Delaware Day Trivia Brings Community Competition Statewide

☀️ Rise and Shine 302. If your group chat is already debating holiday plans, silence is a valid contribution.

Your 302 Rundown:

Let’s get to it

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If you are hunting for meaningful gifts this season, Out & About’s roundup of local shops makes it easy to shop small and surprise well. The list includes favorites like Lotus Lane in Bellefonte for vintage treasures, Bloom in Greenville for fashion finds, and Make & Mellow in Wilmington for a hands-on candle-making experience. From boutique jewelry to classic vinyl, each stop offers a dose of Delaware charm and creativity. Supporting these local spots keeps the holiday spirit close to home and ensures your presents will not feel like everyone else's.

ChristianaCare patients might want to give their credit reports a quick look. A recent vendor breach involving Cerner, now owned by Oracle, exposed some patient information earlier this year. According to a letter sent to patients, federal investigators initially asked Cerner not to disclose the incident, which delayed notification. The hospital system says its own IT systems were not involved, and it is already moving to a new electronic records vendor. As a precaution, affected patients are being offered free Experian credit monitoring with identity theft insurance. You can read more in this report from Delaware Business Now.

Gift season has arrived whether we are ready or not. Take a quick pulse check and see where you land in the shopping shuffle.

Main Street’s beloved Grassroots gift shop is wrapping up its 50th and likely final holiday season. Owner Marilyn Dickey, now in her 80s, plans to close next fall when her lease expires. Since 1975, Grassroots has been a local fixture for jewelry, clothing, and gifts with heart, as well as a gathering place for generations of Newark shoppers who prefer Main Street over malls. State officials stopped by last week to spotlight Small Business Saturday and remind residents that shopping local keeps Delaware’s economy strong. As Dickey reflects on five decades in retail, she is considering turning her space into a launch pad for new makers and small businesses.

Wilmington’s Salon Bartolo has opened its newly expanded space at 1942 Gilpin Avenue, marking a fresh chapter for the boutique salon that has become part of the Forty Acres community fabric. Co-owners Hailey and Bartolo say the added room allows for more stylists, new services like lashes, brows, and advanced skin care, and an even more relaxed experience for guests. The expansion reflects both the salon’s steady growth and the vitality of Forty Acres, where small businesses continue to thrive alongside the neighborhood’s walkable charm.

If your bill has not arrived in the mail yet, new New Castle County property tax bills are now available online. Delaware LIVE shared a step-by-step guide showing how to use the Parcel Search tool on the county website to view your updated assessed value, permits, and zoning details. The new bills reflect reassessment changes based on July 2024 property values, and payments are due by December 31. Seniors may also qualify for a $500 school tax credit if filed by April 30.

Nearly half of Delaware parents have drained their savings or gone into debt just to afford child care, according to a new survey from the First State Pre-K Coalition and Rodel. The report shows how the shortage of available spots, especially in Sussex County where there can be six kids for every daycare opening, is pushing families to the edge and hurting local businesses too. About 69% of employers say workers regularly miss shifts because of child care issues. Advocates are calling for higher income limits on subsidies and more investment to open centers and pay livable wages.

On Mondays, opening acts and exhibits are listed here when they debut. After that, you'll find individual dates in the regular Theatre/Arts listings.

Shrek the Musical at Delaware Theatre Company offers a lively, family-friendly take on the classic DreamWorks story, complete with big songs and a warm message about belonging. Catch the show throughout the season December 3 through 21.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. Just things worth knowing. I’ll always flag sponsors clearly.

If you like your dogs with big smiles and even bigger hearts, meet Bones. This six-year-old brindle sweetheart was found wandering a quiet cemetery, which sounds spooky until you meet him and realize he is pure sunshine. Bones is the kind of guy who trots right up to new dogs in the play yard, offers a friendly bounce, and then sits proudly like he just aced his first day of school. He is gaining confidence every day, loves hanging out with people, and has that gentle, expressive face that makes you feel like he understands every word you say.

Bones is ready to trade shelter life for a warm couch and a forever family. You can meet him at the BVSPCA’s New Castle campus. Your new best friend might be sitting there right now, wagging his tail.

This Giving Tuesday, every dollar you donate to the Brandywine Valley SPCA is matched, doubling your impact for animals like Bones. Your support helps provide medical care, soft beds, and the patient start these pets deserve. Make your gift go further at https://bvspca.org/giving-tuesday

Son Little with Candi Jenkins at Elkton Music Hall brings a rich mix of blues and soul from an artist known for a raw, steady sound. Monday at 8 PM, this 21 plus show pairs two strong performers for a solid night of live music.

Delaware Day Trivia Goes Statewide invites residents to test their First State knowledge in a fast-paced virtual game with cash prizes and local gathering spots. Thursday from 7-8 PM, join from home or stop by one of the New Castle County watch sites at Autumn Beer Project or the University of Delaware STAR Campus for a fun night of Delaware pride.

43 🌡️ 29 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 3% | 💨 NNW 13 mph

39 🌡️ 29 | 🌧️ Rain | 100% | 💨 N 12 mph

41 🌡️ 30 | ☀️ Sunny | 5% | 💨 NW 9 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 52ºF
Temperature readings taken from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach.

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