Hello Wilmington! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Goat-scaping pilot, a silly goose celebration, and a Japanese star festival + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, 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. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Helping families stay healthy: Blue Cross NC’s $240,000 investment in NC MedAssist will bring a free medication event to Christ Community Church in Wilmington on July 24, with over-the-counter supplies and health education -- learn more about the event.
New shows join lineup: Wilson Center announced The Electric Light Orchestra Experience November 6, 2026, and comedian Jeff Arcuri April 23, 2027. Member tickets are available today, with Wilmington Symphony string players joining tribute -- check the new show lineup.
City makes room for goats: Wilmington City Council voted to amend animal waste rules, clearing the path for a goat-scaping pilot. A six to eight goat herd is under consideration, though waste management concerns remain -- see the goat-scaping plan.
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.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, 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. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Backyard plant goldmine: Whether your beds need pollinator-friendly natives, veggie starts you’ll actually use, or that one cool tropical you swear will thrive on the porch, New Roots Nursery grows a surprising variety right here in Wilmington and backs it up with friendly, nerd-level advice to get everything settled in.
Push start IRL: Retroscape - Gaming & Soda Lounge lines up playable systems from the 1970s to today, so your nostalgia actually gets a controller. Grab a soda and classic snacks, then lose an hour or three bouncing between retro hits and modern favorites with friends or the kids.
Reset by the river: When you need a low-effort, high-reward pause, Water Street Park delivers with benches, a fountain that politely drowns out your inbox, picnic tables for takeout lunches, tidy restrooms, and plant-filled corners that make downtown feel like a mini getaway.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🧒 Cyanotype Workshop for Kids Age 6 – 12 @ Art in Bloom Gallery | Wednesday (6/24) at 1:00 PM – Give the kids a screen-free win with a cyanotype workshop, ages 6 to 12 pair with a parent to make blue and white prints. All supplies provided, proof that sunlight does more than fade cushions. One parent and one child is $150, two kids $200.
🧚 Mary’s Art Explorers with Brightstar Theatre: Peter Pan @ Cameron Art Museum | Thursday (6/25) at 10:00 AM – CAM hosts a pint-sized Peter Pan, with Bright Star’s comic duo turning storytime into a playful show within a show. Perfect for infants, toddlers, and their patient wranglers, older siblings welcome. Adults and kids are $5, under 2 free.
🛵 Mr. Scooter @ UNCW Kenan Auditorium | Thursday (6/25) at 10:30 AM – Storytime gets a beat upgrade as Mr. Scooter, Wilmington’s own children’s librarian, rapper, and storyteller, turns books into bangers. Creator of Book Wrangler and Rap Battle of the Books, he drops hip-hop, humor, and audience shenanigans that kids adore, and adults secretly enjoy.
🎋 Japanese Star Festival - Tanabata (七夕) @ New Hanover County Arboretum | Friday (6/26) at 10:00 AM – Tanabata is rolling through town, which means stars, a timeless love story, and hopeful scribbles on colorful paper. Hear the tale of two sky-crossed lovers, then hang your wish on bamboo, because if they get one reunion a year, we can manage wishful thinking.
🎨 A High School Art Exhibition: In the Making @ Wilma W. Daniels Gallery | Friday (6/26) at 6:00 PM – The Wilma W. Daniels Gallery hosts a reception for New Hanover and Pender County students showing ceramics, sculpture, photography, drawing, and painting, all polished and brave. Proof that teenage angst can become art, not just a lyric notebook, and it might make you feel outclassed.
🪿 A Silly Goose Celebration @ Hollywood Feed | Saturday (6/27) at 12:00 PM – Goose, the shop's famously social greeter, is turning 3, and yes, we are now the kind of town that attends dog birthdays. Bring your well-mannered pets, canine or feline, for doggy cake, limited goodie bags, and a Wild Goose Chase scavenger hunt with free product.
🚴 Hawaiian Bicycle/Run/Walk Scavenger Hunt @ Waterline Brewing Company | Saturday (6/27) at 1:00 PM – Bike, walk, or jog your way through a downtown scavenger hunt, and finally give that loud Hawaiian shirt a real job. Team up or fly solo, chase clues for prizes, then end at Waterline with live music and beer that pairs nicely with questionable leis.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Wilmington report Weather forecastToday — High: 87°F — Low: 71°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 87. Northeast wind around 8 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 71. East wind 1 to 7 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 90°F — Low: 74°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 90. East wind 2 to 7 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 74. This house is wildThis 4,469-sq-ft new build by Coleman Fine Homes pairs polished style with serious entertaining appeal in The Oaks at Oyster Point. A two-story foyer, exposed wood beams, wine room, screened porch, and private pool set the tone, while the first-floor primary suite and upstairs flex, media, and covered porch spaces keep the layout effortlessly versatile.
Take a peek inside → |
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