Lefty’s Alley & Eats Is Opening in Newark

☀️ Rise and Shine, 302. Fewer distractions makes it easier to spot what matters.

Your 302 Rundown:

Let’s get to it

Live music is on at Uncle John’s BBQ this Friday from 6 to 8 pm. Stop in and catch a local performer while you eat, or call ahead for take out if you are headed home. The full menu is available for pickup, and delivery is an option too. Smoked meats, comfort sides, and live local music when it matters most, the start of the weekend. You can see the full menu online.

This is one of those tiny moments that somehow says a lot. Same store, same basket, completely different mindset depending on where you check out. Some people breeze through self-checkout like pros, others grit their teeth and power through, and some will wait it out every time. Which camp are you in?

Delaware takes the spotlight this week as The Conspiracists makes its world premiere on Thursday, January 8, at the Grand Opera House. Shot almost entirely in the First State and set in Wilmington as itself, the 92-minute comedy blends satire and sibling drama around a conspiracy theory convention that spirals in unexpected ways.

Directed by Michael Perrie Jr., the film leans heavily on local locations, crews, and cast members, with production anchored at King Creative. The red-carpet premiere is a rare hometown debut for a feature film made here, by local talent, and it lands in the same city that helped bring it to life.

Visit thegrandwilmington.org for tickets to the 1/8 premiere, or stream online starting 1/9.

As Delaware gears up for America’s 250th birthday, the Delaware 250 grant program just closed its final round, bringing total support to $334,000 across 47 projects statewide. The latest awards include funding for historical exhibits, documentaries, cultural events, and preservation work.

This includes a scout-led heritage trail, a bilingual event series, and restoration work at the historic Ebenezer Church. It’s all part of a push to ensure communities across all three counties are represented in the Semiquincentennial year.

You can see what’s funded and how to submit your own event at delaware250.org.

Avelo Airlines is ending its deportation charter flights and scaling back routes as it refocuses operations around a smaller group of core airports, including Wilmington’s ILG. The airline will cut service to cities like Nashville, Jacksonville, and Atlanta, while maintaining three 737-800 aircraft and around 100 crew members in Delaware.

The decision follows the closure of Avelo’s Phoenix-Mesa base and comes amid changes to its broader business model. Company officials say the shift is about streamlining and positioning for future growth, with a new Texas base planned in late 2026.

On the morning of December 31, a group of local runners pieced together a full marathon route through Pike Creek, White Clay, and downtown Newark. They called it “26.2 to Ring in ‘26” and hit the streets in shifts as early as 5 a.m. to make it happen.

Some are friends of mine, and while I did not join this time, it was fun to see familiar names in the mix. No race bibs, no medals, just cold air, good company, and a solid way to start the year.

The full write-up with the details from the Newark Post.

Joe Janssen Jr., longtime owner of Janssen’s Market in Greenville, passed away on December 15 at age 85. He took over the family business at just 24 and spent five decades growing it into a well-loved destination for gourmet and everyday groceries.

Janssen was known for adapting with the times, from adding a prepared foods section to expanding the store footprint in response to nearby competition. His legacy continues under the leadership of his daughter, Paula.

More on his life and impact at Delaware Business Times.

Longwood Gardens’ Winter Wonder returns Jan 16 through Mar 22, swapping gray skies for green palms, tropical plants, and colorful blooms inside the conservatories. It’s all about texture, color, and warmth when the world outside feels anything but.

From Feb 13 to Mar 8, Garden Glow adds evening hours with glowing lights and dramatic floral installations that change throughout the season. Day-and-night admission is included, so you can make a whole day of it.

Lewes favorite, Lefty’s Alley & Eats, has signed a 10-year lease at The Grove in Newark, bringing bowling, axe throwing, arcade games, and even a game show studio to the Route 273 redevelopment. The 55,000-square-foot entertainment center is set to open in June 2026.

This will be Lefty’s second location and one of the few spots on the East Coast offering The Game Show Experience, an immersive, TV-style game led by live hosts.

The Grove, now 85% leased, continues to grow with tenants like First Watch, The Picklr, and Bonchon.

A new creative workspace is officially opening in downtown Wilmington this week. Indigo Studios will mark its grand opening with a ribbon cutting on Thursday, January 8, at noon, at 625 N Orange Street, in partnership with the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce.

The studio is designed as a centralized production space, with rooms for podcasting, music recording, photography, videography, live streaming, and editing, plus green screens, voice-over booths, rehearsal areas, and shared collaboration space. The event is open to the community and includes tours of the facility for anyone curious about how the space can support creative projects and small businesses in Wilmington.

Delaware has released a 2025 update to its Climate Action Plan, aiming to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The plan focuses on reducing emissions from transportation, electricity, and industry, while emphasizing cleaner air, walkable communities, and better land conservation.

It builds on the 2021 version and includes feedback from more than 2,300 Delawareans through public workshops, surveys, and briefings. Officials say the plan is designed to evolve as new data, technology, and public input emerge.

Landlords in Delaware can no longer reject rental applications just because the tenant uses a Section 8 housing voucher, thanks to a new law that took effect January 1. The update to the state’s Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on source of income, including federal rental assistance.

According to Spotlight Delaware, landlords must now provide another reason if they deny an applicant with a voucher. Supporters say this opens up more housing options across the state, though critics argue that federal requirements tied to the program still create challenges.

A proposed three-story apartment building on West Delaware Avenue drew sharp criticism from Newark’s planning commission, which voted 5–2 against recommending approval. Several commissioners called the design out of place and compared it to a stacked row of mobile homes or a beach rental.

The project would replace a 1900s rental home with three units, each with three bedrooms, and includes several requests for code variances. While the planning commission's vote is advisory, the final decision now moves to city council.

Caesar Rodney School District is stepping up its outreach ahead of a February 9 referendum that could raise school taxes for the first time since 2023. That last attempt failed by a wide margin, but this time the district is focusing on better communication.

They’ve added a tax calculator and detailed referendum breakdowns to their district website, and they are hosting two public info sessions: one in person and online on January 15, and another virtual-only on February 5.

If approved, the $6.1 million would support school safety, staff hiring and retention, and student services.

Wilmington has partnered with Friendship House to oversee services at Christina Park, the city’s only sanctioned homeless encampment. The nonprofit will handle sanitation, case management, security coordination, and connect residents with housing, health, and job services.

A three-stall portable restroom is set to arrive January 12, with mobile showers expected this spring. The city signed a six-month contract with Friendship House and plans to use opioid settlement funds to help support the work.

The Delaware Department of Education is looking for local sponsors to join the Child and Adult Care Food Program. This federal initiative helps childcare centers, afterschool programs, family daycares, and adult daycares serve nutritious meals, with reimbursement for up to two meals and a snack per person daily.

Eligibility is based on income, and the program covers locations across the state. If you run or know of a site that could benefit, this could be a great opportunity to support your community.

The Conspiracists at Copeland Hall at The Grand Wilmington brings a Delaware-made comedy mockumentary to the big screen with a full red carpet experience, world premiere screening, and live Q&A with the filmmakers and cast. Thursday at 8 PM. Follow two siblings whose plans for an all-inclusive conspiracy convention unravel, revealing rival ambitions and a much bigger mystery at play, all played for laughs.

Art Loop Wilmington. Friday starting at 5 PM. Pop in and out of galleries, shops, and cultural spaces for opening receptions and new exhibitions, and catch the Art Loop Shuttle (5:30-8:30 PM) starting at The Delaware Contemporary to hop between stops.

Dancing at The Grand: Country Line Dancing with Rob Holley at Studio 1 brings guided instruction and nonstop country favorites led by award-winning DJ and choreographer Rob Holley. Friday from 7 to 10 PM. Dust off your boots, learn the steps, and stick around for the cashless bar, with $7 admission available online or at the door.

Colin Quinn at The Baby Grand – The Baby Grand. The legendary New York comic brings his sharp, fast-talking stand-up and cultural commentary to Wilmington, drawing on decades of comedy from SNL, Comedy Central, and the Broadway stage. Friday at 8 PM.

The Collingwood x The Low Sundays at The Crown at The Queen pairs two heavy-hitting acts for a night of high-energy metal with doors opening early for an all-ages crowd. Friday at 8 PM. Expect loud riffs, fast tempos, and a packed floor as these bands take over one of Wilmington’s most intimate stages.

Rest and Revelry Trivia Night at Brandywine Zoo invites adults to test their animal knowledge during a lively after-hours trivia night, complete with snacks, drinks, and up-close encounters with ambassador animals. Saturday from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Gather your team, tackle creature-themed questions, and compete for bragging rights and a special trophy in this 21+ zoo experience.

Lez Zeppelin:Tribute to Led Zeppelin at Elkton Music Hall brings the magic of Led Zeppelin's epic album, Physical Graffiti, to life with note-for-note renditions of all 15 songs. Experience the mysticism, rock, and elegance of this iconic album, accompanied by a unique multimedia presentation. Saturday at 8 PM.

Thea Vidale at Studio 1 at The Grand Wilmington features a no-holds-barred night of grown-folks comedy headlined by the trailblazing stand-up star, with Reverend Bob Levy and DJ-K rounding out the lineup. Saturday at 8:30 PM. Expect raw, unapologetic laughs and an adults-only vibe that does not pull any punches.

Dale Watson His Lonestars at Elkton Music Hall deliver a true-to-roots country show fueled by honky-tonk grit and rockabilly swagger. A prolific songwriter with more than 30 albums and a career spent sharing stages with legends like Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash, Watson brings an authentic, no-frills sound. Sunday at 7 PM.

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

54 🌡️ 35 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 11% | 💨 NW 6 mph

55 🌡️ 47 | 🌦️ Scattered Showers | 48% | 💨 S 10 mph

49 🌡️ 46 | 🌧️ Rain | 94% | 💨 ENE 11 mph

47 🌡️ 30 | ⛅ Partly Cloudy | 23% | 💨 WNW 16 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 39ºF Temperature readings taken from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach.

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