Category Archives: Go

ShopRite downplays Can Can dancers

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For nearly half a century, grocery shoppers have been kicking up their heels for bargains during ShopRite’s Can Can Sale.

unnamed-4The twice-yearly sale’s still on. But the cartoon can can dancers are out of the spotlight. The dancers went missing during the summer sale in July, when real-life ShopRite employees were front and center in the grocer’s ad campaign. A company spokeswoman says the saucy dancers have been canned before but always make a comeback.

Could this be related to Moi Aussi? (That’s Me Too in French.)

This week’s circular shows a dancer demurely peaking out from behind a promotion for Progresso Soup, priced at 10 for $10. (Yes, you must take home 10 cans to get the deal.)

Canny shoppers will find lots of other deals, including 12 cans of Tutorosso tomatoes at 69 cents per can, 59 cents for a one-pound box of Ronzoni pasta and 40 percent off Tyson chicken.

Krankz, a MAXX choice for music lovers

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If Santa didn’t treat you to every item on your list, why not buy something nice for yourself?
Krankz Audio MAXX headphones on tableGive yourself the gift of incredibly crisp, clear music with Krankz Audio MAXX noise-cancelling headphones that create an up-close and personal relationship between the wearer and the music.
You can get lost in sound, then quickly reconnect with the real world. A built-in microphone and automatic call notification makes it easy to switch between music audio and phone calls when synced with your smartphone.
Expect high-quality wireless sound for up to 44 hours. (Yes, that’s almost two days.) To recharge your headphones, plug them into any computer USB port or USB power cube.
 Krankz Audio MAXX Headphones
 Krankz isn’t available in stores. (Full disclosure: the company sent a pair of headphones so I could review them.) Even though they don’t have a presence on the shelves, the brand is building a niche as affordable premium headphones.
Krankz Audio MAXX is priced at $199 with free, two-day shipping at the Krankz Audio website at www.KrankzAudio.com and online at Amazon, Sears, and Newegg. (Bargain alert: the headphones are $50 less on Amazon.)
Here’s a list of the features:
  • Active Noise Cancellation
  • Voice Capability, which translates to hands-free control on iOS devices, and on voice capability compatible devices, including Google assistant
  • Custom Studio Grade 50mm drivers fine-tuned for accurate acoustics
  • Vented diaphragms (open-air) for spacious, low-distortion sound and extended bass response
  • “De-stressed” diaphragms and an eight-conductor connecting cable for enhanced levels of inner detail with a more open sound 
  • Adjustable headband for comfortable listening

Brandywine in White is Saturday–and the forecast is spectacular

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If you were waiting for a weather report to commit to Brandywine in White, the popular popup dinner, start packing your picnic hamper.

seatEach year, food and wine enthusiasts gather at a location that’s kept secret until the day of the event, although hosts Vince and Elizabeth Moro have been known to let the cat of the bag early. No word yet on this year’s destination but Vince promises it is exceptional. And with clear skies and a high of 80 degrees, it’s shaping up to be the best BIW yet.

Here’s how it works. Guests dress in their spiffiest white outfits, bring their own place settings, centerpieces, food and drink. The hosts provide tables and chairs. Each year, proceeds benefit a local cause.

I’ve been to several BIW events, as well as BIW’s winter counterpart, Brandywine in Black. I can tell you it’s always a great time. BIW is Saturday, August 24 from 5:30 to 10 p.m. For tickets, visit https://biw2019.brownpapertickets.com

Middletown, your kind of play

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Anson Williams asked me to tell my friends to go see the play Middletown, a Broadway hopeful on stage through Sunday at Delaware Theater Company on the Wilmington Riverfront. I’m happy to share the news because the cast and play truly deserve a wider audience.

IMG_1253Williams, best known for playing Potsie on the 1970s series Happy Days, is one of a quartet of gifted actors who could be sitting home counting their royalty checks but are instead trodding the boards–and putting on top-notch performances. Williams, for many years a producer, took on his first acting role in 20 years. He costars with an ebullient Sally Struthers, who won two Emmys for her iconic role as Gloria in All in the Family; spunky Didi Conn, aka Frenchy in Grease; and smoothie Adrian Zmed, late of TJ Hooker.

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Middletown, the North Jersey locale where the characters meet as their daughters start kindergarten, is best known as the community second only to New York in casualties of 911. (Spoiler alert: this hits home in the play.) The play follows their friendship of more than 30 years, through thick and thin and copious dinners at their favorite Italian restaurant.

I like Williams’ character Don because he’s a pool man like my dad. He’s a mensch who drinks beer and loves his wife Dotty, played by Conn. Struthers plays Peg, a Smith-educated stay-at-home mom, married to Zmed’s Tom, a writer who loves poetry.

There’s no scenery, which doesn’t seem to matter because the actors are so engaging.

IMG_1249After the show, the cast mingles with the audience. Cheese and crackers and wine in plastic cups on a rainy night in Delaware–and they appear truly happy to be there.

Struthers, cute as a button at 71, hugs her fans and entreats them to hold their cellphones above their heads as they snap selfies. (It makes us all look younger!) She tells me that most of friends–“two years younger to five years older”–can’t find roles but she keeps working. Zmed signs autographs in the lobby. Williams tells us he had great pasta at Mrs Robino’s in Little Italy the other night. Conn gives me a hug and a smile. Later, she waves to my guy Dave and me when we see her and Williams after the show at Iron Hill Brewery, sadly the only place we can find open at 9 p.m. on a Thursday night.

Yes, yes, go see Middletown. If you appreciate live theater and gifted actors, you will find it’s your kind of place.

Burger Month at Iron Hill Brewery

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May is Burger Month at all 16 Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant locations, with choices ranging from a black bean veggie burger to the Chug-a-Lug Burger, 
a juicy beef patty topped with Vienna Red Lager cheese sauce, pickled roasted red peppers, griddled onions, and spicy serrano peppers.

IMG_4884Iron Hill’s freshly refurbished location on the Wilmington Riverfront is hopping on a stormy Monday night. (This picture, provided by Iron Hill, shows the bar area on what is clearly a less busy time.) The updated interior features hip concrete floors and a more open layout in the first-floor dining area and bar. The second level is closed the night we visit but we understand the flow has been enhanced in that area, too, including the open-air dining we are looking forward to when summer finally arrives.

Burgers have long been a favorite nosh. But I also like to try something more exotic. For an appetizer, I order octopus salad ($13), a nightly special. And, wow, I’m glad I did. Lightly breaded whole baby octopi are deftly cooked so they are tender not chewy. Greens are lemony and lightly dressed, a fresh foil to the octopus.

unnamed-1My dining partner David orders the tried and true, Iron Hill’s signature Philly cheesesteak egg rolls ($12), served with fried onions, American cheese, ketchup, horseradish sauce. They are crunchy, meaty and flavorful, the best of bar food.

And a round of Iron Hill’s quality brews, please. Ore House is a golden India pale ale with bitter hops and a hint of pine and citrus; and slightly sweet Vienna red lager.

On to the burgers. We sample the Three Little Pigs Burger, a moist, beefy burger enhanced with triple pork: tomato-bacon jam, bacon, and bacon aioli, on a brioche bun with smoked gouda cheese. The recommended brewski pairing? Pig Iron Porter, a dark and foamy beer with a malty, roasted taste that Iron Hill has been tapping for 20 years. (It’s also available in cans.)

60092086_10218190998393655_3124690575874326528_nAnd since we are being indulgent, we choose home-made crispy chips on the side instead of a green salad. Warm, salty and glistening, they are hard to resist. We know we should only eat a few. Then we tuck into a few more.

Throughout Burger Month, the featured burger of the day costs $14.50 with an optional 8-ounce seasonal or signature beer  for an extra  $2. King of the Hill members receive $5 in rewards; burger lovers who chow down on all 31 days receive $500 in rewards.

For classy Eagles fans, Dooney & Bourke bags

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I’m a passionate Eagles fan. Even people who don’t know me can see that when I carry my Dooney & Bourke Eagles tote, the bag of choice for classy Birds fans.

B1721G_NJGRPATNEAGLNot to jinx the game, but the underdog Eagles have it in the bag in their comeback this afternoon against the New Orleans Saints. Specifically, it’s the Richmond bag, a roomy tote from Dooney & Bourke’s NFL line of hand bags that is my personal favorite. The bag is rugged but elegant, with a durable green exterior in the signature Eagles print, trimmed with camel brown leather straps.

The newest assortment of accessories includes the compact and stylish leather NFL Eagles Medium Wristlet ($68), NFL Eagles Carrington Pouch ($98), NFL Eagles Ginger Crossbody ($148), NFL Eagles Richmond Tote ($248) and much more. Whether you’re looking for a Philadelphia Eagles tote bag or crossbody, you can find the perfect accessory at the official stadium store as well as online: https://www.dooney.com/nfl/philadelphia-eagles/

 

The Delaware Antiques Show, first in collectors’ hearts

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In Delaware, folks have an affinity for old things. After all, it’s the First State, the oldest of the 13 original colonies.
So it’s no surprise the Delaware Antiques Show is one of the nation’s premier venues for antiques, featuringIMG_0854 60 meticulously vetted dealers. The annual event, celebrating its 55th year, benefits Winterthur, the museum and country estate that is home to Henry Francis du Pont’s exceptional collection of American furniture and decorative arts.
At the show, you will find such treasures as chiming tall-case clocks with six-figure price tags, maritime paintings, vintage jewelry, rare firearms and delicate stemware that has miraculously survived centuries of wining and dining. My personal favorite: 18th century highboys crafted from tiger maple. For my money, it’s the world’s most exquisite wood.

The preview party gives supporters a chance to buy before the show opens to the public. It’s also a wonderful opportunity for the locals to dress up, connect with friends, enjoy abundant fine food and drink and people watch. Here I am with David Wunsch, director of the Delaware Geological Survey, who deals with some of the earth’s oldest elements.

The first year I attended, I rubbed elbows with Leigh Keno of the Keno twins on the PBS show Antiques Roadshow. We were both putting together mini roast beef sandwiches. He asked me to please pass the horseradish. I did. A cherished Delaware Antiques Show moment.

Make your own moment. The show runs through Nov. 11 at the Chase Center on the Riverfront.

Wee Blessing–and big savings in time and money

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Wee Blessing is a curated service that specializes in stylish, brand-name clothing. In its infancy, Wee Blessing focused solely on apparel for kids age newborn-14.

IMG_3564But now Wee Blessing is offering the precious gift of time to the whole family, including collections for men, women, teens, expectant moms and plus-size women.

topIn the beginning, I had doubts about the curated clothing business model. You expect consumers to embrace a service that puts together outfits based on your profile? Won’t they miss shopping? Will they actually be delighted to open a box and see garments they might not have chosen for themselves?

Not to worry. If you don’t like the items, you send them back. If you buy them all, you receive a bonus discount off the already marked-down prices.

The success of pioneer Stitch Fix and other curated services shows that stylish, time-crunched consumers are open to letting someone else do the shopping. I’ve interviewed a number of fashionable women who say they appreciate the opportunity to work with a remote stylist who approaches their wardrobe with fresh eyes. So when the nice folks at Wee Blessing asked if I would like to try their service, I said yes.

I also think their model is on the leading edge regarding the kids’ market. Imagine how thrilled a child is opening a box of really cool clothes!

img-thingBased on my questionnaire, Wee Blessing promptly delivered five articles of clothing; two sets of pants and tops, and a cute dress. All were desirable brand names, in impeccable condition with tags attached.

My fave is the Adrianna Papell cranberry keyhole knit top with fashion-forward bell sleeves (MSRP: $78, $32 through Wee Blessing).  I wore it to a Christmas party, where I got lots of compliments, a true litmus test of fashion.

The box also included: a pretty pink print Lucky Brand top; Calvin Klein dark moon-washed jeans; Michael Kors classic black dress pants; and a Philosophy Malibu orange sleeveless frock that is cute but more appropriate for spring.

Four out of five is a mighty fine batting average. Wee Blessing also is offering an attractive incentive, a $50 credit when you refer a friend.

Irish Christmas in America at the Grand

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“Irish Christmas in America” celebrates the holidays in the spirit of Ireland with music, dance, and stories. An all-star cast from across the pond takes the stage at The Grand Opera House in Wilmington on Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $26-31, available through the Box Office at 302.652.5577 or online at www.thegrandwilmington.org.
image-2Now in its 13th year, the show features lively Irish tunes, thrilling step dance, evocative carols in both English and Irish, and an abundance of humor.

“Christmas is a massive holiday in Ireland,” says fiddle player and show producer Oisin Mac Diarmada. “People travel home to see families and share great food and lots of music. The country shuts down, apart from the bars!”
Niamh Farrell is a rising young singer with a crystal-clear voice who hails from Sligo on Ireland’s West Coast. Farrell brings contemporary songs to the show including Norah Jones’ “December” and Tom Waits’ “Take Me Home.”

“Growing up, the idea of a ‘party piece’ was always a big thing in Irish homes,” Farrell says. “People would gather around the fire or maybe the table at Christmas dinner, and everyone would be coaxed to sing a song or tell a story or do a dance. You had to make some sort of show of yourself!”
From County Kerry, Séamus Begley, named Ireland’s “Traditional Singer of the Year,” sings, tells jokes and plays the accordion.
“Seamus was like the Johnny Cash of my childhood,” says Farrell. “I absolutely adored his singing.”
Champion step dancer Samantha Harvey lights up the stage with her footwork, and joins in on piano with Grainne Hambley on the harp and Seán Gavin on the uilleann pipes (Irish bagpipes).
The show touches a chord with Americans, even those not of Irish descent, as many families can identify with being far from home.

“One of the most heartfelt themes of Irish Christmas is emigration,”  says Mac Diarmada.  “Music was a way that people stayed close to home.”

Want to conjure memories after the show? An accompanying CD “An Irish Christmas Soundscape” will be available at the performance.

A taste of Whole Foods

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Whole Foods Market is one of my favorite places to stock up on treats for the holidays.

TasteofWFM_CardI can count on finding fresh and exciting foods and friendly folks to point me in the right direction if there’s anything I can’t find on my own.

This weekend, Dec. 9-11, you can nosh your way through Whole Food’s holiday open house, celebrated noon-4 p.m. each day. Sample goodies and order ready-made dishes for entertaining and your holiday feast.

Your guests might even think you made them yourself!