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Good morning, Wilmington! In today’s edition: Shark Tooth Island fossil hunt, Sam Jay’s sharp comedy, a WWII USO building’s surprising second act, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Community achievements take spotlight: The City of Wilmington looks back at 2025 by the numbers as it marks 25 years, sharing social posts on big concert attendance and strong public participation — see the anniversary highlights.
History takes center stage: A former WWII USO hub in downtown Wilmington, opened in 1941 when Pearl Harbor was attacked, now serves as a community arts center with classes, rehearsals, performances, and meetings — see how it transformed.
Coastal regulators weigh impacts: DCM received another extension to review plans to deepen and widen Wilmington Harbor, with a decision due Jan. 19. The project targets improved efficiency and capacity for larger vessels — see possible decision outcomes.
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 ties in focus: The Southeastern North Carolina Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee announced the 2026 Celebration of Events, a week of community programming honoring Dr. King. Retired WNBA standout and former assistant coach Tamera Young will serve as Grand Marshal. Events will include Conversations for Peace, a Pageant, and Family Fun Day. See what’s planned for 2026.
Serious burrito fix: Whether you need a quick win midweek or a reward after errands, Flaming Amy’s Burrito Barn serves big, craveable burritos with easygoing flair, perfect for low-effort, high-satisfaction lunches or dinners. No planning, just bold flavors that hit the spot.
Kid energy, meet science: Four levels of hands-on art-and-science play await at The Children’s Museum of Wilmington, a nonprofit for ages 0–10 with year-round programs that tuck learning into fun. Ideal for a quick afternoon when the wiggles strike, and you want something that feels good for their brains.
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 weekend
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All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🎸 Rock the 90s: The Official 90’s Rock Tribute @ Bowstring – Bar & Live Music Venue | Friday (1/9) at 7:00 PM – Think you still remember every word to Nirvana and Matchbox Twenty? This 90s tribute cranks out the anthems, the hidden gems, and the guilty pleasures, with Code Red warming things up with big harmonies, and bigger hooks. Flannel optional, babysitter recommended.
😂 Sam Jay @ Dead Crow Comedy | Friday (1/9) at 7:00 PM – Dead Crow’s bringing in Sam Jay, the Emmy-nominated SNL alum and HBO troublemaker who actually has things to say, and the timing’s perfect for a grown-up night out. Expect sharp, fearless jokes, a tight room, and the kind of laugh you feel tomorrow.
🐃 Donna the Buffalo @ UNCW Kenan Auditorium | Friday (1/9) at 8:00 PM – Old-school roots heads, rejoice. Donna the Buffalo brings their well-traveled stew of Americana, folk, bluegrass, and zydeco to Wilmington, the kind of show where you end up two-stepping with a stranger and grinning like you meant to. Consider it cardio, with better music.
🎉 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.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Wilmington report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 68°F – Low: 54°F – Precip: 0%
Areas of fog before 10am. Mostly sunny. High near 68, with temperatures falling to around 62 in the afternoon. Northeast wind 1 to 6 mph. Later: Patchy fog after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. East wind around 5 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 74°F – Low: 59°F – Precip: 13%
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. Southeast wind 2 to 9 mph. Later: A chance of rain after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. South wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
This house is wild
About 2,500 square feet, two years young, this Riverlights home is in a completed section, 10 minutes to downtown Wilmington. A dedicated office leads to light filled living and dining open to a gourmet kitchen with quartz counters, a farmhouse sink, a gas cooktop with vented hood, and a walk in pantry. A mudroom and planning center link to the garage.
Upstairs brings three bedrooms, two baths, laundry, and a loft. The primary suite adds a custom closet and spa like bath. An upstairs balcony frames sunsets, and a screened porch, patio, and fenced yard expand outdoor space. Community perks include a marina, clubhouse, and pools.
Take a peek inside →
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