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☀️ Rise and Shine, 302. If we're ever in a situation where one of us needs to remember someone's name, I hope you were paying attention.
Your 302 Rundown:
La Fête celebrates its first year with local market
Hundreds oppose Bancroft apartment proposal
Speed cameras rotate across Newark
Let’s get to it
SPONSORED BY LA FÊTE
Come Celebrate La Fête's 1st year
Sunday, August 23 | 10 AM - 3 PM
As we celebrate our first full year, you are invited to join us in celebrating our community. La Fête is hosting a pop-up summer market featuring local vendors, farms, artists, live music and more! Join us for brunch during the event, or happy hour and dinner after.
Reservations suggested for brunch or dinner. The pop-up is free to attend and family-friendly.
Check out all of our upcoming events on our website.
À bientôt!
La Fête Restaurant
2530 Concord Pike
Wilmington, DE 19803
302.374.0779
lafetedelaware.com
CANAL QUIZ
☀️ How sunny is the First State?
Delaware gets its share of gray skies, thunderstorms, and days when the forecast seems to change by the hour. But how often do we actually get sunshine? Take your best guess.
NEWS YOU CAN USE
🏀 Delle Donne enters Basketball Hall of Fame
Source: Delaware Public Media
Delaware native Elena Delle Donne was officially inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. The former University of Delaware and Ursuline Academy player entered the hall during her first year of eligibility.
During her induction speech, Delle Donne credited the sport for helping her overcome childhood insecurities about her height. She also thanked her coaches, teammates, and family, dedicating a portion of her remarks to her older sister, Lizzie, who was born deaf and blind.
The induction follows a professional career that includes two WNBA MVP awards, a league championship, and an Olympic gold medal.
🅿️ Newark rolls out free 15-minute parking
Source: Newark Post
The City of Newark introduced a new parking program for its downtown lots. Drivers visiting the area can park for free for up to 15 minutes.
To promote the change, the city installed new signs featuring a cartoon rabbit holding a coffee cup. The short-term spots give people a brief window to run quick errands without paying a meter.
🌉 DelDOT reopens Library Avenue bridge early
Source: WDEL
DelDOT reopened the Library Avenue bridge over the Amtrak line in Newark, ending a closure that began in June. The Route 72 bridge between Wyoming Road and Route 4 is now fully accessible to drivers ahead of the fall semester at the University of Delaware.
Crews used the 68-day shutdown to replace the concrete deck and repair expansion joints on the 1979 structure. Deteriorating concrete had allowed water and chemicals to seep into the bridge supports. State officials opted for a full closure during the quieter summer months to speed up the repairs.
Because the contractor finished the work before the scheduled deadline, they will receive a completion bonus.
📸 Newark police rotate active speed camera locations
Source: WDEL
As University of Delaware students prepared to return to campus, Newark police reminded drivers that automated speed enforcement is active across the city. The mobile camera unit rotates through a series of preapproved locations to monitor traffic.
Violations caught by the automated system result in civil penalties rather than criminal charges. These tickets do not add points to a driver's record and do not affect insurance rates.
Police published a list of approved camera spots, which include sections of Capitol Trail, Paper Mill Road, and South College Avenue. Officials stated the program aims to encourage compliance with posted speed limits.
SPONSORED BY ABOVE THE CANAL EXPERIENCES
🍽️ Dinner Club is headed to Hockessin
The next Above the Canal Dinner Club is Wednesday, August 26 in Hockessin, and 110 people are already registered. That leaves just 10 seats for this one.
You'll be matched into a small group for dinner at a local restaurant, with the goal of meeting people you probably would not cross paths with otherwise. After registering, you'll complete a short questionnaire that helps us put the dinner groups together. We handle the matching, restaurant assignments, and logistics behind the scenes.
You'll find out where you're dining the evening before, then meet your group when you arrive.
Since launching in March, we've hosted five Dinner Clubs around northern Delaware, with an average of 86 people at each event. Hockessin will be number six.
Wednesday, August 26 at 6:30 PM. Registration is $20 per person, with food and drinks purchased separately.
IN BUSINESS
🛒 Chicago TREND to acquire Adams Four Shopping Center
Source: Delaware Business Now
Commercial real estate developer Chicago TREND signed a contract to acquire the Adams Four Shopping Center on Wilmington's Westside. The 82,912-square-foot retail complex has struggled to keep a supermarket anchor tenant since its Fresh Grocer store closed.
The developer plans to revitalize the property and attract a new grocery store to the neighborhood. Chicago TREND intends to retain current tenants, including a daycare, a health clinic, and a laundromat.
The company operates using a community-shared ownership model. This approach allows local residents to invest in the shopping center and become co-owners of the commercial property.
🛠️ Metal Supermarkets opens first Delaware franchise
Source: Delaware Business Now
Metal Supermarkets opened its first Delaware franchise in New Castle. The new location is owned and operated by a local husband-and-wife team, Joe and Megan Peronti, alongside their son Dante who manages the warehouse.
The company supplies small quantities of metal to businesses, contractors, and hobbyists. The 6,000-square-foot facility on McCullough Drive stocks thousands of metal types, grades, and shapes. Staff at the shop also offer cutting, shearing, hole punching, and bending services with no minimum order requirements.
The store operates Monday through Friday, serving customers across New Castle, Wilmington, and the surrounding areas.
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
🏢 Residents oppose proposed Bancroft Parkway apartment complex
Source: Delaware Online
About 200 Wilmington residents packed a city planning commission meeting to oppose a proposed apartment complex along Bancroft Parkway. Dozens more joined the session virtually.
Newark developer Tsionas wants to build The Bancroft at the corner of Bancroft Parkway and West 11th Street. Plans for the luxury apartment building include underground parking and space for a walk-up coffee shop.
🏫 Construction wraps up on new Hodgson school
Source: Newark Post
After three years of construction, the new Hodgson Vocational Technical High School is preparing to open its doors to students.
Principal Christine Colihan marked the completion of the facility, which provides updated space for vocational education.
With the building process finished, the campus is ready for regular classes to begin.
💸 Newark weighs tax hikes to close shortfall
Source: Newark Post
Newark officials are navigating a $2.3 million budget shortfall for the next fiscal year. City leaders kicked off the budget process Monday, warning residents to expect a mix of tax increases, fee hikes, and budget cuts.
The city is already planning an 8% water rate increase to fund treatment plant upgrades required by new federal regulations. Officials are also considering a separate annual fee for trash collection and taking a closer look at the police department, which accounts for more than half of the general fund.
Department budget hearings continue through September. The city council reviews final recommendations in October before a scheduled November vote.
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THE HAPPENINGS
Thursday
Sip & Stroll | Brandywine Zoo. An after-hours zoo visit featuring live music, a local food vendor, and craft beer and wine for sale. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for youth; zoo members are $5 and $3. Thursday 5-7:30 PM.
Sculpture Garden Happy Hours: Yacht Rock Night featuring Barely A Moment | Delaware Art Museum. A sculpture garden happy hour featuring yacht rock and 90s covers from the five-piece band Barely A Moment. The evening includes lawn games, arts and crafts vendors, local food trucks, and a cash bar. Thursday at 5 PM.
Third Thursdays on State Street | State Street, Kennett Square. An evening of alfresco dining, extended shopping, and family activities along a closed-off State Street. Parking is free in the E. Linden Street garage during the event. Thursday 5:30-10 PM.
Summer Concert Series: Charlie and the Cooltones | Bellevue State Park. A live outdoor performance at the Bellevue Bandshell for the 39th annual concert series, where attendees can pack a picnic or purchase meals from local food trucks. Thursday at 6:30 PM.
3rd Thursday Showcase: Michael Jenkins | Theatre N. A two-hour live performance by returning artist Michael Jenkins. The set explores the music of composers including Stevie Wonder, George Duke, and Jon Lucien. Thursday at 7 PM.
Friday
Bellefonte Arts Summer Shop & Stroll | Bellefonte Arts. A neighborhood pop-up featuring sidewalk artists selling handmade artwork along Brandywine Boulevard. The evening includes food trucks, music at the Bellefonte Cafe, and a farmers market at the Bellevue Community Center. Friday 5-8 PM.
Eyes of the Nile: Ultimate Tribute to Iron Maiden | Elkton Music Hall. An Iron Maiden tribute act performing a high-energy, technically focused live set. 21+. Friday at 8 PM.
Oliver Tree Tribute Night | The Queen Wilmington. A tribute night dedicated to Oliver Tree, held in The Crown at The Queen Wilmington, with doors opening at 7 PM. Friday at 8 PM.
Saturday
15th Annual Chesapeake City Lions Car Show | Chesapeake City. A community car show featuring live music by DJ Rich and the Old School Band, a 50/50 raffle, and door prizes drawn every 15 minutes. Saturday 8 AM - 3:30 PM.
Summer Concert Series: Five Foot Nothin | Delaware City Battery Park. A live outdoor set by Five Foot Nothin as part of the Delaware City Main Street summer concert series. Attendees bring chairs and blankets to the park. Free. Friday 4-6 PM.
Arena Flashback: 1976 - 1983 Arena Rock Experience | Elkton Music Hall. A live rock concert featuring the music of Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Loverboy, and Billy Squier, performed by a six-piece band. 21+. Saturday at 8 PM.
Fat Mezz | The Queen Wilmington. A South Jersey rock band whose sound draws from blues, jam, and psychedelia, with all four members trading lead and harmony vocals throughout the set. Saturday at 8 PM.
Sunday
Summer Concert Series: The Newspaper Taxis | Bellevue State Park. Part of the 39th annual Summer Concert Series at the Bellevue Bandshell, with food trucks on site and picnicking welcome. Sunday at 6:30 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.
FORECAST AT A GLANCE
Thursday
82 🌡️ 66 | ⛈️ Showers And Thunderstorms | 83% | 💨 E 0 to 5 mph
Friday
82 🌡️ 67 | 🌧️ Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers | 31% | 💨 NE 5 mph
Saturday
82 🌡️ 68 | ⛈️ Showers And Thunderstorms Likely | 67% | 💨 E 0 to 5 mph
Sunday
84 🌡️ 66 | ⛈️ Chance Showers And Thunderstorms | 42% | 💨 W 0 to 5 mph
💧🌡️ Water temperature = 76ºF. Temperature readings taken from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach.
THE NOT SO SHORTLISTS
🗓️ Looking for more than the handful of events featured above?
The full events calendar includes live music, festivals, classes, markets, family activities, community gatherings, and dozens more happenings across Northern Delaware.
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