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Good morning, Wilmington! In today’s edition: Addison Spruill’s youth program, a free tree giveaway at TreeFest, a speedcubing bash, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Global lessons, local impact: Cape Fear pro Addison Spruill founded the Dream Success Athletics Foundation to bring training to players and has helped hundreds across North Carolina, including at Hoops for the Holidays events — learn what his program offers.
Project specifics and neighborhood impacts: Three infill projects are under review in Wilmington, totaling 27 units from downtown to Wrightsville Beach. One near Lumina Station needs rezoning, and another proposes 13 townhomes on Allens Lane — see plans, zoning, and impacts.
Modern workspace on the way: The City of Wilmington will break ground tomorrow on a Parks Operations Facility at 111 Melton Road that will replace the Burnett Blvd site and support over 50 staff — get all the ceremony details.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since this month last year. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.
*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
Community roots and recovery: TreeFest will be in Wilmington on Jan. 16 and 17 at JCPenney’s atrium in Independence Mall. More than a dozen tree species will be available for purchase. A $5 donation per household will help fund the return of TreeFest 2027. The event supports restoring tree populations after hurricanes. Get all the event details.
Make your space pop: Whether you’re hunting a statement lamp, a cozy throw, or a pro to pull the room together, Nest Fine Gifts & Interiors blends furniture, accessories, and thoughtful gifts with friendly design guidance. Finishing touches feel easy, and yes, actually fun.
Cider fix, no fuss: Quick hop over the bridge for crisp, naturally gluten-free pours at Brunswick Beer & Cider. The lineup runs from Dry and Semi-Dry to a citrusy Lavender Lemonade Cider, all clean and easy to drink without the syrupy finish. Bring a friend for a midweek reset.
Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now, you’ll get three free gifts, AND you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.
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📆 Around town this week
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
This week
🧶 Stitch and Bitch @ The Roasted Bookery | Tuesday (1/6) at 6:00 PM – Take a break and pop into an extra winter Stitch and B!tch, where cozy projects, chat, and yarn do the heavy lifting. New to knitting or crochet? Bring needles or hooks, they’ll get you started, all levels welcome, kids under 16 with an adult.
🤠 Line Dancing for Adults & Seniors @ The Dance Element | Tuesday (1/6) at 6:45 PM – Swap the treadmill for a two-step that actually makes you smile. This twice-weekly line dancing class is drop-in friendly, beginner safe, and surprisingly sweaty, with punch-card deals that reward commitment, not leotards. No registration, no pressure, just music, Wilmington neighbors, and painless cardio.
🎤 Tom Leighton and more @ The Palm Room | Friday (1/9) at 9:00 PM – Florida singer-songwriter Tom Leighton brings Righteous Roots back to our favorite Wrightsville Beach haunt, the Palm Room, so expect soulful coastal jams, tight grooves, and salty-air singalongs. It’s the kind of night you “just pop in,” then stay for one more, then two.
This weekend
🎉 Customer Appreciation Day @ Bazar | Saturday (1/10) at 10:00 AM – Circle January 10, because BAZAR is actually thanking the people who keep the lights on. Expect complimentary refreshments, light bites, and swag bags until they vanish. Come sip, browse, and feel smug about supporting small businesses, then brag about your loot.
🕺 Slow Balboa Workshop @ Hannah Block Historic USO- Community Arts Center | Saturday (1/10) at 10:00 AM – Slow Balboa is hitting the USO at Orange and 2nd with workshops, Dean’s Basic, Laminu, and a social with the Wilmington Big Band. Grab tickets ahead, $20 each or $50 for the full ride. Wear comfy clothes, shoes that slide, and thank your knees later.
🏖 Wrightsville Beach Bash 2026 @ Holiday Inn Resort Lumina on Wrightsville Beach by IHG | Sunday (1/11) at 8:00 AM – Trade the beach chair for brainy thrills at Wrightsville Beach Bash, where speedcubers blitz 3×3, 4×4, 5×5, blindfolded solves, and the ever-odd Skewb. They’ll finish faster than we find our reading glasses, and with only 125 competitors, it’s prime people-watching.
🍳 Let’s Create a Cookbook! @ Spiritual Soul Center | Sunday (1/11) at 12:00 PM – Spiritual Soul Center is cooking up a community cookbook, and your hits belong in it. Whether it’s grandma’s miracle casserole or vegan brownies, submit appetizers, soups, breads, sides, entrees, and desserts, then swing by the Sunday info table with Renee, Brooke, and Jill.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Wilmington report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 69°F – Low: 52°F – Precip: 6%
Partly sunny, with a high near 69. Southwest wind 1 to 10 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.
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Tomorrow – High: 72°F – Low: 49°F – Precip: 5%
Partly sunny, with a high near 72. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49.
This house is wild
Set among mature trees with pond and golf course views, this custom 4 bedroom, 4.5 bath brick home in Porters Neck Plantation blends privacy and craftsmanship. Over 3,700 square feet with a main level primary suite and three upstairs bedrooms, each en suite, plus a quiet sunroom and an upstairs bedroom with a private deck. Living areas open to a secluded backyard wrapped in woods, water, and fairway.
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Take a peek inside →
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