A Cork-y Kind of Quest
The champagne will undoubtedly be flowing at this month’s Bottle & Cork 90th Anniversary Party. As a tribute to that milestone, we’ve opened a few bottles here, but left the corks rolling around in this month’s issue. Tell us the four pages (excluding this one) that you spot a cork. Please email your answers using the subject line: I Found the Corks to Contact@TSNPub.com by August 17.
Last month’s winners: Marty Budd, Phee Price, Jack Jones. The liberty bells were on pages 17, 29, 39, 63.
A New Inning Begins for the Blue Rocks
The Wilmington Blue Rocks have a new owner. OnDeck Partners has acquired the High-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, marking a new chapter for the longtime Wilmington team. The new ownership group plans to build on the Blue Rocks’ more than 30-year history by investing in Frawley Stadium, creating new fan experiences, and continuing the team’s role as a community gathering place. OnDeck Partners will host a free Fan Fest on Tuesday, Aug. 4 ahead of the Blue Rocks’ game against the Brooklyn Cyclones. More at BlueRocks.com.
NOMA Library Welcomes Visitors
Wilmington’s newest library is offering an early look before its official debut. The NOMA Library, the newest branch of the Wilmington Public Library system, joins the Wilmington and North Wilmington Libraries in expanding access to library services across the city. The NOMA Library is hosting Saturday soft openings through Aug. 22 at its new home, 3905 N. Market St. The 24,000-square-foot branch goes well beyond books, featuring a maker space with 3D printers and laser cutters, spaces for technology, creativity, wellness, and community gatherings. Visitors can also enjoy cooking demonstrations, technology showcases, tours of the second floor, sign up for library cards, and check out books before the grand opening celebration on Aug. 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More at Wilmington.lib.de.us/noma.
Semilla Bread Rises on Concord Pike
Semilla Bread has opened in Independence Mall at 1601 Concord Pike, bringing artisan breads, handcrafted pastries, and coffee drinks to North Wilmington. Founded by Hector Pulido after discovering the craft of sourdough baking in Colombia, the bakery specializes in naturally leavened breads and pastries, with offerings including sourdough loaves, baguettes, croissants, and signature items like guava empanadas and Tuscan bread with cheese and pepperoni. Semilla Bread is open daily from 8am to 4 pm.
Visit SemillaBreadUSA.com.
Come Together: A Week of the Beatles
The Rock Orchestra (TRO) returns to Delaware Theatre Company (200 Water St., Wilmington) Aug. 10–15 with All Together Now, a six-night celebration of The Beatles’ recorded works. The ninth annual event features all 217 Beatles songs performed as originally recorded, taking audiences through the band’s evolution from early pop hits to psychedelic experiments and later classics. Each night will feature a different collection of albums, including Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, The Beatles (White Album), Abbey Road, and Let It Be. Tickets available at DelawareTheatre.org/all-together-now.
Entrepreneurs Invited to Swim with the Sharks
The New Castle County Chamber of Commerce’s Emerging Enterprise Center is now accepting applications for the 14th Annual Swim with the Sharks Pitch Competition. New Castle County entrepreneurs have until Aug. 10 to apply for the Shark Tank-style competition, which awards a grant of $25,000 as grand prize along with additional cash awards and business services. The competition finale will take place Sept. 16 at Penn Cinema on the Wilmington Riverfront. Since its launch, Swim with the Sharks has helped more than 100 local startups compete for funding, provided pitch training to more than 350 founders, and awarded more than $130,000 in cash prizes. More at EECIncubator.com/swim-with-the-sharks.
Celebrating Delaware through Poetry
Delaware Poets Inc., a newly formed nonprofit, is promoting poetry and literary engagement across the First State through its flagship publication, The Delaware Poets Almanac. As part of Delaware’s 250th anniversary, the organization is presenting the Voices of Wilmington series in partnership with the City of Wilmington and the Wilmington Public Library, culminating with a celebration on Friday, Aug. 21. Other initiatives include a statewide poetry time capsule highlighting 250 years of Delaware voices, with a commemorative anthology planned for release in November, along with upcoming programs at Rockwood Park & Museum on Saturday, Sept. 5. More at TheDelawarePoetsAlmanac.org.
Ride for the Gold
On Saturday, Sept. 12, cyclists can visit four historic river towns during a one-of-a-kind bike ride. The 13th annual River Towns Ride challenges you to ride for a gold medal by visiting all four river towns (62 miles) or take one of the event’s shorter routes and earn a bronze or silver medal for distance completed. Stops include historic Chesapeake City, Historic Delaware City, Historic New Castle and Wilmington Riverfront. Visit RiverTownsRide.com.
Irish Weekend Returns to the Riverfront
The Irish Culture Club of Delaware will celebrate its 46th Annual Feis & Festival with a weekend of Irish dance, music, food, and culture Aug. 7–9 at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington. Open to the public with free admission, the celebration kicks off Friday with live music from Seven Rings, followed by a full day of dancing and live Irish music Saturday, including McMark & Co., Gerry Timlin, and Benny Preston. The weekend includes the Diamond State Feis and Delaware Feis, where dancers from across the country will compete, along with vendors, food, and refreshments. More at IrishCultureClubDe.com.
Brandywine Valley Restaurant Week offers Appetizing Options
More than two dozen of the area’s premier restaurants in Greater Wilmington will offer special menus and discounted pricing during the 12th annual Brandywine Valley Restaurant Week Sept. 14-20. Two-course lunches will be offered for $20; three-course dinners are $35 or $55. For a list of participating restaurants, visit BrandywineTaste.com.
