Extreme Boat Docking Comes To Chesapeake City

☀️ Rise and Shine, 302. Pick one thing to look forward to, even if it’s mostly bread.

Your 302 Rundown:

Let’s get to it

Two hands-on art experiences are coming up in early October. No art experience is needed for either one.

🎨 Oct. 2: Trading Card Social at Sarafina Art House

Create original art cards, see what others make, and trade finished cards with the group.

See the Trading Card Social

✂️ Oct. 6: Collage Night at Newark Arts Alliance

Learn collage techniques and create your own piece with instructor Mary Jane Arden. Materials are provided.

See Collage Night

Both workshops still need a few more registrations to move forward. Come on your own or bring someone with you.

Looking for Dinner Club instead? Historic New Castle Dinner Club is Sept. 30 at 6:30 PM.

We're testing your knowledge of the buildings behind some familiar local names. Which of these businesses now occupies a former scientific laboratory?

Source: Delaware Business Now

If you are watching the pump price, a few Northern Delaware stations are holding the line at the low end of the statewide range. Costco on Center Boulevard South in Newark, BJ's in New Castle, and a Wawa and BJ's on Kirkwood Highway in Elsmere are all tied at $4.07 per gallon for regular fuel, the lowest prices tracked across the state.

A handful of other local stations land at $4.19, including Speedy Gas locations on Capitol Trail in Newark and Kirkwood Highway in Elsmere, plus a Sunoco on West Ridge Road in Claymont. Prices are based on GasBuddy data and can shift day to day.

Source: WDEL

The University of Delaware moved up three spots to number 85 in the annual national university rankings. The school also placed 40th in the public schools category and secured a fifth-place ranking for its chemical engineering program.

Other local institutions saw shifts in their standing. Delaware State University moved from 10th to 16th in the historically Black colleges and universities category. Wilmington University tied for 382nd among national universities, while Goldey-Beacom College tied for 141st in the northern regional universities group.

The publication assigned overall scores out of 100 to the state's four-year schools. The University of Delaware received a 65, and Delaware State earned a 35.

Source: Newark Post

Crews began demolishing the former Chapel Street Playhouse in Newark to make way for a new student housing complex. Lang Development Group plans to replace the 77-year-old brick building and an adjacent duplex with a four-story apartment building.

The redevelopment is the final step of a land-swap agreement between the developer and the community theater organization. In exchange for the property at 27 North Chapel Street, Lang constructed a larger, modernized theater for the Chapel Street Players on Creek View Road.

The new residential building will feature a ground-floor parking garage and lobby, topped by 21 two-bedroom apartments.

Source: UD Review

The owner of a Wilmington wellness center expanded her urban farming operation to a 1.25-acre plot in West Grove, Pennsylvania. Melvina Brown secured a free lease for the land to grow fresh produce for local farmers markets and community fridges.

Rather than farming the entire plot alone, Brown established a cooperative model to provide growing space for Black and Indigenous farmers. Growers in the program lease their sections for just $1 a year, sharing resources and knowledge to sustain their crops.

The expansion moved ahead of schedule with help from university interns and community volunteers. The site will eventually feature a greenhouse and an outdoor learning space.

Source: Newark Post

The City of Newark explored a homestead tax exemption to offer property tax relief to residents who live in their own homes. The proposal would apply to owner-occupied properties without rental permits, lowering their taxable assessments.

The discussion came as the city looked to close a $2.7 million budget shortfall through an expected tax increase. A proposed $75,000 exemption would shield homeowners from the brunt of the hike, shifting more of the tax burden onto commercial properties and rentals. Officials favored this approach over a split tax rate to avoid incentivizing rental properties and protect local businesses.

City Council members signaled support for the measure. A final decision will happen during the budget vote on November 2.

Source: Newark Post

Newark City Council voted to legalize live entertainment venues, reversing a ban that stood since the late 1990s. The new ordinance allows dedicated music and performance spaces to open in the central and general business districts.

Under the updated rules, venues can sell alcohol during performances but must secure a special-use permit from the city. The change also allows existing restaurants to host amplified bands, collect cover charges, and rearrange tables to create dance floors.

The relaxed restrictions clear the way for Stella's, a proposed music venue planned for the Newark Shopping Center. The space is expected to open in early 2027, pending final permit approvals.

Source: Spotlight Delaware

The Delaware Department of Education drafted a five-tier accountability framework to address low test scores across the state. Education Secretary Cindy Marten presented the proposal to the state board of education, outlining steps to intervene in consistently underperforming schools.

Under the proposed system, schools failing to show progress could face state-directed operational changes or staffing adjustments. If those interventions fail, the state could place individual schools into receivership, taking over operations and appointing new leadership until conditions improve. The draft plan also includes a last-resort option to hold back third-graders who fall significantly behind in reading and writing.

The department plans to finalize the framework and prepare legislation for the upcoming session in January.

Source: Spotlight Delaware

Wilmington redirected $1.15 million in returned corporate incentive funds to purchase four properties in the Quaker Hill neighborhood. The city bought the land along West 7th Street using money recovered from pharmaceutical company Incyte after it scaled down its downtown headquarters project.

City officials issued a request for proposals to transform the sites into a mix of commercial space and housing. The project guidelines require the new construction to include affordable housing units alongside market-rate apartments and ground-floor retail.

The acquired properties consist of existing mixed-use buildings and a vacant lot. Developer proposals for the redevelopment project are due October 16.

Source: State of Delaware News

The Delaware Supreme Court unanimously upheld the state's permanent absentee voting statute, denying a legal challenge from State Senator Gerald Hocker. The ruling affirmed an earlier Chancery Court decision that kept the voting option in place.

Justices determined the existing law does not expand absentee voting eligibility beyond what the Delaware Constitution already permits. Hocker previously filed a nearly identical lawsuit in 2024, which the court also rejected.

With the legal challenge resolved, election officials proceeded with preparing ballots for mailing. Thousands of voters who qualify due to military service, age, or disability retained their permanent absentee status.

Source: UD Review

Newark’s off-campus neighborhoods keep seeing older properties give way to taller student housing. Near Benny Street and Lovett Avenue, Delaware Ave, LLC is building 12 three-story, seven-bedroom townhouse-style apartments where two homes, a vacant church and a parking lot were demolished in June.

The project needed City Council approval after planning concerns over design, landscaping and fencing, plus a land-use change from low-density to high-density residential. City planners say many proposals in transition areas near Chapel Street, New London Road and Haines Street need similar approvals.

Council members are also looking at height rules for business and high-rise districts, including possible lower caps for discretionary approvals.

Horror Fest Film Festival | Downtown Wilmington. A four-day independent horror cinema event featuring over 100 feature and short films, filmmaker panels, a costume competition, and a student showcase. Day passes are $60; student passes are $50. Thursday, 11 AM - 12 AM; Friday, 11 AM - 10:30 PM; Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 AM - 10:30 PM.

Dance Jubilee | Tina Betz Urban Artist Exchange. A Cityfest all-styles dance battle, part of a two-day community dance program with workshops, a block party, local youth and adult companies, and a Rennie Harris closing performance. Friday, 6:45-9:30 PM, Saturday, 2-9:30 PM.

A Taste of Coverdale | Coverdale Farm Preserve. A fundraising dinner featuring locally grown food, complimentary Dogfish Head beer and cocktails, optional guided nature strolls, and a silent auction. Tickets are $195. Thursday 4:30-8 PM.

Scialla | DECO Food Hall. A weekly social gathering designed for connection, community, and meeting new people over dinner and craft cocktails. The evening features live music from 6-8 PM before transitioning to a DJ set. Thursday 6-10 PM.

Comedy Night | The Sugar Bowl at Brandywine Park. An outdoor show featuring music from power duo Hot Breakfast! and audience-suggested sets by Fearless Improv. Attendees should bring chairs; drinks are available for purchase and boxed dinners can be pre-ordered. Tickets are $20, or $15 for members, and free for children 10 and under. Thursday 6-8 PM.

Fort Folk Fest featuring Red Smith | Fort DuPont State Park. The season finale of Fort DuPont's outdoor music series features Wilmington-based singer-songwriter Red Smith, whose sound blends Americana, bluegrass, country, and blues rock. Friday 6:30-8:30 PM.

Fourth Fridays: Musical Comedy Night | Drip Cafe Hockessin. A musical comedy night featuring performances by Todd Chapelle, Rob Paravonian, and Carla Ulbrich, with food and drinks available for purchase. Tickets are $20. Friday at 5:30 PM.

Chesapeake City Extreme Boat Docking Festival | Chesapeake City. A waterfront competition where captains reverse single-screw Chesapeake workboats in a timed race to lasso docking pilings, featuring live music, food vendors, and $10 Crush specials. Saturday 10 AM - 6 PM.

Art on the Green | New Castle Green. An annual art and craft show in Battery Park along the Delaware River, sponsored by the New Castle Hundred Lions Club. Saturday 10 AM - 4 PM.

Discover Winterthur | Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library. An admission-free day across the estate with garden and gallery access, crafting, story time, community partner tables, wool spinning and weaving demonstrations, music, a curator-led gallery walk, and a hand-embroidery workshop for ages 15 and up. Activities run until 4 PM, with museum and galleries open until 5 PM. Saturday 10 AM - 4 PM.

Annual Art & Craft Show | Woodside Farm Creamery. An outdoor juried market at the farm featuring local artists and makers selling paintings, sculptures, and handcrafted goods. Free admission and free parking. Saturday 11 AM - 5 PM.

Fall Fun by the Fire - Fall Jamboree | Mt. Cuba Center. An autumn evening featuring live music, lawn games, guided tours, and haywagon rides through the natural lands. Garden admission is included, with food, beer, wine, and s'mores available for purchase around the fire pits. Tickets are $10 to $25. Saturday 5-8 PM.

Hero Day | Newark Charter High School. A free family event honoring children and teens battling childhood cancer, with superhero character meet-and-greets (Captain America and Spider-Man), an obstacle course, jousting arena, tactical laser tag, face painting, a villain scavenger hunt, and on-site food trucks. Attendees can also donate blood through the Blood Bank of Delmarva, donate hair, or join the NMDP Bone Marrow Registry. Free. Sunday 11:30 AM - 3 PM.

Wine & Dinosaurs | Delaware Museum of Nature & Science. A 21+ tasting festival featuring food, wine, spirits, craft beer from local breweries, a silent auction, and live music. Tickets are $100 for members, $120 for non-members. Sunday 12:30-4 PM.

Delaware Bridal & Wedding Expo | Chase Center on the Riverfront. A showcase of wedding professionals offering services from gowns and reception venues to photography and honeymoon planning. Free with an advance pass, or tickets are $10 at the door. Sunday 1:30-5 PM.

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) (Revised) (Again) | Rockwood Park & Museum. A 100-minute comedic performance by Delaware Shakespeare that races through all 36 of the playwright's works. The tour finale features live music, physical comedy, and audience interaction on a minimal set in the gardens. Sunday 5-8 PM.

More happenings we couldn’t fit in the newsletter.

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

Thursday

68 🌡️ 53 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 0% | 💨 NE 15 mph

Friday

71 🌡️ 56 | ⛅ Partly Sunny | 12% | 💨 N 15 mph

Saturday

71 🌡️ 57 | 🌧️ Slight Chance Rain Showers | 22% | 💨 N 10 mph

Sunday

71 🌡️ 58 | ⛅ Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny | 23% | 💨 NW 5 to 10 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 75ºF. Temperature readings taken from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach.

The full events calendar includes live music, festivals, classes, markets, family activities, community gatherings, and dozens more happenings across Northern Delaware.

Submit an event →

We’ve been getting a lot of love lately (thank you!). But here’s a little behind-the-scenes truth: when you click on things in this newsletter—links, polls, even the little “Read more” button—it tells the internet powers-that-be that Above the Canal is something people care about.

So if you like what you’re reading, tap below and let us know. It’s a small gesture that helps this whole local thing keep growing.

Thanks for reading. Share this with the person whose messages never feel like an interruption.

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up
If Above the Canal adds value to your day, consider supporting it.
Let’s make it official—follow us on Facebook and Instagram.