editorial by: Shea Carver and Emily Rea

We’re into week three of announcing our Best-Of winners for 2010! It only took counting over 3,000 ballots, making 130 awards by hand, and throwing a party for 300-plus people at City Stage/Level 5. But we’ve made it—and with a lot of laughter along the way, thanks to our comedian hosts of the Best-Of Party: Jef Pollock, Sandy Vaughan, Anthony Lawson, Val Watkins, Jonathan Guggenheim, Cullen Moss, Madison Weidberg and Janna Murray. They made the awards ceremony so much more than boring speeches and prim-and-proper decorum.

Make no mistake about it, readers: Best-Of is not tabulated according to encore-staff picks; nor are its winners relegated only to encore advertisers. We award the folks who get the most votes between November and January, according to ballots the community fills out at www.encorepub.com. And to set the record straight: We don’t mind when people campaign for it either. (Hey, isn’t it the American way?)

Without further ado, the people have spoken, and here are the results for the Best-Of 2010. Congrats winners and voters!

take out

When Wilmington Japanese-food lovers want quick, reliable, quality service, without the time it takes to sit down at a traditional Japanese steakhouse, the in-and-out style of Hibachi Bistro on College Road (and now with a second location in Monkey Junction) is exactly what the hunger pangs order. Specializing in “authentic Japanese hibachi cuisine and sushi,” according to thehibachibistro.com, this unassuming little eatery packs a powerful punch in the quality of its food.

The menu at Hibachi includes such delectable items as Vegetable Tempura (for which guests can choose between two of the following: zucchini, sweet potato, green pepper, onions or mushrooms), Shrimp and Vegetable Tempura, the Hibachi Bowl, served with fried or steamed rice (and choice of meat, ranging from Hibachi Scallops to Teriyaki Chicken to Filet Mignon), Hibachi Noodles (wheat noodles with celery, green peppers, carrots, Soba sauce and meat of choice), soups and, of course, spring rolls.

The ever-popular sushi menu includes appetizers such as edamame and gyoza, nigiri (including smoked salmon, red snapper, yellowfin tuna, octopus and crab meat), sashimi (including shrimp, squid and eel), sushi rolls (including a Vegetable California Roll, Sunrise Roll, Sweet South Roll and Spider Roll), fried sushi and specialty rolls (including the Tiger Tail, Nessie, Ruby Roll, Fort Fishy, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Po’ Boy, Half Baked and Green Machine).

With so many delicious choices, all prepared by skillful chefs, and with the option to pick up or take out, it should come as no surprise that Hibachi Bistro is the Port City’s favorite take out for the second year in a row now.

Second place in the take-out category is Antonio’s Pizzeria and Ristorante, while third place goes to Nikki’s Fresh Gournet and Sushi.

ice cream

I scream, you scream, we all scream ... Is there ever not a good time for ice cream? Granted, the chilly confection might not be as welcoming during the winter months, but when we have an ice-cream connoisseur in town like Kilwin’s, no one can resist its smooth, sweet goodness year ‘round! That certainly applies to our Best-Of voters who sent Kilwin’s to the top of their lists!

When the name “Kilwin’s” comes to mind, it is without a doubt for the yummy treats for which the establishment is so well-known—but it is also because the name itself is one Wilmingtonians can trust. Family-owned by Bill and Kathy Williamson (owners of the two locations in Blowing Rock, too) and operated by longtime friend/Kilwin’s manager Jeff Brandon, Wilmington;s location first opened in the summer of 2001. Now going on 10 years strong, as it turns out, the franchise itself is family of nationwide confectionery shoppes, up and running from Rhode Island to Florida to Colorado and 10 states in between. The name is one patrons can trust—but the ice cream itself, well, it’s a pretty strong reason for repeat business.

The old-fashioned quality of the ice cream at Kilwin’s is simple and brilliant, untampered and purely indulgent. Although the shop can boast 500-plus made-in-store products, the ice cream is absolutely the favored treat here. As the Wilmington location site, www.kilwins.com/Wilmington, asserts, “It’s always about relationships and making people happy.”

Other happy ice-cream eateries that made our top-three list for the ice-cream category this year are Cold Stone Creamery and Boombalatti’s.

beer and wine shop
Every year in mid October, when the heat of summer has relented and the seasons boast a glorious change, there is a festival here in town that is just as well-known as any other the Port City hosts over the course of a year: the Lighthouse Beer and Wine Festival. Locals and out-of-towners alike flock to the site of one of the greatest on-site beer and wine tastings in the area, all brought about by the infamous Lighthouse Beer and Wine, winners of this year’s Best Beer/Wine Shop.

“We’re a store like none other,” owner Jason Adams reflects. “We have the largest selection of specialty beers in eastern North Carolina, and we’re also the longest-running beer and wine shop in Wilmington, in business for over 12 years.”

A one-stop shop for wine, beer, cigars, and specialty-food items, a catering company and even a gift store (with everything from T-shirts to wine racks), Lighthouse has it all. “Our philosophy is making people happy,” Adams continues. “We have something here for everyone, from PBR to high-end Bordeaux. We have a really cool, eclectic wine selection and an on-premise beer garden which allows people to sample different beers. We also have monthly tastings.”

Beer lovers will appreciate their stock over 400 international beers, as well as hard-to-find microbrews. Another one of Lighthouse’s specialties is kegs, as they are home to one of North Carolina’s largest keg selections with hundreds of different beers available to choose from. All in all it begs to be said that Lighthouse shines the way to a good time.

Second and third are Cape Fear Wine and Beer, and Wilmington Wine and Beer.

martini bar

Sometimes, a girl just wants a martini. There is something about the fresh, spiked taste that slides down so easily and with a full force of flavor. There is something elegant, sophisticated and just plain fun about sipping on that tell-tale martini glass, perched atop a bar stool with girlfriends, as the fruity, sweet or bitter taste leads the way to friendly conversation.

When Wilmington locals want a good martini in their most favorite atmosphere, they head to The Dirty Martini, “where you dress up to get dirty,” according to its official site at www.ditrymartiniwb.com. The Dirty, as it is sometimes called, is a stylish and classy hot-spot, perfect for relaxing with friends, making new ones, dancing the night away or simply enjoying the lusty martini list. It is also a great venue for special, private parties, well-equipped with a spacious interior, and even a cozy, romantic outdoor patio.

But everyone knows they come for the good stuff. Special martinis at The Dirty include the Beachytini, Bikinitini, Sex in the City, Foxy Roxy, Lakeside Lemonade, Pomegranate, Key Lime Pie, Upside-Down Pineapple, Blue Crush, Bloody Mary Tini, Ultimate Chocolate Martini, Summer Tea, and Carmetini. The menu is worth a visit on its own, but The Dirty maintains a hoppin’ events schedule, including a Food and Wine Fest, benefit parties, and Business After Hours every last Thursday of the month. Going above and beyond, The Dirty Martini is much more than just a martini bar. But don’t misunderstand—they make a mean ‘tini!

Shaken and stirred at our number-two and -three spots this year are Caprice Bistro and Sofa Bar, and TreBenzio’s.

bowling alley

If there was ever an activity that has stood the test of time, relating to all generations, personalities, genders and levels of athletic ability, it’s bowling. Stripping us of all pretense and pride from the moment we slip on those goofy, multi-colored shoes, our main objective becomes to simply have fun. Whether we’re a member of a league or just hanging out with friends for a few rounds, bowling always seems to turn a boring night (or afternoon) into something completely enjoyable!

When folks in Wilmington want to bowl, the majority of our readers head on over to Ten Pin Alley on College Road. No stranger to our Best-Of polls, Ten Pin has truly become a staple in the Wilmington recreation scene. Open since 1999, Ten Pin is one of the largest bowling alleys in the greater Wilmington area. It boasts 24 lanes with state-of-the-art electronic scoring, tons of TVs, and an adjacent billiards room and bar, Break Time (Best Pool Hall).

Not only are the facilities at Ten Pin all we could want in a bowling alley, but the price is right, too. The daily daytime bowling special is just $6 for kids and $8 for adults, “all you can bowl,” and both include shoe rentals. Conveniently, Ten Pin’s friendly and prompt staff delivers service right to customers’ lanes at any time of day or night. Come on Mondays through Fridays from 6-10pm for nightly leagues, or come for open bowling with lane rental by the game or by the hour. There are also packages for birthday parties, and arrangements can be made for group gatherings.

Striking in at second and third places, respectively, are Cardinal Lanes and the new Thunder Alley in Leland.

place to buy musical instruments

There is no doubt that history and legacy runs rampant among our downtown establishments and streets. From the historic cobblestones of Water Street to the many old buildings preserved and renovated over the years, one thing the Port City isn’t lacking is character. And one of the best examples of one such business that epitomizes the character of downtown is Finkelstein’s Music.

Musical genres and trends may come and go, but the instruments themselves remain vital to producing it. And when Wilmington’s most musically inclined need something to play, they ask the folks they trust at Finkelstein’s. Yes, the word “trustworthy” might as well be engraved in the sign bearing this store’s name, as they have been in business and serving our town since 1906.

First run by Charles Finkelstein, it began as a general store that also sold watches, jewelry, clocks, musical instruments, trunks, cutlery, leather, sporting goods and clothing. As the store evolved over the years, it became known as a leading musical-instrument dealer in all of Wilmington. Today, they are still best known for the instruments they provide, including Fender and Martin guitars, a large selection of basses, amps for beginners up to professionals, drums and percussion accessories, audio equipment, DJ equipment, and keyboards. They also sell a large selection of jewelry. With such large collections, friendly service and a family-owned atmosphere, Fineklstein’s is to go-to spot for all music needs.

Chiming in at second and third are Music Loft and Modern Music.

theatre venue

With its grand, regal stature, huge white columns and “Old South” appeal, Thalian Hall stands today as one of downtown’s most historically captivating sites. And the best part? It’s still in use! Built in 1858, Thalian is still “one of the most significant theaters in the United States,” according to www.thalianhall.com.

Since 1963 the theater has been under the management of the Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts (THCPA), which operates the Thalian Hall Main Stage, the City Council Chambers and Ballroom, the Studio Theatre, and the Center Box Office. THCPA produces the Main Attractions Concert Series, the Adventures in Art Series for families, and the Cinematique Film Series, not to mention the numerous plays held here by By-Chance Productions, Opera House Theatre, Thalian Association, Stageworks Youth Theatre and Theatre Exchange.

Its events range from music—featuring pop, jazz, folk and country artists—to ballet, to the finest in domestic, independent and foreign films. Thalian is also home to recitals, awards ceremonies, film festivals, lectures and charity events.

As an education center with a broad array of unique performances and programs, Thalian is a mecca for all arts-oriented folks in the greater Wilmington area and beyond. With its recent renovations under way, we’re sure to be celebrating another fabulous 150 years!

Coming in at the number-two and -three spots, respectively are City Stage and Red Barn Studio.

filmmaker

“And ... action!” It’s a phrase we locals may hear a lot around this town. With big-budget films, a well-known TV show and several local projects taking place all at once, Wilmington has been long been dubbed “Hollywood East.” Although we do get great national exposure, the heart of our film community here consist of the locals behind it. So when encore readers voted DV3 Productions as best, it was an honor to say the least.

“Our win probably has a lot to do with our trailer for Nevermore,” producer and business manager Larry Olson says humbly, speaking of DV3’s first full-length film they are producing. “We’ve made some shorts and so on, but this trailer, probably as much as anything, looked like a Hollywood trailer even though it was produced locally.”

Along with his director sons, Obin and Amariah, Olson has run DV3 for the past nine years, mostly doing commercial projects both high- and low-end. “If we get a local project, something more low-budget,” he continues, “we bring high-budget tools and techniques. So I think people are aware of that.”

Of his motto as a filmmaker in this highly competitive industry—something he would advise to other filmmakers—Olson says, “’Just do it,’ like the Nike slogan. It doesn’t mean anything until you actually do it. We felt like we could do something at the Hollywood level, and we just did it.”

Other local filmmakers deserving of praise and rounding out our top three are Southern Gothic and Eric Tomosaunas of Swirl Films.

web site

Not to toot our own horns or anything— Oh, OK, why not. We have won Best Local Web site, and we are proud of it! Our very own encorepub.com has taken top honors again this year, much to our delight and gratitude. We have to admit, we’ve come a long way in recent years, especially with new additions, such as getting the latest encore delivered straight to your Inbox every Wednesday! That’s right; sign up online and never be behind on what’s happening around town.

Our site is our virtual print product. We upload the same editorial that we print each week in the magazine, including years and years’ worth of archived editions. Check us out for film listings, movie reviews, art-gallery guides, recommendations for where to eat, op-eds, concerts and contests, free stuff, and so much more.

New this year encore has joined the ranks of Facebook and Twitter as well—so readers will never be out of the loop! Thanks for voting us the best, and keep logging on. We are happy to provide the latest arts and entertainment alternative news, whether it’s in print or online.

Runners up in the Web site category are Dog Club of Wilmington (www.dogclubwilmington.com) and WB Live Surf (www.wblivesurf.com).

alternative medicine

It is widely believed that our bodies are in their best conditions when we are most in tune with nature. Whether we relegate it to a substantially organic diet or simply make room in our schedules to forgo the busy life, and take walks in the park or on the beach, living naturally is proven to have great effects on our physical, mental and emotional well-being.

The folks at McKay Healing Arts understand this at their core. Providers of a truly integrative, holistic approach to health care, Leon McKay and staff provide a unique array of disciplines, including acupuncture, massage, counseling, cranio-sacral therapy, Reiki, Tai Qi, Qi Gong and complete herbal pharmacy. The staff specializes in pain and emotional-relief therapies, with individual concentrations including arthritis, back pain, herniated fisk, neuropathy and Carpal Tunnel; fertility and women’s issues; and workshops on personal growth.

Perhaps best-known for acupuncture, McKay is very well-equipped and experienced in this most ancient practiced medicine in the world, one that originated in China and whose professional practitioners don’t just treat diseases but the entire person. Leon has been practicing in Wilmington since 1999, and his clientele base know they can trust him for all their alternative-medicine needs. We expect to see his practice on our Best-Of lists for years to come; it would only be natural.

Second place this year in the alternative medicine category is The Center, while Tidal Creek took third.

fast food

If readers have ever been out and about at lunchtime anywhere in the Port City, chances are they have seen the lines of cars wrapped around the building of one of our six Chic-fil-A restaurants. With the most cheerful voices we’ve ever heard taking orders from literally hundreds and hundreds of customers each day (except on Sundays!), it’s a place we Southerners just can’t seem to get enough of. And how could we not with the “world’s greatest sweet tea”?

But at the helm of the entire Chic-fil-A franchise is the man himself who gives this company such a great foundation: Truett Cathy. With son Dan, the Cathy’s run a very successful chain of restaurants with integrity, focus on the community and never a compromise to their values. Truett opened his first restaurant in 1946, and by the 1960s he was credited with the invention of the boneless breast of chicken sandwich, as well as the official foundation of Chic-fil-A, Inc. Growing by leaps and bounds ever since—with the help of those renegade cows and their “Eat Mor Chikin” ads—the restaurants have spread across the country and stolen customers’ hearts faster than we can say, “Would you like fries with that?” And that would be waffles fries to be exact, Chic-fil-A’s signature cuts of potatoe that well complement a chicken sandwich ... or chicken nuggets ... with some of that delicious honey barbecue sauce ... and definitely a sweet tea .... and how about one of those brand-new yogurt parfaits?

Any way we look at it, Chic-fil-A knows exactly what hungry patrons want and need at mealtime and beyond—and we don’t expect those lines to dwindle any time soon.

Runners up in the fast-food category this year include Cookout and McDonald’s.

sub/sandiwch shop

It’s no secret that Wilmington, in all its Southern charm and coastal glory, is a major draw for Yankees. They come a cruisin’ over the Mason Dixon to make a home inside our leisurely abode, taking full advantage of a slower pace of life with the “shore” nearby to remind them of home. (Just experiment with paying closer attention to license plates across town to prove this phenomenon true!) And while locals still tout the hateful bumper stickers telling tourists and transplants to take I-40 West and use it, there is definitely a piece of the North around here that no one can deny having a good old-fashioned crush on: Jersey Mike’s Subs.

Jersey Mike’s began—where else?—in New Jersey in 1956 and offered a unique new product: the submarine sandwich. As its popularity grew over the years, so did Jersey Mike’s menus and locations, which today include our very own Port City. One reason remains the same for why customers at the very beginning were drawn to the franchise, and it’s also why Wilmington voters selected Jersey Mike’s as best: their subs.

Try the Jersey Shore’s Favorite (provolone, ham and cappacuolo) or The Original Italian (provolone, ham, prosciuttini, cappacuolo, salami and pepperoni). Other favorites include the Albacore Tuna Fish, The Veggie, the Chipotle Cheese Steak, the Chicken Parm, and the Club Supreme (roast beef, turkey, swiss cheese, bacon, mayo, onions, lettuce, tomatoes, vinegar, oil and spices). Besides these cold and hot subs, Jersey Mike’s also offers wraps (including Buffalo Chicken, Baja Chicken and Chicken Caesar) and fresh salads. Using only the finest ingredients and offering catering, as well, it’s no wonder this northern staple has become a Port-City staple, too.

Second place this year goes to Subway, while Quizno’s takes third.

salads

“[For the French], cooking is viewed as a major art form: Innovations are celebrated and talked about as though they were phrases in the development of a style of painting or poetry. A meal at a truly great restaurant is a sort of theatre you can eat.”

So goes the Richard Bernstein quote on the official Web site of Brasserie du Soleil, a beautiful French café tucked away in a corner of Lumina Station in Wilmington. The quote could also be this eatery’s motto, as attention to quality and presentation are part of what makes it such a special dining experience. It’s the kind of place that locals might want to keep a secret, hoarding its revelries to themselves so as not to spoil the luxury of a getaway meal inside its doors. Such is the feeling of a Brasserie meal: a getaway, an escape to the heart of France where the luxe and comfortable atmosphere also famously serves beer, wine and simple, hearty food. While special interior features include a zinc bar, woodcarvings from a downtown church, tin-roof tiles and 6,000 feet of molding, what really draws Wilmington Best-Of voters back time and time again are the salads.

Salads at Brasserie are ordered a la carte, made to customers’ designs from a selection of over 30 fresh ingredients. Greens come in chopped romaine, baby spinach and mixed, while other ingredients include a variety of hearts of palm, artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, shaved fenel, poached pears, candied pecans, toasted pine nuts, goat cheese, reggianno, crispy bacon, sliced ham, hard-boiled egg and the additional options of meats such as salmon, white anchovy and tuna steak. Dressings include a wonderful sherry vinaigrette, as well as a lemon variety, bleu cheese and Caesar. Open for lunch Monday through Saturday (11:30am-5pm), and dinner Sunday through Thursday (5-10pm) and Friday and Saturday (5-11pm), Brasserie du Soleil must be experienced to believe.

Coming in at second and third places, respectively, are Ruby Tuesday’s and Rucker John’s.

health food store

Do we know where our food comes from? When we shop the chain grocery stores, pick up food through a sliding door at the drive-thru or stand in line to choose from a generic menu, how do we know what’s really going into our bodies? Any member and/or shopper at Tidal Creek Co-op in Wilmington can answer that question with confidence.

The co-op is Wilmington’s cooperative market of natural foods where members own the entity, and the food is always fresh and locally grown. As the co-op’s official Web site, www.tidalcreek.coop, explains, “[We] work to insure a 100-percent GMO-free and hydrogenated oil-free shopping experience, make organically produced foods central to all departments, and purchase from small farms, local growers and companies with ethics and standards similar to the Co-op’s whenever possible.”

“Tidal Creek formed to meet the needs of its owners and community,” Jessica Burtt of marketing and membership services at Tidal Creek asserts. “[We have] quality, great food and excellent customer service.”

The Co-op Kitchen at Tidal Creek includes a café, deli and salad bar, while the food-market department includes groceries, produce, wellness, deli, bulk, and beer and wine. “[We are] focused on locally grown and produced products to support our local economy,” Burtt continues.

And, of course, as members know: Stimulating the local economy is not the only benefit to shopping Tidal Creek—it’s the assurance and healthfulness that comes from eating organic and local. Burtt says the greatest compliment received here is, “I trust the Co-op.” While great taste and service speak volumes, that trust is what keeps patrons coming back for more.

Coming in at the second- and third-place spots this year in the health food category are Lovey’s Market and The Fresh Market.

massage therapist

Oooh, ahhhh...

No, I’m not writing about watching fireworks. I’m writing about the amazing and addicting feeling of getting a massage. As the tension is released from our shoulders, necks and backs, all the way to our toes, a good massage is a spectacular way to spend any afternoon ... or morning ... or night! When Wilmington voters need a good rub-down and knead, they turn to the mighty and able hands of Richard Lascell, LMBT, at Bangz.

“I have been around for over 10 years as a massage therapist and have lived in Wilmington for over 18 years,” Lascell says. “I work at all hours. Providing for those after work for evening appointments, as well as providing office massages, donating to charitable events, and having a flexible schedule that is dictated by my clients. I stay busy!”

To accommodate the changing business-scape due to a receding economy, one move Lascell has made was to drop his prices to offer a $45 hour massage. “Decrease your price to increase production; that business will come,” he reasons.

But one thing Lascell never compromises is the quality of his work. “The biggest change,” he says of his work over the years, “has been having a more equal amount of male and female clients. Over 10 years ago, it was majority female; now it’s more 50/50.”

Providing excellent and beneficial therapy for relaxation or aches and pains, Lascell concludes that in his line of work (or any, for that matter) people must do what they like. “If you don’t like it, the people you work for will know it,” he says. Wilmington voters have spoken—Lascell loves and is great at his job.

Other hand-kneading, oooohs-inducing massage therapists rounding out our top three are Christina Letters and the students at Miller Motte.

—Emily Rea

hot dog

Relish, kraut and ketchup. Slaw, mustard and onions. Cheese, bacon bits and mayonnaise. Jalapenos and chili. No matter how the dog gets dressed, it always tastes good going down at Wilmington’s famed hot-dog joint: Trolly Stop.

Family-owned and operated, the Trolly Stop began as a meager stand in Wrightsville Beach, where schlepping dogs to beach-goers among warm summer days lead to a much greater franchise. Its popularity soared, in fact, leading it to open its downtown doors, followed by locations elsewhere in Wilmington and across the state. Today, a Trolly dog has become the epitome of not just summertime snacking but anytime gnoshing.

Serving Smithfield all-meat, Sabrett all-beef, Oscar-Meyer fat-free and even Lifelite veggie dogs, one and all styles of eaters can order from their menu. Add to it a slew of toppings, including the best homemade slaw and chili in town—a true Southerner’s toppings of choice—and the Trolly dog gets better by the minute.

In fact, those Trolly folks are so ingenuitive that they have even created their own hot sauce, which gives more zest to a Battleship, North Carolina, Nuclear or German dog—or any of their dogs, for that matter. And just in case die-hard Trollyheads crave the sauce outside of the restaurant, well, Lowe’s Foods on College Road carries the brand—even more reason to send mad props to our local dog heaven, serving Wilmington 30 years-plus strong.

Other hot dogs joints to score votes are Jeter’s and Paul’s Place

barbecue

It’s a Southern staple so ingrained in our culinary diet, we aren’t sure if the pig came before the sauce or the sauce before the pig. Either way, there are many local spots that cook the swine so fine, it tempts our taste buds over and over again with a vengeance. encore readers prefer Jackson’s Big Oak Barbecue, slowly cooked and hickory smoked nightly, just as the Jackson family has been doing since 1984.

Jackson’s Big Oak menu claims to serve barbecue that has a “balance of mild seasonings and vinegar,” a combination that most certainly gives it that distinct eastern North-Carolina flavor. Whether ordering ribs or pulled pork, on a sandwich or by itself, there is no wrong way to eat the barbecue at Jackson’s. Add to any order a side of their homemade Brunswick Stew—pulled pork, chicken, lima beans, corn, green beans and potatoes, in a rich tomato stock—or one of their many vegetables, and it’s like indulging in a feast for a Southern king.

If barbecue isn’t something suitable to the palate (gasp!), well, then Jackson’s weekday specials will titillate the taste buds, too, as Chicken and Pastry gets served on Mondays and Wednesdays, and Baked Lemon-Pepper Chicken on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. They also serve barbecue chicken, available in quarters or halves, along with fried tenders, chicken salad, grilled cheeses and even veggie plates for the meatless eaters. Just leave room for their homemade banana pudding!

Other places revered for their pig include Smithfield’s and Casey’s Buffet, Barbecue and Home Cookin’.

oysters

They do bakes in the North and roasts in the South. Some eat them raw on the half shell. Others prefer them smothered in cheese, parsley, butter and bread crumbs. Fried, steamed or in a stew, no matter how the pearls of the sea are indulged, our readers prefer getting theirs at Dock Street Oyster Bar, located downtown Wilmington on Dock Street, of course.

Serving seafood lovers since 1999, the folks at Dock Street always bring in fresh oysters daily, and, more impressively, they’re never fried. In fact, that was what the owners, Louise Forbes and Steve Maillard, had in mind when opening the seafood haven: They would specialize in seafood in its purest flavor, serving it only steamed or grilled. The concept has paid off, despite living in the South where even frying a Snicker’s bar is totally normal.

Dock Street has entreés, sandwiches and delectable appetizers. But, really, it’s their steamer menu that boast an impressive list of sea fare. Sweet crab legs, scallops, shrimp, clams, mussels, crawfish and the oh-so-sweet oysters come by the dozen, pound, peck, or cluster. For a taste of everything, order the steamer platter, also served with corn and potatoes. It’s low-country fare that Southerners adore.

Other oysters shucked on our Best-Of poll come from Hieronymus and Shuck and Shack in Carolina Beach.

breakfast

“It’s the most important meal of the day!”—so my father always told me during my middle- and high-school years. “It’ll give you energy and keep you focused!” Today, breakfast is still something I eat consistently, thanks to Dad’s love for bacon and eggs, pancakes and fruit, coffee and juice. I am not alone either, judging by the many votes that came in for our Best Breakfast category. In Wilmington, one place continuously ranks high on our poll, and, well, she whistles Dixie.

Yep, Dixie Grill has swept through the grease and fire for years in our breakfast category, most likely because they churn out the best Louisiana hash in town: eggs, potatoes, andouille sausage and other stuff, all piled high and sizzling hot to the table. It’s an item on their menu they’ve mastered so well they sometimes run out of it—which is a true testament that it’s not only popular but made fresh to-order. In fact, so much from the Dixie is original, from their homemade sausage to their sweet potato pancakes (yes, that’s right!). They also make one mean bowl of oatmeal, according to my mother.

The coffee is fresh; the restaurant itself, always open to a new face. Just beware of the Sunday crowds—the line is often out the door.

Other breakfast spots encore voters frequent include Causeway Cafe and I-Hop.

chain restaurant

Aside from Wilmington’s many mom-and-pop eateries that our voters love so much, the occasional chain restaurant also has its place in tempting the appetite. The grub from Outback Steakhouse keeps our readers’ tastebuds happily dancing, whether indulging in their Bloomin’ Onion, Crab-Stuffed Shrimp or one of many steak specialties.

With the current financial woes many families across the nation are facing, Outback is making their food accessible to everyone, boasting 15 meals under $15, including their Outback Special sirloin, Teriyaki-marinated sirloin, a Filet Tenderloin and Stuffed Shrimp combination plate or their Outback Grillers. They also serve affordable sea fare, burgers and sandwiches, along with a host of freshly made sides.

Just leave room for dessert: The Sweet Sampler Trio will tantalize every sweet tooth, as three desserts, including the Nutter Butter Peanut Butter Pie, Classic Cheesecake and the Chocolate Thunder from Down Under, come in one heaping serving. Pair the experience with drink specials from their fully licensed ABC bar, and the meal is made for champions, just as the restaurant stakes claim in our 2010 poll.

Other chain eateries topping our list are Carrabba’s and Bonefish Grill.

lunch

I can attest Sweet and Savory is Wilmington’s Best Lunch. I eat there quite frequently, as their homemade breads and soups are the best in town. Collards and BBQ beef, turkey and dressing, tomato basil, chowders and stews of all varieties make their way on their soup specials, which boast up to five selections a day. Pair a cup with one of their sandwiches for the most satisfying midday meal. I personally love their Rawhide (roast beef and cheese on a pita, with mushrooms and onions), as well as the Miss Piggy (grilled ham and American cheese, roasted red peppers, red onions and a smoked tomato aioli on an English muffin) or the Hot Tamale (turkey, pico de gallo, Havarti cheese and jalapeños on multi-grain bread).

The bakery not only has a large sandwich menu, which includes many vegetarian and seafood options, they also do burgers, dogs and salads. Located on Pavilion Place, right before Airlie Road off Eastwood, Sweet and Savory bustles during lunch hours, as their reputation for serving quality food with friendly service keeps them top-of-mind among the Wilmington foodscape. But lunch isn’t their only claim to fame. They do outstanding breakfasts, which include so many flavorful homemade pastries that just walking in the restaurant early in the morning will send the senses into overload.

As of late, Sweet and Savory has also began doing a chef’s table during dinner, hosted by their finest hands in the kitchen thanks to Josh Petty. Every Thursday night diners can make a reservation for $40 a head, limited to 12 diners only, to indulge in fanciful and creative creations from Chef Petty. Having attended two already, the food does not disappoint, especially for those who enjoy indulging in fine cuisine with a flair. Scallop ceviche (served with habanero shaved ice atop—for real!), duck confit salad, monkfish, braised short ribs and raspberry creme brulée showcases one menu sample. From what I tasted, Chef Petty takes great pride in his food, flexing pristine culinary craftsmanship through his weekly Chef’s Table menus. One week, every course featured pork, including chocolate and bacon variety for dessert. The next week he did everything-duck, including a consommé with duck dumplings made from the fowl’s heart, liver and other innards. Sure, it sounds adventurous, but don’t knock it ‘til trying it; it was lovely on the palate. Just make reservations early, and enjoy dining family-style with other Wilmingtonians. It’s a great way to meet other foodies in town and enjoy a dinner party at one of Wilmington’s greatest restaurants.

Other lunch spots ranking on the Best-Of poll include Pine Valley Market and Temptations Everyday Gourmet.

wings

The drumsticks and wings at Buffalo Wild WIngs keep diners clucking about town like chickens with their heads cut off. It could be because their numerous sauce choices make BWW all the rage in our wing category—and we can see why. Mango Habanero, Asian Zing, Spicy Garlic, Teriyaki, Caribbean Jerk, Honey BBQ, or their traditional Mild, Medium, Hot and even Blazin’ sauces turn bland wings into something decadently different upon every bite.

While wings, whether bone-in or boneless, continue being the draw to BWW, that they’re a sports bar housed with gazilions of TVs and beer-on-tap means they know how to keep sports fans happy and fulfilled. Our locations, off College Road on Van Campen Boulevard, and on Carolina Beach Road in Monkey Junction, are committed to local and regional fanfare, always playing the Panthers’ games on the big screens, not to mention all the college basketball games that make North-Carolinians seem rather insane (Tar Heel, Blue Devil, Demon Deacon and Wolfpack fans alike). Hockey, baseball, wrestling, racing—it’s heaven on earth for sports fanatics.

Wings. Beer. TVs. Open Monday through Saturday, from 11am-2am, and Sunday, from noon to 2am, they always have a table waiting. Just come early on Wing Tuesdays and Boneless Thursdays, when they offer the best of their chicken at discount prices—35¢ apiece on Tuesdays and 50¢ apiece on Thursdays. Oh, and during major game days, again, come early; both locations tend to pack up pretty quickly. But nothing’s better than celebrating a win or two with like-minded sports (and wing) fans!

Kudos BWW!

Wild Wing Cafe and Katy’s Great Eats also topped our polls with encore votes.

performer

Her vocals have cascaded over audiences across Wilmington for the past few years. Most have been hypnotized upon first hearing her; others continue to be transcended by the powerful force of her words, as her soul seems to pour out of her vocal cords. Bibis Ellison began singing when she was “in the womb,” and it’s her singing that welcomed her first appearance on our Best-Of poll, scoring Best Band/Performer for 2010.

“It’s sort of overwhelming,” she told encore last week. “Wilmington’s been sort of overwhelming. I really love what I do and really, really appreciate how much people seem to enjoy it. The fact that people appreciated me back makes me want to work harder, sing louder and high-five everyone.”

Ellison performs cover songs with her Spare Change Band every Tuesday night at The Whiskey downtown, and they’re continuing to add to their schedule with monthly standing gigs at Grand Union Pub in The Forum and Fibber McGee’s near Wrightsville Beach (full schedule available at www.myspace.com/bibisellisonband). She also plays solo, original music, showcasing her talent as a songwriter, with a gig booked at the Soapbox on May 21st, when she’ll share the bill with a group of her friends, Mount Moriah from Chapel Hill.

“My original stuff and the Spare Change Band are like apples and oranges, who are good friends,” she explained. “I think they’re exciting in entirely different ways. The Spare Change Band is this fun, in-your-face, loud, party band—we’re people who love music, who play for people who love music, you know? My original stuff is sneakier. It’s quiet and more introspective; it’s the flip side of the band with just as much love. I like it that way, though. I like being thought of as multi-faceted—and being appreciated for both.”

Her fans flock to her shows to hear her renditions of Pat Benatar’s “Love is a Battlefield,” Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” and U2’s “With or Without You.” They dance, they sing along and they cheers the band’s impeccable musicality. At the end of the day, they’ll be the same fans who bend their ears to hear Ellison’s originality shine through in her solo work.

“I will always have a special place in my heart for the song ‘Foxes,’” Ellison spoke of her catalogue of songs. “She’s a sneaky little thing, that song. I wrote her six years ago, and she meant something entirely different then than she does now, and I love that about her. People seem to really relate to that song in their own ways—and I like thinking that the song can be taken the way people want to take it. I’m proud of her.”

Next on the agenda: recording. “It’s official, you can punch me if I’m lying,” she quipped. “I did the song ‘I’ve Gotta Town for You’ for Americatown (congratulations to them on their Best Local Film win!) with Fred Champion at his house, and the song worked so well that I kind of stalked Fred for a little while about the idea of recording, and he finally caved. I like the idea of using natural sounds and a natural space for my music and I can’t think of a better spot. So at the beginning of March, we’re going to get started! I will safely say that the record will be out this year.”

Before she takes her show on the road, Wilmington music lovers should get out and support Wilmington’s finest talent. Straight from the horse’s mouth, she claimed, “I want to make what I do bigger and better.” No doubt, she most certainly will.

Paco Strickland and ASG scored votes on our poll, too.

movie

Americatown. It’s a place of only 1,000 citizens, where landmarks and conventions of America as we know it exist—just maybe in an off-kilter way. “For example, Americatown has a giant rock with faces of old people carved in it (Mt. Rushmore) right across the street from the world’s most awesome water park (Niagara Falls),” Kenneth Price, director of encore’s Best Local Film, 2010, told us last week. Currently in the red, white and neon blue country, its town’s tour guides, Roosevelt Microsoft and Plymouth Rayban, are working steadfast to keep it safe, while trying to understand why on Earth anyone would every want to leave.

Having filmed the feature-length comedy last year in Wilmington, before trekking across the “Land of the Free” with the stars of the film, the Superkiiids! Cory Howard and Jonathan Guggenheim, as well as local art director Chad Keith, they released an uncut version at Cucalorus back in November. “We were really lucky to land that screening, because I don’t think most filmmakers have the opportunity to get a couple of hundred people together to view something that isn’t finished and are willing to give honest feedback about what does and doesn’t work,” Price continued.

Since, they have been in the editing room, doing final tweaks. Price has added “an original soundtrack by Seth Moody, an amazing animated title sequence, about 10 minutes of the stuff that, for one reason or another, just didn’t work, and a bunch of stuff in 4D that will make the movie more into an interactive experience”—something he says will be akin to watching Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Shot over a 9,000-mile road trip, the motley crew of filmmakers saw America in a lot of its glory, from the Alamo to Hollywood Boulevard to Times Square. Even though they were hard at work, the fun and hijinks were never at bay.

“The afternoon we spent filming in the middle of the White Sands National Park in New Mexico was pretty special,” Price remembered. “We all almost passed out from the heat, Jonathan threw a smoke bomb directly up into the air that landed on Chad. and I was so blinded by the sun that I shot for about an hour with the lens halfway covered by the camera’s matte box. It was a crazy day, and I still have sand in the van but we ended up with some of the best footage from the film.”

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week (March 4th-6th), Americatown comes to the big screen at Jengo’s Playhouse. The production will start at 8pm and folks can get in for a mere $5. Best of all, it will be hosted by the one and only Superkiiids!

Other local films taking a spot in our poll include Nevermore and 4 Gin and Tonics.

comedy troupe

Nothing compares in life to having fun. It’s that simple. If having fun weren’t a priority, our lives would read like symptoms from an anti-depressant medicine bottle: irritable, moody, lack of interest in anything, extreme fatique...

Thanks to people like Wilmington’s very own Superkiiiids!, having fun always ranks high on the life-list—in fact, they have it down to a science. “The formula is as follows,” Jonathan Guggenheim, one-half of Superkiiids!, who also hosted encore’s Best-Of Awards ceremony at the beginning of February, said:

“HE = PI x C/T + BM

PI = personal involvement.

C = complexity of a joke. The higher degree of complexity, the better provided that your audience can solve the problem within one or two seconds.

T = time spent by a person solving a joke. The longer the time, the weaker the effect.

BM = background mood. A joker can have an advantage if an audience enjoys the show. However, a real good joke can ‘blow up’ the most dismal audience.

HE = humor effectiveness.”

Sharing the stage with Cory Howard, who has moved from Wilmington yet still remains here according to Guggenheim, thanks to his superpowers of practicing “The Resonance Theory of Simultaneous Existence,” the two often embark on gaggles of tricks and very physical skits that keep the laughs rolling. Their characters and jokes appeal to many, too, from young kids to 80-year-olds.

“We’re basically following Darwin’s model of the evolution of creative thinking,” Guggenheim explains. “Creative thinking is modeled as a re-linkage of connections among mental representations, occurring in relationship to gene-culture heterarchy, which is a system of causative and motivational connections among the individual, the innate regularities of cognitive development, and group behavior.”

Scientific mumbo-jumbo aside, the two connect like white on rice, coffee and cream, peanut butter and jelly. Their fame has lifted them to greater heights, too. “Whilst having a drink with a dear friend and fellow Superkiiiiiid! just last week, he said, ‘With fame I become more and more stupid, which of course is a very common phenomenon.’ Then he stuck out his tongue and I took a picture.”

Don’t miss the kiiids! at Jengo’s Playhouse March 4th-6th at 8pm for the screening of their latest feature-length comedy, Americatown. Cost is $5 at the door.

Changing Channels and Nutt Street Comedy Club performers came in second and third.

shopping plaza

Located on Military Cutoff Road is a haven for many shoppers. Miles upon miles of stores align the thoroughfare, beckoning all Eddie-Bauer lovers, Williams-and-Sonoma junkies, Banana-Republic fiends and J.-Crew addicts. Among the many stores are many restaurants, too, in a bevy of flavors: Tokyo 101, Brixx Pizza, Fox and Hound sports bar and Melting Pot fondue.

Mayfaire Town Center has become a must-stop on anyone’s scheduled shopping-spree date. “Mayfaire has brought something unique and different to Wilmington,” Paige McKenzie, director of marketing, told us, “all in an open-air, pedestrian-friendly setting reminiscent of small-town USA.”

Considered an “innovative retail lifestyle center,” Mayfaire “has embraced the mixed-use concept [to] continue to grow.” And they’re doing so in ways beyond simply serving shoppers. They reach out charitably, too, by being a part of Shop 2 Help Your Schools and partaking in many holiday promotions, “all [to] create a vibrant environment where people can live, work and play.”

McKenzie promises their dedication to continuously listen to customers to better their services and evolve. “We want to strive everyday to improve and provide a pleasant, unique and entertaining experience,” she noted. “By having flexibility to add, change and reconfigure existing structures, Mayfaire has the unique ability to be highly responsive to the market and tenant needs. And that’s why Mayfaire will continue to thrive, just as it was envisioned to do.”

Their win comes numerous years now consecutively, meaning they’re doing something right.

Other shopping centers to be recognized are Lumina Station and Hanover Center.

delicatessen

Nothing can be more satisfying than a hearty wedge or roll from Wilmington’s favorite delicatessen, Taste of Italy. In fact, the New-York family who runs the establishment has been doing a fine job at converting Southerners into the enjoying real Italian dining for years. They make the most outstanding meatballs in town (have it on a roll to enjoy what a true meatball sub should taste like), along with fresh ragout that would make Grandma proud. Pasta dishes transform a blasé lunch into something appetizing, and any of their fresh-cut meats (try the pastrami!) build a monstrous sandwich—literally, there’s, like, a pound of meat on them.

As if the homemade eggplant or chicken parm, baked ziti or lasagne, stuffed shells or tortellini aren’t enough to captivate the taste buds, come for their many deli salads: macaroni, bow-tie, antipastos, cucumber-and-tomato or roasted red pepper. It’s the perfect accompaniment to any sandwich. With the large blocks of provolone and parmigiano-reggiano, casings of salami and loaves of bread available at the counter, it makes for a rustic, old-school New-York deli right among our Southern streets.

The sweets shant be passed over here either. They sell sinful brownies dusted with confectioner’s sugar and an assortment of Italian cookies in all varieties. And their retail side of the deli proves soul-feeding, offering pastas, olive oils, sauces and canned goodsof the finest Italian brand-names. But why try to reinvent the wheel? Just order from their catering menu and feed the family a true “taste of Italy”—then all that will be left to do are the dishes.

Other delicatessens in town that folks adore patronizing include Grouchos in Leland and Martions in Wrightsville Beach.

worst politician

That we still have this category humors me. Really, any one person in office could probably be featured here, but this year we have a bonafide winner: RC Soles, D-Columbus County.

Soles hits on a pretty high note of worst politician, but not for “bailing out” big businesses or having an affair with someone on the campaign trail or avoiding taxes on his home—no, no. Soles is accused of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious bodily injury.

It was August 23rd when the senator and longest-serving legislator shot Kyle Blackburn, 22, in the leg at the senator’s home in Tabor City. Soles claims he only acted in self-defense after hearing Blackburn and an accomplice kicking in his front door. However, police said Soles stepped out into his front yard to shoot the perps. Thus, the bullet entries didn’t correspond with a self-defense plea.

Soles was indicted on January 7th and plead guilty to the misdemeanor charge on February 26th to avoid felony charges. He paid $1,000 in fines before being freed. The senator will not be seeking re-election.

Mayor Bill Saffo came in second, with Paul Knight (who ran for mayoral office in November and lost) ranking third.
—Shea Carver

Next week’s edition will feature the final installment of encore winners. Out March 10th!

by: Shea Carver

It happens every year like clockwork: The sun starts staying out a little longer. The days start progressively getting warmer. The residents go mad about town to partake in free stuff to do! Yep, that’s right—I said it: F-R-E-E!

The annual 2010 New Hanover County Residents’ Free Day, also known as “Be a Tourist in Your Own Hometown,” continually comes to us at the cusp of spring, almost as if the folks over at the Cape Fear Coast Convention and Visitor’s Bureau know exactly how to alleviate our cabin fever from winter’s breezy, cold temperatures. Like the many free-days that have come before it, 2010’s event will make for one hefty activity-filled Sunday, held March 7th at participating attractions and tourist stops all over Wilmington.

It’s the perfect time to breathe in fresh, warmer air and enjoy the outdoors, whether strolling through Airlie or taking a boat ride along the Intracoastal. There will be tours, live demonstrations and free stuff to do all day along our coast; just bring an ID proving New-Hanover residency (attractions allowing citizens from other counties are noted in the event paragraphs), and reap the benefits. Here is what will be offered: (Note: Some events require early reservations or ticket pickup).

Airlie Gardens
300 Airlie Road • (910) 798-7566

Stroll through the winding paths of this century-old garden by the sea, where the foliage and views are always breathtaking. Open 9am to 5pm.

Arboretum at New Hanover County Co-op Extension
6206 Oleander Drive • (910) 798-7660.

Explore six or more acres of demonstration and trial gardens to discover the newest and best plants for area landscapes and gardens, from 8am-6pm.

Battleship NORTH CAROLINA
Hwys.17/74/76/421, on the Cape Fear River • (910) 251-5797.

From 8am-5pm, climb aboard the Battleship, and imagine being at sea during WWII, searching the sky for enemy aircraft, anticipating what may happen next. History comes alive. Free admission to New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender county residents with proper ID. Last boarding 4pm; closes 5pm.

Bellamy Mansion Museum
503 Market Street • (910) 251-3700.

Visit the formal areas and kitchen in the basement of the mansion, 1-4pm, and hear historical information about the original slave quarters and its restoration in the rear garden. Gift shop will also be open.

Blue Moon Gift Shops
203 Racine Drive • (910) 799-5793.

Open from noon to 5pm, Blue Moon features over 100 eclectic shops, showcasing works by artists and crafts-people. Tastings and craft/vendor demonstrations will take place throughout the day.

Burchetta Glassblowing Studio
and Gallery
201 Red Cross Street • (910) 399-7614.

See live glassblowing demonstrations and tour the gallery from 10am-4pm.

Burgwin-Wright Museum House
224 Market Street • (910) 762-0570

While the house will not be open, visitors may tour the historic gardens and visit the Colonial kitchen and the former jail. A self-guided garden tour is available, with layout, historic facts, plant identification, etc., all taking place noon to 5pm.

Cameron Art Museum
3201 S. 17th Street • (910) 395-5999

Southeast NC’s premier art museum will be open from 11am-5pm, featuring three exhibitions: Toying with Art (Galleria cases); KALEIDOSCOPE: Changing Views of the Permanent Collection (Brown Wing); and Recollection: The Past is Present (Hughes wing). Located at the corner of Independence and Shipyard boulevards.

Cape Fear Museum of
History and Science
814 Market Street • (910) 798-4350

Discover the history, science and cultures of the Lower Cape Fear, from 1-5pm. Visit the Cape Fear’s newest exhibits: Conservation Matters; Going to the Movies; and Cape Fear Treasures: Drinks.

Capt’n Bill’s Backyard Grill
4240 Market Street • (910) 762-0173.

Starting at noon and lasting until 9pm, Capt’n Bills will offer free volleyball! The grill will be open with food and drink specials, too!

Carolina Beach Lake Park
Atlanta & Lake Park Blvd
(910) 617-9793.

Located in Carolina Beach, Wheel Fun Rentals will offer free paddle boat rentals. to New Hanover residents only from 10am to 2pm.

Carolina Beach State Park
State Park Road • (910) 458-8206

For 12 hours, 8am-8pm. folks can head over to the Carolina Beach Park with a picnic and fishing supplies, and explore nature trails, the visitor center, or just enjoy the nature that surrounds them. (Marina closed for renovation/campsite rentals not included.)

EUE/Screen Gems Studio
1223 N. 23rd Street • (910) 343-3500

Screen Gems will give tours on Sunday at 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm, but advance tickets are required! To tour Screen Gems, participants must pick up tickets on Friday the 5th at Screen Gems from 12-5pm. Tickets will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis. No tickets will be handed out on the day of the tour!

Federal Point History Center
1121-A North Lake Park Blvd.
(910) 458-0502.

Enjoy exhibits and audio-visual presentations portraying periods in the Federal Point community, including pre-historic, colonial, Civil War and development of Carolina-Kure Beaches and Seabreeze as tourist attractions. Refreshments served; takes place 1-4pm.

Fort Fisher State Historic Site—Civil War Fort
Hwy. 421 Kure Beach • (910) 458-5538

Enjoy scenic views of the Cape Fear River and Atlantic Ocean, from 1-5pm, upon visiting, tour trails, historic earthen fortifications, visitor center and Civil War museum.

Fort Fisher State Recreation Area
1000 Loggerhead Road, off US 421
(910) 458-5798.

Visitor center, free access to the 4WD beach and four-mile stretch of undeveloped beach for shell seekers, bird watchers. 4WD access free to New Hanover residents only, from 8am-5pm.

Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington
Meets at Cape Fear Riverwalk at Market & Water streets • (910) 233-7630

Guided tours start at 5:30pm only. Reservations are required and on a first-come, first-served basis. Guides will take larger groups than normal, and tour will be somewhat abbreviated. Space is limited. New Hanover residents only!

Greenfield Grind Skatepark
Burnett Blvd, behind Parks and Rec offices • (910) 362-8222

Participants get free admission between 1-8pm. All participants are required to wear helmet and pads.

Halyburton Park
4099 17th Street • (910) 341-0075

From 8am-5pm take a hike, or ride a bike through the 58-acre tract of land, comprised of gently-rolling sandhills, wet pine flatwoods and lime-sink depression ponds, and discover the many plants and animal species living here.

Hannah Block Historic USO/
Community Arts Center
2nd & Orange streets • (910) 793-6393

Spend a WWII-history afternoon, 12pm-5pm, at one of the few remaining USO buildings. Tour the restored building, theatre, and WWII home front mini-museum. Meet local WWII veterans and home-front workers with wartime memorabilia to swap stories, pose for photos and share experiences. It’s an opportunity to say “thanks” to our version of the Greatest Generation.

Haunted Pub Crawl at
Fat Tony’s Italian Pub
131 N. Front Street • (910) 343-8881

Get a “taste” of the Haunted Pub Crawl, from noon-6pm, and hear eerie tales that will both shiver ye timbers and make ye laugh out loud; starting at noon on the hour every hour with the last one at 6pm. All ages welcome; stories censored to suit audience. Prizes for kids.

Hollywood Location Walk
of Old Wilmington
Meets at Cape Fear Riverwalk at Market and Water streets • (910) 233-7630

Guided tours start at noon only. Reservations are required on a first-come, first-served basis. Guide will take larger groups than normal, and tour will be somewhat abbreviated. Space is limited, and for New Hanover residents only!

Hugh MacRae Park & Nature Trail
Oleander Drive and S. College Road
(910) 798-7181

From 8am-10pm, Hugh MacRae’s playgrounds (5-12-year-old playground is lighted), lighted tennis courts, athletic fields, picnic areas, nature trails, etc., can be enjoyed. And it’s free everyday (except for shelter, horse ring, baseball fields and garden rentals). Baseball fields must be reserved in advance. Walk the 1.55 mile trail right in the park or visit the Hugh MacRae Nature Trail located across the street behind the New Hanover Senior Center.

Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park
5320 Oleander Drive • (910) 791-0666

Offering a choice of one of the following activities to each participant, from 1-4pm: A free round of Jungle Golf—or—a free go-kart ride—or—a free wall climb.

N.C. Military History Museum
116 Air Force Way, Kure Beach
(910) 477-0499

Visit from noon-4pm, and see artifacts, memorabilia, displays from WWI through Desert Storm, with photos, documents, letters, uniforms, fieldgear, hats, helmets, gift shop and more.

Special Guests at Riverfront Visitor Information Booth
Cape Fear Riverwalk, Water and
Market streets • (910) 341-4030

With weather permitting, from 1-3pm, team and event mascots will greet residents, hand out schedules/flyers, pose for photos, and sign autographs. Confirmed guests include “Salty Dawg” (Wilmington Sea Dawgs pro basketball team) and “Sharky” (Wilmington Sharks baseball team); Azalea Belles (courtesy of the Cape Fear Garden Club); and storyteller/musician John Golden from 2-3pm. Educators from the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher’s outreach classroom will share information about marine life found along NC’s coast. Stop by to meet the special guests, get a “Hometown Tourist” sticker, and a list of attractions/tours offering free admission!

The Black Cat Shop
11 Market Street • (910) 251-6663

Aye, mateys, ‘yer looking for a bit of adventure in the Port City? Drop by to see some magic, hear some true Wilmington pirate stories or to have ye fortune told, from 1-5pm. Space is limited and we will entertain first-come, first-served.

UNCW Arboretum Campus
601 S. College Road • (910) 962-3107

Explore this institutional arboretum campus with plant identification signs, from 7am-5pm, Three areas are of particular interest: “The Heritage Garden” at the front quadrangle; “The Campus Commons” in the center of campus; and “The Bluethenthal Nature Preserve,” located off Price Drive behind the University Union.

Victorian Gardens at Latimer
House Museum
126 South 3rd Street • (910) 762-0492

Enjoy a self-guided tour of garden only (brochure available at site, weather permitting) from 1-4pm; the house will be closed.

Wheel Fun Rentals
107 Carolina Beach Ave. N
(910) 617-9792.

Free bicycle & specialty product rentals for New Hanover residents only, 10am-2pm.

Wilmington Ice House
7201 Ogden Business Lane (next to Ogden Park off of Market Street)
(910) 686-1987.

Free skate rental only, 1-4pm! Admission $7 per skater and $ if under 5yrs. Offer good to New Hanover residents only!

Wilmington Railroad Museum
505 Nutt Street • (910) 763-2634

Railroad history and heritage are joined by a traveling exhibit of spectacular photographs by O. Winston Link, 1-4pm. Features for all New Hanover residents’ ages.

Wilmington Trolley
Downtown Wilmington • (910) 763-4483

The trolley will offer free shuttle service, 1-4pm, between the participating attractions in the downtown area. This is shuttle service only, not tours.

Wrightsville Beach Museum
of History
303 W. Salisbury Street, Wrightsville Beach (910) 256-2569

Visit this 1909 beach cottage and feel what life at the beach was like 100 years ago, 1-5pm. See our model of Wrightsville Beach in 1910 and learn about the trolley system linking town and beach.

Wrightsville Beach Scenic
Tours and Taxi
Banks Channel across from Blockade Runner Resort, Wrightsville Beach
(910) 200-4002.

Offered at 2pm and 3pm only, with advance reservations required, folks can enjoy a one-hour free ecological tour. Topics include salt marsh function, native birds and barrier island ecology. Space is limited.

For more information on hours of operation for attractions, contact them individually. In case of rain, call attractions to confirm outdoor activities. Also visit www.capefearcoast.com/hometown.

by: Shea Carver

San Juan Cafe
3314-16 Wrightsville Avenue
Mon. – Sat.: 11am–2pm; 5pm–10pm
Closed Sundays
(3 1/2 stars out of 4)

With its roots planted across the globe, from Spanish to African, Asian to Native-American influences, Latin-American cuisine has its fair share of tantalizing ingredients: coriander, cumin, chiles, garlic, plantains, even the exotic culantro (a more pungent cilantro). Though Wilmington may not exactly border Puerto Rico or Cuba, we have been known to welcome some of their flavors in and out of our coastal corridors.

Newest to our culinary map is San Juan Café on Wrightsville Avenue (in the building where the Moroccan café Nagilia once lived). Owned and operated by Danny Keegan, a Puerto-Rican native whose Johnson-and-Wales degree served him well at local eateries Osteria Cicchetti, Brasserie du Soleil and NOFO, San Juan boasts a menu of Caribbean flair suited to both vegetarians and carnivores, all of which meld traditional with experimental. In fact, something as simple as arepas get a fancy facelift on Keegan’s watch, served with duck confit, Columbian masa cheesecake, caramelized onions and cashews.

One word: Y-U-M!

Last Friday afternoon, upon hearing many praises per word-of-mouth from my lovely culinary friends, I decided to check out the eatery for myself. It’s not that I don’t trust their opinions, it’s just that new restaurants beckon my attention first-hand—especially since dating a chef maintains we keep our dining-out expense account padded rather nicely.

It wasn’t busy in San Juan, sans a friend, also a local beer-and-wine representative, John Burke, who was dining at the bar. He stopped by our table to say hello and warn us of the deliciousness that are the bacalaitos, a deep-fried mixture of bread, white fish, cilantro and onions. San Juan serves them to every table as a starter—kind of like a Mexican restaurant’s pre-emptive basket of chips and salsa. Mr. Burke was right. Oh, were they good! Paper-thin crisps tasted zesty and sweet, with just the right amount of cilantro and onion, only enhanced by a mild fish background. While Matthew and I probably could have passed over more appetizers in favor of more bacalaitos, we decided instead to order more food than we could handle.

Starting off with a Latin-American classic, chile rellenos, and one of San Juan’s interesting salad offerings, the ensalada de aguacate, we sipped our drinks and took in the atmosphere upon our short wait. The teracotta walls are adorned with cast-iron wall-hangings, making the place cozy against the dark-wood tables and bar. Yet, occasional tropical remnants pepper the decor, a la the bright green border spanning the walls and resembling the back of a dragon, or the parrot-inspired art. The bursts of color make it clear that diners are preparing to indulge in Caribbean-inspired fare.

Once our starters arrived, we began to critique. The black-bean paste served underneath the chile rellenos was palate-awakening: earthy yet embracing just the right amount of heat to make the chiles dance nicely in their crusty cornmeal and queso-fresca filling. The peppers were a little dry from the abundance of cornmeal coated on them, but the flavor was unstoppable.

The ensalada de aguacate, basically translated as “avocado salad,” offered a perfect lightness to the rellenos. Crisp romaine provided a base for the creamy garbanzo bean puree and homemade chicken salad served atop it. Stacked with avocado and tomato, the salad could be a large meal on its own, so order with the intent to share if also indulging in something else.

I was ready to stop at this point, but the aroma of fresh garlic and cumin wafted past my nose as our lovely server placed the daily special in front of me: Lamb Piononos. Ground-anything is something I can usually never get enough of, but ground lamb in particular captivates my attention on any menu. I’d never had the Puerto-Rican specialty piononos, wherein plantains and eggs are used, layering a savory filling. In this case it was like a picadillo of ground lamb, tomato, cumin, garlic, and green peppers and onions.

Baked to perfection, with a crisp top and soft, sweet and savory center, I couldn’t help but relish every bite. White rice and red beans, stewed with olives and onions in an rich broth, gave it a lovely dose of made-from-Grandma’s-kitchen.

Matthew had a classic that most all Latin-American menus boast today: sandwich Cubano. The panini was pressed with roasted pork, ham, pickles and swiss cheese on slices of Cuban bread and served alongside a culantro mayonnaise. The sandwich oozed its layers, bite after bite. Though it may seem sacrilege to even go here, I can’t help but mention San Juan’s fries. “French” as they may seem, what has become an American food group on its own accord is mastered in this Latin-American eatery. The potatoes were perfectly crisp, golden and hand-cut, sprinkled with their own special seasoning.

“Can you imagine how much greater they’d be if they were cooked in duck fat?” Matthew rhetorically asked.

It wouldn’t surprise me if Keegan went that route. After all, his culinary skills are honed well, and his distinctive palate really has an outlet to let loose now that he’s running his own restaurant.

Matthew and I already have planned our next dinner date to San Juan. Items like the pollo ajili mojili (half marinated chicken in mojito served with baked sweet potato, French green beans and chimichurri) and the chuleta (a grilled pork chop, bacon and plantain mofongo—i.e. mashed together—served with tomato and pepper escabeche) beckon our attention. They’re unlike any other item on a Wilmington menu, and that, to us, makes this restaurant all the more exciting.

by: Lauren Hodges

Piecing It
Back Together
Featuring the art work of
Erica Morgan
Edge of Urge, 18 Market Street
March 4th • 7-10pm

Faced with sudden loss, most of us go through the seven stages of grief: shock, guilt, anger, depression, adjustment, reconstruction and acceptance. For some, a few of the stages are harder to conquer than others. Local artist Erica Morgan was hit with the shock of her life when her younger brother died last year. Anger was a long process that was difficult for Morgan to overcome.

“I detached myself from friends and family,” she says. “I stopped making art, had no creativity or drive, and started questioning the reason for my loss. No reason, in my opinion, was worth the cost of such an innocent and good-hearted life that was taken.”

Before the tragedy Morgan was a promising and hard-working artist. She had a solo show at the Wabi-Sabi Warehouse featuring her signature environmentally focused work. Her most moving piece was made of organic cloth, soaked in motor oil, and over time showed the damage done to nature by a man-made substance. The dark, greasy oil slowly spread throughout the bright, clean material, darkening the color and filling the creases. In hindsight it was an ominous foreshadow to Morgan’s struggle.

“In the weeks and months passing, death became very, very real to me,” she recalls. “I was abruptly made aware that everything—and I mean everything—only ends in death. So what was the point? My thoughts about life and death, purpose, coincidence . . . fell apart. I couldn’t make sense of anything, not even love, because to me, none of it mattered since it was all going to end in death anyway.”

Slowly and painfully Morgan made her way into a period of reflection. Her art had been neglected since the tragedy, but somehow all of the make-you-think messages featured in her previous works had not completely left her mind. Morgan’s talent for insight in art was going to be her saving grace. She began the stage of adjustment, which required, in her words, “to stop dwelling on the who, what, why and how of the death I was dealing with, and to realize no matter how much I focused my energy on all of those [things,] he wasn’t coming back. Nothing was going to change that. So I started seeing beauty in the world and people around me again.”

Without really looking for materials, Morgan found herself amongst a new body of work naturally. She began with a fabric collage on a piece of cardboard and incorporated metal objects. She found a grate from an old grill and started to tie the whole piece together with clumps of frayed threads. It was pure improvisation, since she says she wasn’t actively seeking materials or picturing a finished product. The threads were left to hang freely from the work, which was meant to symbolize impermanence.

“My struggle to work with what I knew about life and death, in order to cope, is mirrored in this body of work by only using material I had,” Morgan says. “It forced me to learn about myself and what I’m capable of, both with making art and dealing with my brother’s death.”

Having entered the sixth stage, reconstruction, Morgan was reminded of her previous commitment to environmentally conscious messages. She found that the process of recycling was a perfect metaphor for her new beginning.

“I’m piecing back together objects that would have otherwise been discarded . . . allowing the environment to feel a little relief,” she notes. “Since all my materials are found, reclaimed and recycled, there is no impact on the environment. So in a sense, I’m giving life back to the environment—or at least extending the life of [it.]”

Today, Morgan has found herself in the seventh stage: acceptance. As she prepares to re-enter the art community, with an upcoming show at Edge of Urge, she hopes her message of hope will be contagious. “These works are a manifestation, or documentary, of my exposure to the multidimensional loss of life,” she says “Each piece is contrived of several components, some of which are in obvious conflict with the others and are fighting for priority or attention, but remain still connected whether loosely or permanently with each other and the whole—very much the same way the stages and levels of grief network with one’s mind.”

by: Anghus

Shutter Island
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio,
Michelle Williams and Mark Ruffalo
(4 stars out of 5)

Martin Scorsese knows how to make a movie. Is there a more obvious sentence in existence? Let me take a crack at it.

“Sarah Palin is not smarter than a fifth grader!”

“Someone got an STD from the cast of ‘Jersey Shore.’”

“John Holmes was well endowed.”

“‘One Tree Hill’ is not very good.”

Martin Scorsese has been making damn-fine films for the past four decades. The name alone should by now be synonymous with “quality cinema.” There aren’t enough words to properly honor a man whose career has been both a tribute and contribution to the art of the motion picture. The only negative that comes from a man with such a résumé is the assumption that every film he releases has to be “a classic.”

It’s a common critical response when a legendary director puts together a new project. Once someone has ascended to the level of “cinematic God,” where is there to go? Each subsequent film is compared to an entire body of work. It’s difficult to bring up a name like “Scorsese” and not spend a hefty chunk of the review comparing a single film against an entire body of work. But that’s always been the failing of most mainstream critics: lacking the ability to view a film as an individual piece rather than the latest entry on an ongoing résumé. Every film has to be grouped into a period or decade.

Shutter Island is a damn-fine film. The fourth consecutive team-up with leading man Leonardo DiCaprio. Personally, I’ve enjoyed the collaborations. The Aviator is a film I hold in high regard; The Departed is about as strong a crime film as a viewer will ever see. Shutter Island is something completely different—a strong psychological thriller. Strong choices. Strong performances. Strong character actors. This is not the stuff of subtlety, my friends. This is in-your-face filmmaking.

Leonardo DiCaprio plays Marshall Edward Fuller, a fedora-wearing law man with a gun in one hand and a cigarette clenched between his teeth. He and his partner are brought to the incredibly creepy Shutter Island, which houses the craziest killers to walk to the face of the earth. This is where the untreatable fractured minds are sent. One of the prisoners has escaped, and everyone at the prison is doing a pretty poor job of covering up a vast and incomprehensible conspiracy. Edward knows something is terribly wrong.

His investigation brings some old demons to the surface. Edward’s own state of mental well-being is questionable. He cannot suppress the violent images of concentration camps he witnessed in the World War II. And his dead wife shows up every so often for some disturbing conversation.

There are no real twists in Shutter Island. Scorsese plays his hand within the first two reels. Everything is off-kilter; nothing feels right. Conversations are unnecessarily tense. Situations feel forced. The entire film is like a puzzle where the wrong pieces are forced together; however, this seems very much Scorcese’s intention.

Shutter Island plays out like a spool of yarn that is slowly woven into a garment. It’s obvious what’s going on when it’s finished, but it’s not known when looking at the pile of string. The “why” of it all is answered in the film’s final moments, when everything begins to make sense. A second viewing almost feels like an obligation.

Leonardo DiCaprio continues to impress me. I know a lot of people who don’t care for his particular brand of whimsy, but I think the guy has the goods. He plays Edward off balance and abrasive. He’s a man driven to madness in his pursuit of the truth—the lone voice of reason on an island filled with people intent on covering up the truth. It’s another fantastic performance for DiCaprio who is blessed with a gift of portraying damaged protagonists.

Michelle Williams is equally fascinating, once again showing a penchant for choosing exceptional material.

This is a big win for film fans—the kind of Scorsese movie I love: unpretentious, unrelenting, and infused with manic energy. I don’t know how many more films Marty has left in him, but I can guarantee I’ll be there every time.

by: Anghus

An Evening at the Oscars
Sunday, March 7th
Screen Gems Studios
1223 North 23rd Street
Tickets: $100

Oscar season is once again upon us. The flashing lights, the red carpet, and the fabulous fashions. And it’s not only relegated to the West Coast come Sunday, March 7th. In fact, such a lavish celebration comes to Wilmington courtesy of the Cucalorus Film Festival. Tagged “An Evening at the Oscars,” the event gives the Port City a chance to experience celebration right in their own backyard at Screen Gems Studios. All the action will be televised inside Soundstage 3, and ticket holders will get more than their money’s worth with great food and some special guests.

Cucalorus has been the artistic backbone of the Port City for the past 15 years, holding an annual film festival fueled by people who have aa passion for cinema. Really, there seems to be no better way to help raise funds for the annual festival than with a party celebrating film’s biggest night. In the Cucalorus tradition, this will not be a typical boring Oscar party. They’re bringing a lot more than chips and dip. I had a change to talk with Cucalorus mainstay and all around good-guy Bo Webb about the evening’s finer points.

encore: How is An Evening at the Oscars a part of Cucalorus?

Bo Webb: Wilmington’s most significant contribution to the arts, in my mind, comes from film. We are a film town, and people across the country know that. Cucalorus gives our film community its voice and has established a reputation among independent—and mainstream—filmmakers as a great place to make and showcase great film. The Oscars celebrate movies and our love of them in the same way that Cucalorus does—only we each showcase different aspects of modern film. They do the best of the big stuff; we do the best of everything else.

e: So this is a red carpet-style event. Will there actually be a red carpet?

BW: We will in fact have red carpet! The guys at L&L Tent Rentals have some on hand for just such an occasion. In fact, we’ll also have paparazzi, red-carpet commentary from Jess James and Shannon Dunne of Style-Girl fame, special Oscar-party cocktails—they may be red—and a few other surprises.

e: What should ticket buyers expect of the evening?

BW: First of all the Academy Awards on large screens in a Screen-Gems soundstage—not your typical evening of TV. We’ll also have an open bar, food by Port Land Grille—not your typical restaurant—desserts (Hot Pink Cake Stand, Bakla-va-voom) and coffee from Folks Cafe. Entertainment during commercial breaks will be performed from Jonathan Guggenheim of Superkiiids! fame, and Zach Hanner, music from Bibis Ellison and others, an auction full of cool stuff, and some things—in true Cucalorus style—that we can’t predict and might not even be able to print. Cucalorus is known for its great parties, and this one will not disappoint.

e: The tickets aren’t cheap. Where does the money go?

BW: The proceeds from this party will go toward funding the Cucalorus Film Festival’s core expenses. This party is what will help make the Cucalorus Film Festival in 2010 a reality. Despite our great reputation, we still operate our festival on a budget about a third of the size of comparable festivals. That we’ve been able to continue a festival of such high quality for 15 years is truly a miracle. The money we make at our Oscar party will help pay our incredibly dedicated staff who put on this festival and make the miracle a sustainable one.

e: Where can readers acquire tickets?

BW: They’re available online at www.cucalorus.org, and on our blog at cucalorus13.blogspot.com. You can also pay for tickets with a check by mailing or bringing them to Cucalorus, 815 Princess Street, Wilmington, NC, 28401. Call us at (910) 343-5995 if you have any questions or would like to reserve whole table of eight for you and your friends, family or co-workers.

Here’s a chance to have an evening of fun and frenzy, with the proceeds going to help a fantastic local organization. Find your fanciest duds and grab a date. Oscar’s calling.

by: Lisa Hunyh

B-Side Breakdown
Also featuring, The Crunch and Keaton Lange,
presented by Hawkstream Radio
March 4th • $1-$3
http://hawkstreamradio.wordpress.com

On days when the weather is pleasant, songs of all different rhythms and sounds can be heard throughout the Campus Commons at UNCW. Students can be seen walking to class, bumping to the beat or eating on outside benches, mouthing the lyrics to the songs. The source behind the music and what is called “Campus Live” is Hawkstream Radio, the official student radio station of UNCW, providing its streaming database of news, entertainment and educational programs through the Web: http://hawkstreamradio.wordpress.com.

Hawkstream Radio is a distinct part of UNCW’s Student Media, run by the students themselves. Although Hawkstream’s founding history goes back years before, the station has only been in existence for two years, and the product produced only since November of 2009. Now, sophomore Jon Chittendon, the station manager and music liaison, heads the station, its streaming schedule and oversees changes to the Hawkstream’s Web site—its sole method of reaching listeners.

Currently, the site is launching a new layout, one which executive board member Taylor Herbert is designing. This fresh and innovative layout will feature multimedia effects, such as live video stream, pictures and bios of the DJ’s, and allow viewers to actually see into the Hawkstream’s office while recording.

In an interview within the station’s office, the origin to the mania occurs, Jon Chittendon lays down the foundations of Hawkstream and its plans for the future:

encore: Is the Hawkstream Radio currently working on a convergence with the rest of student media, such as The Seahawk and Teal TV?

Jon Chittendon: Not just student media but the UNCW community and town, as well: local bands, media and literary services, downtown venues—we are open to all of it. We run The Soapbox’s schedules every week, and in return our music liaisons actually go to their shows, interview artists there and then talk about it later in Hawkstream’s talk shows.

e: What is Hawkstream focusing on doing for this school year and the next?

JC: Our primary focus is developing our product and making it more listener-friendly: all live, hopefully call-ins, and Campus Live a couple times a week. Since we are an on-campus radio station, we don’t have to target ourselves to an indie-rock, punk music, or whatever. Our common theme is that it is music from fellow students—you aren’t listening to a company playlist. We try to make it make sense, too. We don’t put techno shows at 10 in the morning.

e: Explain the regular talk shows that go live on the station.

JC: The main talk show is “Overtime Blitz,” which has three people in all. The “The Big D Comedy Show” is on Thursdays, and the “Inferno News Rave” talks about the news and current events, then plays rave music for Friday nights. We can break the norms as a campus radio station. I even have an idea where one night we try to do all theme songs, (starts singing the “Doug” theme song from Nickelodeon).

e: How many DJs do you have currently?

JC: Thirty DJs; with all the staff—from management to promotion to music combined (including the DJs and executives)—we have 40 members. What is cool about being an executive is that you can still come and have an hour show.

e: How is Hawkstream spreading awareness about the station?

JC: We find people through word of mouth, we have been advertising as of now, and [we] have a Facebook page.

e: What do you want your listeners to take away from Hawkstream?

JC: Our main goal is music. We want to be a reliable source of cool music for students, by students. If we had a mission statement, it would be: “Tunes, man!” I mean, this is for the students. This is their station. We want them to put something on it. There are time slots open, and there are always possibilities to be an artist liaison.

Hawkstream Radio will be hosting a show at the Soapbox on Thursday, March 4th at 9:30pm, opening with the acoustic band Keaton Lange, The Crunch at 10pm, and B Side Breakdown plays at 11pm. Doors open at 9pm, and DJ FTA will also be featuring music late night.!

by: Sarah Boggs

Hammer No
More the Fingers
Also featuring Demon Beat and
The Spalding Grays
March 5th • $5
Soapbox Laundro Lounge
255 N. Front Street

Less is more. Isn’t that how the cliché goes? Well, for Durham-based indie band Hammer No More the Fingers (HNMTF), it’s an operational motto. Only three members deep, this energetic punk-emo-pop-rock collection has a surprisingly full sound. It’s like The Click Five meets Foo Fighters meets Modest Mouse—if they’ve been eating a batch of “special” brownies and reading poetry. Sort of.

With influences like Burning Airlines and Tom Petty, HNMTF’s songs would certainly be at home on local college stations, or classic road-trip mixes that we listen to with our windows down when we need to remember what it’s like to be young and free of obligations. Their beats are infectious and addicting, and the fullness of three vocalists infuses each song with a richness we wouldn’t expect from so few band members.

Joe, Jeff and Duncan, the three young Durhamites who make up HNMTF, have been in cohort since the ripe old age of 5, with Duncan joining the mix at age 13. Having played in a series of bands together, they decided to try things for real after graduating from college. Since, their progress has been slow and steady, tortoise-style, resulting in an EP released in 2007, a full-length, Looking for Bruce, in 2009, as well as embarking on 100s of gigs, and even a tour in the UK.

“It’s really great to have international support like that,” guitarist Joe Hall told encore about their recent overseas tour. “They were all so welcoming, we had a great time.”

Having such an extensive history together definitely helps the guys when it comes to writing music. “We all write together. One of us starts off with a beat or a few chords, and we just build on it until we come up with something,” Hall said. “It’s gotten to the point now where we pretty much know exactly where to go with a song. We tweak it until we like it, Duncan adds the lyrics, and we play it until we know whether or not it’ll really work for us.”

And it does work.

The song “Nobody Knows” is so enlivening it almost could make a listener want to burst out of her skin. “Radiation” is another winner, catchy and fun with some seriously heartfelt lyrics.

“Duncan wrote ‘Radiation’ after reading a story about a girl who rode her motorbike through the Chernobyl site,” Hall revealed. “That’s how he usually works; he’ll read something interesting and just set it to music in his head I guess.”

As with any other up-and-coming band, HNMTF still has trouble getting exposure. “I’d say our biggest challenge is getting out there, booking shows, getting the attention we want,” Hall admitted. “Writing and performing: That’s the easy part. It’s the promoting that’s tough, the business side. Forward motion is an every day goal.”

Hall said that goals are one of the many commonalities the guys have to unite them. “We have the same frame of mind, we want the same things. We spend a lot of time together, so the tension is definitely a factor, but all in all we’re great friends. It just so happens that we’re in business together.”

And for HNMTF, business is good.

“Of course, we love to perform, but we also really enjoy recording,” Hall said. “The pressure is a lot different when money is on the line, but we go in there as prepared as we can be and just get it done.”

This three-man ensemble is recording its next album next week in Baltimore, and is hoping for a release date some time this fall. “No promises,” Hall added, “the business is so unpredictable, but that’s what we’re hoping for.

Hammer No More the Fingers—a name inspired by Duncan’s grandfather, who “brought back this nail hammering guide thing from China, [with] instructions in broken English [reading] ‘hammer no more the fingers’—will be playing their own brand of quirky and unique sounds this Friday, March 5th, at The Soapbox at 10pm. Tickets are $5 at the door; doors open at 9pm.

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by: Adrian Varnam

Drive-By Truckers
Also featuring David Barbie
& the Quick Hooks
March 5th • Gates: 5:30
Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, $25-$30

It’s been a long time since the Clinton administration ruled the office. The world seemed simpler and safer then. The internet was new and exciting. MTV actually played music, and new bands did it the old-fashioned way through incessant touring, sleeping on couches, and begging anyone and everyone to listen. Today, there seem to be few bands left from that era who continue to evolve, persevere and carve their own path in such a relentless manner. Then again, there are few bands like the Drive-By Truckers.

Formed in the mid-to-late ‘90s in Athens, Georgia, while Bill was still president, the Truckers are an entity unlike any other. With a distinct Southern- and classic-rock sound, supported by a collective singing and songwriting core, the band has forged their way through an unforgiving industry by never giving up, never compromising and doing it themselves every step of the way. Founding member Mike Cooley says it was what he and fellow Trucker Patterson Hood wanted from the very beginning; although, no one ever said it was going to be easy.

“From the time we started this band, and started touring, there were plenty of times when it sucked,” Cooley reveals. “But I don’t think there was ever any time when everybody was throwing up their hands, because as tough as it got, there was always belief. And it wasn’t just a blind faith, pipe-dream either; it was there. We could see it happening, little by little. We just believed that it would come together, and turning back wasn’t really an option. We really wanted to see it through.”

And they have—through thousands of shows, significant line-up changes and several record labels. Although a lot has happened throughout the years, the one constant has been the music. It’s what Cooley and company do best, and it’s most certainly the common thread that has kept them striving and moving forward all this time, especially when it comes to the creative process itself.

“It’s kind of a happy place for us: going in to record a new record,” he says. “The shows and touring are a lot of fun in their own way, but we get to the studio, and there’s nobody there but us. It feels good. We don’t have to pack up and move somewhere to the next place. We can do what we do for a while and work.”

The latest result is The Big To-Do. Slated for release on March 16th, it’s the band’s eighth studio album and first release with their new label, ATO Records. As always the prodigious Truckers approached this project like most of their previous: with plenty of material to choose from, providing the option of creating the best and most coherent album that they could at the time. With longtime producer David Barbe at the helm once again, Cooley says it was a comfortable and familiar place for the band to bring as much as they could to the project.

“We actually went in and recorded somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 tracks over the course of all the sessions,” he says. “It started looking very obvious that there was this group of songs that was one album, and then we had all these others that all kind of fit together, too, in their own way. So we put those 13 tracks together and put it out first. They’re more rock ‘n’ roll, [from] start to finish, than the last record, but they fit.”

Cooley reveals that, although he didn’t initially bring as much original material to the table as in previous records, the end product does showcase what has become a staple of recent Drive-By Truckers’ records: a fairly balanced contribution from several different songwriters within the band, including bassist and singer Shonna Tucker. Although Hood is seen by many to be the band’s leading songwriter in a lot of ways, Cooley has come into his own as an equal contributor and cohort. As the two founding and original members of the band, it’s a relationship that’s been allowed to evolve many times throughout the years to get to that point.

“We just kind of figured out that there was this thing we could do together,” he says. “I mean, we had some rocky roads here and there, trying to figure out how to allow each other to be who we are individually and do what we do together, and let that be what it is. But you come through that or you figure it out. We just got older, really, and we don’t hang out together and drive each other crazy. We pretty much reserve it to doing what we do and being friends on a level where we can do all those things. And we are, at the end of the day, great friends.”

It’s that friendship, combined with hard work, determination and dedication, is what has kept Cooley, Hood and the Drive-By Truckers together after all these years. Long after most bands have packed it up and gone home, the Truckers continue to make great records, playing sold out shows to a rabid fanbase, attracting more listeners with every effort, and making a living for themselves and their families, all on their own terms. Cooley says he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“For me, I don’t know how else you can do it and survive,” he says. “When you’re in your 20s and trying to get this thing going, and you have all this pressure to have something to show for yourself, and you get frustrated, and you’re wanting to make it, make it, make it—whatever that means—and all the frustrations and setbacks come along, and people just aren’t ‘gettin’ it’, you kind of take out your frustrations on each other. And then you get older and realize, ‘What the hell is ‘makin’ it,’ anyway?’ Let’s just do what we do. And we have, our own way. I mean, if I were a pretty face and a good dancer, I guess I would let somebody make a few more decisions for me. . . . But I’m neither.”

The Drive-By Truckers perform this Friday, March 5th, at the Greenfield Lake Amphitheater. Gates open at 5:30 and the show begins at 6pm, with opening act David Barbe and the Quick Hooks. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 the day of the show, and can be purchased from Gravity Records, Revolution 9,1067thepenguin.com, or from drivebytruckers.com.

by: MJ Pendelton

Namasate, Indiana
Brown Coat Pub and Theatre
111 Grace Street
March 4-6 and 11-13, 8pm
Tickets: (910) 341- 0001

Guerilla Theatre supports local playwrights and, consequently, has established an important niche in the Wilmington theater community. Other theater companies, like Big Dawg, have produced original scripts, but Guerilla has devoted 40 percent of its productions to showcasing local writers. It has also made theater accessible to a younger audience with $5 student tickets. The transition from the Soapbox basement to the Brown Coat Pub and Theatre was not exactly smooth for the company, but the cozy, new venue is far more accommodating. Even in the uncomfortable, smelly basement, though, they had a loyal following.

Guerilla has always tried to financially compensate cast and crew, but, with their limited resources, it has been a challenge. The company has never, however, sacrificed the quality of the productions. “We hold ourselves to a high standard,” said creative director Richard Davis. Because of this integrity, as well as their commitment to “push social issues and support emerging artists,” Guerilla has “attracted the attention of some important people,” according to Davis.

John Melfi is one of them. His brother, Leonard Melfi, was an important experimental American playwright and director in the Sixties. During his career, he wrote more than 40 plays including “Birdbath”, co-wrote the screenplay “Lady Liberty”, and contributed to the musical “Oh, Calcutta!” When Melfi died, Edward Albe sent a note, which was read at the memorial services: “Years ago, there were many serious and daring individuals in Greenwich Village under thirty as well as young playwrights, myself included. It was a wild and vital time, and no one was more vital than Leonard.”

Guerilla Theatre has been given permission to use his name. “All of our original plays will be produced under the banner of the Leonard Melfi First Look Play Series,” Davis explained, adding, “We’re absolutely honored.” Even more exciting, Guerilla Theatre will produce three plays by Melfi, which have never been staged. An interesting aspect of the New Play Series is that the audience will be invited to give feedback, probably in the form of comment cards, essentially “participating in the creative process,” Davis said. Though, he quickly amended, “It will not be a workshop. Each play will be fully formed and professional.”

The first play in the series is “Namaste, Indiana” by John Grudzien. This will be Grudzien’s third play with Guerilla Theater, and he also wrote and produced six one-act plays at the Thalian Studio Theater, with UNCW students creating film backdrops. Grudzien’s vocation is business/marketing, but his avocation has always been creative writing. In college, he wrote for the literary magazine and later studied with the Emory University writing program. He has written 18 film scripts and 12 or 13 plays. “Namaste, Indiana is also a film script,” Grudzien said, “but I wanted to get it in front of an audience.”

The plot revolves around Korean War veteran Orville Powell, who is a “bohemian, an early hippie, changed by the war. He moves to a small town in Indiana and opens a yoga studio, but no one gets it. [Ultimately] he changes the lives of some of the people in the town,” Grudzien explained. Though “Namaste, Indiana” is “as polished as any production, [he] wants audience feedback.” His fictional name for the Indiana town is a derivative of Sanskrit, and though it has various meanings, most Western yoga practitioners consider the translation to be “the light within me honors the light within you.” Randall Lucas, Suzanne Nystrom, and Janet Allen, who recently acted in Big Dawg’s “Love on the Rocks,”are the principals in this production. Don’t miss it!

by: Christina Dore

Driving down Market Street, toward Wilmington’s Historic District, downtown, locals and tourists alike will find a bounty of indulgences: from hot coffee and homemade ice cream at Bella’s, to fine exquisite dining in the snug sofa lounge of Caprice Bistro, to a relaxing horse carriage ride around town. Curiosity arises on how Market Street earned its name, leading to another subsequent question: Where’s the market?

On Water Street, from April to December, we have the Riverfront Farmer’s Market every Saturday—probably the best place to be during any warm weekend morning. Farmers truck in their produce, local artists set up their own handmade crafts and artwork, and the Wilmington community contributes even more to their local economy. Thus, some people want more from a “market”—something more frequent and flexible.

Cue: the Wilmington Public Market.

The motto behind the idea remains simple: Every city needs a market. While Wilmington’s Farmer’s Market fills a void somewhat, the idea of the Wilmington Public Market gives citizens a wide spectrum of vendors, selling everything from jewelry to art, baskets to knick-knacks, preserved jams to canned goods, every day of the week.

Upon approaching Second and Market, heading downtown, the market would be immediately visible, as it’s proposed to take up the median space between Front and 2nd streets. It would span two buildings, which would eliminate 10 parking spots and two turning lanes. However, this will supposedly create a calmer traffic flow and a pedestrian-friendly atmosphere, according to Gordon Singletary, one of the organizers of the Wilmington Public Market. The Market will also be able to house 48 vendors, who will always be visible to any passersby.

An information meeting was held February 10th, presented by local businessmen, downtown citizens and organizers John Hinnant, Gordon Singletary, David Spetrino and Matt Scharf. They opened up a discussion on other city public markets, including Charleston, Seattle and even the small Carrboro market, and expressed the hopes of giving Wilmington something similar.

When asked, none of the four organizers claimed credit as inventor or leader of the Wilmington Public Market. Instead, the idea came to Gordon Singletary, who instantly began drawing plans and submitted it to the city, where it received remarkable support. Now, these men are banding together to draw more people in and make the Wilmington Public Market a community creation. On the Facebook group alone, there are more than a 1,000 members and it’s continually growing. People are telling their friends and writing letters to the Star-News.

“I think it’s a great idea, and necessary for supporting local consumers, and keeping them healthy and away from mass-production,” local Terra Thompson says. “If they also wish to mimic what the market was, using a sort of historical approach, that could also become a tourism perk.”

Singletary and Spetrino explained after careful research that they predict the Wilmington Public Market will not only provide a more permanent structure, but will give Wilmington an estimated $500,000 impact on the local economy. With an excellent and diverse audience—downtown citizens, local businesspeople, farmers from the Riverfront Farmer’s Market, etc.—there was both excitement and disquiet over the idea.

Ron Koster, owner of Tarheel Beef Company and also a consistent vendor of the Riverfront Farmer’s Market, was one of the few very outspoken at the meeting. “At first, I was against this because I thought it was going to replace the Water Street market. I was like, ‘If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.’ The Riverfront Farmer’s Market started six years ago and has been doing great,” he says. “But I see what they’re going for now, and I still think there are still going to be some problems and they need to address those soon.”

All four organizers made it clear that the Wilmington Public Market is not a replacement of the Riverfront Farmer’s Market. If anything, it is supposed to have a complementary purpose, where people can walk around downtown, arrive at the Wilmington Public Market and continue walking until they reach the market on Water Street.

“As someone who unloads hundreds of pounds of meat and produce from my truck, I cannot see the logistics of this structure,” Koster continues. “Farmers are not going to have any room to park their trucks and unpack all their crops and products. And with some people, they’re going to need a lot more room to set up all their stuff than what they’re proposing for this building.”

Luckily, the farmers are not losing their place on Water Street. And if they cannot be part of the Wilmington Public Market, they still have their spot and it makes room for artists and crafts people that do not require a large amount of space for their tables and booths.

“The location is tight. We recognize that,” Spetrino explains. “But we also recognize that the long-term success of this market requires it to be at the epicenter of the ‘fun zone’—it will never provide the same far-reaching impact if it has to pull visitors. In an ideal business model, the most effective markets attract then push visitors to neighboring stores, events, restaurants, etc.”

Koster remains speculative but still hopeful of the prospect. “I feel what they’re doing now is very ambitious, and the main concerns I have is the possibility of this turning into a flea market. Also. [I worry about] this building becom[ing] a hangout that is not cleaned and maintained. I’m not dead [set] against this at all. I just hope they sort out all the possible issues.”

However, the plans are premature. No construction blueprints have been made, and no votes have been cast. The Wilmington Public Market is just an idea right now—one that needs to spread and be understood by the Wilmington community.

“I was completely impressed with the meeting’s turnout—it was encouraging to see an informed and engaged community. The next meeting is to the Vision 20/20 Committee on March 2nd and then to the Residents of Old Wilmington on March 10th,” Spetrino maps out.

To learn more about the Wilmington Public Market, visit www.wilmingtonpublicmarket.org, or go to the Facebook page where members can post their own comments.

by: Shea Carver

Summertime. Sure, it feels like miles away, as we bundle up against cold temps and even (gasp!) snow flurries. But before we know it, the kids will be out of school, begging us to relieve them of their boredom, and we’ll have to come up with more ideas than “run outside and play.” Thank goodness Wilmington is a kid-friendly city, where activities abound during the school break. Here are a few suggestions we recommend. From art to science, sports to magic, boredom will vanish from the vocab.

ART FROM A DIFFERENT ANGLE
Pearsall Church Activity Center
(910) 632-9942 • www.nosleevesmagic.com or artexchangecamp.com

From splatter paint to storytelling, from magic to Mod Podge, the Art Exchange Summer Camp is dedicated to help children see art from different angles. In addition to their crazy-fun ARTivities, each week a variety of artists’ will visit and showcase their style of art.

The camp is available for ages 6-12 years old, taking place June 21st-25th, 9am-3pm. Extended care will also be available for kids.

CAMERON ART MUSEUM
Corner of S. 17th St. and Independence Blvd.
(910) 395-5999 • www.cameronartmuseum.com

Art should be a part of every child’s life in some form or fashion. It helps enhance their imagination and critical-thinking skills—not to mention it’s simply fun!

At CAM summer camps are offered July 12th-16th, 26th-30th and August 9th-13th, for ages 6-10 years old. The camp takes place daily from 9am-noon, and here kids will enjoy art projects and museum exploration, all in an outdoor setting. Small camp sizes ensure close attention is paid to every camper, and on the last day of each session, a Campers’ Arts Opening takes place, so students can display the works they’ve done throughout the week for family and friends to see. Cost is $175 for nonmembers and $150 for members. Call Georgia Mastroieni for information.

CHILDREN’S SCHOOLHOUSE
612 S. College Road
(910) 799-1531 • www.childrensschoolhouse.net

The Montessori Marine Science And Art Camp is available for ages 3-6 years old. The half-day program delights children with a hands-on sea-life experience in the safety of the Montessori classrooms and outside environment.

Water safety issues are explored with a child-friendly approach. Art projects, experiments and music go hand in hand with each “sea critter” or environmental topic that is introduced. Sea life will be offered by Hieronymus Fishing Charters, and two sessions are open for campers: June 7th-25th and July 1st-21st. We will work with your vacation schedule!

THE ICE HOUSE
7201 Ogden Business Lane
(910) 686-1987 • www.wilmingtonice.com

Camp Keep Cool is a week-long day camp with activities on and off the ice. Focused on having fun and learning how to skate, a skilled staff looks over first-time skaters, beginners or more experienced skaters, as instructors will teach both hockey and figure skating skills.

Camp hours will be extended to allow more availability for working parents, as Camp Keep Cool last over eight weeks during summer 2010, for two weeks in June, and three in July and August. Lasting from 8am-5pm for for full day campers and 8am-1pm for half day campers, regular drop-off will be from 7:45-8am, daily. They also offer Late-Stay pickup until 6pm for an additional charge. Arts and crafts, and weekly adventures where the field-trip comes to them. Call for pricing.

NO SLEEVES MAGIC CAMP
Pearsall Church Activity Center
(910) 632-9942 • www.nosleevesmagic.com or
nosleevesmagiccamp.com

Danger: Your child might experience one of their best summer memories at magic camp. Every week is a new adventure into the world of illusion. In addition to getting a new magic trick everyday, children are treated to field trips, water wars, visiting magicians and tons of surprises. Voted Wilmington’s Best Summer Camp, No Sleeves is open to ages 7-13 years of age, weekly from July 5th-August 6th, 9am-3pm. Extended care is available.

OCEAN MIDDLE SCHOOL
(910) 477-0515

How would you like to help your child embark on a wonderful adventure? Study the Seven Seas and understand how they affected the countries that surround them. Study Platonic Solids, Dependable Geometry, The World of Words: Speech, Writing, and Reading. Ocean Middle—The Adventure of a Lifetime ... in Safe Hands!

UNCW Soccer Camps
Girls: (910) 962-3932 • Boys: (910) 352-4925
www.seahawksoccercamps.com

Seahawk Soccer Camps at UNCW serve the needs of beginning and advanced soccer players. The camps, for boys and girls, focus on the technical and tactical development of individuals and teams. Their championship winning coaching staff encourage skill development and passion for playing, in a fun, safe environment on campus at UNCW.

Camps for boys and girls, ages 5-8 years, lasts June 14th-18th, 9-11:30am ($140). Girl’s camp, ages 5-12 years, takes place June 21st-25th, 9am-4pm ($140-$260); and boy’s camp, ages 5-12 years, takes place June 28th-July 2nd ($140-$260). Girls, ages 10-18 years, attend an overnight/commuter camp from July 7th-11th, while older boys attend from July 14th-18th.

Town Creek Elementary

Black History Month

On February 11th the fifth graders from Town Creek Elementary did a wonderful presentation to celebrate Black History month. Each fifth grade class did their own history showcase. Mrs. Yarbrough’s class recognized accomplishments and contributions of African Americans. Ms. C. Johnson’s class acted out a wonderful skit about what the world would be like without diversity. Mr Gifford’s class gave a great presentation about Dr. King, and Mrs. D Johnson’s class presented African-American history in poetry and dance. Students also performed the Negro National Anthem.

Town Creek Elementary was very lucky to have Mr. Macy McRae, Assistant Principal at Williston Middle School in Wilmington to be the guest speaker. Mr. MacRae did an amazing job speaking and educating the students on African American History.

Murrayville Elementary School

Principal of the Year

Dr. Julie Duclos-Greenwood, principal of Murrayville Elementary School, has been selected the Wachovia Regional Principal of the Year by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and the Wachovia Foundation. Dr. Duclos-Greenwood will receive $1,000 for her school and $1,000 for personal use.

Dr. Duclos-Greenwood was named New Hanover County Principal of the Year last September. She has been in education for 24 years and has been principal of Murrayville Elementary School for nine years. Prior to her current position, Dr. Duclos-Greenwood served as a learning disabilities specialist, cross-categorical special education teacher, fourth-grade teacher, assistant principal and principal.

Under Dr. Duclos-Greenwood’s leadership, Murrayville Elementary School continues to make impressive academic gains. Dr. Duclos-Greenwood implemented an extended-day academy, which serves approximately 250 students in Grades 3-5 and provides additional instructional sessions to both acceleration and remediation groups. Her strategies to enhance student achievement are determined by the needs of the school’s diverse population.

Dr. Duclos-Greenwood focuses on data-driven instruction, maximizing instructional time, establishing a positive school climate and working with parents as partners. “This honor is possible because I have a staff who loves children,” Principal Duclos-Greenwood said. She also credits her success to the encouragement of her third-grade teacher and her many wonderful mentors who have motivated her to become an exemplary administrator.

“We are extremely proud of Dr. Duclos-Greenwood for being named Regional Principal of the Year. She is an excellent educator and very deserving of this recognition,” NHCS Superintendent Dr. Al Lerch said.

On Tuesday, February 23rd a state selection committee visited Murrayville Elementary School. Results of this visit, portfolio assessment and in-depth interviews with faculty, staff, students and parents will determine whether Dr. Duclos-Greenwood, or one of the other seven regional winners, will become the 2010 Wachovia North Carolina Principal of the Year.

The state Wachovia Principal of the Year will be announced on Thursday, April 1st at the state luncheon in Raleigh. The winner will receive $3,000 for personal use and/or professional development and a $3,000 check for his or her school. The winner also will serve a one-year term as advisor to the State Board of Education.

Rachel Freeman Elementary

Letter from First Lady

Dionte Hicks, a fifth grader at Rachel Freeman School of Engineering, has received a letter from First Lady Michelle Obama in response to a letter he wrote to her last fall about the killing of leopards. Dionte’s concern is based on industries that are using leopards for their fur and ruining their homes by cutting down their habitat. Dionte’s favorite animal is the leopard because of their speed and agility.

Dionte was very excited to have received a letter back from Mrs. Obama. “I couldn’t believe she sent me a letter back, and she is a really nice lady”, said Dionte. Mrs. Obama told Dionte to keep up the good work in school and his concern for the environment. Enclosed with the letter was a picture of the First Lady along with facts on the back such as her education, hobbies and interests.

Principal Adrian Pearson is delighted to share this moment with Dionte. “We are proud that Dionte took the time to write a letter to Mrs. Obama about his concern for leopards. This action displayed his commitment to conservation efforts and his independence. I am also pleased to see that the White House is taking an active role in education through replying back to students.”

Conservation efforts are in the works to save the leopard species. In 2009, the leopard was placed on the near-threatened species list due to their loss of habitat and increase in hunting. Leopards reside in southern Asia, Africa, Pakistan, India, Indonesia and China.

New Hanover County Schools

Blue Ribbon Award

On Friday, January 22nd the North Carolina School Public Relations Association (NCSPRA) honored the public relations department of New Hanover County Schools (NHCS) at the annual NCSPRA Blue Ribbon Awards Brunch in Durham. The NHCS Public Relations Department received a NCSPRA Blue Ribbon Award for effective communications for the second year in a row. This year’s award was given for the district’s minority recruitment brochure, “Launch, Live, Inspire, Discover,” produced by the NHCS Public Relations Department, with graphic design by Wordwright Communications, and used by the NHCS Human Resources Department for recruiting purposes. The award-winning recruitment brochure features four NHCS administrators, representing various ethnic groups, and highlights the opportunities NHCS offers to educators and how it embraces a diverse and innovative environment for education.

Supply Elementary

Starbase

Supply Elementary fifth grade students participated in North Carolina’s STARBASE project the week of February 1st-5th. The mission of the North Carolina STARBASE is to “add value to America” through youth programs that provide innovative, educational outreach focusing on science, math, technology, positive personal goal setting, substance abuse prevention, and teamwork skills. The five-day program involves lessons and activities based on NC fifth-grade objectives. Students prepare flight plans for a journey across the United States, defuse a nuclear reactor, test Newton’s three laws of motion, and build individual rockets. Building self-esteem and teamwork are crucial elements of the program. On the last day of training, students launched their rockets and graduated in a special ceremony.

College Park Elementary School

Can-Do-Kid Assembly

On Friday, February 5th, College Park had a Can-Do-Kid Assembly for their third through fifth grade students. Awards were given for citizenship, attendance and honor roll during the second nine weeks of school.

Science Night

On Tuesday, February 16th, College Park Elementary celebrated Science night. The kindergarten and first-grade classes entertained everyone with songs they are learning in music class, then families visited the classrooms to find out what science activities students have been participating in this semester.

Virginia Williamson Elementary

Science Fair

Eight students from Virginia Williamson Elementary School attended the county science fair at Virginia Williamson Auditorium at Brunswick Community College recently: Danielle Varnam, Hunter York, Aiden Wallace, Bradley Nesbitt, Owen Evans, Kendall Caison, Aidan Goble and Matthew Phelps (5th grade). Phelps won first place overall in the county science fair. After being interviewed by two judges, the students got an opportunity to visit a college chemistry lab. Dr. Jones was so kind to put on a chemistry demonstration where she educated the children in important safety instructions, cool chemistry experiments and new vocabulary using scientific words.

Bilzi Family

Recognized for Volunteerism

The Bilzi family was recognized for their commitment to improving their local community during a celebration of family volunteerism on February 11th at Walt Disney World Resort. Disney Parks, which is trying to inspire families to get involved with community volunteer projects through the Give a Day, Get a Disney Day program with HandsOn Network, brought together more than 100 families like the Bilzi’s from all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Canada at Epcot to celebrate their exceptional work in the community and commitment to embedding the value of service in future generations.

Alec (11), has helped construct weatherproof benches outside the hospital’s emergency room with Boy Scout friends. He manned relief stations and city cleanup during and after the Battleship Iron Man Run. He cleaned up Hoggard High, Hugh MacRae Recreation Area, and the Senior Center as a service project with one Roland-Grise classmate this December.

A few of Giulie’s (18) volunteering commitments include: president of the Wilmington Health Access for Teens’ Synergy peer education program; she has volunteered for the Prom Dress Swap; tobacco prevention, teen member of an Alcohol Awareness Panel; she helped with Coastal Horizons Cape Fear Coalition for a Drug Free Tomorrow; volunteered at Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard, she is a member of the NC Teen Health Council; advisor to NC School-Community Health Alliance; she is a mentor for the Big Buddy program; and Giulie was also an Azalea Belle.

Mom, Sue, is past president of the Cape Fear Garden Club, which donates so much to the community after the Azalea Festival Annual Garden Tour, she has continued to volunteer at Bradley Creek Elementary, even though the family’s children are no longer there.

A few of Dad Steve’s volunteer commitments include: monthly at Roland-Grise Middle School as a “Watch Dog,” board chairman at Wilmington Health Access for Teens, chairman of the county Gang Task Force Advisory Board, Boy Scouts of America Board of Directors, Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 239, NHC Community Action (Head Start), SENC Food Bank boards of directors, as well as former president or officer of several PTA’s in 33 states over 30 years. He served on the local school board for eight years and the state and national school board association board. Governor Easley appointed him to the Business Education Technology Alliance, Steve is a Governor’s Volunteer of the Year award winner.

“Volunteering brings families closer together. Helping those in need allows each to forget about his or her own troubles by putting them in perspective just a bit, if you have a moment give a moment see what it does for you, in focusing on another. There is no better or more satisfying feeling than to know at the end of the day that you have lightened someone’s load” Steve Bilzi.

by: Lauren Hodges

In the early 1900s, Dr. Maria Montessori began her famous experiments on childhood education. Through her research and discovery, she developed what is now known as the “Montessori Method” of teaching: creating an environment of applied learning, which gives the child supervised freedom to develop in a “natural state.” Twenty-five ears ago, the Montessori’s Method was honored in Wilmington when the Children’s Schoolhouse opened on the campus of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church.

“After working in a large Montessori school, fellow Montessorian Karen Clark and I had a vision for a small traditional Montessori school,” Lucy Hieronymus, the school’s director, says. “We dreamed of a loving, supportive and home-like environment, where each child gets much individual attention and encouragement.”

Small, it was. The school had humble beginnings with little funding, and the founders used their resources to create their dream atmosphere. Most of the furniture was donated, and the teacher supplies were handmade. The first seven students were enrolled, and Hieronymus was overwhelmed with encouragement from the families. “People were so kind and supportive during the birth of our little school,” she remembers. “It seems like yesterday that our door first opened!”

Aside from the loyal families, the school got a warm welcome from the church that houses their classrooms. Located in a wing of the St. Matthew’s College-Road location, the school was granted access to a large stage, kitchen and fellowship hall. “It’s a really lovely campus,” Hieronymus says. “It was perfect for performances and having potluck dinners with our families.”

Over the past quarter-century, the schoolhouse has been growing and learning along with its students. Today, the school has 60 pupils, aged 3 to 6 years. Several students will be graduating this year and the staff couldn’t be prouder.

“I know that they will all impact our world in a positive way,” Hieronymus says. One of her favorite things about the school’s long history is being able to see former students all grown up. “It is always a delight to have them return to say, ‘hello!’ Many have graduated from high school and some are married with their own little ones.”

For the school’s birthday, she is busy setting up a Facebook page for all former students to join. “I want to know what is going on in their lives!”

Yet, most of the celebration is focused on the school’s future. Several new programs are underway, including a Marine Science educational curriculum. Comprised of a summer camp and some fall programs, the new classes will teach children about marine life in a safe, interactive way. The creatures will be handled by Hieronymus Fishing Charter and Guide Service.

Anyone interested in the school or the Montessori Method can visit www.childrensschoolhouse.net or call 910-799-1531 to set up a tour of the campus. Happy 25th, Children’s Schoolhouse!

by: Shea Carver

As a kid, nothing is greater than the imagination: daydreaming of places all over the world to visit, whether scaling trees in the jungles of the rainforest or swimming with dolphins in the tropics. Vacations mean more to kids than simple getaways—they are adventures.

Fifth-grader Kaleb Ferguson most likely can be grouped among many fifth-graders who look forward to summertime trips, embarking on family vacations or camp. But when asked where he’d most like to visit: Pearl Harbor ranks high on his list.

A pupil of Debbie Noble’s and Lori Crabtree’s class at Supply Elementary School, Kaleb is a studious chap, whose travel adventures go beyond daydreams. In fact, Kaleb can be praised for his geography expertise. A member of Supply’s Geography Club, Kaleb took first place in the National Geography Bee this year. Actually, he beat out other fourth-through-eighth graders from all over the nation. This comes as no surprise to Ms. Noble, who told KIDZink, Kaleb “is a leader—not a follower. . . . [He has] persistence, honesty and the will to do a good job.”

Ms. Crabtree chimed in, too. “Kaleb is a very hardworking student. He is great at spelling and has won our class spelling game ‘Sparkle.’ Kaleb is a joy to teach each and every day.”

KIDZink had an opportunity to chat up Kaleb about his love for geography, as well as find out a few more tidbits about some of his favorite things.

KIDZINK: Can you tell me when your fascination with geography began?

Kaleb Ferguson: Last year when I was watching the Geography Bee. I knew some of the answers and I wanted to know more.

KI: How did you prep yourself for the annual National Geography Bee, and what did you have to do to make it that far?

KF: I studied and went to the club meetings. I stayed calm and went for it.

KI: I understand you’re a member of your school’s Geography Club. What does your club do?

KF: We study different places around the world.

KI: Where would you most like to travel, and why?

KF: I would like to travel to Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. I want to see where the Japanese bombed the U.S.

KI: What has been your favorite vacation or your favorite place to go so far?

KF: My favorite vacation was to Virginia. I liked riding the roller coasters at Kings Dominion Amusement Park.

KI: What do you aspire to be when you grow up?

KF: I want to work with NASA. I am interested in the solar system and want to find out for myself if Pluto is a planet.

KI: What are your other interests and extracurricular activities?

KF: I want to play baseball. I like being outdoors.

KI: Do you have any brothers or sisters?

KF: I have one younger brother, Noah.

KI: What are your favorite activities to do together?

KF: We play football and play Chess together.

KI: What is the best advice your parents have given you in regards to: school, growing up and life in general?

KF: They have told me to work hard, study and always do my best. To always love God, and go to church, to put God first.

KI: Who do you admire most?

KF: I admire my parents because I love them.

KI: If you could do one thing to make the world a better place, what would it be?

KF: Total peace—no more wars!

by: Lauren Hodges

Abby Spangel Perry is known around the art community for her environmentally conscious work. At Dreams Center for Art Education, children and their parents can count on her dedication to spreading these values. As one of the center’s teaching artists, Perry uses her creativity and confidence to encourage her students, something she’s been doing since the start of her teaching career.

“My first experiences with teaching were as an undergraduate student at East Carolina Univeristy,” Spangel Perry told KIDZink last week. During school she taught at Greenville Parks and Recreation Department, in youth painting and art for home-school curriculum requirements. Here summers were spent at the Wilmington Community Arts Center, and she worked toward the North Carolina Environmental Education Certification, as well.

KIDZink had an opportunity to get to know more about this creative soul, who isn’t only fostering a love for art within the classroom but maintaining a positive role-model for all kids who take part in her classes.

KIDZink: How has your teaching experience shaped your life?

Abby Spangel Perry: I grew up in a difficult home and as a result felt very different than the children around me. This caused me to be a shy, quiet child, and I was often pushed to the sidelines in the classroom. As an instructor I attempt to provide the space for all voices to be heard and not feel judged. If I can gain a student’s trust and get a sense of their personal staring point, I can try to meet them there and draw them out—help them to feel at ease and focus more effectively on learning.

KI: What do you love about teaching?

asp: My reward is definitely not in terms of financial gain; [it] is connecting with the students in a real way about art, something I am passionate about and have built my life around. It is about being a mentor and a positive role model and knowing I can impact young lives. That keeps me in the classroom.

KI: What are your biggest challenges?

ASP: Like many teachers, the first challenges I experienced were classroom-management issues, and finding a way to organize and articulate knowledge. My biggest challenge now is often the outwardly-difficult student. Sometimes it is a lack of interest in art or being in a classroom setting. It is challenging to find a way around this attitude and get to a place where the student accepts and responds to art.

KI: How do you overcome this problem in the classroom?

ASP: Many of the students I work with come from backgrounds where they have not been taught the value of art. It is hard to sell the idea of art as a serious endeavor outside of the idea of the busy work of arts and crafts. My job is to help them see the role art plays within society and how it enriches every part of our lives, from the simple things like the design on a cereal box or the car we drive in, to the art museum that holds world-renowned treasures.

Students that do understand art’s value and want to pursue art-making are often sold on more practical career paths by parents that demand results from college tuition in terms of a stable career.

KI: What makes your class special?

ASP: Whether teaching college-level classes at CFCC or outreach at DREAMS, I try to create an environment that nurtures a personal exploration of art rather than dictating my opinion of what art should be—a place where personal responsibility is the motivator not fears of judgment. This can often be challenging, but is more often rewarding.

KI: How do you feel about your students?

ASP: At the community college, I see them for a semester or two before they move on to other places. I often joke with my husband about the fact that I can’t go anywhere out in the community without seeing at least one of them. It makes me realize the circle of influence teaching has on a community at large.

At DREAMS some students begin at a young age and stay through their high-school years. I have had the beautiful experience of watching the metamorphosis of certain individuals from a shy or difficult child into a confident, articulate young person. It is incredible to see them be nurtured and changed by their experience at DREAMS.

KI: What are your hopes for all of your students in the future?

ASP: I only wish for personal success in whatever way the student defines it for themselves. I can hope that they go on to be an artist, designer, collector or appreciator of art. My wish is that they always remember the experiences they had learning in my classroom as positive and fulfilling.

editorial by: Shea Carver and Emily Rea

We’re into week two of announcing our Best-Of winners for 2010! It only took counting over 3,000 ballots, making 130 awards by hand, and throwing a party for 300-plus people at City Stage/Level 5. But we’ve made it—and with a lot of laughter along the way, thanks to our comedian hosts of the Best-Of Party: Jef Pollock, Sandy Vaughn, Anthony Lawson, Val Watkins, Jonathan Guggenheim, Cullen Moss, Madison Weidberg and Janna Murray. They made the awards ceremony so much more than boring speeches and prim-and-proper decorum (the opening number, “We Are Encore,” to the tune of “We Are the World,” had us hooked from the get-go!) In fact, the words “prim” and “proper” exist not one iota at encore during Best-Of time. Face it, Wilmington, we like to have a good time; and we like to see our winners do the same. And good times were most definitely had by all—we even have the pictures to prove it!

Make no mistake about it, readers: Best-Of is not tabulated according to encore-staff picks; nor are its winners relegated only to encore advertisers. We award the folks who get the most votes between November and January, according to ballots the community fills out at www.encorepub.com. And to set the record straight: We don’t mind when people campaign for it either. (Hey, isn’t it the American way?) Although, not everyone does so.

Without further ado, the people have spoken, and here are the results for the Best-Of 2010. Congrats to everyone who won and thanks to the community for voting. Until next year: Stay classy, Wilmington!

catering and gourmet store

“I believe it is the passion that ultimately brings the success,” Christi Ferretti, chef and one-half owner and operator of Pine Valley Market on College Road, told encore last week. Her passion emits through the ether when folks get within a few steps of the Market. Here, she and her dedicated staff, along with her partner, Kathy Webb, churn out some of Wilmington’s best homemade food.

“You have to be passionate about what you do,” she iterated. “That doesn’t mean that every day we all jump up and down to make a sandwich or chicken salad. But we love it when a bride raves about how the food ‘made’ her wedding; a doctor’s office requests our food week after week; or new customer comes back after their first visit, telling us how good something was.”

The compliments are easily accessible here, too. Really, it only takes one bite of their Chocolate Obsession to hook someone for life—but their cheeses, hand-cut meats and varied lunch menu titillate the taste buds, too. “We like the challenge of making new things and playing with flavors,” Ferretti admitted.

And their take-home meals can’t be matched locally. “Our foods are just as you would cook at home (if you had the time), and we simply freeze or portion out for convenience. Our prepared meals are a much healthier choice than any processed frozen dinner or fast food,” she promised.

Aside from serving great products with an attentive staff, treating customers with the utmost respect has become the rule of thumb at Pine Valley Market. Actually, “customer” may be the wrong word choice here, as Christi and crew embraces their clientele like extended family.

“I think the best compliment we get is when customers bring in their friends and family who are visiting and introduce us,” she said. “How often do you visit someone, and they take you from the airport to the local market to meet the staff? It shows that we have succeeded in making them feel important enough [to be a] part of our family, and we are part of theirs.”

Whether catering a 200-deep private sit-down dinner or a more intimate gathering, the care to detail and quality of customer service continues to strengthen. The same can be said for their retail side of business.

“The change I am most excited about right now is the evolution of our retail department,” Christi said. “I have been scouring the state and region for small producers of gourmet products. We have new merchandise coming in weekly that is all locally and regionally produced, which means when a customer supports us as a local business, the impact that their dollar will make on the local economy is even greater. Right now, it’s all about supporting anything local—no matter what it is.”

That being said, the Market will continue to host their Farm Fresh Saturdays, beginning April 24th, featuring a variety of local and regional produce and flowers, homemade goods and more. The dates will continue on May 22, and every Saturday in June, July and August.

A huge proponent for the 3/50 Project and the National Independent Retailers Association, Christi simply asks for consumers to “think before they go to Google or Amazon” to purchase any product. As it turns out, double the money stays within our immediate economy when we stick to buying from local businesses. It’s that simple.

“That translates into jobs and fewer businesses closing,” she noted. “It’s sort of a no-brainer to me, but it does require a little extra effort to make the drive or find the time—but I believe it is worth it. After all, it’s our city, our friends, our family. We need each other for all of us to succeed.”

Other caterers to place in encore’s Best-Of poll include Bon Appetit and Middle of the Island; and other gourmet stores worth noting are Temptations and Lovey’s Market.

art gallery and best thing to happen to wilmington in 2009

A month ago my lovely beau called me up and asked me to meet him downtown at one of our favorite spots: Bottega Art and Wine Bar. He wanted to share some wine and make out a little on their outdoor patio—where our first real date took place (when he swept me up to dance right in the middle of the street). And so I went with memories flushing my cheeks.

Knowing how much I adore local artist Candy Pegram, Matthew pulled out a surprise-any-ol’-Wednesday gift for me, called “Alpha Cow.” It was typical Pegram-esque, adorn on worn wood, showcasing the kid-like drawing of a cow in muted colors. “It’s unlike your other Pegrams,” he said, “so I thought it would add nicely to your collection.”

To say I was elated would be a vast understatement. “Art is a wonderful gift,” I responded, throwing my arms around his neck. “It’s the best surprise ever!”
And then we made out.

The moral of the story? Oh, yeah: Buy more art. Make out more with your special someone. And do both at Wilmington’s Best Art Gallery, Bottega.

Owner Sandy Perotto has carried over Bottega’s original concept from previous owners Steven Gibbs (encore contributor) and Bonnie England (encore Best Artist 2010). They appreciate every style of art!

“Uncoventional and contemporary has kept Bottega a favorite for many artists and customers who feel the don’t really fit anywhere else,” Perotto said.

Avoiding the “too cool” attitude and pretension that sometimes becomes associated with galleries, Perotto maintains a laid-back atmosphere at Bottega, where “people can express who they are, and be appreciated and admired for it.”

Aside from showcasing a fascinating catalogue of visual artists (Abi Blackerby, Dixon Stetler, Emily Jones, Addie Wuensch and so many more!) with every new exhibit, the gallery has also opened its artistic doors to musicians, live painters and poets. In fact, encore voters chose Bottega’s Poetry Readings as the Best Thing to Happen to Wilmington in 2010. Each first and third Thursday of the month, Bottega hosts an open-mic, featuring music, poetry, comedy and what-have-you. They also host UNCW’s Atlantis Journal open-mic poetry and music the first Tuesday each month.

“We are committed to appreciating a wide diversity of arts,” Perotto said. “Looking beyond the norm is important here.”

Since she took over the gallery last June, Perotto has instituted $2 wine nights on Tuesdays, to keep up with the current frugal economic habits of consumers. “Likewise, I have been more conscious of curating exhibitions with predominantly more affordable art,” she said. “Small, less-expensive pieces sell like crazy these days.”

With art having always been a major part of Perotto’s life—after all, she did major in it—it seemed a rather natural fit to take over Bottega as the time approached. “I always knew I would fall into the perfect business someday,” she explained. “That somehow I would find my way back to art. It’s so true that if you just know and believe something will happen, it usually does.”

Scratching the canvas in second place is New Elements and third, Artfuel Inc. Votes for Best Thing to Happen to Wilmington in 2009 also go to No Hurricanes, the Azalea Festival and the Cucalorus Film Festival.

shoe store

Oh, this category may just be one of my favorites. I mean, what would one expect of a 30-something female, with, uh-hum, some extra ... uh-hum ... expendable cash to ... uh-hum ... spend? OK, OK—at least some extra debt to get into.

I thank places like Wilmington’s Best Shoe Store, Shoe Diva, for helping keep my MasterCard and American Express in the red. Without wonderful, extravagant, beautifully adorned shopping establishments as this, my feet just wouldn’t look as pretty.

For real, though, one of the best aspects to Shoe Diva is: Nequan Bell, owner and operator, who runs a tight, chic ship that houses creative wares at really, really great prices! That’s right: I, myself, purchased one fantastic pair of bright yellow, open-toe heels for a mere $20. I also found one of my favorite clutches for less than $30—a pink, snake print that beckons compliments with each carry, nonetheless.

“We are a trendy but affordable shoe and accessory store,” Bell, who has made her first appearance on encore’s Best-Of poll, told us. “We carry design replica shoes and handbags at a fraction of the designer cost. We don’t overstock our shoes and accessories, and this helps our customers keep their style unique and individual to them.”

Located on Princess Street, right next to Groove Jet Salon and Spa, Shoe Diva carries tons of shapes and colors of shoes: boots, booties, stilettos, flats, sandals, ballerina shoes, in every shade imaginable. They carry aforementioned purses and clutches, as well as an array of really fun jewelry. It’s a pleasure visiting because the end-result always equals unadulterated happiness.

“I am happy when my customers are happy,” Bell said. “If I know I am able to provide the perfect shoe you are looking for, that brings me satisfaction.”

Any shopper here can become the hip, young professional she’s always dreamed of—with more bank for her buck and trend for her style. Anyone wearing these shoes automatically reaches “Diva” status.

Other shoe stores to make an appearance include Shoe Shak and Monkees.

veterinarian

“You’ll never work a day in your life if you love what you do.” At least so the motto goes for Dr. Sharon Harris, co-owner of Porter’s Neck Veterinary Hospital—Wilmington’s favorite veterinarian for 2010! “We understood from very early on that our chosen career was going to encompass our lives—not just [be] a 9-to-5.”

And so Harris went the extra mile to make sure her love for career would be nurtured alongside love for family. In the business of dealing with family pets, they seemed to go hand-in-hand.

“We opened our own mom-and-pop veterinary medicine practice and built our own hospital five years [later] . . . [with] an apartment built over top just in case we lost our shirts and had to sell our house,” she said.

Such dedication enhanced their career freedom and their family-rearing opportunities, as the babies remained close by in the apartment while the doctors finished working at night. To say, Harris’ clientele appreciates Porter’s Neck Veterinary’s dedication could be clearly understated. The gratitude comes in waves, even years after their services are no longer rendered.

“When people move away and still come back to have us take care of their pet . . . we feel honored and thankful,” Harris claimed. “Sometimes we’ll see someone four or five years, or get a phone call from far away from an old client who just wants a second opinion. That’s a great feeling.”

Having entered the digital age of everything-convenient, Porter’s Neck Veterinary Hospital has updated their online services to better equip their customers’ needs. “We have an online store that ships presecriptions to our clients at no charge,” Harris informed. “We also have an online appointment request process and an interactive Web site. People like the convenience of 24-hour access, and they have more control over their pets’ medical records that way.”

Also appeasing the pet-friendly voters of Wilmington are College Road Animal Hospital and Dineen Animal Hospital.

mexican restaurant

El Cerro Grande has been a part of Wilmington’s Mexican foodscape since I arrived in 1995. In fact, it was the old location above the old Harris Teeter in the Galleria shopping plaza, near Wrightsville Beach, that used to welcome me and my gal-pals for margaritas on Tuesday nights. We met weekly at our favorite hotspot for drinks and to chow down on burritos, guacamole and chips. Though the Galleria location has since closed, a new restaurant has opened on that side of town on Military Cutoff Road, adding to its sister stores in Monkey Junction and on College Road, near UNCW.

Like so many who have come to love El Cerro, encore readers’ patronage still runs strong. And it shows, as votes ranked them yet again Best Mexican Restaurant in our poll. And, really, what’s not to love, here? El Cerro has drink specials practically every night of the week—Wednesday nights are ‘Rita Nights, for $2.99, at the College Road location near UNCW. While the salty rocks of tequila and sweet-and-sour always prove refreshing, a bite from one of their many specialties (try the Camarones Al Mojo De Ajo) or their standards in enchiladas, tacos and quesadillas, will make the palate do a little Mexican hat dance in delight.

The atmosphere is always welcoming, whether bringing family, friends or a special someone, and the service remains attentive and friendly. Just leave room for a flavorful bite or two of their churros or fried ice cream. It ends the meal decadently and quite perfectly.

Cheers to another 15 years of celebratory business ventures, El Cerro. See ya Wednesday!

Other Mexican restaurants to fare well in our poll include La Costa and K-38.

book store

The face of gratitude has blue eyes and porcelain-like skin. Her smile is large and her long blonde locks flow with happiness. In fact, her well-wishes to anyone who visits her shop, Old Books on Front Street, go like this: “Think happy thoughts.”

Gwenyfar Rohler is one of the most gracious merchants Wilmingtonians have serving them. “Wow!” she exclaimed last week, summing up her thoughts on “the outpouring of support [she has] received”—especially after losing her mother last year. Today, the love keeps coming, too, since Rohler found out the home of Old Books would be condemned.

“I feel like George Bailey from It’s a Wonderful Life,” she said. “We have gotten so many offers to help move. Thank you to all of Wilmington for making such an incredible community. We are grateful for all the support and cherish it more than you know.”

Just because shop has closed for now, it doesn’t mean it’s over. No. No. No. Rohler’s love for her job—selling books, encouraging literacy, promoting education on so many topics—is too strong. And, the fact of the matter is: This job chose her, so there is no turning back.

“Mr. Daughtery, [Old Books’ original owner], called my dad and said, ‘I want your daughter to buy my store. I think you need to come talk to me.’ This came years after patronage. I have been shopping at the store since I was 2.”

When they reopen, they’ll continue serving Wilmington “two miles of books with thousands of books priced at $1.” This continues to include more local history books, along with William Freidrich’s picturesque post cards, handmade buttons, featuring photos of famous authors, and even delivery of books. It’s a reasonable assumption, too, that she’ll continue scouting downtown Wilmington for her new shop; though, wherever she moves she’s still serving a community she loves.

“I love the Do It Downtown campaign,” Rohler noted, “[and] the Buy Local ILM campaign. I would love to see people realize the power of their purse and invest in their community through buying locally and not at the [big box] stores. Keep your money here, create jobs here!”

Other book stores flipping through our polls: Pomegranate Books and Barnes & Noble.

nonprofit and humanitarian

Speaking of It’s a Wonderful Life, if Wilmington had a Clarence Odbody—ya know, the angel who visits George Bailey in the famed Capra film?—it would be Jock Brandis. In fact, so much is this statement true that UNCW honored Brandis with their annual Clarence Award back in December for his constant dedication to saving the world from hunger, one nation at a time.

Brandis is the founder of one of Wilmington’s most impressive nonprofit organizations, Full Belly Project. Full Belly has one mission: to ensure that “residents of rural communities in developing countries live lives of abundance—that they awake each morning to days of economic possibility and go to sleep each night with bellies that are full.” Full Belly sees this happening thanks to the invention of Brandis’ Universal Nut Sheller, along with other income-generating agricultural devices that aid in improving life in developing countries. For instance, the nut sheller alone shells 125 pounds in an hour—a vast difference from anyone trying to do so by hand. In the end, the peanut helps nourish bodies with a better source of protein, and with the appropriate technologies to shell it quickly, underdeveloped nations will be able to grow crops upon crops to sell at market, too.

Other impressive technologies that Brandis and his Full-Belly crew continue working on include: the Pedal-Powered Agricultural Center, which is connected to the Universal Nut Sheller and can process 200 pounds of peanuts an hour; and the Electric Powered Agricultural Center, which helps shell large amounts of nuts daily and is used by Meds and Food for Kids in Haiti. The manually operated peanut thresher can be towed behind most bicycles, so farmers can thresh their peanuts in the field where they can be easily bagged and transported to the market or home.

Brandis has visited numerous countries over the last decade—from Malawi to Ghana, Phillipines to Guyana, Kenya to Uganda, and the trips keep coming. His angel wings keep spreading around the world, making him Wilmington’s finest Clarence Odbody if there ever was one.

Other nonprofits that continue serving the community, locally and globally, beyond massive applause, include Cape Fear Hospice and Habitat for Humanity. Other Best Humanitarian votes also go to Louise Loggins and Sheila Lewis.

artist

She was the priestess behind Bottega Art Gallery before she sold it last summer. Having placed on the encore polls for years under the “Best Art Gallery” category, today she makes her first appearance with a more personal connection to Wilmington’s art community. Meet Bonnie England, encore readers’ Best Artist for 2010.

England’s colorful interpretations and muses on canvas continue attracting collectors and art-lovers in general, as she hangs her work all over town. Currently, she exhibits at ACME Art Studios, Caffe Phoenix and Wilmington Wine Shop.

“ . . . To win Best Artist [is] supercool,” England wrote encore last week. “[It’s] a direct recognition of my own art work and is an appreciation for what I alone create.”

England’s work has drawn in many types of people who have found an alliance in her textural finger-paintings. “I’ve had collectors tell me they were attracted to certain pieces for extremely personal reasons,” she explained. “A recent masectomy, the birth of a long-awaited child, sisterhood. . . . It’s quite fulfilling to be able to bring joy, comfort and exhilaration into people’s lives.”

Her own work has traveled far and wide, too, as just last summer she visited Rully, France, for the Paint-a-Future organization. “[It] helps realize the dreams of underprivileged children around the world,” she explained. Thus, she has been able to take her entrepreneurship and evolve it into philanthropic endeavors that still ground her life ambition in the arts.

With the motto, “Always stay true to yourself,” England avoids comparisons to another’s worth when it comes to judging her own work. She simply follows what’s true in her heart, her imagination and her mind. ”Strive to be the best ‘you,’” she sought to follow. “This is where you’ll find contentment, pleasure and success—your integrity speaks volumes.”

Other artists making an appearance in our polls include Ivey Hayes and James Davis.

theater production 2009

When “Rent” came to Wilmington last year, I can’t begin to explain how stoked I was. First of all, it was the first time the show had ever graced our theater scene. And when new shows make it on any local theater company’s bill, well, it makes for happy patrons of the arts.

Thanks to the outstanding performances of William Day, Sam Robison, Amy Tipton, Katherine Vernon and so many other talented thespians, the June 2009 City Stage-produced premiere at Thalian Hall was nothing shy of a hit! encore readers couldn’t agree more, according to the 2010 Best-Of, honoring the show the best of last year.

Directed by Justin Smith, whose love for “Rent” has manifested throughout years of being involved in local theater, the show provided everything needed to impress: terrific set design, immaculate acting, dancing and singing, music direction by Chiaki Ito, and a timeless tale of love and friendship. Yet, the play isn’t without heady moments of darkness, as the plot tackles the hardships of life, including death, suffering, disease and addiction.

“Rent,” with book, music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson, is based on the opera “La Bohéme,” and has won 10 Tony Awards, six Drama Desk Awards, three Obies and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Known as the “Hair” of the ‘90s, it ran for 12 years on Broadway, and toured nationally and internationally for years thereafter. Our own local talent’s interpretation of the hit play shows how City Stage’s keen eye for bringing relevant, edgy and good theater to town pays off almost always.

City Stage’s “Hair” and Red Barn Studio’s “Driving Miss Daisy” ranked second and third in most entertaining of the 2009 year.

live music venue and
laundry mat

Here’s the thing: Years and years ago, when encore offices were located downtown at 255 N. Front Street, we heard about a little venture known as the “Soapbox Laundro Lounge” going in below our office space.

“It’s gonna be a laundromat and a bar all in one!” then-partner Sandy Summers (now Sandy Vaughn) told us.

“What?” we asked, perplexed at such an odd combination. “That’s so ... West Coast-like!”

“Right!? It’s gonna be great,” Sandy promised.

She was right.

Soapbox Laundro Lounge is great. Then came the live music, and, well, the venue now has turned into a staple on Wilmington’s nightlife scene—suds and all. With owner and operator Brent Watkins still steering the helm, along with the help of Joe Jones’ booking and music knowledge, the venue churns out live shows that makes the town flock through its doors. Last year alone, we saw acts worthy of a second go-round (hint-hint, Joe and Brent—bring ‘em back!): Benji Hughes, Holly Golightly and the Brokeoffs, David Dondero, Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, and we could go on and on, really.

Not to be matched, we know Soapbox will be making strides to bring even greater sounds to the forefront of our music scene this year. In the next three months alone, the schedule consists of a few must-sees: Hammer No More the Fingers on March 5th, The Love Language on March 13th, Bellafea on April 12th, and two festivals music lovers must attend: Rad Fest on May 14th and 15th, and WE Fest two weekends later, May 27th through 31st.

Just in case someone needs clean clothes with their live music, don’t forget to partake in the Soapbox’s facilities. They make laundry so-not-a-chore. I mean, who doesn’t want a PBR and a little punch-one-two (that’s keeping rhythm to the beat, yo!) with their Tide and Downy Soft?

Other laundry mats to place in encore’s reader’s poll include King’s Laundrymat and Sunrise Express Super Laundry. Other music venues ranking are Greenfield Lake Amphitheatre and The Whiskey.

arcade/game room

It’s the place the family wants to visit for good old-fashioned game time any day of the week, any time of year. Jungle Rapids tantalizes kids—and all of us big kids alike—with their many attractions, including Grand Prix go-cart racing (my personal favorite!), Alien Invader laser tag (OK, yet another winner), “The Rock” climbing wall, Jungle Golf and, perhaps their most beloved summertime appeal, the water park. Fun will be had by all here, without a doubt.

“We are customer-friendly and respond to customer suggestions,” Connie Branch, Jungle Rapids sales manager, explained of the park’s popularity. “We operate in a safe and clean atmosphere . . . [and] we are dedicated to customer satisfaction at a reasonable cost.”

Perhaps the most appealing aspect to the theme park is their promise to continue having fun in what they do—and making sure the customers follow suit, too. In fact, Branch’s main philosophy revolves around such notions. “Be happy and enjoy what you do,” she said, “and you will see your customers do the same.”

Jungle Rapids—making their first appearnace in encore’s Best-Of poll—continues to add new rides to their water park, as well as update their arcade with the latest games. Hours of operation are: Sunday through Thursday, 10am-11pm, and Friday and Saturday, 10am-midnight. Their water park hours are from 11am-6pm in season (May-August).

Stop by and unleash the kid hidden deep inside; the fun will be never-ending!

Other arcades to place in our poll include Bluepost and Ten Pin Alley.

billiards

I have three favorite sounds in the world: 1) breaking glass, 2) champagne being corked and 3) pool balls being sunk into their pockets. Call me odd (my mother does), but there is just something winning about that dunk—that hard-hitting cue ball sinking in, say, an eight ball for the game. Majestic, I say—just majestic!

The pros go to Break Time Billiards to sink their eight balls, time and time again, as Break Time has more regulation pool tables than one can shake a pool stick at. It’s true: They are the leading sports bar for hosting eight- and nine-ball leagues, as well as monthly tournaments. Per their equipment, well, it’s cared for with the greatest attention to detail. In fact, Break Time Billiards has their tables recovered twice a year, using the finest Simoinis cloth.

As noted by their staff on their Web site, breaktimetenpin.com, “Whether you’re interested in a little friendly competition, just catching the game or relaxing with a few friends over some cold drinks, Break Time is the place in Wilmington to be!”

Other pool halls to break into the poll are Bluepost and Orton’s Pool Hall.

—Shea Carver

chiropractor

Snap, crackle, pop—hey, it’s normal to feel like a breakfast cereal when we’re at the chiropractor! And who can resist that relieved feeling we have when we leave? But don’t be mistaken: Not any ol’ doc can do the trick. As Wilmington residents with physical burdens can attest, Sito Chiropratic in town is the best of the best.

“Patients love the excellent doctors and friendliness of our staff,” Dana Sito of Sito Chiropractic asserts. “[They] continue to get great results from the care they receive here—hence the Best-Of vote!”

That customer love is what grants Sito and staff their ultimate compliment: customer referrals. And with all the hard work and dedication they put into their services, what’s not to like?

“We set ourselves apart from other medical facilities by offering top-quality care to each of our patients, coupled with a very friendly, loving attitude.” As for the way they have evolved in recent years, Sito continues, “The economic downturn has affected everyone. We do all we can to ease the financial burden that unfortunately comes with healthcare.”

This kind of attention and concern is most likely why Sito has taken over this year’s category for Best Chiropractor—and we wish them well in the years to come!

Second and third place went to Eric McGraw and Coastal Chiropractic.

attraction

If anything can be said of our fair Port City, it’s that we sure are attractive—errr, I mean, we’re full of attractions! Tourist attractions, that is. It’s true that we’ve become a destination city in our own right (not to toot our own horns or anything). From the beach to downtown, history, cuisine and fun are all intermingled to make for one great melting pot of desirability.

And what do locals deem their favorite attraction but a symbol of the city itself? The U.S.S. Battleship North Carolina! With a vibrant history of protecting our coastline in World War I, the Battleship is now a powerful reminder of the past standing as a looming presence across the river from downtown. Now a tourist attraction, what makes a trip to see the Battleship so great these days is the history preserved for visitors to experience, literally firsthand!

Explore the deck of the ship where sailors once walked, or huddle down below to sit inside their living quarters. The museum onboard contains a wide array of artifacts, collections, photographs and even oral histories that will delight everyone’s imaginations, young and old. There are field-trip opportunities, re-enactments and even movies shown on the deck every Friday in May!

Upcoming events include Battleship 101 and New Hanover County Free Day on March 7th, and a four-hour, behind-the-scenes exploration called “Hidden Battleship” on March 13th. The ship’s store is full of unique items to buy and carry home. A guided tour will offer treasured memories for years to come. Visit www.battleshipnc.com for a complete list of events and hours!

Runners up in the attraction category were the beach and the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher.

real estate agency

The local and national housing markets may have taken a hit due to the recession as of late, but Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty is soaring high above the rest with their win for Best Real Estate Agency. Serving the cities of Wilmington and Jacksonville; the coastal communities of Carolina Beach, Topsail Beach, Surf City, Wrightsville Beach, Figure Eight Island, North Topsail Beach, Kure Beach, Bald Head Island, Oak Island, Ocean Isle Beach and Holden Beach; and coastal communities, including Porters Neck, Southport, Sneads Ferry, Leland, Scotts Hill, Hampstead, Holly Ridge, Camp Lejeune, New River, Bolivia, Shallotte, Boiling Spring Lakes and St. James, Sea Coast is without a doubt a leader in its industry. In fact, it is the number-one real estate company in southeastern North Carolina, selling more properties than any area firm for the past eight years.

With 300-plus agents and seven convenient locations (two in Wilmington, on Military Cutoff Road and at Porters Neck) Sea Coast is more than equipped to satisfy anything their customers desire. They can handle relocation needs, from start to finish, and even offer a 100-percent Satisfaction Guarantee. In an ever-changing real-estate climate, Sea Coast has remained true to its roots and continues to offer first-class service with a reputation clients have learned they can trust. Their easy-to-navigate Web site, www.seacoastrealty.com, only adds to what Wilmington recognizes as dependable, up-to-date and quality service.

Rounding out the top-three names for best real-estate agencies were Intracoastal Realty and Century 21.

chef

It’s a name that anyone who loves great food in Wilmington will recognize. A name attached to a reputation of stellar cooking, two of the finest dining establishments in town, and a passion for serving up the kinds of meals that people do not just devour but adore. It’s a name that frequents our Best-Of awards each and every season, and with good reason. The name is “Keith Rhodes.”

This is a man who grew up with cooking so enriched in his family and home environment that he couldn’t help but love what grew to be both a passion and a talent. A Porters-Neck native, Rhodes caught the desire to cook from both his father and grandfather, and he has since become the name behind Catch, where diners go for “modern seafood cuisine.” His location downtown has served many seafood lovers for a few years now, and on March 1st, his second location will open on North Market, before Gordon Road. With two restaurants keeping him more than busy, Rhodes remains dedicated to his customers and what they want. Most importantly, he also remains a fierce supporter of North Carolina’s organic farmers, local fisheries and sustainable fishing practices. He is highly favorable of his clientele, helping stimulate our local economy and utilizing only the freshest ingredients from farmers to help stock his restaurants.

Not only has Rhodes graced our Best-Of polls time and again, but he has also won the award for the Best Dish in North Carolina competition, sponsored by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, in not just one but two categories: Fine Dining and Casual Dining. Where most folks know him is simply by experiencing his food. His name and culinary skills ring loud and proud in foodie circles around the greater Wilmington area—and we expect it will for years to come.

Serving up second and third place are Smokey Masters of Pine Valley Market and Nick at Nicola’s.

adult store

Readers may have long noticed the enticing displays in the second-floor window of 5500 Market Street. With the franchise logo of Adam and Eve beckoning all folks adventurous enough to come satisfy their curiosities, this adult store is ready to show patrons why it was voted best of the best in town.

“Adam and Eve provides a safe, friendly environment for women, men and couples to explore romance and erotica,” the official Web site, www.adamandevestores.com, assures. Products offered include everything from lingerie, to bachelor and bachelorette gifts, to instructional manuals, to games designed specifically to “re-ignite the spark.”

As a leader in its industry, Adam and Eve has 32 successful retail stores in North America, and the shopping experience itself is said to be a draw in itself. “Our stores invoke the quality, class and comfort associated with the Adam and Eve brand,” the site claims. “The floor plans have been carefully designed to optimize our customers’ shopping experience, while the interior finishes and lighting cast a warm, inviting welcome.”

No matter what the occasion or products desired, Adam and Eve is the place to go in town for all-things erotic. Swing by to see what the buzz is all about.

Second place in the adult-store category was Thee View, while taking third-pace honors was Pandora’s Box.

tour

Few people realize the savagery that took place in Old Wilmington in the 18th and 19th centuries. The city found itself under constant assault by the ravages of disease, war, slavery, piracy, murder, suicide and the everyday inflictions of such a violent life. As Colonel William Lamb said in 1864, “...I’d much rather be in battle than Wilmington, for at least in battle I have a chance of not being killed.”

Tapping into those lost long ago and “the poor lost souls that still linger in the Port City,” the Ghost Walk of Wilmington takes anyone brave enough along an active route of downtown’s most spook-filled digs. Journey with locally renowned actors and ghost hunters into the depths of haunted Wilmington, once North Carolina’s largest city, with the largest historic district in the state and a city that many consider to be amongst the most actively haunted in the world, to this day. The Ghost Walk will thrill and chill, as participants are led through 275-year-old alleyways beneath centuries-old live oaks, stopping among 29 active sites that vary nightly. Organizers have been researching the ghosts of downtown Wilmington since 1978, and are delighted to fright one and all with dismal tales of yore.

Tour times are 6:30pm and 8:30pm nightly, from April 1st-October 31st; 6:30pm nightly in November and March; and Thursday-Saturday at 6:30pm in December, January and February. For more information, please visit www.hauntedwilmington.com.

Second place in the tour category went to the Springbrook Farms Carriage Tours, and third was the Haunted Pub Crawl.

new restaurant and
sports bar

In Wilmington the LM Restaurants franchise is known for some of the most premier and beloved eateries in all of the Port City: Oceanic, Bluewater, Eddie Romanelli’s, the new Flat Eddies and Henry’s. Any time LM is involved, patrons can expect quality food, an impressive atmosphere and great service. From the beach to midtown to Leland, their upscale establishments are go-to dining destinations for treating guests, celebrating special occasions or simply enjoying a nice meal out for two.

Newest to the LM lineup is Carolina Ale House. Located on College Road not too far from the university, this sports-themed restaurant and bar certainly differs in style from its sisters, but it offers the same customer-oriented care and attention to detail that we have all come to expect.

“Wilmington was ‘hungry’ for a sports-themed restaurant with a diverse menu and TVs everywhere,” marketing coordinator Mindy Amerson says.

Offering over 40 HD TVs, a full menu served from 11am-2am daily, a lively atmosphere and $2 drafts every Wednesday (just to name a few of its awesome features), the restaurant adds another gleaming accomplishment to the Moshakos family’s 30-year run in the restaurant industry. “We want to bring value and a memorable experience to our guests,” Amerson continues.

With menu items such as Bourbon Glazed Salmon, Sweet Mountain BBQ Baby Back Ribs, the Carolina Ale House Pub Burger, the Buffalo Zinger Wrap, and the Carolina Dipper (tender smoked beef brisket on a toasted hoagie roll with melted pepper-jack cheese, carmelized onions, lettuce and tomato with Au Jus—yum!), it’s no wonder hungry Wilmington voters put Carolina Ale House at the top of our Best-Of polls.

Runners up for Best New Restaurant include Grand Union Pub and Aubriana’s, while runners up for Best Sports Bar include Buffalo Wild Wings and Wild Wing Café.

seafood

Sitting directly on the sand overlooking the sparkling Atlantic Ocean, a sea breeze in the air and panoramic views to behold, the historic Oceanic Restaurant at Wrightsville Beach is as much an experience as it is a destination. Coastal residents and visitors alike love to spend a meal as this beachy, yet upscale facility where time slows down, and the charm of the Carolina coast floods the atmosphere no matter the time of year. The attached Crystal Pier allows for spectacular outdoor seating and live music (weather permitting), and the spacious third-floor private room is a highly desired special-event venue.

While the location and ambiance, as well as the reputation of the LM-Restaurants franchise, are all enough to send folks flocking to the oceanfront establishment. The “fresh seafood options” at Oceanic are what marketing director Mindy Amerson claims to be the reason behind its Best-Of win, while she attributes the “unique location at Wrightsville Beach, friendly staff and delicious food” to what keeps guests coming back. Seafood items at Oceanic include Oysters Rockafeller, Cajun Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp, Seafood Gumbo, Stuffed Flounder and King Crab Legs, just to name a few.

Whether it’s Sunday brunch or a Friday evening dinner with friends, it is always a good time to eat at Oceanic—where the seafood is always fresh and the service is as sweet as dessert.

Second place in the seafood category this year went to Hieronymus, and third place went to Bluewater Grill.

tanning salon

In a coastal town like Wilmington, where the weather is typically mild year round, and the beaches are flooded with loungers and strutters in the warmest months (readers know who they are), the expectation to have a tan bod can be as high as the tide. While nobody likes an orange-y fake bake (or that too-tanned leathery skin!), a nice, even glow is a complement to any skin tone or shape—especially when the weather demands our ultimate exposure.

The folks at Tropical Tans obviously know what our local residents want and need in a tanning salon. When we simply don’t have the time (or energy!) to fight for a parking spot at Wrightsville, a quick trip to Tropical Tans will do the trick. Whether we need a little color for that upcoming formal event or a base tan for the months of bikini weather, Tropical offers a range of options to suit all needs.

Located at 5003 Wrightsville Avenue and 402-101 Carl Street, these premier salons offer 30-minute beds, 15-minute beds, stand-up booths and Mystic Tan Booths. Patronage is rewarded, including a referral program called the “SunShine Club” and unlimited packages with the ability to freeze at any time for whatever circumstance.

Owned and operated by Fred Knoff, Tropical Tans has been up and running in the Port City since 1988, making it the first and longest-owned tanning salon in town. Customers past and present know they can trust the equipment and service.

Runners up in the tanning category this year were Timeless Tans and Ultimate Tanning, respectively.

burger

Every tourist town has one: that local joint, typically tucked away in an obscure location, where the food is so outstanding and the local operators are so friendly, that it eventually becomes a tourist destination in its own right—once the secret leaks, that is. For Wilmington that place is P.T.’s Olde Fashioned Grille, serving the community for 17 years and counting.

Based on the simple philosophy to sell really good burgers, sandwiches, dogs and fries, the first location opened on Fountain Drive across from the UNCW campus and has done so well that P.T.’s can now be seen not only all across town but across the state, too! With a total of seven locations (five in Wilmington, one in Leland and one in Chapel Hill), P.T.’s is synonymous for a really great burger.

Grilled to perfection and served in four or eight ounces, a P.T.’s burger is cooked with the highest-quality ingredients, made to order in about 10 minutes and priced low. As their Web site, www.ptsgrille.com, claims, it’s “fast food that doesn’t taste like fast food.” For that quintessential P.T.’s experience, try one all the way with their excellent (and highly addictive!) seasoned French fries. For readers trying to watch calories in honor of the beach season ahead, P.T.’s also offers an alternative to beef with a lower-calorie, low-fat Gardenburger, as well as salads to substitute for the fries. There is something for everyone, vegetarians and meat-eaters alike, at P.T.’s, where the quality is high, the atmosphere cozy and casual, and the burgers reign as best.

The second- and third-place spots for this year’s burger category go to Red Robin and Five Guys, respectively.

japanese restaurant

I can remember some of my favorite dining-out experiences as a kid: going to the Japanese steakhouse. My family and I enjoyed watching the sizzling fire of the grill right in front us, the skillful techniques of our cooks with knives a flippin’ and food sailing through the air. It was a fun atmosphere of guests, participating and enjoying the preparation together, family-style. These days the Japanese-steakhouse experience is as much fun, if not more, when spent at Hiro Japanese Steak and Seafood House on Eastwood Road.

This exciting dining destination features hibachi-style dining, an authentic sushi bar with a la carte dining, sashimi, specialty cocktails, a martini bar and the dazzling display of meals cooked right in front of patrons’ eyes. Try the Hibachi filet mignon, a nice spicy salmon roll or perhaps the Teryaki chicken and rice. Just don’t skip out on the aforementioned specialty martinis—like a Bermuda Triangle or Key Lime Quencher! The experience here is every bit as worth a visit as the food, both of which are far beyond excellent.

The space inside is customer-friendly, too, with a very open, expansive layout, including a large foyer/waiting room with aquariums to enjoy and explore. Customers will leave full, happy, entertained—and looking forward to their next trip to Hiro.

Rounding out our Japanese restaurant category this year were Nikki’s Fresh Gourmet and Bento Box, respectively.

dentist

For some people (many, in fact), a trip to the dentist would be more welcoming than a swim in open water with a few dozen jelly fish. Born from either a natural fear or perhaps a bad past experience, the experience of lying back in that chair under those bright lights, while a masked figure scrapes and tweaks away at our incisors and bicuspids, might as well be a scene from a horror movie. Not for me! I actually love a good trip to the dentist—especially because of the super-clean, minty-fresh feeling I have afterward.

According to this year’s Best Dentist category, the clients at Dr. Charles R. Biggerstaff of Biggerstaff Family Dentistry in Wilmington would say they have quite good experiences as well! Located at 1133 Medical Center Drive near the hospital, Biggerstaff and crew are dedicated to providing “the highest-quality dental care in a relaxing and professional environment,” according to www.biggerstafffamilydentistry.com. The practice is the Wilmington area’s leading comprehensive family dentistry and cosmetic dentistry.

Serving all ages, they have been in business for over 30 years, specializing in general dentistry, preventative maintenance, crowns, bridges, implant restoration, teeth whitening, root canals and gentle dentistry. “We create beautiful smiles and provide quality dentistry with a gentle touch,” their site claims. Oh, and “new patients are always welcome and emergencies are handled in a timely manner.”

Caring for the Port City’s pearly whites in the number-two and -three spots this year are Edgerton and Fisher, and Dr. Brian P. Ford.

morning show and
radio personality

One of my absolute least favorite sounds in the whole world is without a doubt the sound of my alarm clock. With its blaring call to step out from under warm covers, and the minutes between each Snooze seemingly shorter and shorter all the time, it’s a wonder that small, unassuming machine isn’t damaged into a million pieces by now. But for those early birds (and non-morning people, too!), one of the best ways to get rolling in the a.m. hours, especially if they live here in Wilmington, is to turn the dial to Z 107.5 FM, “Wilmington’s number-one hit-music station.” Why? It’s where listeners can find the infamous Foz in the Morning radio show.

His unmistakable voice, irreverent humor, and perpetually perky attitude (even at 6am—wow!) placed Foz at the top of readers’ Best Morning Radio Show and Radio Personality lists this year. He’s obviously made an impression here on the Port City for the last several years. If there’s one thing that can be said of Foz, it’s that he keeps the airwaves alive and fun, while always involving his listeners and proving everyone with the need-to-know (just plain entertaining to hear). On air until 10am each day with his partner-in-crime, Jocelyn, Wilmington’s top-40 music-lovers who wish for a side of fun with their tunes can’t help but turn the dial to Z 107.5, all for the man of the morning: Foz.

Others dials turn to Bryan and Jim: The Morning Disaster (103.7 The Bone) and Craig and Shiela (104.5 Sunny FM) in the morning, while other favorite local radio personalities include Beau Gunn and Kim Czornij, both of 106.7 The Penguin.

karaoke

There’s just something about an amateur open-mic night. Perhaps it’s because we non-professionals will never really get to experience the thrill and adrenaline of performing onstage in front of thousands of people. Perhaps it’s the fact that our favorite songs to sing in the shower or car simply deserve a better platform from which to be sung out. Or, perhaps, it’s the fault of the tequila we drank. However we choose to look at it, karaoke is just plain f-u-n! When encore readers are out and about for a night on the town, the first place they head for some good-time karaoke singin’ is none other than Katy’s Great Eats.

Katy’s has been a local Wilmington fixture for years and years, best known for its seafood dinners and wings. It’s a family-friendly establishment with superior specials, friendly service and a great atmosphere for watching the game or just hanging out, with its six flat-panel large screens, pool table, ping-pong tournaments and a patio for smokers. But what our night owls crave the most is Katy’s stellar karaoke lounge.

This midtown local-yokel joint has all the right ingredients for any debut performance of “I Will Survive”—come on, readers, we know you’ve thought about it. And, hey, if Gloria’s not your cup of tea, try “Me and Bobby McGee.” No? Well, perhaps “American Pie” or “Bohemian Rhapsody”? Just show off those pipes (or hysterical lack thereof) at Katy’s.

Other venues across town where readers like to take the mic are Fat Boy’s on Market Street and the Brown Coat Pub downtown.

dance club

When the long, hard school or work weeks have just been too long and hard, when we need a release from the stress and the monotony of it all, one of the best ways to let go: Dance it out! Wilmington is full of places to shake one’s tail feather, so to speak, and this year encore voters have ranked City Limits Saloon high above the rest. Want proof of its no-holds-barred, super-fun atmosphere? Its Web site, www.hellyeahwilmington.com, boasts “bars for dancing, a bull for riding, pool tables, Wii game system, Sexual Satisfaction karaoke and the best bar staff on the coast.” How’s that for a good time?

City Limits first came to Wilmington a few years back, with a sister club in Raleigh and a rip-roarin’ spirit that took downtown by storm. Its Western-stlye, cowboy/girl vibe calls for country and top-40 dance hits, with a large open dance floor for guests to show their stuff until the wee hours of the morning. Thursday nights are reserved for Bikini Bull-riding (ladies get in free!), or try a hand at free line-dancing on Fridays. There are drink specials and special events galore for those who just can’t get enough of the party!

Dubbed “North Carolina’s Original Country Party Bar,” City Limits has practically no limits on the amount of fun—especially dancing!—that can be done ‘round these parts. Check them out at 28 South Front Street.

Other booty-shaking clubs that ranked high on encore voters’ lists are downtown’s Level 5 and Pravda.

Next week’s edition will feature the third installment of encore winners. Out March 3rd!

by: Claude Limoges

Back turned, George’s boss stood, stared out his office window, jingled the change in his pockets, and tsked.

“Can’t imagine what your old man would’ve said about this. Got to be the strangest reason why I ever let a body go. The ladies’ room, just between you and me, George, would have at least had some sense to it. But this business—” He shook his head. “No sense in stirring up anything outside this door, so I’m not saying a word if you don’t. But you’re out, Fincannon. You got 15 minutes to square things at your desk.”

He opened the door and ushered George out.

At his former desk, George mechanically sorted through items, pitching and packing. After having gushed lies to Ed’s questions—not a camera, an air freshener, well, maybe a camera but for company security, etc.—and then escaped Ed, George had wiped his hard drive clean, uninstalled personal software, and stomped on the camera, hoping to break it, but it proved as tough as its makers boasted. So he threw it in the river and spent the night watching the current whisk things toward the sea and gauging the distance between the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge and the water. Anchored to a bench, he wished for his brother’s courage—Chad’s flare for making statements.

George had no statement to make, and in the morning, he simply let his feet take him back to the office. By the time he received the summons from his former boss, dread had gnawed his guts to the size of a raisin. He felt gratitude that no camera had been made public, and now that it was simply a matter of removing himself, oddly, he felt relief—the first since a scream alerted the office to Cheri’s hemorrhaging in the restroom.

The Blown Away poster in his old room waved a loose corner just under the air duct. On another poster, a young Tom Cruise grinned from behind a clinging blonde. Listening to Rush’s “Cinderella Man,” George unpacked his clothes. On every job application to be filled out henceforth would be one question feared above all others: Reason for leaving:

“Got caught with a spy camera in the men’s room?”
Not a chance. George blew dust off his model Corvettes and tried to think up something better.
“Stepped into a wormhole.”
“Had to sit on an egg at the South Pole.”
“Holland needed my finger.”
“The Venusians wanted me for an experiment.”
“Bug spray changed the sex of my hair follicles.”
“A mole on my back took the shape of the Virgin Mary.”
“Oh, gee, was that a job? My mistake.”
“Somebody said it would take only 80 days.”
“They slipped with the tooth scraper and gave me a free lobotomy.”
“Honestly, I saw four horses in the sky and thought this was it.”
“I didn’t leave; the Earth just spun out from under me.”

Melissa had kicked him out of the apartment. Hence, reason for leaving: “Moved.” In truth, having come to a dead end in his life, ironically, he seemed least of all capable of making a move.

Listening for his mother in the living room, he tiptoed to her bedroom, opened her top dresser drawer, pulled out scarves, perfume, and undergarments, felt about, then pulled out his brother’s urn. Chad would have made fun of the little Wedgewood jar—blue with white cherubs in flight. His mother’s choice. Chad would have given it the silent laugh that was his way of crying.

George stuffed everything back into his mother’s drawer, stepped down the hallway into the living room, and stood watching Marilyn Fincannon. Behind George the window was lined with shelves holding his father’s cobalt blue insulators, surreally interpreting the sun.

Over the living room’s chocolate-leather sofa hung Eisenstaedt’s The Kiss. The sofa held a throw, neck massager, back massager, foot massager, heating pad, and a Nicholas Sparks novel. On the end table were the remote and a stack of postmarked card envelopes addressed to the Fincannons, never opened.

Across the room sat a plant stand with African violets underneath Agrobright tubes. A nearby table held what could have been a triage unit for mice: scalpel, hemostat, cuticle pusher, infant nasal bulb syringe, baby spoon, long-nozzled hair color bottle, children’s paint brush, cotton swabs, eyedroppers, Lysol spray and a roll of Charmin Ultra Soft. In centipede fashion, a dozen baby food jars surrounded an egg carton with yarn wicks leading from jar to cup, each ending in soil from which stood—with the help of a steak stick spelling “m-e-d-i-u-m r-a-r-e”—one hairy leaf.

The table’s corner held a glass with a finger of gin and wedge of lime, the green fruit Marilyn’s code for gin. While the phone rang, she sneaked a sip and counted drops of liquid onto a violet.

Her voice effervesced from the answering machine: “Well, hey! You sure do have Rinnie and Jack—Chad and George! Well, who knows where we are, but we’ll give you a call as soon as we come back in. Bye-bye now.”
The machine beeped, and an answer came: Assurance Mutual works with many individuals like you to build a secure future. Dial 1 and save up to 10 percent on life insurance today.

George texted Melissa on his cell phone: “I love you.”
To his surprise, after only a few seconds a reply came: “Go to hell.”
“Be a dear,” Marilyn said. “Another lime.”

* * *
Chad leapt off the telephone pole, scrambled clear of the Maco tracks, and dove for the bushes beside George. Hands on hips, Jack squinted up at the pliers Chad had left atop the pole.
Chad shouted, “I’m going back up!”
Muttering, “That’s my boy,” Jack lunged down beside them.

Thumpetathumpetathumpetathum ...
The train rocketed by, then all was quiet, except for fast breaths and chuckles from the man and two boys.
As they re-emerged, Jack muttered, “George, go up and get those pliers and that insulator.”

The blood left George’s face.

Claude Limoges has a book out and new poems published. Learn more at http://claudelimoges.blogspot.com

by: Sarah Boggs

That 1 Guy
Also featuring Toubab Krewe and Applesauce
February 26th • 8pm • $10-$12
Soapbox Laundro Lounge, upstairs

Performer, magician songwriter, inventor, musical Renaissance man. He plays the bass, the handsaw, the cowboy boot, and his seven-foot tall harp-shaped collection of pipes, gears and noisemakers he’s coined “The Magic Pipe.” Mike Silverman, better known as “That 1 Guy,” isn’t any typical street corner one-man-band. His lyrics are nonsensical, his music unconventional and his performances—concerts fused with magic tricks and call-and-response audience participation—are anything but ordinary.

“People hear ‘one-man-band,’ and they automatically think Dick Van Dyke from Mary Poppins. I wanted to get away from that—redefine the convention,” Silverman tells encore.

Consider it done.

That 1 Guy began as so many other musicians do, a student of his jazz-musician father in Southern California and, later, a student of bass at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. A regular music nerd, he formed a band at 15, and played area weddings and bar mitzvahs until the limitations of band life and playing the bass drove him to set out on his own.

“The logistics of touring with five other people just became too much, it stopped making sense,” Silverman says. “So I decided to free myself, take an opportunity to do what I wanted without having to consult five other people. It was really liberating.” His efforts have landed him three albums and several ambitious tours, performing over 200 gigs a year.

In addition to giving up bandmates, he gave up the bass, too, for good. He started experimenting with sound and with different instruments, going as far as to consult a guitar-maker about the type of instrument he would need to produce the music he had in his head.

“I knew the job I wanted it to perform, so the function really dictated the form of the instrument,” Silverman says about his inventive process. “I guess you could say [the creative process] was kind of the opposite of songwriting. I knew what I wanted it to be, the end, [but] coming up with it that was a challenge. In songwriting you just start with an idea, a word or whatever, and go with it and see where it takes you.”

Typically, the word he starts with is something unorthodox, something one wouldn’t expect to hear in a song. For instance, take “Packs a Wallop”: It uses the rhythm of the children’s game Duck, Duck, Goose as its back beat. “I like music that makes me laugh,” he says.

His songwriting isn’t the only aspect to have benefitted from his independence as a performer. Because he doesn’t have bandmates to consult about set lists, his shows are largely improv.

“I typically let the crowd’s energy dictate my gigs. I like to have a lot of audience participation, call-and-response type thing. I feed a lot off their energy, so the shows are never the same,” Silverman says.

Add a few card tricks into the mix, along with some ad-libbed lyrics, and usually an exceptional show follows suit. “I broke the string on the Magic Pipe once. It was the most obvious and absurd thing that could go wrong—but I didn’t have a spare,” he explains. “So I just laughed, did a few more card tricks, and had to postpone the gig. I felt really stupid, and the crowd didn’t find it nearly as funny as I did. I always travel with several spare strings now.”

While That 1 Guy thrives off his live shows, recording albums proves less than agreeable for this self-proclaimed “musical weirdo.” “It’s just really ... painful. Recording is very serious business, whereas performing is just fun for me. When I perform in front of a crowd, it’s all just in-the-moment stuff, but in the studio there is so much more pressure. I don’t like the serious stuff,” Silverman says.
However uncomfortable he may be in the studio, his agony pays off. His album sales are impressive, and his shows are often standing-room only. He performed in an Australian music festival in front of 50,000 fans, most of whom knew every bizarre word to his songs. “They really seem to like me over there. I got to be on TV and everything,” Silverman says.

Despite his overseas popularity, That 1 Guy often has trouble convincing Americans that different doesn’t necessarily mean bad. “I didn’t set out to be a weirdo,” he says, “but I don’t really mind it. I’ve found a niche for the kind of music I want to play, and that’s hard to come by in this industry. . . . As long as I get to keep doing my own thing.”

While his tour boasts over 200 dates, he still struggles getting his foot in the door at venues he’s yet to visit. When asked about the challenges of doing things differently, Silverman responds it’s just as much an asset as a hindrance. While some may have trouble appreciating his unorthodox approach to musicianship, he’s created quite a reputation for himself, especially at festivals. “I’ve played all over the country, and I’m excited to [keep doing so] this year.”
Play on, soldier! And don’t forget the strings!

by: Anghus

Wolfman
Starring Benicio del Toro,
Emily Blunt and Anthony Hopkins
(1 star out of 5)

Were the horror movies of yesteryear as great as we remember them? Or are they more than likely nothing other than ridiculous, over-the-top films, causing more chuckles than screams? When I was a kid, the universal monsters were excellent: Dracula, Frankenstein, Creature from the Black Lagoon and, of course, the Wolfman.

But some things seem a lot cooler at age 11. Eventually, we outgrow them. And at some point, we revisit those things that seemed so awesome in our youths, only to realize how corny they truly are. Thus, a small piece of us dies with them.

That was my experience while watching the “re-imagining” of The Wolfman. It was like experiencing tiny little deaths over the course of two fairly average hours.

The Wolfman is one of those movies that will feel painfully average to most. Some might give it a pass, due to a lavish period-production design and wholesale carnage. But there will be a few of us who see The Wolfman for what it is: a clear and present danger to the integrity of the genre.

Monster films have taken a bashing over the past 20 years. Our horror icons have been reduced to ridiculous parodies. Vampires are now shiny and played by foppish British boys. Werewolves are portrayed by shirtless Abercrombie models. The great nightmares of our youth have been declawed. The Wolfman was an opportunity to give the Wolfman back his fangs. Instead,it continues the trend of pussy-fying our most feared creatures.

Something dark and sinister lurks in the shadows of the appropriately named “Blackmoor.” A horrible beast has been tearing through the countryside and leaving a trail of bodies in its wake. Lawrence Talbot (Benicio Del Toro) has spent his life trying to escape the horrors of his youth. His mother was brutally killed, his father was a distant eccentric, and there was that brief period of time spent in an institution—not exactly a picturesque childhood. Lawrence managed to create a new life for himself in America as an actor. Never comfortable in his own skin, he found his sanity portraying others. His attempt at a new life comes to a screeching halt when he receives a letter from Gwen (Emily Blunt).

Turns out his brother is engaged to be married. That’s the good news. The bad news: He’s been mangled to death. Lawrence reluctantly returns home. His father (Anthony Hopkins) is a typical alpha male, his large, empty mansion filled with the carcasses of dead animals. He’s about as emotionally available as a stuffed tiger. Gwen, on the other hand, is quite available, emotionally speaking—and not just because her fiancée has been turned into mince meat.

Lawrence prepares to find out who (or what) killed his brother. This leads him to a gypsy village. Five minutes later a creature shows up and turns the village into an all-you-can-eat buffet. Lawrence gets away with a flesh wound. Unfortunately, for him that means escaping the sweet release of death for the curse of the werewolf. His wounds begin to miraculously heal. His senses become honed. Gwen soon turns into an object of lust. With the next full moon, he becomes fully transformed into the Wolfman.

The transformations encompass everything good about the movie. Keep in mind this is about two percent of the film’s entirety. There are creepy and fantastic combinations of make-up and special-effects. Then, we are treated to the final transformed monster. Instead of a frightening werewolf, what we get is a pointy-eared ape. The modern take on The Wolfman is about as scary as an overweight Armenian with scoliosis.

The rest of the story plays out as expected: typical Hollywood storytelling, working in a whole lot of whiny daddy issues posing as character development. Anthony Hopkins is just awful. Realize how strong a statement that is. Anthony Hopkins is many things—awful is usually not one of them. He’s been awful before, and with poor direction I expect he could be again. But this is epic awful. This is the kind of role that makes us question someone’s finances. Has the economy taken its toll on him?

Benicio Del Toro is equally excruciating—kind of a big, puffy ponce, with really bad hair. His attempts at being menacing bordering on laughable.

The Wolfman is just one giant nut-puncher of a movie. We could easily put it next to a number of modern creature features that have neutered these once great characters. The Wolfman is a lot like Peter Jackson’s putrid King Kong remake: overpriced, over-polished, and with really poor performances. There’s a part of me that feels as if we’re losing the essence of these icons.

by: Tiffanie Gabrielse

Dear John
Starring Channing Tatum,
Amanda Seyfried and Richard Jenkins
(1 star out of 5)

Eat those hearts out, Taylor-Lautner fanatics: Lasse Hallstrom has brought a new stud to the water, and his name is “G.I. Joe” ... I mean, John.

Set in 2001 Dear John tells the emotionally draining story of two gorgeous young people who can’t find happiness together because they’re trapped in angst, otherwise known as an adaptation of a Nicholas-Sparks novel. Their romance, a saga glossed with bittersweet honey, attempts to fool the audience into believing that, in the end, it was truly a triumphant and memorable love story brought to life on the big screen. The truth of the matter is: I just lost 120 minutes of life watching a film with teenagers who lived vicariously through the melodramatic soft porn.

Our main character, John Tyree, played by Channing Tatum, is a hero in the Army Special Forces, home for two weeks’ leave on the Carolina coast. America’s new “it” girl, Amanda Seyfried, plays Savannah, our upper-class heavenly college beauty who is home on break. Identical to the novel, her purse falls off a pier, Savannah’s friends dither, and John heroically dives into the ocean and retrieves it. Tatum is likeable, but the emphasis on his washboard abs is too distracting to take him seriously. Seyfried, with her baby-blue doe eyes, is also completely unrelatable. I kept waiting to hear her say, “My ESPN tells me we‘re going to fall in love. And then out of it.”

John’s father, played by Richard Jenkins, is a quiet man who sits amass a rare coin collection worth a fortune, cooks the same meal every Saturday and Sunday and, thrown in for good measure, has “just a mild case” of autism. When the scene of Savannah sitting at Johns’ dinning-room table unfolded, the same thought that plagued my mind during the novel, projected itself: Why has John, by the age of 22, never contemplated that his father may be dealing with a handicap? He’s a specialist in the Army. He can memorize tactical maneuvers, and as the scenes by the pier prove, John is quite witty. Yet, he can’t ponder, Why is my dad acting strange?

It’s a never-ending trend with Sparks. Autism, cancer and Alzheimer’s are never seen in their real and horrific states. Instead, somehow the disease does the exact opposite and allows the victim to come alive. And that is exactly what bothers me when I see it on the big screen. In Sparks’ world diseases don’t ruin and kill. They don’t break one down and test the core of one’s being. Instead, they encourage creativity and enthusiasm. How honorable. How beautiful. How unrealistic. How careless. Hallstrom didn’t remedy it, somehow.

In the weeks that follow, John and Savannah enjoy numerous stereotypical PG-13 moments onscreen that will undoubtedly obsess women everywhere to recreate with their beloved. At the end of her break, Savannah has to return to school, and John must finish his tour of duty in Germany before they can wed. Suddenly, more letters than whatever appeared in the novel are played out onscreen, and they’re paired with dramatic and heartfelt voice-overs.

Cue: cliché violins.

Then, 9/11 occurs.

By Act Three the plot thickens and pushes for the audience to cry more until their eyes bleed. Savannah and John are separated once again, and more strain on their relationship develops. John continues writing from Iraq but finds that Savannah’s letters are fewer and far between. Unable to stand on her own, Savannah selfishly dawdles in her own needs and exhaustingly drags us along with her.

Finally, John receives the infamous, “Dear John Letter.” Savannah’s reasons are not only shocking but completely infuriating. She has found a new love to coddle the pieces of her easily defeated heart. As the title of the film dictates, this is no real surprise. In fact, there are no surprises in this film at all.

The ending, while entirely different from the novel, still feels predictable, unfulfilling and exhausted. Despite these changes the story line isn’t sufficiently deep enough to prevent us from getting irate.

Why doesn’t Dear John work on film? Because there was never a happy medium, and the Iraq war was used as a plot device meant to coddle and cater to the fantasies of bleeding-heart women. I reached a point where I didn’t care what happened next because the emotional tug-of-war was so over-done that it made me want to suck start a shot gun. The sentimental pretentious dialogue rebounds all over the place.

Aside from delivering another film for which the title is cited within the story itself (Chocolat), Hallstroms’ only success was the glorification that too many weak-hearted women surround our military.

by: Lauren Hodges

Materials and Methods
Featuring the fabric art and time-lapse
videos of Leslie Pearson.
ACME Art Studio
711 N Fifth Street
February 26th • 6-9pm

Unless one happens to live with an artist, it’s a rare opportunity to catch a glimpse at the creative process. Any artist showing off a finished work will inevitably encounter the following questions:

“How long did it take?”
“What did you use for this part?”
“What were you thinking when you made this?”

As they say, it’s not just the destination but also the journey.

“For me the process is almost more important than the finished piece,” Leslie Pearson, fiber artist, says. “Because a single piece can easily take months, or even years, to complete. [It] becomes a meditative, ritual act or performance.”

Pearson, a graduate student at East Carolina University, studies textiles. With a home base in Wilmington, she is an avid experimenter, who loves to work with new materials, naturally incorporating a variety into her artwork.

“I am excited to see that boundaries are being crossed within all media,” she says. “Labels are almost a thing of the past. I find this to be especially true for artists working in fiber-based materials, because the the range of what is considered to be ‘fiber’ is so diverse.”

She keeps a busy studio in the downtown home she shares with her photographer husband. Once inside her creative space, she finds solace in the acts of hand-stitching, beading and weaving.“The repetitious processes and handwork associated with fiber-based artwork is usually a very important aspect to the artist,” Pearson says.

So important, in fact, that she takes the time to document her woman-at-work moments. Using an automatic setting on her camera, she takes a picture of herself creating every 30 seconds, which she compiles and transforms into time-lapse videos.

“I find that the video showing the progress and the physicality of the artist-in-action is a key component to understanding the artwork: the time, the sacrifice, the dedication to completing something.”
But it’s not all painstaking discipline. Pearson enjoys every moment. “Let’s not forget the fun of using one’s own hands to make an idea into a tangible object,” she says.

Though she’s the only star so far of her homemade films, she is sure that plenty of Port-City fabric fanatics can relate to the process onscreen. When she isn’t making the commute to Greenville for school, Pearson has been busy curating an exhibit, featuring her fellow textile students from ECU. In fact, the travels she endures for an education were her main inspiration for the show.

“There are a lot of fiber-based artists in the Wilmington area, but there isn’t a program available locally,” she points out. “Perhaps this exhibition will even stir an interest in creating a textile program at UNCW.” When asked why the school would want to install textiles in their curriculum, Pearson couldn’t stop herself.

“The word ‘textiles’ itself is even being redefined in people’s minds. Once traditionally thought of as term for working in industry—wall paper design, fashion, fabric design—it’s now a broad umbrella for anyone working in fiber-based art.”

The broadness will soon be displayed on the walls of ACME Art Studios. The show, called “Materials and Methods,” is a group exhibition, featuring a mix of fiber-based artworks created by several professors and graduate students from East Carolina University’s School of Art and Design. An opening reception will be held on Friday, February 26th, from 6-9pm.

Leslie Pearson’s time-lapsed videos can be viewed on her Web site at www.lesliekpearson.com.

by: MJ Pendelton

25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
City Stage
February 26th-28th and March 5th-7th
Tickets: $15-$20 • (910) 342-0272
(4 stars out of 5)

City Stage can get away with some pretty silly theater and, with “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” they’ve done it again. On the second Saturday of the production, the theater was packed, and the audience was ready to laugh at every wacky stage moment—and laugh they did!

The first necessary suspension of disbelief is that adults are playing kids. Instead of looking like brainiac children, they look more like mentally-challenged escapees from the insane asylum. The few audience participants seemed relatively normal and added a reality show/improvisational element to the musical. For the most part, though, the civilians appeared slightly stunned to be on the stage with a group of such wacky actors. The visual humor alone is probably enough to carry the show, but director Mike O’Neil also did a fantastic job of casting.

Jason Aycock is the choreographer and Leaf Coneybear, the “not that smart” contestant. He obviously encouraged the outrageous physical comedy that started with his and Jeremiah Williams’ (Chip Tolentino) shenanigans, escalated with Damond Nelson’s (William Barfee) mnemonic magic foot and rockette routine, and went over the top with Chiaki Ito’s (Marcy Park) impressive cartwheels, splits and juggling. There was also some seemingly nonsensical fast-forward/slow-motion done by the whole cast. The audience laughed at everything.

Ito is also the music director, and, though the music was performed with obvious talent and skill, there isn’t really a song in the show that lingers after the performance. Most of the lyrics are comical, as showcased in “My Unfortunate Erection,” which Williams sang and performed to the giggling delight of the audience. A few of the songs are poignant and illuminate the complex personalities of the characters. Robin Hume sweetly sang “The I Love You Song” about her character’s parents’ absence—Olive Ostrovsky’s mother is in India and her father is working late.

Rachael Moser’s character, Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere has two gay fathers and a speech impediment, so her song is “Woe Is Me.” The “adults” in the show are Heather Setzler, whose beautiful voice accompanies a number of the songs, and John Perkinson, the spelling-bee moderators, and Anthony Lawson, the comfort counselor. They are almost as funny as the “kids.”

William Finn wrote the music and lyrics, and the book is by Rachel Sheinkin, who won the 2005 Tony Award for Best Book. The musical was based upon “C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E,” an original improvisational play created by Rebecca Feldman and performed by The Farm, a New-York-based improvisational comedy troupe.

“Define crepuscule, please.”
“Crepuscule means twilight.”
“Use it in a sentence, please.”
“Twilight is a much prettier word than crepuscule.”

Though the musical is somewhat repetitive, there is enough energy and enthusiasm in this production to sustain the comedy and merit a standing ovation on Saturday night. The Wilmington theater community is sending out a loud and clear message: Put on a happy face.

by: MJ Pendelton

Nunsense
Scottish Rite Temple • 1415 S. 17th St.
February 26th-28th
Tickets: $20 • (910) 343-3664
(4 stars out of 5)

The magic in Opera House Theatre Company’s latest show, “Nunsense,” is in the casting, so director Sue Ellen Yates deserves a lot of credit for the standing ovation the musical received on Friday night. Each actor perfectly portrayed and never for a moment stepped out of character. In keeping with the setting of a fund-raiser, held in a Catholic school theater, Kendra Goehring-Garrett (Sister Mary Leo) and Joy Gregory (Sister Mary Hubert) glided serenely through the audience with greetings, smiles, and blessings before the show. The show itself had hilarious stops and starts and glitches, but it was impossible to pretend that this was anything but a professional production with exceptional talent.

Most of the performers in “Nunsense” consider themselves singers first, and, boy, can they sing! Gregory sang a gospel song, “Holier Than Thou,” which was astonishing! The entire audience accompanied her by clapping to the beat. Denise S. Bass (Sister Mary Amnesia) sang “I Could’ve Gone to Nashville” with all the sass and verve of a country-western star. Teri Harding (Sister Robert Anne) dropped her Brooklyn accent to sing the ballad “Growing Up Catholic” in a sweet, angelic voice. The delightfully diverse music is directed by Lorene Walsh, who also played the keyboard, conducted and played a small role as Sister Martini. It was a great pleasure to see the immensely talented but usually diffident director happily performing onstage.

Guided by creative choreographer Goehring-Garrett, the cast danced the entire evening. It is impossible to imagine how difficult (and hot) that must have been in those cumbersome habits. Goehring-Garrett was a graceful ballerina while singing “Benedicite” and the highlight of the performance was the entire cast tap-dancing to Gregory’s “Tackle That Temptation with a Time Step.” Even though they didn’t have to “stoop to one, single penguin joke,” there was a penguin moment during the tap routine.

These singers and dancers can also act. Their comic timing was impeccable, and the audience was positively giddy with delight. Gregory and Michelle Reiff (Reverend Mother Mary Regina) ever-so-slightly dominated the stage with their self-confidence and total transformation into their characters. Reiff’s drug-induced giggling and slapstick humor was the most hilarious scene in the show. Bass, who was adorably stupid because a crucifix fell on her head, reduced the audience to laughter every time she opened her mouth. She performed a very funny ventriloquist act with a puppet nun and, later, repeated a telephone message in fast-forward.

Because everyone onstage was having so much fun, the audience on Friday night did, too. There was a lot of eager audience participation and several members even told jokes: “Hoboken? Sinatra and I are the only ones who got out!”

“Catholic sex? Nun on Monday, nun on Tuesday, nun on Wednesday…”

This show is a terrific example of the whole being more than the sum of its parts. The actors were so perfectly in sync with each other, it was almost like they were sisters.

by: Mark Basquill

I wanted to write something “racially motivated” for Black History Month, maybe something about President Obama’s accomplishments. But I had problems. Mitt Romney railed about the president “failing the American people.” Then President Obama said his health-care summit was “not just a test of our ability to solve this problem but a test of our ability to solve any problem.” Finally, I filled my belly with global cuisine and a homegrown red at the Full Belly Project’s fund-raiser last Saturday night, called “Feast Against Famine.” Conditions dictated that I work the problems.

Mitt cheered me up—Mitt’s part of the majority that failed to find WMD’s or Osama, failed to even acknowledge problems of climate change or economic collapse, failed to win the House, Senate or White House. The irony of anyone from that group shouting about our president’s failures from the shadows of $100,000 speaking fees made me chuckle.

Then the president spoke again about the necessity of collaborative problem-solving. He sounded like a chill Ed Harris in Apollo 13, attempting to stop bickering with, “Work the problem, people!” But this approach isn’t popular and isn’t working with many politicians. They aren’t problem-solvers intent on using the “tools in the room” to bring the boys home, even if it means using duct tape and rubber hose. Reasonable problem-solving efforts are opposed by entertainers, charlatans and the shadows of Rove and Reagan. For 30 years many conservatives have blamed Big Gummit for every ill, running the only play in the Hollywood-insider-turned-conservative icon’s playbook: “Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.”

Folks believing such absurdity fail to see that in a land where “We the People” govern—assuming government is the problem—we look the problem in the face when we look in the mirror. We fail to see that our society is running out of oxygen, and that government is part of the solution. What possible reason did Obama have to hope that would change?

Finally, I created another problem by attending the Full Belly Project fund-raiser and accidentally spilling house red on its founder, Jock Brandis. For those unfamiliar with this Apollo Program of ingenuity, the Full Belly Project is nonprofit that helps people around the globe devise sustainable solutions to problems of hunger, water supply and economic stability.

The big blue building at 10th and Chestnut is Mission Control for the project. Full Belly folks “work the problem.” Volunteers don’t blame or bicker. They find stone-age simple solutions to complex problems. The project appeals to conservatives and progressives because of its optimism, compassion, reliance on using the “tools in the room,” and roots in the proverb “give a man a fish, feed him for a day, teach him to fish, feed him for life.” I love all that.

And I love that after I splashed the wine, true to the project’s principles, Mr. Brandis merely found a napkin and wiped the spill. Without blame, his eyes eloquently conveyed Ed Harris’s more famous Apollo 13 phrase, “Failure is not an option.”