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Happy weekend, Wilmington! 

In today’s happening-today edition: Paint and play with baby kangaroos, an Outlander river cruise, and Pokepalooza + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.

Today’s sponsor (Money.com) built a free comparison tool that helped me cut my car insurance premiums in half. It took about 3 minutes, and honestly… I wish I’d done it sooner. If you haven’t shopped around in a while, you can easily check the best rates here.

📰 In the news

Celebrating a milestone tradition: Ireland’s consulate in Atlanta recognized Wilmington’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee for its 25th year. The downtown parade will take place March 14, and the committee produces Cape Fear Hooley — read the full story.

Garden lovers, take note: The 39th Annual Plant Sale at New Hanover County Arboretum will run April 16 to 19, featuring a seed swap and educational sessions. Bringing a cart can speed your visit — get tips and event details.

Make shutters last longer: Coastal humidity is tough on Wilmington shutters, and a guide explains materials that hold up best, comparing aluminum, steel, vinyl, and composite, with maintenance advice from Port City Hurricane Shutters — compare materials and upkeep tips.

Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.

Someone Googled you this week: Whether you’re dating again, selling something locally, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up. Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you (or someone you care about) to clean up all that up – learn more here.

Highlights this week:

• Sip, shop, and get lucky at Bazar
• Support local artisans at Shamrock Fest
• Hear CFCC faculty perform with friends
• Over 62? See how to turn home equity into tax-free cash

🚗 Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance?

Together with our sponsor Money.com

Auto insurance premiums have been climbing across the country… and most folks won’t notice until it’s time to renew and they’re hit with a higher bill.

The frustrating part? Loyalty rarely gets rewarded. Insurers adjust prices constantly, and new customers often qualify for better rates than long-time policyholders.

I learned that the hard way. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, I saw the charges come in every month and never thought twice about them. Turns out I was paying well above the national average ($175/mo) for a single car… for years.

This free comparison tool lets you check rates from multiple insurers in just a few minutes. It costs nothing to look, and it could save you hundreds this year.

🫶 We got your back

Local color therapy: Need a quick mood reset? Swing by Second Street Mural in Wilmington, the photo-friendly wall the community refreshed in 2025. Grab a coffee, meet a friend, and let those bold colors deliver a subtle pep talk.

Time to cast on: Yarns of Wilmington delights makers with a colorful range of yarns, plus hand-painted needlepoint canvases and threads. They can order the skeins or fibers you’re hunting… and the friendly crew actually understands your WIPs, offering smart guidance, inspiration, and a welcoming spot to recharge your stash.

Post-work beer plan: Wilmington Brewing Company delivers an easygoing taproom vibe with fresh releases, rotating food trucks, and the beloved Tropical Lightning. It’s a steady spot to meet friends, cool down after the weekly Run Club, or just unwind… no spreadsheets or overplanning required.

An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.

📆 Around town today & tomorrow

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.

🚢 River Cruise: “Outlander in the Cape Fear” @ Wilmington Water Tours | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Wilmington Water Tours and the Burgwin-Wright House are taking you back in time on the Cape Fear, retracing the real Wilmington history woven into Outlander. No kilt required, just curiosity, a river breeze, and $40. Snag seats at WilmingtonWaterTours.net, or call 910-338-3134.

🌸 Bloom & Create Maker’s Market @ Tap Yard Wilmington | Saturday (3/7) at 12:00 PM – Feel like spring deserves more than pollen and yard work? Head to Tap Yard Wilmington for a breezy maker’s market with local pottery, paintings, jewelry, and fiber arts, plus a drink in hand. Sip, stroll, and accidentally support half the city’s artists, happily.

🦘 Paint and Play with Baby Kangaroos @ Wine & Design Wilmington | Saturday (3/7) at 1:00 PM – Trade the usual happy hour for a paint and sip where the muses have pouches. No experience needed, just a steady-ish hand and a soft spot for baby kangaroos, which, yes, you can meet between brushstrokes. Art, wine, and tiny hoppers, what could go wrong?

🌱 Sand Art Terrarium Workshop @ Art in Bloom Gallery at Mayfaire Town Center | Saturday (3/7) at 1:00 PM – If your houseplants are judging your decor, give them a scenic upgrade at this beginner, three-hour sand art terrarium workshop. Pick river, ocean, or mountain, layer colored sand like a dessert you won’t eat, then top with live plants, all supplies included.

🌃 Starry Night Walk @ Wine & Design Wilmington | Saturday (3/7) at 6:30 PM – Take a break from the weekly grind and get your art buzz on with a glass, a canvas, and zero pressure. Starry Night Walk guides the swirls, you sip responsibly, and somehow a respectable Van Gogh tribute appears, ear intact, pride restored.

🎲 Raise the Ruff 2026: Casino Night @ Hotel Ballast Wilmington, Tapestry Collection by Hilton | Saturday (3/7) at 7:00 PM – Suit up at Hotel Ballast for a riverfront casino night where your chips, bluffs, and questionable math bankroll rescue pups at Paws Place. Buy in, bid at the silent auction, and call it philanthropy, with tickets and sponsorships dropping soon.

⚡ Pokepalooza @ Waterline Brewing Company | Sunday (3/8) at 12:00 PM – Apparently we’ve been catching them for 30 years, so Waterline Brewing is throwing a free, family-friendly bash with vendors, giveaways, and card trading, plus a Pikachu cameo. Bring the kids, your binder, and your best cosplay, then call it quality time.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/7 Music & Mimosas @ CAM Café – 10:00 AM
• 3/7 Cargo District Comedy @ Azalea Station – 7:30 PM
• 3/7 Tripodacus and more @ The Rusty Nail – 8:00 PM
• 3/7 Justin Cody Fox @ Live At Ted’s – 8:00 PM
• 3/7 Dubtown Cosmonauts @ The Palm Room (Wrightsville Beach) – 10:00 PM
• 3/8 Admiral Radio @ Live at Ted’s – 4:00 PM
• 3/8 SunSquabi and more @ Bowstring Burgers and Brewyard – 7:00 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• Thinning hair? Don’t wait – here are 3 treatments that work
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account
• Treat yourself: Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

📻 Wilmington report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 78°F – Low: 61°F – Precip: 5%

Areas of fog before 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Southwest wind 2 to 12 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southwest wind around 8 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 78°F – Low: 61°F – Precip: 39%

A chance of rain showers after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. Southwest wind 7 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of rain showers before 8pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

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