by: Linda C. Grattafiori

New Hanover County Public Library’s director Harry Tuchmayer and predecessor David Paynter have assembled an amazing staff, full of humor, wisdom and compassion. There is also a palpable cutting-edge, a raising of the bar, thanks to four “young” employees, Scott Hayes, 29; James Hudson, 35; Bratis Roseboro, 38; and Susan Wood, 34. It doesn’t hurt that these four musketeers really like each other and have their literary guns aimed in the same direction, to promote literacy from infancy to young adults and on to the end of life.

Hayes, better known as “Scooter” for his Scooter stories on YouTube, (pul-leeease check out the “Go Fish” segment) is a literacy consultant for SmartStart’s programs, Growing a Reader and Raising a Reader. He is very excited (truth is, Scooter just stays excited, and it is contagious) about two upcoming events, Kooky Spooky Jamboo-Read at the Children’s Museum on October 30th, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Pirate Story Time at the Carolina Beach Library branch on November 2nd at 10:30 a.m. For the latter event, Scooter will dress up as Captain Scurvy Face and encourages the children to dress up as well (story book characters, Halloween gear—any costume will do) and to practice their best “Argh!” It would also be helpful if they get in tune to sing “Yo-ho-ho!”

What is the favorite letter of a pirate? Well, it is “X” of course, because “X” marks the lost treasure spot! So, children should come prepared for a “crazy” dance of the hokey pokey, spinning around, and lots of hi-jinks in finding the lost loot. Prizes will be given to children who help find the “gold coins.” There will be pumpkin bowling and the art of making slime. But the greatest treasure of all will be Scooter’s pirate stories, full of the sillies and the willies!

When Hayes is not skim-boarding around, filming YouTube segments or practicing his pirate gig, he trains teachers on how to present solid early literacy story time and brings the children bags of library books. But YouTube definitely gets him and the library the most press. Founder of Melville Dewey productions, Hayes has found a unique way for the library to advertise its plethora of benefits. Teachers use the Melville Dewey Rap to teach library skills, and it alone has more than 200,000 hits on YouTube.

In contrast, his friend and colleague James Hudson, a library associate who coordinates the ALOHA (Adult, Library, Outreach, Homebound, Aged) program and visits 25 nursing homes and 40 home bound, 200 individuals in all. He meets people from different cultures, and backgrounds and takes their requests very seriously. Hudson and Hayes collaborate in a program called “Bridge at Brightmore,” in which seniors are paired with pre-school children at Smart Start to help bridge the generation gap. “People are always making brownies to give James,” Hayes whines. “They don’t make me brownies, but they make brownies for him!”

While Hayes and Hudson eat or pine for brownies, library assistant Bratis Roseboro is doing a job that won him the RISE to Excellence award this past quarter (and probably garnered him a brownie or two). RISE stands for “respect, integrity, service and empathy” while providing excellent customer care. The story goes like this: A patron was called about an item she had reserved. Her husband drove a long way to pick it up, but Roseboro could not find it. Somehow after the phone call was made, the item was misplaced. The husband was not happy, and Roseboro was frustrated as well but reassured the man that everything would be done to relocate the piece. Indeed, the next day it was found, but it was snowing, and the man did not feel safe driving. Roseboro said that if the patron and her husband felt comfortable giving their home address, he would drop the item off after he finished work, which he did. The patron was so impressed with Roseboro’s work ethic and his empathic manner that she nominated him for the excellence award.

Roseboro also helped the library partner with Fan Boy Comics on Free Comic Day. Proceeds went to the library and helped increase the graphic novel collection, which is now on display. “It was amazing,” Roseboro says, “to see library patrons lined up in front of Fan Boy Comics at 6 a.m., reading graphic novels they’d checked out from the library.”

It’s also amazing the number of young parents, grandparents and small children who are enjoying the yoga story time with reference librarian and yoga instructor Susan Wood. These young children include the 4-year-old twins of Roseboro, the 1-year-old daughter of Hudson, and Tuchmayer’s young granddaughter. “Susan has these little groupies,” Hayes says, “who will bust a pose of yoga for her approval and admiration.”

Wood takes her skills to the high schools to talk with students about using the library for their senior projects. She helps entrepreneurs who are hoping to get new businesses off the ground. “A lot of people are thinking of starting small businesses on the side,” she says, “or completely re-inventing their careers.”

On the same Saturday Wood does the morning yoga story time, she teaches the intricacies of electronic books, such as Kindle and Sony Readers, in the afternoon. “Everyone on staff,” Wood says, “has been receptive to our new ideas (such as the e-books) in helping to shape policies and services for the community.”

She is excited about National Gaming Day on November 13th which will be held at the main branch downtown on the third floor from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a rock band tournament, Wii bowling, video games, board games and prizes.

“We are fortunate to have dedicated employees who bring a lot of energy and creativity to their jobs,” Tuchmayer says. “This story could have focused on any one of our staff who provides great customer service (so great that New Hanover County Public Library ranked second in the state for a library of its size).”

These programs initiated by the four musketeers help establish the library as an important institution for hundreds of people who need help in matching books with patrons of all ages. For more information, go to nhclibrary.org or call 910-798-6301. And mark the calendars for previous mentioned events—three great ways to keep aim high with four or more awesome librarians.

by: John Hitt

Oktoberfest
Racine Commons • 250 Racine Drive
http://wilmingtonoktoberfest.com
(910) 452 - 9000
Prices vary per event

It seems to happen every year: As the last day of September falls from the calendar, a transformation takes place almost overnight in the Cape Fear region. The days immediately seem shorter and the temperatures more bearable. As leaves begin to thin, sunlight breaks more readily through the tree limbs, lighting our sidewalks with new, different shadows. The overall feel of October is unmistakable: This is a new season, and we’d better celebrate.

For 200 years, the German people have been doing just that. For 16 to 18 days, spanning the transition from September to October, cities throughout Germany (most notably Munich) celebrate their culture in massive street festivals highlighted by music, dancing, food and beer. Hence: Oktoberfest. Yet, the celebration is not bound to Europe. As with many international traditions, the melting-pot nature of American culture has led to many stateside Oktoberfest celebrations. Wilmington is no exception.

From October 15th through 17th, Oktoberfest will take over the Racine Commons parking lot along Racine Drive, offering locals their own invitation to the party in honor of October. Hosted in part by Fat Tony’s Italian Pub, the ninth annual event follows the German tradition of offering family-friendly options during the day and more of a party atmosphere at night. The festival kicks off at 4pm on Friday, October 15th, with a parade down Racine. Styled after the original parade in Munich, it will include horses, cars, trucks, fire trucks, motorcycles, police escort, a marching band and most importantly the first keg of Oktoberfest beer. Spectators can line Racine Drive as the parade makes its way to the festival, where the ceremonial tapping of the first keg will take place. The Harbour Towne Fest Band, an authentic Oktoberfest Blaskapelle outfit, begins at 5 p.m. and leads the entertainment until 9 p.m.

When Harbour Towne finishes, a new aspect of the festival begins: The Rocktoberfest Stage. On Friday and Saturday nights, rock bands, including Shine and Cool Kid Collective, will provide late-night entertainment for music lovers until midnight. Also new to the 2010 Oktoberfest is the addition of Sunday activities to the festival, allowing even more time to enjoy the food, beer and culture of Germany.

Kids’ activities are almost limitless throughout the festival, with the KidZone providing free activities, including crafts and games for kids 10 and under. Another big draw for the kids will be the Inflatable City, where a $7 admission fee gets kids all-day access to a bounce house, a rock-climbing wall, an inflatable slide and more.

Throughout the festival, traditional food and beer will be served. Attendants can expect brats and sauerkraut, of course, along with chicken, German potato salad, red cabbage, pretzels, apple strudel and more. For many people, the beer will be the true star, and so featured will be traditional imported Oktoberfest beers. Another first for 2010: featuring American craft beers brewed in the Oktoberfest tradition. A special commemorative mug will also be available for purchase.

Perhaps one of the most revered aspects of our local event comes in the form of wiener-dog races. Yes, that’s right: Weiner. Dog. Races. People are invited to bring their dachshunds to face off in organized races with other dogs of the breed. Admission to Oktoberfest is free for one adult with wiener dog in tow, and admission to the race is only $7. A costume contest follows.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Cape Fear Literacy Council, a non-profit organization helping to improve the literacy skills of adults in our area—even more of a reason to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the first Oktoberfest.

“We’re committed to making this the best Oktoberfest yet,” organizer Eric Rylander says, “because we believe in the Cape Fear Literacy Council and the great work they do.”

2010 Oktoberfest Schedule

Friday October 15, 2010

4 p.m.: Opening parade along Racine Drive
4:30 p.m.: Ceremonial tapping of first keg by Mayor Bill Saffo
5 p.m.: Harbour Towne Fest Band
5 p.m. - 9 p.m.: KidZone, entertainment, German food and beer!
9 p.m. - midnight: SHINE (Rocktoberfest Stage)

Saturday October 16, 2010

11 a.m.: Gates open
12 p.m.: Harbour Towne Fest Band
12 p.m. - 9 p.m.: KidZone, entertainment, German food and beer!
4 p.m.: Wiener dog races
5 p.m.: Wiener dog costume contest
9 p.m. - midnight: Cool Kid Collective (Rocktoberfest Stage)

Sunday October 17, 2010

12 p.m.: Harbour Towne Fest Band
12 p.m. - 5 p.m.: KidZone, entertainment, German food and beer!

by: Carly Yansak

Lighthouse Beer and Wine Festival
Saturday, October 16th, 1 p.m.
Greenfield Lake Amphitheatre
Featuring over 70 breweries, and music by
Acoustic Syndicate and Onward, Soldiers.
$30 • www.lighthousebeerfestival.com

Two months ago, my text message alert chimed: “Get your beer fest ticket ... NOW!” Yes, two months ago. That is how much Wilmington resident’s look forward to the Lighthouse Beer Festival, because those that have attended understand the sheer bliss of it all. It’s inevitable, for when so many favorable factors combine, the equation measures out as nothing short of elation. Allow me to point a few out:

Beer, beautiful scenery, old friends, new friends, beer, live music, unbridled laughter, food, beer, discovering new tastes, lounging on the grass, mingling with alike minds and beer. And that’s just to name a few.

On Saturday, October 16th, the Lighthouse Beer Festival will once again bring us brews—lots and lots of glorious brews! A festival dedicated to educating and exposing people to the specialty beers available in the local market, the event gives attendees the chance to sample over 300 varieties of beer rolled in by 79 different breweries nationwide—the most the event has hosted yet. Changing it up slightly this year, the festival will be held at the Greenfield Lake Amphitheatre.

Coordinator Jason Adams, owner of Lighthouse Beer and Wine, which sponsors the event, is excited about the change of scenery. “It’s a better venue,” he says. “The park has undergone some changes, and the spot on the lake is beautiful. It’s going to be the same event, just with more elbow room and a better music venue.”

Well, throw that one into the equation.

How it works is so: Per entrance, each person receives a six-ounce tasting glass that has a two-ounce pour line. Each brewery will have a station where they will feature two-to-four beers. Attendants can simply walk up and taste what they desire—and there will be much to desire.

“I always encourage breweries to bring something totally different,” Adams says. “It ranges all across the board, and it’s cool to see everyone liking lots of different beers.”

A few names among the greater known breweries this year: Abita Brewing, Flying Dog Brewery, Guinness, Harpoon Brewery, Magic Hat Brewery, Pyramid Brewery, Starr Hill Brewery and Sierra Nevada. But this wouldn’t be an exposition without the obscure. Belukus Imports, Brouwerji Van Steenberg, Smuttynose Brewing Co., Mendocino Brewing Co., Kind Beers and Weeping Radish are a few not-so-commons who will be pouring for the public. There are even a few newcomers, such as Founders, Craggie Brewing Company, Mother Earth Brewing Company and B. Nektar Meadery. However, just because they’re newbies, they shant be mistaken as rookies.

“B. Nektar Meadery will have something we haven’t seen before,” Adams hints. “It’s a stand-out product, and these are some of the best breweries in the world.”

Stimulating not only taste buds, the festival will positively pique the auditory senses, as two headlining North Carolina bands, Acoustic Syndicate and Onward, Soldiers, take the stage. Acoustic Syndicate will provide twang in their bluegrass-folk sound, and Onward, Soldiers’ Americana rock will complement the entire laid back tone of the event.

“Ten years ago Wilmington was probably a Bud Light town, but it changed,”Adams says. “People are demanding a better product. The micro-market is on fire right now.”

The change can be observed through the sheer size of the event. Over 5,000 hop-happy people attend each year, making it one of Wilmington’s largest and most beloved annual events. Thus, explaining my premature text. “I get a kick out of the fact that people talk about this event for months to come, before and after,” Adams notes.

With so many opportunities to expand the palate, it’s understandable that one may get a little over excited. Be that as it may, the key is finding a steady pace. The festival focuses on experience and taste of the beers. Adams himself advises, “People get the notion that they need to get their money’s worth. Well, you’ll get plenty of beer. Take your time, don’t over do it, enjoy the music and pace yourself.”

When discussing a drinking festival, the topic of transportation needs to be tackled, because, face it, no one can drink micro-brews all day without becoming macro-brewed themselves. This year Lighthouse Beer and Wine has rented out a fleet of 25 taxis that will be available to go anywhere in the greater Wilmington area. All the passengers need to do is offer a generous tip. A designated driver ticket will be available for $13, too, which allows access to the fun of the festival but not the drinking. Several bus routes will go straight to the amphitheatre, and parking at the park itself will be limited, so car-pooling is suggested. If nothing is available on site, downtown is just a few minutes down the road and only about a $6 cab ride away.

No matter how it’s taken, the journey should be made. Tickets are available online for $30 at www.lighthousebeerfestival.com, and a portion of the proceeds go to the Carousel Center, a local charity that abates and aids neglected children. Charity work and good karma—two more factors added to that exhilarating equation, which will start throwing itself together Saturday the 16th at 1 p.m.—noon for the VIPs, which are sold out.

by: Shea Carver

Saké Asian Fusion
Lunch Bunch
149 S. College Road
(910) 392-6333
www.sakeasianfusion.com
Prices: $2 - $25

Nothing beats the interaction of sushi. Sharing becomes the essence, as platters and large wooden boats, stacked high with cuts of sweet, raw fish, get passed from person to person. Textures of food seem as engaging as the taste. Chopsticks lightly clang against the dinnerware and tea pours from a fresh, hot pot, tipping its spout to an honorable tradition of eating. To put it aptly: Sushi is love.

For sushi lovers, a new restaurant located on College Road in front of Marketplace Mall offers so many platters of adoration, the creativity of how many ways sushi can be served seems staggering. From over a dozen specialty rolls to entrées to simpler hand rolls and even appetizer versions that come in the form of a sandwich or pizza, sushi and sashimi get a fine overhaul at Saké Asian Fusion.

Having opened just last month, owner Henry Wang’s experience covers a broad range of sushi-rolling and conceptualizing. Saké culminates his lifetime of restaurant experience tenfold, since Wang’s been in the kitchen from the ripe age of 12, helping his family from Long Island run numerous eateries.

Having moved to Jacksonville, NC, a few short years ago, Wang opened the doors to Saké Asian Fusion to much popularity in the military town. His next move to Wilmington came natural, wherein he brought a sophisticated look to the old Shoney’s building, which has become a hotspot for Asian eateries to open and close. Updating its interior with a granite bar and hideaway dining areas, the space is illuminated by skylights above. It seems more open and airier than ever.

Of course, the real stars of the restaurant are the sushi, sashimi and rolls. Three words properly describe their flavors: fresh, fresh, fresh! Being a simpleton when it comes to sushi and sashimi, I prefer the fish in its unadulterated form: perhaps a slight squeeze of lemon, and only a smidgeon of wasabi or ginger. (Soy sauce just salts it up too much; so if I have any sauce, ponzu is it—a sweet, mirin-flavored liquid, punctuated by rice vinegar and only a dab of soy.) It’s the true test in tasting how fresh the fish really is when avoiding a muck-up of sauces and add-ons.

An interesting misconception that many have on sushi comes to light often when talking about the cuisine: “It tastes ‘fishy!’” some may say. For the record, fresh sushi will not taste “fishy” unless it’s a strong fish, a la mackerel or salmon. In fact, what many seem to overlook is that cooking the fish will actually make its flavor profile more pungent. Saké’s fish can rival any in town. Their white tuna—a name many sushi restaurants use for what’s actually escarole or albacore tuna—maintains a rich, almost buttery flavor, being that it’s a fattier fish and comes in a thick cut, which practically melts in the mouth. Sake’s striped bass (also known as “rockfish”) offers the same richness,with more of a minerally finish. Its cut is narrow, between a firm and flaky texture. The red tuna, salmon, and eel also retain heartiness, while the most indulgent of mild fish, yellowtail, keeps it clean and easy on the palate.

Sake knows how to impress not only in appetite but in presentation, too. Each plate comes adorned in a menagerie of colors, blending magnificently to create showstopping rolls. A few that my coworkers insist an encore from: the Yummy Yummy, a shrimp tempura and avocado roll, topped with kani salad (fake crab meat, cucumbers, scallions, fish roe and spicy mayonnaise); as well as the Scorpion King, featuring a soft-shell crab, shrimp tempura, avocado, cucumber, fish roe and kani, topped with eel. Rolls in sushi restaurants always come adorned with ringlets of shaved food; Saké uses slivered beets, giving each entrée a nice subtlety of flash aside from the normal carrots and dikon radishes.

Though the rolls are delicious, after two bites, my palate extracts the same ingredients over again: tempura batter, spicy sauce, avocado. Yet, my dining companions can’t be bothered by such notions, as proven from empty plates and smudges of spicy mayonnaise on their fingertips. The rolls remain their favorite part of Saké.

Though the restaurant excels in sushi, its not without culinary expertise in other facets of Asian-style cuisine. Offering a full menu of entrées, udon, soba and noodle bowls, as well as classic dishes, like teriyaki and hibachi, all come prepared with exceptional care from Wang and his staff. The most impressive—which I have to note surprised me, as usually I am not a fan of the dish—is the Pad Thai. Their rice noodles are not too dense, nor overcooked. Face it, nothing ruins a noodle dish more than soggy noodles. I’d give the spice level a three-and-a-half, and the chicken and veggies set off nicely with a very generous heaping of crushed peanuts, so every bite contains a roasted nutty flavor and crunchy finish.

Sake’s tempura dishes will enthuse diners, if only from their enormity. The tempura shrimp, chicken, sweet potato, zucchini, broccoli, onion and peppers seemingly keep everyone picking for more. The flaky batter outlines practically every morsel of panko breading, to the point it looks like coconut. Again, it tastes clean—not mushy, not overcooked in a vat of used oil, just delicate.

When going to Saké Asian Fusion, it’s best to come with a group of people and an appetite. Nothing comes in small portions, and enjoying a multitude of dishes makes the experience all the better. From the start—with edamame, pork dumplings (gyoza) or even their tuna pizza (a tempura-battered rice cake, topped with avocado, seaweed salad and spicy tuna)—to the finish (perhaps a bowl of red bean or green tea ice cream?), nothing will leave the palate or the soul dissatisfied. Sushi is love, after all.

by: Claire LaSure

“Targeting: college students, high school students, emo kids, skaters, surfers, alcoholics, edgy and fun people,” Derek Wragge, self-made t-shirt designer, writes in an e-mail to encore. His designs began as inspired sketches on scraps of paper and have hatched into the new, trendy brand ‘Polly and Crackers.” While it’s clear his t-shirts are fashioned for a specific demographic, they are sure to get a laugh-out-loud reaction from anyone who catches a glimpse of their tongue-in-cheek sayings, featuring one-liners like, “2 good 4 diz,” “cocktail queen” and “booty bumps (say no).” Who couldn’t help but chuckle?

Wragge graduated from UNCW in 2008 with a business administration and marketing degree and one thing on his mind: to start his own company. “I’ve always been an entrepreneur,” he says. “My dad was, and ever since I was born, I always wanted to own something or sell something. So, in high school I came across a Web site called ‘Local Celebrity,’ and they were a start-up company that did graphic t-shirts, and I loved them from the second they started.”

Using the Web site as his inspiration, Wragge begin designing shirt art. Over the course of a year, he produced 50 designs and then narrowed down to his favorite 25. Thus, Polly and Crackers opened for business in December of 2009.

“I went all out and I started with six [shirts] in each size, so I had almost 1,000 t-shirts when I first started,” Wragge explains. Since the business has been running, Polly and Crackers has sold about 500 shirts. “Going into it I’ve learned that 80 percent of your sales come from 20 percent of your product, so mainly you sell like the top four or five designs, so I thought that’s the way it would go. But it’s been kind of weird, because we’ve sold everything pretty consistently,” he attests.

Business hasn’t always been smooth, and Wragge has had to continually use his ingenuity to come up with clever ways to boost sales. At first, the company operated solely online (www.pollyandcrackers.com) where buyers view and order t-shirts. When the site began, the creator relied on word-of-mouth alone and waited to see what would happen with his fresh creation. Today, Wragge is busy reaching people outside of his network, updating an online store blog and YouTube videos to boost visits and hopefully buys.

Thanks to the Web site, Polly and Crackers has gotten many celebrity bites. Josh Strickland, from “Holly’s World” on the E! Network, has sported the brand, and tweets are popping up from TV and movie stars like Daren Kagasoff (“The Secret Life of the American Teenager”), Jana Kramer (“90210,” “One Tree Hill”) and Julie Benz (“Dexter,” “No Ordinary Family”).

Wragge is also diligently engaged in an effort to pave his way into small, hip boutique stores akin to his clothing line. Polly and Crackers can currently be found in Planet (108 N. Front Street), as well as Mr. and Mrs. Digz, located in Chicago, Illinois. Despite many phone calls and relentless e-mails, many leads are still open-ended.

“It’s kind of hard to get in,” he notes. “It kind of brought me down a little bit because I was calling so many places, and ... I would never get a call back,” he says. Still, Wragge remains optimistic and on the move with his dynamic business plan.

“You just gotta be persistent, and you really need to find the stores that match your product,” he says, “because once you get them in that store, they sell, and they keep you.”

Polly and Crackers’ t-shirts are 100 percent cotton and preprinted before order. Sizes come for men and women and cost $18.50 plus shipping. Some are funny, some are catchy, some are controversial and some might even cross the line, but all make statements. Wragge admits to some initial pre-sale worries that some designs may be a bit obscene.

“One shirt says ‘cocaine and cigs’ on it, and I was like, ‘OK, I’m a little nervous about this,’” he explains. “But it’s one of our best sellers.”

Wragge wanted to steer clear from mundane or predictable humor, aspiring for “something that was a little more funky, a little more off-beat and a little more current,” as he says. He focuses on images as if they’re works of art.

“I wanted to create an actual brand—I wanted to create a culture.”

Wragge’s unexpected t-shirts appeal to unexpected audiences because, bottom-line, they make people laugh whether ironic or simply silly. Even at events like Riverfest, Polly and Crackers was well-received. “[Though] not really my target market, [people] wander in and you never know the reaction you’re going to get,” he says. “They’re either going to look at it and run away or [embrace it.] This one woman came in with a big church hat on and she bought her son a shirt that says, ‘Mom says High!’”

Per the future, Wragge is working on more awareness and advertising, hype and giveaways and a musical festival presence. “In one year [I want to be] in five stores, have more designs and be doing two to three sales per day online,” he hopefully admits.

He will continue to add designs once a month and possibly more when the summer season warms the Wilmington coast again. “Eventually I want to be in places like Urban Outfitters,” he says. “I want a big company. It’s always been my dream. I do want to expand; I don’t plan on getting smaller.”