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Hey Leland, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Ex-con photographer turns sleuth on ABC, volunteers hunt lost crab pots, and chef Dean Neff honored + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Leland protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Clearing hazardous marine debris: Crews are pulling lost crab pots from Brunswick County waters through March 15. The Coastal Federation needs volunteers for a shoreline cleanup tomorrow, March 10, to protect boaters and wildlife — see how to get involved.

Ex-con photographer turns sleuth: Filmed in Wilmington with scenes in Carolina Beach, the new drama RJ Decker will premiere on ABC, starring Scott Speedman as a private investigator. It airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m — get all the details.

State hospitality leaders honored: Wilmington chef Dean Neff, owner of Seabird, received the statewide Ken Conrad Award for Service to the Community at 2026 Stars of the Industry Awards on February 23 — read the full story.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Highlights this week:

• Move freely at Wilmington Ecstatic Dance
• Learn wetland restoration and meet animals
• Explore wetlands and wildlife at low tide

🫶 We got your back

Weeknight sandwich fix: When the dinner debate hits, P.T.’s Olde Fashioned Grille settles it with made-to-order sandwiches: burgers, chicken, roast beef, or turkey, plus fresh-cut fries and hand-squeezed lemonade. Grab a booth or the patio, chat with neighbors, and let the fry basket do the talking.

Fresh-air reset: Need a quick nature fix in Leland? Westgate Nature Park offers shady boardwalks, a nature-themed play area, a picnic-ready lawn, and an outdoor classroom, creating an easy loop where kids burn energy, you breathe deeper, and everyone gets home before the snacks vanish.

Nostalgia-loaded toy run: Whether you’re grabbing a last-minute birthday gift or chasing a hit of kid-again joy, Olde Wilmington Toy & Candy Company shelves nostalgic toys and sweet throwbacks that spark instant smiles. It’s an easy errand that somehow becomes playtime.

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

📆 Free events worth checking out

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.

😹 Laughs for Lives Fundraiser @ Gio Fund | Thursday (3/12) at 7:00 PM – Trade cat memes for laughs at a benefit show for All 4 Cats Rescue, with every ticket helping real whiskers. Presale is $5 until it’s gone, Gio Card members get in free, tables for 4 or 8 are reservable, and yes, there’s food and drinks.

🛍 March Pop-Up Market @ Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar | Friday (3/13) at 4:00 PM – Hit the lawn at Shuckin’ Shack in Leland for a pop-up market full of local makers, lucky finds, and that neighbor you wave to but never meet. Free to wander, family-friendly, and you can buy lunch, a beer, and your conscience back. Wear green.

🎤 Live Music @ Hi-Wire Brewing Wilmington | Friday (3/13) at 6:00 PM – Think you know our local talent? Come prove it with free live music from hometown artists, Fridays at 6 pm in the taproom. No cover, no fuss, just good tunes, a proper pint, and the kind of night you don’t have to shout over.

📖 Storytime @ Leland Cultural Arts Center | Saturday (3/14) at 12:00 PM – Got a tiny human who loves pictures and glue sticks? Second Saturdays at LCAC mean Storytime followed by a quick craft, perfect for ages 2 to 5, and yes, grownups stay too. It is free, but registration is required, kids only on the signup.

🎓 Lecture – Habitat Fixer Uppers @ Leland Cultural Arts Center | Monday (3/16) at 6:00 PM – If your idea of home improvement includes cattails and chorus frogs, this one’s for you. Learn how to diagnose and restore North Carolina’s freshwater wetlands in a free, all-ages lecture, then meet a few of the residents, slime, scales, and all.

🎶 CFCC Music Faculty and Friends Concert @ Union Station Auditorium (U-170) (Wilmington) | Monday (3/16) at 7:00 PM – Craving a low-key Monday that still feels special? CFCC’s Music Faculty and Friends serve up classical, jazz, and folk at Union Station Auditorium, with the people who teach by day performing for fun, for you, and for free. Bring a neighbor, leave smug.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Leland report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 82°F – Low: 62°F – Precip: 26%

Patchy fog before 10am, then a chance of rain showers between 10am and 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Southwest wind 2 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A slight chance of rain showers before 7pm, then patchy fog between 11pm and 3am. Mostly clear, with a low around 62. South wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

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Tomorrow – High: 84°F – Low: 64°F – Precip: 5%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Southwest wind 3 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southwest wind around 12 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across North Carolina but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

This house is wild

On a golf course lot with a pond view, this 4-bed, 3-bath charmer pairs sunlit open living with breakfast nook and a finished sunroom that opens to a grilling deck overlooking the fairway and pond. A split plan grants an oversized primary suite, upstairs guest suite, and two more bedrooms. Community pools, tennis, fitness center, and sidewalks complete the scene.

Take a peek inside →