Longtime Hockessin Restaurant Closes After 20 Years

Rise and Shine, 302. Last newsletter of the year, and a genuine thank you is in order. What began in May now reaches nearly 10,000 readers, and I appreciate you being one of them. Thanks for continuing to show up.

Your 302 Rundown:

Let’s get to it

Uncle John's BBQ is the kind of place you go when you want a comfortable night out that does not try too hard. It is a casual, sit-down restaurant where the focus is on barbecue favorites, friendly service, and an easy pace that makes you want to stick around.

The menu covers the classics, smoked meats, familiar sides, and hearty plates that feel satisfying without being over the top. It works well for a simple dinner out or a last minute plan that still feels like you did something fun.

On Thursday through Saturday evenings, live music is part of the regular routine, especially once warmer weather rolls around. Local musicians, relaxed crowds, and good food all in one place make Uncle John’s an easy pick when you want dinner with a little atmosphere.

This question quietly divides households everywhere. There is no right answer, just strong opinions. Vote below and see how your take compares with everyone else.

If you need a reminder that winter is not a reason to hibernate, this is it. Out & About Magazine has published its annual Winter Session roundup, highlighting live music, theater, comedy, museums, and family-friendly events happening across Delaware from January through March. From big-name concerts and classic musicals to ballet, improv, museum programs, and kid-focused performances, the list is long and wide-ranging.

The takeaway is simple: there is no offseason for live entertainment here. Whether you are planning a date night, a family outing, or just looking for something different to do on a cold weekend, this guide is worth bookmarking.

If your holiday tree is starting to shed needles and side-eye you from the living room, there is a better ending than the curb. On Saturday, January 10, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is teaming up with the Delaware Center for Horticulture for TreeCycle, a family-friendly recycling event in Wilmington. Real trees get chipped into mulch and wood chips that go right back into local gardens and public spaces.

It runs from 9 am to 2 pm at the DCH parking lot on North Dupont Street, with a suggested $20 donation per tree supporting community forestry. Just remember to remove ornaments, lights, and stands first. Artificial trees are a no-go. It is a simple way to feel slightly smug about doing something good after the holidays.

New Year’s Eve plans locked in? Make the ride home the easiest decision of the night. The Delaware Office of Highway Safety is bringing back Sober Rides, offering $20 Uber or Lyft vouchers to help keep impaired driving off the roads.

Vouchers open at 3 pm on December 31 and are valid from 5 pm through 3 am on January 1. They are released in waves, so if you miss one, check back. This program exists for a reason. Late December consistently sees a spike in impaired driving crashes statewide, and this is a simple way to reduce the risk.

No lectures, no guilt. Just a free ride and a safer night for everyone. Grab a voucher and share the link with your group at MySoberRides.com.

Rising saltwater is not just a coastal issue anymore. A new Spotlight Delaware report looks at how creeping saltwater in New Castle County could stir up long-buried pollutants at old industrial sites along local waterways. Researchers warn that as saltwater pushes farther inland, it can trigger chemical reactions that release toxins like arsenic into surrounding water.

That matters here, because about 75 percent of northern Delaware residents rely on surface water for drinking. According to experts at the University of Delaware, the risk is not immediate, but it grows as sea levels rise and salty floodwaters reach places they never touched before. The concern is less about one site and more about the sheer number of legacy contaminated areas near rivers like the Christina.

It is a slow-moving issue, but one with real implications for drinking water and infrastructure. The full breakdown is worth a read

A long-time Hockessin fixture is now officially closed. 2 Fat Guys American Grill served its final meals on Sunday, ending a 20-year run as a familiar neighborhood spot for casual dinners, wings, burgers, and bar stools that rarely stayed empty.

The owner announced the decision last week, saying it came after looking ahead to 2026 and choosing not to continue into the new year. Over two decades, the restaurant became a default meeting place for friends, families, and regulars who did not need a menu to order.

There is no replacement announced and no big sendoff planned. Just the quiet closing of a place that was part of everyday life in Hockessin for a long time.

More signs that Avelo Airlines is settling in for the long haul. The airline is expanding again, this time adding a future base in a fast-growing Dallas suburb, while Wilmington Airport’s long-awaited terminal refresh is nearly complete. The local upgrades mean more space for boarding and better baggage flow at the aging terminal, just as passenger traffic edges toward a major milestone.

If current trends hold, Wilmington could see its one-millionth Avelo passenger as early as next year. That matters because it strengthens the case that regular commercial air service can work here, something skeptics have doubted for years. Add in Avelo’s new jet orders and broader network growth, and Wilmington starts to look less like an experiment and more like a proven base. Read the full story from Delaware Business Now.

Quietly but decisively, the Delaware Division of Small Business hit and exceeded its Race to $14M goal, unlocking the next $20 million round of federal funding for local entrepreneurs. Since April, more than $14.4 million has already gone out the door, supporting everything from food and retail shops to childcare centers and breweries across all three counties.

Why it matters: these programs help businesses that are often solid but not quite bank-ready get access to capital without carrying all the risk themselves. That means renovations, expansions, and growth that would otherwise stall. With Round 2 of funding expected this spring, the momentum is real.

A Spotlight Delaware report covers a new bipartisan bill that aims to change how Delaware fills vacant legislative seats, and it is all about shifting power back to voters. State Rep. Mara Gorman and State Sen. Eric Buckson have introduced legislation that would require primary elections in most special elections, instead of letting party committees pick candidates behind closed doors.

Supporters say the move would bring more transparency and legitimacy to a process that has drawn criticism after several high-profile special elections this year. Under the proposal, special elections would take a little longer, but voters would get to choose party nominees through a primary, just like in regular elections. Even party leaders have signaled support, framing it as a way to strengthen trust in the system.

It is early days, but this is one of those process changes that could quietly reshape how representation works in Delaware.

Good news for classrooms across the state. The Delaware Department of Education just landed an $8.7 million federal Education Innovation and Research grant, part of a major national investment in improving student learning.

The funding supports a project called Literacy for We the People, which blends evidence-based reading instruction with civics and history for students in grades 4 through 8. The idea is simple and smart: help kids become stronger readers while also building critical thinking and civic understanding. Delaware will work with the Center for Civic Education and the University of Delaware to scale practices that especially support high-need students.

This is one of those behind-the-scenes wins that can quietly shape classrooms for years.

After a prolonged chemical leak last month, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is requiring the Delaware City Refining Company to install real-time air pollution sensors along its property line. The order follows a butane release that lasted nearly 19 hours and was far larger than initially reported, ultimately totaling more than 108 tons of chemicals.

The refinery, owned by PBF Energy, sits within five miles of more than 86,000 residents. While DNREC says the incident did not pose a public health threat, the new sensors are meant to provide faster alerts and more transparency if future releases occur. The company has until February 20 to comply, unless it appeals the order.

This move reflects growing pressure for stronger oversight after repeated incidents at the site.

Meet El, a four-year-old mixed breed with soulful eyes and a heart that has clearly been through a lot. He was found running loose with a note explaining that his person could no longer care for him, which is a tough way to start a new chapter. But somehow, El has held onto his gentle, friendly spirit anyway.

El is the kind of dog who looks at you like he is rooting for you. He is resilient, calm, and ready to trade shelter life for a couch, a routine, and a family who will stick around. He is dog friendly, walks nicely on leash, and gives off strong loyal best friend energy.

If you have room in your home for a medium-sized guy who just wants safety, comfort, and consistency, El would love to meet you. He is currently waiting at the Brandywine Valley SPCA in New Castle, and his second chance could start with you.

Come meet El at the BVSPCA’s New Castle campus.

Zoo Year s Eve at Brandywine Zoo – Ring in the new year a little early with a kid-friendly morning celebration featuring sparkling apple cider, a group countdown, and a festive ball drop at noon, plus coffee for purchase from Lucky Shot Coffee. Wednesday from 9–11 AM; the celebration happens outdoors, so bundle up and plan ahead, as timed event tickets are required for zoo entry between 10 AM and 12 PM.

New Year s Eve Confetti Countdown at Delaware Children s Museum – Celebrate the new year early with a kid-friendly confetti countdown happening at 11 AM, noon, and 1 PM, filling the museum with music, energy, and plenty of festive flair. Wednesday from 11 AM–1 PM; the museum closes at 3 PM, making this a perfect midday outing for families.

New Years Eve at Zollies Jazz Cucina & 5 Shaw Alley – Start the evening with dinner from the regular menu before the celebration shifts out back to 5 Shaw Alley, where Lady DJ Slim spins 80s and 90s favorites to keep the party going. Wednesday from 4 PM–12 AM; last dinner seating is at 7:30 PM, with music at 5 Shaw Alley starting at 8 PM.

New Year s Eve 2026 at Tonic Seafood & Steak – Ring in the new year downtown with live jazz from pianist Mike Frank early in the evening, followed by Lyric Drive keeping the dance floor going right up to the countdown, plus a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Wednesday from 5:30 PM–12:30 AM; no cover charge all night.

New Year s Eve Riverfront Drone Light Show at Riverfront Wilmington – Welcome the new year with a free, family-friendly drone light show that fills the sky with a synchronized display of color, movement, and holiday magic along the riverfront. Wednesday at 6 PM; arrive early to grab a good viewing spot and enjoy the waterfront atmosphere before the show begins.

Bollywood NYE 2026 Party at The Opulent – Welcome 2026 with a high-energy Bollywood celebration featuring DJ Jeet on the decks, a full dinner buffet by Sugandh, dancing, a photo booth, and a champagne toast at midnight. Wednesday from 7 PM–12:30 AM; early bird tickets are available for this festive night of music and celebration.

NYE at Docklands: Welcome 20 Twenty-Six at Docklands Riverfront – Wilmington’s signature New Year’s Eve celebration returns with DJs, live music, and a high-energy dance floor leading straight into 2026. Wednesday from 8 PM–1 AM; this 21+ event features DJ Aktive, It’s All Good Band, and a full night of countdown-worthy vibes.

New Year s Eve 2026: Party Like It s 1995 at Delaware Park Casino – Celebrate the casino’s 30th anniversary with non-stop dancing, a champagne toast at midnight, and throwback fun featuring Madonna and Janet Jackson impersonators. Wednesday from 10:30 PM–1 AM; this 21+ party takes place in the Independence and Liberty Rooms, with tickets available in advance or at the door.

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

54 🌡️ 27 | 🌧️ Rain Early, Windy | 80% | 💨 W 24 mph

33 🌡️ 25 | 🌬️ Partly Cloudy & Windy | 0% | 💨 WNW 24 mph

37 🌡️ 24 | ⛅ Increasing Clouds | 5% | 💨 WSW 14 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 42ºF
Temperature readings taken from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach.

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