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Happy April Fool’s Day, Wilmington! Hope your coffee’s especially good this morning.

In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: The Doobie Brothers tour, a night tour of the Burgwin-Wright House, and a strawberry festival + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.

Retirees are making moves: After gold’s best year in nearly five decades, more folks than ever are moving part of their savings into precious metals. Not all of it… just enough to hedge against inflation. AHG put together a free guide that explains how it works. Grab your copy here.*

📰 In the news

Iconic band hits the stage: The Doobie Brothers will bring their Walk This Road Tour to Live Oak Bank Pavilion on Oct. 6. A fall night of classic hits awaits Wilmington fans — read the full story.

Pathways in the blue economy: CFCC’s third annual Marine Technology Career Expo happens today at Union Station in downtown Wilmington, with chances to learn about the program and meet over 20 marine industry companies — read the full story.

Town outlines upcoming impacts: Ocean Boulevard beach access and parking lot in Carolina Beach remain closed today for pedestrian safety, with closure running from March 23 into early April while work continues this year — see the closure timeline.

Auto insurance rates change all the time: Shopping around throughout the year means you’re never stuck overpaying without knowing it. I run a quick comparison every few months just to see what’s out there. Last time I did it, I cut my payment in half — this free tool makes it easy.*

Think your pet’s too old for insurance? Vet bills only get bigger as they age. More frequent appointments, more scares, more aches and pains to treat. Spot covers pets at any age, with up to 90% cash back on eligible vet bills — all for a lot less than you’d think.*

Highlights this week:

• Free line dancing with $1 off drafts
• Network in style at Airlie Garden Party
• Strawberry festival fun at Waterline Brewing
• Broken metabolism? There’s a fix for that*

💎 Local business spotlight

Smoothie mood booster: Neighborhood spot for smoothies that go beyond strawberry-banana, think mango, ginger, turmeric, moringa, plus açaí bowls and cold-pressed juices. Coco Pipa makes an easy, feel-good stop between errands or after a run when you want something light but satisfying that won’t slow down your day.

Quick nature reset: When you need a low-stress loop and a little birdsong between errands, Halyburton Park delivers piney quiet, shady trails, and just enough wild surprises to make each walk feel new. Consider it a midweek breather that keeps you in Wilmington.

Clean beauty, no guesswork: If your makeup bag needs a spring clean, Figgy Co. is a tidy fix, with vetted skincare, naturally leaning makeup from ILIA, Indie Lee, and Westman Atelier, and friendly guidance that helps you choose what works. Quick makeup applications keep pre-dinner plans easy, and everything feels fresh and effortless.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.

🫶 We got your back

Most people in their 50s are way behind: The median retirement savings at 55 is around $185K. Most planners recommend north of $1M. That gap doesn’t close on its own, and it gets harder to close every year you wait. Unbiased is a free service that matches you with an SEC-regulated financial advisor based on your goals. Five minutes, no cost, and the first meeting is free. *See where you stand (free quiz) →

Your insurance won’t cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits this winter, your homeowners insurance will tell you it’s a “maintenance issue” and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn’t cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical… all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what’s covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. Here’s what it covers and what it doesn’t →

Women don’t talk about this enough: Hair thinning after menopause is incredibly common. Thankfully, there’s an FDA-approved ingredient specifically for women’s hair regrowth, and Keranique built an entire system around it. Over two million women are already using it, it’s on sale right now, and it comes with a money-back guarantee (although I doubt you’ll need it). *Learn more about it here →

$3.4 billion was stolen from adults over 60 in a single year: Scams don’t usually start with some sophisticated hack. They start with someone buying your personal data online for just a few dollars. Anyone willing to pay can easily get your name, address, phone number, income… you name it. Removing your info helps, but it doesn’t cover you if someone already has it. We found three services that can help, but only one of them handles removal and identity theft protection in one plan. See how they compare →

📆 Fun for the whole fam

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🧗 Kid’s Climbing Night @ Wilmington Rock Gym | Friday (4/3) at 4:30 PM – First Friday plan that tires them out, not you: Kid’s Climbing Night at WRG. Staff belays handle the ropes for ages 5 to 13, parents supervise from the ground, and beginners to little gym monkeys are welcome. It’s $16 a kid, reservations required.

🌙 Night Tour of the Burgwin-Wright House @ Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens | Friday (4/3) at 8:00 PM – Trade Netflix for a candlelit night tour of the Burgwin-Wright House, where interpreters spill colonial rituals, superstitions, and the charm of life without electricity. Space is tight, so reserve ahead, $25 plus tax, and yes, you actually have to call.

🏍 Hop in to Harley @ Shipwreck Harley-Davidson | Saturday (4/4) at 10:00 AM – Whether your little hoppers still believe or your big kids just want snacks, the Bunny’s rolling in on a Harley. Expect staggered egg hunts, plenty of treats, food and beverages, and a golden egg worth more than neighborhood bragging rights.

🧹 Azalea Sweep @ Legion Stadium | Saturday (4/4) at 10:00 AM – Pre-Festival ritual: we spruce up the Queen’s stops, then reward ourselves with a free lunch. Register ahead for the free T-shirt, because swag matters. Downtown’s pay-to-park, so plan smart, or better yet wrangle a Sweep Team and score concert lawn tickets.

❤ Mini and Me: Love You A-lotl @ Wine & Design Wilmington | Saturday (4/4) at 11:00 AM – Trade the usual weekend errands for a Mini and Me paint-and-sip where you and your favorite sidekick create a Love You A-lotl masterpiece. No experience needed, just patience, sips, and an axolotl pun that will absolutely earn fridge real estate.

📸 Easter Family Photos @ Kingdom Impact – Wilmington Church | Saturday (4/4) at 11:00 AM – This family photo pop-up keeps it easy, dressy or sneakers, snap a green screen shot with a backdrop your mantel wants, then let the kids burn energy on a resurrection scavenger hunt. Gather all the pieces, score a candy bag, maybe negotiate a parent tax.

🐰 Sip, Shop & Seek: Easter Egg Hunt @ Bazar | Saturday (4/4) at 11:00 AM – Spring at Bazar means you can sip, shop, and hunt eggs in the aisles without stepping in grass. The kids get the Bunny and prizes, you get a veggie bar, sweet treats, and festive drinks, call it cardio. Tag a photo for a prize drawing.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Wilmington report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 79°F – Low: 59°F – Precip: 3%

Sunny, with a high near 79. Southwest wind 3 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 59. South wind 1 to 9 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 80°F – Low: 61°F – Precip: 11%

Sunny, with a high near 80. South wind 0 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. Southeast wind 2 to 8 mph.

This house is wild

In Shinn Creek Estates, this corner-lot 4-bed, 3-bath home shines with a wall of windows across the living room, renovated kitchen, casual dining, and sunny nook. The first-floor primary opens to a covered porch, while a fireplace warms the dining room. Steps to the pool, plus private Intracoastal access with boat ramp, two floating docks, and a pier.

Take a peek inside →