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Hey Wilmington, hope your week’s off to a good start! Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, a souls to the polls march, an Abby Lee Miller dance convention, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Build-to-suit space planned: Site work is underway for Wilmington Industrial Park off Blue Clay Road, a 23-acre project near Wilmington International Airport. Initial buildings could deliver later this year as tenant interest builds — get all the details.
Wilmington launches corridor overhaul: Construction set to begin this month on the Dawson and Wooster streetscape, with sidewalks, ADA upgrades and resurfacing. Lanes will shift to three, improving bus stops from 3rd to 17th — get all the project details.
Community rally for voting: NAACP New Hanover County will host a Souls to the Polls march on February 22 in Wilmington, starting at St. Stephen AME Church. Bring voter ID. Lunch follows voting — see when and where to join.
Interstate-style overpass and ramps: NCDOT held a public meeting Jan. 29 on a College Road and MLK Parkway interchange. The project aims to reduce congestion, and public comments remain open through March 2 — see how to comment.
Gold and silver are (still) on fire: Gold’s strong run continues, and silver is outperforming nearly every major asset class in the last year. With demand rising and supply tight, precious metals offer the right combination of market hedge and growth. Augusta Precious Metals is a great way to invest in gold because you can just roll over part of your retirement account into their gold and silver IRAs. Curious to learn more about it? Grab their free guide here.
Compare rates for free: Insurance prices drop all the time, but you’ll only know if you check. I assumed my rate was fine until I compared options and realized I was leaving real money on the table. It took a minute to check and instantly showed better offers for where I live. If it’s been more than a few months, you should probably run this comparison tool here.
One pet emergency can easily cost $7,000+ but pet insurance helps ease the financial and emotional burden. It’s something I wish I’d had after spending $10k on last-minute surgery for my cat (her name is Miss Stache). I learned my lesson and signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Weekend of technique and artistry: Abby Lee Miller will return to Wilmington with the Coast-to-Coast Dance Convention and Competition on Saturday and Sunday, February 7 and 8, at UNCW’s Burney Center. Top instructors will lead classes and workshops, aiming to boost skills and inspire local dancers of all ages. Get all the event details.
Regional arts showcase returns: Applications are open for the 30th Orange Street ArtsFest, happening May 23 and 24. Organizers expect more than 80 artists from North Carolina and nearby states. Entries require a color photo of an original piece and a $150 fee. Awards include $550 in prize money. See how and when to apply.
Mac craving, answered: Whether it’s dinner or a personal triumph, CheeseSmith stacks gooey three-cheese mac inside a grilled cheese, the Mac Momma/Mac Daddy for real, and it nails the cozy spot. Carby, toasty, unapologetically melty… the kind of comfort you remember by name long after the crumbs.
Instant mood boost: Port City Ukuholics blend classic rock, folk, pop, country, and Hawaiian favorites with tight harmonies, a bass-and-percussion groove, and a fun, oversized ukulele lineup. Expect hula and accordion cameos plus silly shenanigans…guaranteed to make guests smile at your next event.
A smart way to save on big purchases: When costs hit the tens of thousands, credit card and personal loan interest racks up fast. A HELOC lets you tap into your home’s equity as a flexible line of credit at a lower rate… all without refinancing your mortgage. I’ve been looking into this myself, and Figure’s HELOC stood out for its 100% online application, no in-person appraisal, and quick access to cash.
Your neighbors are Googling you:It’s an uncomfortable thought, but people search names all the time — employers, new friends, other parents at school pickup. If something negative, outdated, or misleading shows up on the first page, it can shape how people see you before you ever meet. BetterReputation helps push down unwanted search results so the first impression you make actually reflects who you are today. And if it’s not your name, you can help a friend or family member with that too.
Get clarity on financial decisions: Managing retirement, taxes, and investments alone can feel overwhelming, especially during big life transitions. Financial advisors provide holistic guidance, help reduce risk, and keep emotions away from costly decisions. I found a tool called Unbiased that matches you with the right financial advisor based on your personal situation so you can get a second opinion… it never hurts.
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📆 Around town this week
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
This week
🍷 Gal-entine’s Day Wine Tasting @ Club Golf Indoor | Tuesday (2/3) at 6:30 PM – Call the group chat, and escape the to-do list for a Galentine’s wine tasting: five half glasses, from sparkling rosé to Merlot that drinks like a Cab, paired with chocolate, cheese, and crackers. Make new friends, stock up for home. Space is limited, snag tickets.
🎸 Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo @ Wilson Center | Wednesday (2/4) at 7:00 PM – Call it cardio for the soul, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo are bringing the soundtrack of your better hair days. Rock Hall nod, four Grammys, and anthems like We Belong, Love Is a Battlefield, and Heartbreaker. Expect goosebumps, big choruses, and smug satisfaction.
🖼 Evening Print Studio – Linocut Block Printing @ Cameron Art Museum | Thursday (2/5) at 6:00 PM – Trade screen time for carving time at Cameron Art Museum’s evening linocut class, where adults of all levels carve, ink, and print like you meant to. Bring an image to the first session, leave with bold black-and-color prints, inky hands, and smug creative satisfaction.
This weekend
🏃 3rd Annual Trudge 5K Race for Recovery @ The Healing Place of New Hanover County | Saturday (2/7) at 7:00 AM – Call it a run, a walk, or a stroll before coffee, Port City. Honoring the three miles clients walk daily in recovery, this 3rd annual 5K caps an anniversary celebration with free brunch, coffee, and local vendors. Starts and ends at The Healing Place.
🌟 Rising Stars Exhibition Opening Weekend @ Cameron Art Museum | Saturday (2/7) at 10:00 AM – Opening weekend at Cameron Art Museum is all about our homegrown talent, with high school artists from across Southeastern North Carolina showing the adults how it’s done. Bring the kids, enjoy hands-on projects, and yes, students and their families get in free. Bragging rights included.
📅 District Day 2026 @ Downtown Wilmington | Saturday (2/7) at 11:00 AM – Take the free trolley and make a lazy loop through all seven districts, no parking roulette required. It’s a rolling sampler of ILM’s best shops, bites, and art, with local deals and promos sprinkled everywhere. Think staycation field trip, community vibe, zero hustle.
❤ Valentine’s Day Market @ Waterline Brewing Co. | Sunday (2/8) – Grab your honey, or your best “I’m just browsing” face, and wander the Valentine’s pop-up under the bridge at Waterline Brewing. Sip, snack, and swoon through local makers, good beer, and better people-watching. Who knew romance pairs well with pilsner, and streetlight ambiance.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Wilmington report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 48°F – Low: 37°F – Precip: 1%
Partly sunny, with a high near 48. Southwest wind 2 to 7 mph. Later: A chance of rain after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
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Tomorrow – High: 50°F – Low: 31°F – Precip: 83%
Rain. Cloudy, with a high near 50. West wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Later: Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 31. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
This house is wild
Hardison’s Waterbury Farm plan in Waterstone pairs timeless curb appeal with a two-story entry and open living around a gourmet kitchen. An EZ-Breeze porch and fenced yard expand gatherings. Highlights include a hidden storage room, custom Norman shutters, natural gas with firepit, and Kinetico water softener. Main-level primary suite with zero-entry shower, bonus room upstairs, and community amenities near Wilmington.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we genuinely think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week:
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