from the man who originated the first known musical scale and coined the term “Cosmos” in describing the known universe.

Which begs the question: If music was one of the original seven liberal arts — and remained so for centuries — what has changed?

And What Could Change Again?

Thankfully, we have some indications of what can happen if we choose to make improvements to the system.

A five-year case study (2017-2021) conducted in Newark, N.J. by the Save The Music Foundation shows how an increase in music-education funding can result in measurable positive results:

“With the assistance of local, state, federal and private funding, Save The Music and our Newark partners were able to provide access to music education to approximately 98 percent of more than 35,000 students across 45 public schools in the area.

“Sixty-eight percent of teachers reported [that] students improved their academic performance, while 94 percent of teachers noted improvement in social-emotional skills like ‘grit, perseverance, and teamwork’… [and] increased academic engagement.

“Schools also observed increased attendance and improved ELA scores at measured schools.”

We know music was once one of seven major foundations of study in Western civilization. We have seen evidence music enhances learning skills and engagement. And the facts point to the ugly truth that the students who could benefit the most from music education, simply aren’t getting the funding.

Yes, music is a force.

But like all forces: It only serves us if we use it to our advantage.

J. WEBB ADVANCES

UPCOMING SOLO EP

Over the past two months, Howl Train’s J. Webb has released two singles that advance his upcoming solo EP, Royal St. Ann Burgundy, which is due out in January.

In August on Bandcamp, he debuted “The Champ,” a song inspired by the 1973 knockout of Muhammad Ali and one that Webb says, “explores the struggle to not lose sight of who we are in the throes of a fight, be it physical or emotional.”

On September 30, Webb follows up with “Threads,” which features Jeremy Worthington on drums, Pat Kane on lead guitar/pedal steel and Eric Carlson Hartman on bass.

Songs and more info at linktr.ee/jdwebb.

BENNY THE BUTCHER BRINGS BUFFALO TO THE QUEEN

Mixtape maestro Benny the Butcher hits the stage of The Queen on Friday, Oct. 7.

Look for the rap artist to perform cuts from his March release Tana Talk 4, the fourth in his Tana Talk series, which looks at growing up in the Montana Avenue area of Buffalo, New York. The album features appearances by Griselda Records labelmates Conway the Machine and Westside Gunn as well as J. Cole, Diddy, and Boldy James.

Tickets and more info at TheQueenWilmington.com.

A

fter 25 years of playing hundreds of rock shows in and out of the NYC club scene — and recording nine albums — Benjamin Wagner made the decision with his wife to pack their bags and move the family out of The Big Apple and into the First State.

It was a place where he knew virtually no one.

Then the pandemic hit, and virtually became almost the only way to meet anyone.

“It’s been a weird couple of years for live music,” Wagner admits. “I was singing into phones and laptops during COVID. Better than nothing, but just barely.

“Worse, I was new to town and didn’t know anyone.”

But Wagner’s travels didn’t end at the doorstep of his new digs in Wilmington. Recording his tenth album, Constellations, became a soul-searching road trip in a way. The process took him back to NYC, then to Nashville, Memphis, and ultimately Muscles Shoals, Alabama, the home of legendary FAME Studios, where he recorded three songs that close out the new record.

“FAME Studios is just one of those rooms like Studio A in Nashville or Ocean Way in Los Angeles where there’s magic in the carpeting and the wood paneling and every particle of dust,” Wagner says. “And you just hope some of that magic sticks to your songs.”

Local listeners will get a chance to soak in some of those Southern sounds on Friday, Oct. 21 at The Queen, during Wagner’s official album release show, which features guest artists Lily McKown and Chvnce.

Tickets and more info at TheQueenWilmington.com.

Gunpowder Milkshake is serving up some good stuff this month. Their Mixtape Release party will be on Saturday, Oct. 15 at The Cooches Nest in Newark. MEGA and Pinwheel will open starting at 4pm.

In advance of the show, the band will discuss their upcoming debut release on Hometown Heroes (88.1 WMHS) with host Mark Rogers on October 2. The weekly radio program starts runs Sunday nights from 7pm to 9pm with a rebroadcast on Wednesday nights starting at 9pm.

Benjamin Wagner plays The Queen Oct. 21.

Rap artist Benny the Butcher visits The Queen Oct. 7.

Photo by John Shearer

THE DEAD GIVE LIFE TO LOCAL CAUSES

On Friday, Sept. 9, more than 2000 music fans headed to the amphitheater at the Myrick Conservation Center in West Chester for Deadfest, a night of music commemorating the Grateful Dead.

In its 12th year, the benefit concert brought together 33 area musicians and helped raise an estimated $40,000 for the Brandywine Red Clay Alliance, an environmental group focused primarily on watershed conservation. The event is annually the single largest revenue for the organization.

"It's great to get back to being fully back from Covid after cancelling 2020 and limiting attendance to 1,000 last year," says musician/organizer Rob Grant. "Seeing the BRC packed from the stage to the top of the hill and everyone dancing and singing was simply amazing."

Following suit, on Saturday, Oct. 8 (2-6pm), Dew Point Brewing Co. will continue its four-year tradition of Morning Dew with a similar offering of music featuring performances from Bones Brigade, Delta Cosmonauts, and Wings A Mile. Proceeds from the show will go to the Christian Salcedo Music Scholarship fund, which helps provide musical instruments and lessons to children in underserved communities.

Tickets at DewPointBrewing.com.

Deadfest raised $40,000 for Brandywine Red Clay Alliance.

ARSENIC AND OLD LACE

Bowl-A-Rama

Bowl-A-Rama

Today’s hot culinary trend is an all-in-one approach

By Pam George

Many Papa John’s customers scratched their heads in confusion when the fast-food chain debuted Papa Bowls — essentially pizzas without the crust. Although curious, the additions demonstrate the trendiest item on today’s menu: the bowl. They can be sweet or savory, and, when well done, they are a culinary collision of complimentary flavors.

“They’re a complete meal — you have your veggies, starch, protein and sauce,” says Matthew Hans, director of operations for Pizzeria Maki in Greenville, which added four bowls this summer.

One would argue that Papa Bowls don’t meet the criteria. That said, bowls are also vessels for creativity. “Bowls are a great place to mash up flavors,” Hans agrees.

They can be sweet or savory; while some are healthy, others can wreak havoc on a diet. But one thing is for sure — bowls are a hot commodity. ►

"Bowls are a great place to mash up flavors," says Matthew Hans of Pizzeria Maki in Greenville.

A Common Denominator

One-pot meals aren’t new. Before manufacturers developed affordable chinaware, people of modest means sipped soups, stews and porridges from wooden bowls. And even after plates — known initially as “flatware” — became plentiful, many cultures preferred to combine multiple ingredients in a vessel.

Take, for instance, Asian cuisine, which typically includes rice or noodles, protein, vegetables and sauce — all the elements of a successful bowl. Ramen, pho and poke —

“Everybody was making rice bowls out there,” recalls Milburn, who was doing research for a food truck.

Today Kapow — the Milburns’ truck and restaurant — is known for Huli Huli bowls: Hawaiian-style chicken teriyaki with pineapple over rice with cilantro, scallions and sesame seeds. In an homage to Jody’s roots, Kapow also tops rice or noodles with Korean-style barbecued steak, kimchi, scallions and sesame seeds.

Milburn’s family also owns Ubon Thai Kitchen & Bar on the Wilmington Riverfront, and a curry bowl comes with brown or white rice. It’s only available at lunch because many diners like to pass Thai cuisine around the table, he explains.

Global Fusion

Bowls are easy to assemble, transport and eat, which has made them the darling of the quick-casual and casual sectors, especially

BOWL-A-RAMA continued from previous page

El Diablo has offered bowls since the first store opened in 2010. Their chicken bowl is the most popular.

Wilmington • Lewes • Rehoboth Beach • Ocean View • South Bethany Beach

those specializing in ethnic cuisine. For instance, Teriyaki Madness, a chain with a Brandywine Hundred location, has the cheek to pat itself on the back for take-home bowls that customers can reuse.

The concept also lends itself to Mediterranean flavors. Cava, a chain near Christiana Mall, encourages customers to top the base with up to three dips and spreads, including hummus and roasted eggplant. A falafel or grilled chicken is among the protein choices, and kalamata olives, crumbled feta and tabbouleh are on the toppings list.

Meanwhile, El Diablo has offered bowls since the first store opened in 2010, says founder Dean Vilone. “When people ask me, ‘What’s your most popular burrito?’ I say, ‘A chicken bowl.’ It’s by far and away our bestseller,” he says.

To be sure, anything that goes into a burrito — rice, beans, meat, lettuce and sauces — can go in a bowl without mucking up the flow. But El Diablo will happily cross borders. Available ingredients include mahi, braised short rib, goat cheese, feta, kalamata olives and pineapple-habanero salsa.

Pizzeria Maki also beats to its own bowl. The Fiery Fish, for instance, includes greens, rice, cucumber, jalapenos, Korean chili flakes, chili pineapple and a yuzu-Caesar dressing. Toppings range from salmon to octopus to roasted mushrooms.

The artful presentation is reminiscent of the ubiquitous poke, the poster child for the bowl obsession. Also known as deconstructed sushi, it is the Hawaiian item that has launched a bevy of Poke Bros. locations.

Have It Your Way

Poke Bros., which has a North Wilmington store, built a business on giving customers a choice, a strategy pioneered by Subway, underscored by Moe’s, and picked up by local restaurants, including El Diablo.

For many, it’s all about the base. At Poke Bros., customers choose white or brown rice or sushi rice. Cava’s grains include saffron basmati rice, brown basmati, black lentils or the plant-based RightRice, made with lentils, chickpeas and peas. Milburn’s bowls come with rice or noodles.

But with the advent of paleo and keto, the base has gone green. “We have cabbage and lettuce bowls for people who don’t want carbs,” Milburn says. Establishments are also adding kale and spinach. Admittedly, the greens blur the line between salad and bowl. In fact, Savannah Salad Bowls & Sandwiches on Wilmington's Riverfront has a menu section for salad bowls and ones with grains, as does Roots Natural Kitchen, which has a Newark location.

“The grain bowl has the primary ingredient of rice or bulgar, and the salads have the main ingredient of one of three different lettuce options,” explains Roots spokesperson Larissa Caballero.

The most popular grain bowl, El Jefe, consists of brown rice, kale, charred corn, black beans, onions, avocado, feta, pita chips and cilantrolime dressing with chipotle-style chicken. Tofu, particularly barbecued tofu, is a popular substitute for chicken. ►

An artful and colorful presentation of a bowl with sushi at Pizzeria Maki. Photo by Matthew Hans

THURSDAYS

FRIDAYS

Counting

Calories

Replacing grains with greens boosts the perceived tie between bowls and a healthy lifestyle. However, depending on your diet, grains are a plus. For example, Kid Shelleen’s Charcoal House & Saloon in Trolley Square sells a quinoa turkey bowl with crunchy cauliflower, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onions, tart dried cherries, avocado, arugula, honeygoat cheese and orange-Dijon vinaigrette.

Those who like to eat “clean” order the vegetarian Buddha Bowl, available at Green Box Kitchen in Wilmington. Green Box encourages customers to create a Buddha Bowl with such choices as quinoa, black beans, roasted chickpeas and za’atar vinaigrette.

Then there is acai, the superfruit that has helped nudge smoothies out of the breakfast limelight. The berry, which comes from the acai palm in Amazonia, has dark purple skin that gives the bowl a vibrant hue. As for the flavor, it’s a surprising cross of dark chocolate and blueberries.

Green Box Kitchen and the Juice Joint on the Riverfront sell bowls with acai. But it’s a tricky ingredient with a short shelf life. The benefits can also be questionable. Some distributors cut acai with other ingredients or add sugar to frozen acai puree, powder or pressed juice to sweeten it. The controversy prompted Playa Bowls, which has three Delaware locations, to announce on its website that the brand imports acai from Brazil to New Jersey and stores it for 21 days or less.

Because of acai’s fragility — and price — you’ll also see bowls made with pitaya. Known as dragon fruit, it comes from cactuses native to Central and South America, Malaysia and Vietnam, and it’s also packed with antioxidants.

Playa Bowls sells both, and toppings might include bananas, granola, peanut butter oatmeal and chia pudding. The calorie count can get so complex that the chain offers nutritional information for each ingredient. Suffice it to say that the bowls might not be as healthy as you think.

Bowled Over?

Now that Papa John’s has jumped on the bowl wagon with Chipotle, Olive Garden, Panera, P.F. Chang’s, Starbucks and Taco Bell, one wonders if the bowl craze has peaked. But, says Milburn, “They’re not going away anytime soon.”

Indeed, Vilone of El Diablo and his partner are toying with a new concept that will have bowls. (He’s not ready to divulge any details.) At the beach, high-end restaurants are serving bowls and poke. Credit the dish’s versatility and the consumers’ increasing dietary demands. Don’t eat meat? Give them a Buddha Bowl. Going low-carb? Pile veggies and raw tuna on bulgur.

“We believe people should feel good about what they’re eating and that you shouldn’t have to sacrifice on taste when looking for a good option to fit any variety of lifestyle,” says Caballero of Roots.

For the modern-day Goldilocks, a bowl is just right.

KEEPING IT FRESH

With a menu that changes with the seasons, Newark’s Peach Blossom Eatery has found success on Main Street

By David Ferguson

Photos by Lindsay Rudney duPhily

It was a Wednesday morning in October of 2021, and I was seated at the bar in The Peach Blossom Eatery, a new restaurant in Newark. This was a soft opening, and with the grand opening only a few days away, staff training was in full swing.

Behind the counter, owners Samantha Ross and Olivia Brinton shouted words like:

“Hands!” (Someone please come take this hot plate of food to the table).

“Corner!” (Look out! I’m rounding the corner, and I may or may not have a full bowl of soup in my hand; often accompanied by “Hot!”).

“Service!” (Tables need clearing, and I need help!).

Although this is their first joint venture, Ross and Brinton have been friends since they met while working at Hockessin's House of William and Merry in 2014. They started as members of the House's service team and worked through the ranks before moving on to other ventures. Brinton opened the popular Little Goat Coffee Roasting Co. in Newark, while Ross went to help open and cook at Philadelphia's famous Condesa. ►

The COVID-19 slowdown gave Samantha Ross (l) and Olivia Brinton the time and motivation needed to create the concept behind their first joint venture.

While focusing on those ventures, they remained close friends. When COVID-19 hit in 2020, a laid-off Ross and a less-busy Brinton began brainstorming the idea for a restaurant. One year later, they committed to opening The Peach Blossom Eatery — named after Delaware's State Flower and later abbreviated to “Peaches” by many of its regulars.

“At first, we thought it would be more of a grab-and-go place,” says Brinton. “We didn't think of having a full menu or even seated dining, let alone a bar. I thought we were opening a high-end grocery store.”

“And slowly but surely, I clawed away at her to make a

larger and more diverse menu,” laughs Ross.

After touring a few locations, they realized that they wanted to provide something new for Newark — a destination that was like no other on Main Street. Two months later, their vision finally began to take form, and the partners signed the lease for 76 E. Main.

At the same time, the diverse menu that Ross had dreamed about began to take shape. The basic concept behind the menu is fairly simple: They wanted each dish to be prepared with as much locally sourced produce as possible.

But keeping fresh, local vegetables and other ingredients readily available throughout the year is virtually impossible. Where, for instance, can you find fresh, locally grown corn in January? While other establishments went out of the area to acquire produce to maintain their menus, Ross and Brinton decided to simply change the menu as the seasons changed.

“We have a few staples that stay on the menu all year, but most of the items we offer tend to change depending on what we can get from local farmers and what is fresh,” says Ross, adding, “fresh food is the best!”

Says Brinton: “We also want to change our menu often with the season so that we don’t become comfortable with customers coming in and ordering the same thing. We want

KEEPING IT FRESH continued from previous page

Katherine Christen (l) and Isabel Ernenwein place an order with Peach Blossom manager Antoinette Ross.

Tony’s French toast (smothered in a poached fruit syrup), the hefty breakfast burrito (filled with eggs and sausage), and the ever-changing chicken cutty. Delicious pastries and hand pies are made in house.

The restaurant is open Wednesday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and does not offer dinner. And those hours, Ross and Brinton assert, will not change. They believe that every person deserves to live healthfully, and that includes time away from work, time for family and friends, time to relax. After years of toiling in the fine dining industry, they recognize that a healthy life is a lot harder to come by while working countless hours late into the night, and they don’t want that for their team.

“We have focused on providing a healthy lifestyle in an industry that is historically unhealthy,” says Brinton. “It's not all about the food. We try to provide a healthy mindset to our customers and our team. We don't have a designated uniform; we let them dress how they feel the most comfortable. At the same time, we want our guests to be greeted by an individual and to feel like they're with friends. We want to provide an environment where guests and servers can say, ‘I see you as a person’ to each other. I think we're doing a good job with that.”

Their customers seem to agree. It's been almost a year since the grand opening on Halloween of 2021, and The Peach Blossom Eatery continues to bloom no matter the season. While summer is always a slower period for most restaurants

Fresh-baked pastries are a specialty at The Peach Blossom.

in Newark, The Peach Blossom is busy. On a hot Sunday in July, it had record sales, despite the absence of UD students.

While the two owners deserve most of the credit for the eatery’s success, they are quick to share that credit. “We’re all a team here,” says Brinton. “Neither Sam nor I consider ourselves bosses; that term is a little harsh. Yes, we started this place, but we had a lot of help, and we look to all members of the Peaches family to be leaders as well. This is a place for everyone.”

— For menus and more, go to peachblossomeatery.com.

Final Words

By Bob Yearick

On Friday, Oct. 7, Theatre N will host a raw and poignant play that seeks to explain the inexplicable: suicide.

The five-person cast will present the play, Right Before I Go, in reader’s theater style, a first in the 20-year history of Theatre N. In reader’s style theater, actors read narrative material without costumes, props, or scenery. In this case, the actors will give voice to letters written by individuals, including celebrities, who took their own lives or survived suicide attempts.

The cast includes four veterans of the TV show Gilmore Girls, which ran from 2000 to 2007 and has become a cult classic. The Gilmore alums are playwright and narrator Stan Zimmerman (whose writing credits include Gilmore Girls, The Golden Girls, and Roseanne), Shelly Cole, Nick Holmes, and Devon Michaels, who also directs the play.

Joining them will be Holmes’ wife, Virginia Madsen, a Hollywood veteran of many movies and TV shows and an Academy Award nominee in 2005 for Sideways

The touring company also arranges for participation by the community at each venue. Kathy Buterbaugh, production manager of and long-time volunteer with the Wilmington Drama League, will introduce the play, and Ella Spice, a mental health counselor from Bel Air, Md., will join the after-show talkback with the cast and audience.

Since its acclaimed first performance at the Hollywood Fringe Festival in 2015, the play has traveled across the country, raising awareness of and offering hope for suicide prevention. The Wilmington production will occur in the middle of a whirlwind, one-week tour of six East Coast theaters, starting Oct. 2 in Ogunquit, Maine, and ending Oct. 9 in Baltimore.

Proceeds from the tour will be given to a local nonprofit that supports suicide awareness and prevention within each community. NAMI of Delaware will be the beneficiary of the Oct. 7 show. ►

At Theatre N, a stellar cast will seek to raise awareness of mental health issues by voicing letters from people who took their own lives

The cast of Right Before I Go in rehearsal (l-r): Author/narrator Stan Zimmerman, Shelly Cole, Nick Holmes, Virginia Madsen, and director Devon Michaels

Zimmerman wrote Right Before I Go following the suicide of his good friend, Kevin Gill. “I was at a loss about how to process this,” he explained. “Seeing so much shame around the topic, I decided to create a play in the vein of The Vagina Monologues, easily produced with actors on stools, reading the script from music stands. My hope is that this will create an opening for a much needed discussion about the subject.”

Everyone in the cast has been touched in some way by suicide. Madsen, for instance, had a nephew who took his own life last year.

But, says Michaels, “The play itself is nowhere near as daunting as it sounds. Stan characteristically includes gentle humor to help plumb the depths. And our goal is not to embody those who’ve suffered but to honor their uniquely raw poetry, to build empathy and make better advocates of us all.”

The play is a production of Seedling Events, an Austin, Texas, a company owned by Jennie and Marcus Whitaker. Seedling also organizes the Gilmore Girls Fan Fest, held annually on the East Coast since 2016. Through the fan fest, Jennie Whitaker says, Seedling got the idea of recruiting Gilmore cast members for an East Coast tour of Right Before I Go.

Michaels, who played Robert during the last two Gilmore seasons, was brought on board to both act and direct. He spoke to O&A by phone in late September from his home in Los Angeles.

Out & About: What is your personal connection to the issue of mental health?

Devon Michaels: I have a close connection to the mental health community and suicide awareness because of my girlfriend, Kelly O’Malley, who runs a nonprofit here in L.A.

called A Light in Dark Places that uses the performing arts to help with suicide prevention. I’ve been pitching in with her show and her nonprofit for the past six years.

O&A: Your first performance is set for Oct. 2, so you obviously have been rehearsing. Is the cast coming together?

DM: It’s turned into sort of a family affair. We have a great time connecting. I can’t say enough about this cast in terms of not just their talent, but that dedication level of caring so deeply about both elements of this, because this really is a dual endeavor. It’s both about making sure we put on a good play, but also it’s about the awareness and the conversation we’re trying to encourage and be a part of. We are all wired to change through stories, and that’s part of why Kelly does what she does, and why we’re doing this. It’s too clinical to just go before a crowd and say, “Let’s talk about depression.”

O&A: Virginia Madsen is the only cast member who was not part of Gilmore Girls, correct?

DM: Yes, but she wanted to be a part of this. She brings this incredible career in film and television, but she also has had the recent loss in her family from suicide, so she’s seen how people don’t know what to say when suicide happens. She’s seen that our culture doesn’t know how to handle this.

That’s why in each location we have mental health professionals with us after the show to engage the audience in a talkback and connect to a conversation that we hope continues long after the show is over.

O&A: So during the show, you read actual letters by people who have died by suicide?

DM: Yes. The framing device is Stan’s story. Stan lost a friend to suicide a few years ago and it affected him in a profound way, and he decided to tell the story of what that was like hearing about it, and his reaction, not knowing what to do. He went into this spiral, and he did a lot of research into suicide notes and went down this rabbit hole of letters written by people who are very famous and people who are mostly anonymous. He decided he would weave them together and tell a story.

There are certain commonalities among the letters, a “brain attack” that occurs in terms of a confluence of variables that are different for everybody. Some of the people were so young, and some were older, and from every walk of life. Some were very successful, or famous, and some were struggling. But all the letters speak with a certain poetry and raw honesty. There’s something about when someone is in that kind of crisis, while terrible, it strips them of artifice of any kind and so they are just truth, truth, truth — even if it’s a misguided truth.

O&A: There is a little humor in the play though?

DM: Yes. Humor is one of the best ways for us to key into

things like this and form that pathway to understand it a bit. It’s one huge aspect of what it means to be human and alive.

O&A:: Is there anything we can glean from the letters that indicate the causes of these suicides?

DM: Ultimately, the reasons are as varied and complex as human beings are as a whole. The common thread that does seem to emerge is disconnect. For whatever reason -- mental illness, depression, or something else — something causes a disconnect from those around us. And that’s why connection in all forms is the antidote to suicide. In the end, though, we can reduce the frequency of suicide by talking about these things more, but we can’t prevent every suicide. That will never happen. We have to accept that, but we can also keep fighting, with every tool we have, whether it be plays or concerts, or just gatherings, or learning more about how to connect one-on-one, or connect more with ourselves, which we all forget to do sometimes.

O&A: Can you cite a couple of contributors to that disconnectedness?

DM: There are so many dynamics in modern society that make us more disconnected. With the technology and the different ways that young people in particular relate to ►

Virginia Madsen was nominated for an Academy Award for her supporting role in Sideways. Photo courtesy of

each other, there are people in their teens and 20s who have never really had a phone conversation. It’s only text or social media comments or responses. They barely have that core human experience of being present for each other.

And I think we’re just beginning to glimpse much less comprehend the profound impact our recent political divide has had on the population’s collective mental health. Seeing millions around us lose sight of reality or even the concept of objective truth itself — resorting to mental gymnastics and conspiracy theories to avoid difficult introspection and change — is fundamentally debilitating. Watching friends and family members double down on misguided views we never thought possible makes many of our daily endeavors feel less purposeful. And purpose and meaning are the opposite of depression. The more empathetic we are, the harder we are hit by this new normal. It’s unnatural and exhausting.

You’re the director of this production, and every director adds his touches to a play. Will this differ from

Jenny and Marcus wanted to add some production values, so it does have some of the bells and whistles of a fully

For one thing, I’ve brought in a composer friend of mine, Michael Teoli, to put together original music. I thought that would be really important to help drive the play. The music takes it to this other place. We’ll be underscoring most of the notes, which is kind of a creative risk on my part. Sometimes the music is there to kind of commiserate with the reader, and other times it’s there to argue

Right Before I Go will be presented at 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 7, at Theatre N, 1007 N. Orange St., Wilmington (Nemours Building). For tickets, go to theatren.com/ movie/right-before-i-go. Tickets are $40 for general admission and $60 for VIP, which includes a chat with the cast following the play. For questions, call 302-600-1923.

FINAL

Lindsay Ohse OperaDelaware

Photo by Joe del Tufo

Fill in the

You know the drill:

(1) Ask your friends to help “fill in the blanks” for the missing words needed below.

(2) Once completed, read aloud and watch hilarity ensue.

(3) Got a funny one? Take a photo and send it to us at Contact@OutAndAboutNow.com

$50 Gift Card to Pizza By Elizabeths (One entry per person; must be 21 or older to enter). Have fun!

SCARY MOVIE REVIEW

Once again, famed horror director ( full name of friend ) has delivered another horror film for Halloween — and this one you shouldn’t miss in theaters!

The name of the movie is ( adjective ) ( plural noun ) and it’s about a young rebel who goes by the nickname “( plural noun )” and is played by rising Hollywood star ( full name of other friend ). It’s quite a ( adjective ) performance.

Out to score stolen drugs, the young rebel breaks into an experimental pharmaceutical lab and is accidently exposed to the ( liquid ) of ( adjective ) ( plural animal ).

By the time it’s discovered that the animals have been mutated by the sinister Dr. ( nonsense word ), it’s too late : Our young rebel has transformed into a ( adjective ) ( animal )-human hybrid that will ( verb ) the first chance it gets. Within minutes, it attacks an entire ( vehicle ) full of ( plural noun ). The whole town is ( adverb ) in danger!

Thankfully the local Sheriff, played by ( full name of third friend ), has been investigating the lab and ( verb ending in -ing ) the Doctor around town. With the help of his deputy, a local ( occupation ), and a trusty ( animal ) named ( nonsense word ), our heroes try to save the day.

But, of course there is a hook : Turns out the evil Doctor is really the Sheriff’s ( relative ), which makes matters tricky. Don’t want to give away any of the other ( adjective ) twists at the end of the movie, but I will guess you get scared right out of your ( item of clothing )!

THE

FORMER COUNCILWOMAN RYSHEEMA DIXON MOURNED

Community activist, business entrepreneur, and former City Council Member Rysheema Dixon passed away unexpectedly on September 16, 2022. She was just 35. Mayor Mike Purzycki issued the following condolences that same day:

“On behalf of the City of Wilmington government and the people of Wilmington, I extend condolences to the family and friends of Rysheema Dixon as we process the shock and sorrow of her passing. Rysheema always charted her own course. She was a concerned and informed resident who become active in various causes and eventually began to provide leadership and guidance to others. She sought elective office and won the support of voters. Her passion for the needs of the community grew even stronger during her time on City Council. Rysheema then began a very successful career locally, nationally, and internationally in consulting and motivational leadership. All of this, and she was just in the third decade of her life. Her loss will be felt by many. We thank Rysheema and her family for her service to the people of Wilmington.”

CITY RECEIVES DISTINGUISHED AWARD

The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) has again honored Wilmington with its Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the City’s FY 2023 Budget. According to GFOA, the award represents a significant achievement by the City, reflecting the Administration’s commitment to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting.

This award, which pertains to the Annual Budget for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2022, represents the 33rd consecutive year the City has received the highest form of recognition given for governmental budgeting. To receive the award, the City had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. There are a total of 25 criteria in all.

The City’s Annual Budgets may be found online at www.wilmingtonde.gov and additional information about the budget, along with interactive financial reports, may be found on OpenGov.

42ND FIRE ACADEMY OPENS NEXT MONTH

The City’s next Fire Academy — the 42nd in its history — will start in November. Fire academies are scheduled when staffing drops due to retirements and other forms of attrition. Currently, the WFD has 13 vacancies and is authorized to employ 156 firefighters.

Fire Chief John Looney and his recruitment team search for potential candidates throughout the year. The screening process for the academy includes a written exam, a physical agility test, and interview panels that include a Chief’s interview.

“Being a Wilmington firefighter is not easy,” said Mayor Purzycki, “but it’s an extremely rewarding form of public service. Chief Looney and I know it takes a special individual to risk his or her life in service to the larger community and I have the highest regard for the men and women who do just that for Wilmington each and every day. I can think of few careers that are more challenging and rewarding at the same time.”

Rysheema Dixon

APPLY NOW FOR POLICE CADET PROGRAM

There’s

still time to apply for WPD’s new Police Cadet Program, but you have to hurry. The deadline for applications is Friday, Oct. 7 at 4:30 p.m. This apprenticeship program offers young adults 18-21 years old the chance to gain valuable experience by working directly with police officers and members of the community. The apprenticeship program last took place in the 1990s.

WPD Cadets will be paid as part-time City employees who will rotate their work schedule through various police department divisions and units. Following comprehensive training, they will perform a range of tasks — including providing support to sworn officers for various assignments, conducting traffic control at special events, assisting with recruitment efforts, attending community meetings, and assisting with special events like parades and concerts. To apply to become a Wilmington Police Cadet, go to the City website: www.wilmingtonde.gov/Home/Components/JobPosts/Job/1595/195

“We’re excited to re-start our historic Police Cadet Program, with an eye towards bolstering relationships with young adults in the community and providing valuable experience to those who might be considering a career in policing,” said Chief Robert Tracy. “This program will also expand upon our community engagement efforts as we plan to mobilize cadets during community events alongside our officers.”

The hiring process includes a background investigation, drug screening, medical examination, and interviews, and applicants will be required to have a high school diploma or GED, a valid state ID and the ability to work evenings. Cadets will receive uniforms – which will be distinct from uniforms worn by sworn police officers – as well as equipment.

For more info. about the WPD Cadet Program, contact Lieutenant Andrea Janvier at 302-576-3174, or email Andrea.janvier@cj.state.de.us.

CITY’S YOUTH CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM CONTINUES

The City’s 2022 Youth Career Development (YCD) program’s Fall/Winter session will kick off first its 12-week session on Mon., Oct. 17, with a second cycle to start in November. Now in its 4th year, the YCD Career Pathway Track is a program that places participants in jobs that relate to the young person’s desired career pathway. Workforce development opportunities are provided, and participation could result in year-round employment.

The City will employ youths in various jobs and internships within City government as well as in the business and community sectors. Each participant will earn $12.50/hr. Mayor Purzycki reminds residents that the Youth Career Development Program is intended to help young Wilmingtonians develop valuable work skills and prepare them for a successful career and future. “We want all of our young people to be successful,” said Mayor Purzycki, “and undoubtedly they will by learning to be responsible in a real, work-like setting and understanding more about their own skills and talents.”

DuPont Environmental Education Center provides a 13,000 square foot facility along the 212-acre Peterson Wildlife Refuge, where guests can explore the marshes and look for various species of amphibians, birds and fish.

easy access to the Jack A. Markell Bike Trail.

guided tours, weekly drop-in classes, and

Riverfront Rewards and App

Each month, the RDC is presenting a different offer for our loyal guests. For simply spending money at your favorite Riverfront attractions, you can receive free passes, discounts, and other rotating offers. Check out https://riverfrontwilm.com/rewards/ for each month’s offer.

Additionally, download our free Riverfront App for a virtual map of the riverfront, exclusive information and more.

IT WAS ALREADY FAMOUS, BUT WE MADE IT FUN.