Creative coping ideas to deal with the current crisis, suggested by our staff
Read About Wine
Justin Meyer, the legendary winemaker from Silver Oak Winery, wrote an easy read on the entire process of wine making. Meyer provides an easy-to-follow explanation from growing to the finished product. The forward was written by Robert Mondavi.
— John Murray, Contributing Writer
Crowdsource Your Viewing
Here’s a solution to the too-familiar problem today of having more free time and less money: YouTube. Seriously. (And humorously.) Instead of forking over as much as $15.99 for a month of streaming for just one service, try videos the site recommends from your search history or search for something you like. My current favorite phrase to search is “short film,” and I rely on the wisdom of the crowds, meaning at least 100,000 views before I start watching. Many such shorts are Hollywood-quality (in fact, some have won Oscars) in their look, content and impact.
— Ken Mammarella , Contributing Writer
Hangman Brewing
Hangman Brewing in Claymont must be a top contender for brewery with the most-challenging start. Its grand opening was March 13—the last weekend that socializing resembled anything close to normal. Hangman closed for a few weeks, focused on brewing, then decided to do what so many other businesses were doing and open for growlers. Good thing they did, because their beers are excellent additions to the Delaware scene. So far, I’ve had their light and dark ales and their blackberry sour. All three are as near to perfect as I could want my session beers to be and the sour is a delicious example of why the style is growing in popularity. When you go, help them out by bringing your own growler if you have one. As you can imagine, growlers are growing scarce, and Hangman had to go Bring-Your-Own-Growler for a little while. BYOG’s fine, though. Beer tastes the same no matter what glass it comes out of.
— Dillon McLaughlin, Contributing Writer
Leave it to LEGO
Take a walk down memory lane or build one with LEGO! Dig through the multicolor memories of your youth while passing hours of quaran-time. Whether you’re building with family or solo (we won’t judge), the effects of these small plastic pieces are anything but. Increased brain function, better motor skills, cooperative play and relieving stress are a few benefits. But none compared to the hours of fun and satisfaction clicking pieces together escaping from the day-to-day stressors to a simpler time.
— Michael O’Brian, Digital Sales & Marketing
The Plot Against America
This six-part HBO series is based on Philip Roth’s 2004 novel of the same. It’s a dystopian re-imagining of history in in which xenophobic aviator-hero Charles Lindbergh becomes president of the U.S. instead of FDR and our country slowly (but not that slowly) moves toward fascism. Viewed in relationship to our current polarized times, The Plot Against America is as unsettling as it is captivating.
— Jerry duPhily, Publisher
For Your Viewing Pleasure
Has sheltering in place exhausted all your TV/online options? Try these new offerings (with a tip of the hat to Entertainment Weekly):
• Space Force: No, not the Trump pipe dream of a new branch of the military, but the Netflix comedy starring Steve Carell as the Air Force general in charge of the nascent enterprise. Lisa Kudrow plays the general’s wife and the incomparable John Malkovich is Space Force’s head scientist.
• Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story: Season 2 of this true-crime anthology on USA Network stars Amanda Peet as the titular SoCal super wife embroiled in a divorce nightmare in the mid-‘80s. (Meredith Baxter played BB in the original 1992 CBS movie). Christian Slater is her hotshot malpractice attorney husband.
•The Lovebirds is a Netflix rom-com that follows a couple who go on the run after witnessing a murder. I’m recommending this largely on the merits of its stars, Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani –two very funny people.
— Robert Yearick, Contributing Editor
Thundercat
Over the past 10 years, Tame Impala has earned a worldwide reputation by bringing psychedelic overtones to pop and rock music. During that same time, Thundercat has followed a similar cosmic mindset with his approach to funk, jazz, soul, and hip-hop. Unfortunately for Thundercat, the similarities end when it comes to popularity and record sales—which is a shame, because the L.A. bassist and vocalist deserves to sell hundreds of thousands of records, too. Co-produced by Flying Lotus, Thundercat’s most recent album, It Is What It Is, sounds like the result of Pharrell Williams, Philip Bailey of EWF, Todd Rundgren and Stanley Clarke getting together for an acid-laced jam session aboard the starship Enterprise. It’s sometimes too much at once, but when it hits, it’s like discovering a new world.
— Jim Miller, Director of Publications
Virtual Library Events
Want to learn easy ways to eat healthier, save save money on groceries, and cook food safely? Or sharpen your Spanish or Italian speaking skills? How about a story time for the kids? Or join a game of Dungeons & Dragons? New Castle County Public libraries offer these and other programs for free. Their calendar of events has something for everyone, including a senior virtual coffee group, and for those who enjoy debating philosophical questions about life, the Socrates Café Virtual Discussion Group, may be for you. Check out their Virtual Library Events calendar at DelawareLibraries.libcal.com/calendar or find them on Facebook.
— Adriana Camacho-Church, Contributing Writer
Produce Junction
It’s just over the Delaware border in Boothwyn, at the intersection of Meetinghouse Road and Chichester Avenue. It’s a short drive and more than worth it considering the bargains you can get on fresh produce, plants and flowers. A bag full of lemons or apples will cost less than just a couple of the same fruits at a regular supermarket and they have fruits and veggies you won’t find at most local markets. But make sure you bring cash, because they don’t take checks or credit cards – there is an ATM machine on premise. Open daily until 6 p.m. Call 610-497-3075.
— Kevin Noonan, Contributing Writer
Absentee Voting
After reading about all the politicking, the long lines and the resulting infections associated with the Wisconsin primary, I decided to register to vote absentee. I was blown over when my email came back with the complete answer in exactly 10 minutes. Gov. Jack Carney’s state of emergency means a voter contending with COVID-19 issues can register to vote absentee by swearing “I am sick, or temporarily, or permanently physically disabled” on the paper form; it’s “Sick” or “Temporarily or Permanently Disabled” on the digital form. The official landing page for the rules is https://elections.delaware.gov/services/voter/absentee/index.shtml.
-Ken Mammarella
Board Games Online
Our extended family (with households in Florida, California, Indiana, and here in Delaware) has been playing several games with the help of technology. We’ve done Scattergories on Zoom, sending topic lists and answer sheets by email in advance. and Codename on the website HorsePaste. Those are both simple, but my nephew has a Tabletop Simulator through the Steam app (paid), which allows players see a virtual game table on screen with a wide range of available board games, familiar and obscure.
– Mark Fields
The Battered Bastards of Baseball
For baseball fans, or Kurt Russell fans, or simply fans of the underdog, this documentary, available on Netflix, delivers an entertaining 80-minute break from sheltering in place. The film, which premiered to a standing ovation at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, chronicles the 1973-77 odyssey of the Portland (Ore.) Mavericks, an independent minor league team owned by actor Bing Russell, father of Kurt. A gifted infielder whose career was cut short by injury, Kurt played for the Mavericks and served as vice president. Jim Bouton, former Yankee pitcher and author of Ball Four, also was on the roster for a while, and Joe Garagiola did a TV feature about the team’s numerous characters. Directed by Chapman Way and Maclain Way, Bing’s grandsons, Battered Bastards was described by Esquire as “easily one of the most raucously entertaining films to come out this year, and the best sports documentary in a while.”
-Bob Yearick, Contributing Editor
Donate A Bike
Wilmington-based Urban Bike Project is currently planning to distribute 200 bikes over the next month. The initiative is in response to an unprecedented level of requests for free or inexpensive bikes due to the pandemic and Delaware’s emergency restrictions. So, create some space in the garage while supporting a worthy cause by donating that bike you don’t ride (or start riding it). The better shape the bike is in the better, but UBP will take all conditions. Call (302) 300-4323 or visit urbanbikeproject@gmail.com.
-Jerry duPhily, Publisher
PFS Virtual Theater
The Philadelphia Film Society is partnering with arthouse distributors to offer films that would otherwise be seen on the big screen, with the added bonus that all virtual screening tickets purchased directly via the PFS website support its mission to bring you the best in entertainment and education. Tickets are $12 per film. You don’t have to be a member to watch, but they would appreciate the support: filmadelphia.org/nowstreaming.
-Bev Zimmermann, Special Projects
Run Together…Virtually
Lacking fitness motivation due to social distancing? Missing your running and walking group? Lace ‘em up and run together, virtually! Race timing companies typically host hundreds of people every weekend, so local event managers like Fusion Racing are adapting to our new normal by creating virtual running challenges with online social groups. SWAG, virtual happy hours, interactive social platforms and local charity partnerships will keep you lacing up for more. Sign up for a May virtual running or walking challenge at FusionRaceTiming.com.
-Michael O’Brian, Digital Sales & Marketing
Meditation
If you found yourself in a negative headspace during these strange times, you may benefit from some mindful meditation practices. Mediation has been used for thousands of years by Hindu yogis and Buddhist monks with the goal of emptying the mind of thoughts that can provide profound and lasting calmness to your central nervous system. There are many phone apps that can help guide you, like Calm, Headspace and Waking Up, just to pick a few. I found the most benefit by practicing every day. Whether it’s five minutes or an hour, it’s been very beneficial for me to clear my mind daily.
— Tyler Mitchell, Creative Director
Broadway HD
Live theater world has been hit hard during this pandemic, but a subscription to Broadway HD gives you the chance to watch shows you perhaps never got a chance to see as well as classics that you’d like to see again. The monthly fee of $8.99 includes productions like Phantom of the Opera, as well as Disney’s Broadway hits, Stephen Sondheim, Riverdance, and a selection of family favorites. You won’t find Hamilton here, but it sure is fun to sing along with The Sound of Music or Bye Bye Birdie. Subscribe at broadwayhd.com.
— Beverly Zimmermann, Special Projects
Be a Stair Climber
Can’t get outside for your regular walk, run or bike ride? Become a stair climber. Unless we live in a rancher, most of us, including apartment dwellers, have access to stairs. Start climbing those stairs two, three or more times each week. See if you can steadily increase the number of round trips you achieve. Make it a little more challenging by carrying a light dumbbell in each hand. No dumbbells around? Substitute heavy books.
— Bob Yearick, Contributing Editor
McMillions on HBO
I don’t eat much fast food nowadays and rarely get hooked by corporate promotions, but as a kid growing up in the ‘90s, I faithfully collected pieces for the McDonald’s Monopoly game promotion. It turned out that I had no chance of winning because the promotion was rigged from 1989-2001 by one man working for the promotion company. I’m not going to give away any spoilers, but it’s a compelling and sometimes humorous conspiracy mini-series with lots of twists and turns.
— Tyler Mitchell, Creative Director
Reduce Photo Frame Clutter
You know all those framed family photos you’ve collected over the years? Are they overwhelming your bookcases, dressers, night stands and living room tables? Take them out of the frames and glue them to a large poster (buy online if stores are closed or you can’t go out). A 22×34-in. poster will accommodate many prints, especially if you cut out the backgrounds, silhouetting people and animals in each photo.
— Bob Yearick, Contributing Editor
Virtual studios To Stay on Track
Quarantine doesn’t have to mean totally giving up on your routines and hobbies. Thanks to a tremendous effort by a few local providers, I’m able to stay on track with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and fitness training. If your studio is temporarily closed, I’d highly recommend Evolution Submission & Grappling. They have transitioned to an instructional YouTube Channel (get details and access at evolutionsubmissiongrappling.com & facebook.com/EvolutionSubmissionGrappling) and online drilling sessions. They’ve even sent my son and me personalized Facebook messages and videos to introduce new drills we can work on at home! For personal training options, online group fitness classes and more, Scott McCarthy at Balance Strength & Fitness Center has evolved his offerings as well (Balancefitnesstraining.com and facebook.com/bsfgym/). Balance has even dropped off equipment to their member’s homes! Missing your Yoga and Pilates classes? Pure Yoga in Trolley Square is now offering live virtual classes through Zoom (pureyogapilatesstudio.com and facebook.com/pureyogapilatesstudio/). We have options, folks.
— Matt Loeb, Production Manager
Declutter Your house
Go through your closets, attic, basement, garage, and drag out all the stuff you haven’t used or worn in years. Give it to a charity, assuming they are still open as you read this, or sell it on eBay. Or throw it out!
— Bob Yearick, Contributing Editor
Decorate Your House
There is a growing trend to decorate the house with Christmas lights as a way to cheer up people. If you can afford the slight bump in your electric bill, it’s a bright and fun way to make a difference in your neighborhood.
— Bev Zimmermann, Special Projects
Lend A Hand
Channel your anxiety with the most rewarding endeavor of all—helping your community. Volunteer opportunities are abundant. Find out how your efforts can be best utilized by visiting Volunteer.Delaware.gov. The site will direct you to various agencies with need specifics.
— Jerry duPhily, Publisher
Out & About Magazine Online Archives
In need of more reading material? Head to OutAndAboutNow.com to read the online versions of Out & About Magazine from 2013 to now! Just click the magazine cover in the top right corner (Click And Read).
— Tyler Mitchell, Creative Director
Meals on Wheels Needs You!
Everyone who receives Meals on Wheels is age 60 or over, with the average age in the mid-70s. This is an age group that has increased risk for serious complications for COVID-19. Meals on Wheels, which each day delivers more than 3,000 meals, currently needs more volunteers. If you are healthy and able to spare a couple of hours during a weekday lunchtime, Meals on Wheels needs to hear from you. Visit MealsonWheelsDE.org.
— Bob Yearick, Contributing Editor
