Native Plant Sale Happening at Brandywine Zoo

Rise and shine, 302—peanuts aren’t nuts. They’re legumes, like beans and lentils, and they grow underground, not on trees. So peanut butter? It’s the most delicious bean dip you’ve been enjoying since kindergarten.

Your 302 Rundown:

• Zoo’s hosting a native plant sale this weekend

• UD’s Jewish community getting a new center

• Downtown office tower flips to apartments

• New bill offers school credit for firefighting

Let’s get to it

NEWS YOU CAN USE

🌿 Plant a little wild at the zoo!

The Brandywine Zoo's Spring Native Plant Sale is happening May 24–26 from 10 AM to 2 PM, right at the front gate—no zoo admission needed. For $30, you’ll get a 6-pack of native plants like goldenrod, beardtongue, milkweed, and more, all bundled with an easy-care guide.

These low-water plugs are pollinator magnets and perfect for sprucing up your garden with local flair. Plus, proceeds support the zoo’s conservation programs, so your green thumb does double duty.

Swing by, snag some plants, and give your garden—and local wildlife—a boost.

🏗️ UD Hillel Plans New Jewish Student Center

Big news for Blue Hens: UD Hillel is planning a brand-new Jewish student center on Delaware Avenue, just a few doors down from the current Kristol Center. The new building will offer more space and updated amenities to better serve the university’s 2,250 Jewish students. While the project is still in the early stages, it's a promising step forward for the campus.

This expansion reflects the growing needs of UD's Jewish student population and the university's commitment to supporting diverse student experiences.

IN BUSINESS

🏙️ 300 Delaware Ave. Goes Residential

Brandywine Realty Trust is flipping the script on 300 Delaware Ave. After a year of deliberation, the 17-story Wilmington high-rise is set to be transformed from office space into apartments. With office leasing returns dwindling, CEO Jerry Sweeney noted the building's potential for federal financing, including low-cost loans and tax credits.

Currently, TD Bank occupies the ground floor, while upper floors have seen declining occupancy. This move mirrors a broader trend of repurposing commercial spaces to meet residential demands.

For Wilmington, it's a strategic shift towards revitalizing downtown living. More residents mean more vibrancy—and perhaps a new favorite coffee spot just around the corner.

📉 Delaware’s Unemployment Ticks Up

Delaware’s jobless rate nudged up to 3.9% in April, up from 3.7% in March. That’s still below the national average of 4.2%, but it’s the highest Delaware has seen in a year. Wilmington saw the sharpest increase, rising to 5.4%.

The state added 1,200 nonfarm jobs last month, with healthcare and education leading the way. But food service and hospitality took a hit, shedding 1,500 jobs over the past year.

It’s a mixed bag: some sectors are thriving, others are struggling. For job seekers, it’s a reminder to keep an eye on industry trends.

PUT IT ON YOUR RADAR

🎶 Ladybug’s Back — and She’s Bringing the Buzz

Wilmington’s favorite all-female-fronted music fest is fluttering back on Friday, May 30! The Ladybug Music Festival is taking over Market Street with 30+ women-led acts, including headliner Margaret Glaspy — known for her raw, soulful sound and NPR-approved vibes.

Expect music on multiple stages, tasty bites from local vendors like Zaikka Indian Grill and Shore Fire Food by Chef Robbie Jester, and a community block party that’s as empowering as it is fun.

It’s the kind of night that makes you proud to call Wilmington home.

🇬🇷 Opa! Greek Fest Returns to Wilmington

Get ready to shout "Opa!" because the Holy Trinity Greek Festival is back from June 2–7 at 808 N. Broom Street. This beloved event transforms Wilmington into a slice of Greece with homemade delicacies like spanakopita, moussaka, and baklava, plus live music and traditional dancing.

Admission is free, and curbside pickup is available for those craving Greek flavors on the go. It's a week-long celebration of culture, cuisine, and community you won't want to miss.

For more details and to place orders, visit the festival's website.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

🔥 High schoolers, meet your new elective: firefighting!

A new bill in Dover could let teens trade textbooks for turnouts — and earn graduation credit for it. Under House Bill 171, Delaware students who volunteer 45 hours per semester at a local fire company (for two semesters) could snag one elective credit.

It’s a smart move for both sides: fire departments get much-needed help, and teens get hands-on experience, training, and a taste of that ride-or-die camaraderie firefighters swear by.

If this passes, your high schooler could graduate with more than just credits — they could walk away with lifelong friendships and a serious résumé booster.

FORECAST AT A GLANCE

Wednesday
56 🌡️ 50 | 🌧️ | 97% | 💨 ESE 13 mph (11 knots)

Thursday
58 🌡️ 50 | 🌦️ | 54% | 💨 NE 7 mph (6 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 61ºF
Temperature readings taken from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach.

WEEKNIGHT SOCIAL

Wednesday

• Bellefonte Brewing Company | Dungeons and Drafts | 7—10 PM

• Bellefonte Brewing Company | General Knowledge Quizzo | 7—9 PM

• Chancery Market | Quizzo with Mack | 6—8 PM

• Christiana Pub | Music Bingo | 7—9 PM

• Finnegan’s Pub | Music Bingo with Gina B! | 7—8 PM

• Grain KSQ | Classic Bingo w/ Madison | 7—9 PM

• Homebase | Video Bingo | 8 PM

• Kelly’s Logan House | Drag Bingo | 7—9 PM

• McGlynns People's Plaza | Music Bingo | 8:30—10:30 PM

• McGlynns Pike Creek | Music Bingo | 8:30—10:30 PM

• Trolley Tap House | Geeks Who Drink Quiz | 8—10 PM

• Twisted Irons Craft Brewing | Music Video Bingo | 7:00 PM

• Wilmington Brew Works | Small Batch Trivia w/ Geeks Who Drink | 7—9 PM

Thursday

• Autumn Arch Beer Project | Team Trivia | 7:00 PM

• Chancery Market | Music Bingo with DJ Taven | 6—8 PM

• Grain H2O | Matt’s Classic Bingo | 7—9 PM

• Wilmington Brew Works | BoomBox Bingo | 7—9 PM

LIVE MUSIC

Wednesday

• Chesapeake Inn | Conley & Watson | 6—9 PM

• Deer Park Tavern | DJ Amaze | 8:00 PM

• Homebase | Karaoke w/ American Idol Jenni Schick | 8:30—11:30 PM

• Kid Shelleen’s Branmar Plaza | Ted Stewart | 6—8 PM

• Klondike Kate’s | Elektra Ryan | 9—11 PM

• Saint Georges Country Store | Jerry DiAngelo | 6—9 PM

• The Reef Seafood & Steak | 4w5 Blues Jam | 7:00 PM

Thursday

• Academy Building Lawn | Newark Spring Concert Series | 7—8 PM

• Argilla Brewing Co | Open Mic Night | 7—11 PM

• Bar XIII | Asylum 13 Presents DJ Brad Scott | 9:00 PM

• Bellefonte Brewing Company | Tim Jaudon | 7—10 PM

• Chesapeake Inn | The Everafter | 6—9 PM

• Christiana Pub | Karaoke Night | 9 PM—1 AM

• Deer Park Tavern | DJ Niknax & DJ Joey G | 9:00 PM

• Grain Exchange | Troll Tribe | 5—9 PM

• Hummingbird to Mars | Encore | 7—10 PM

• Kelly’s Logan House | Ed Dwornik & Friends | 5—8 PM

• Kelly’s Logan House | DJ Willoughby | 10 PM—Closing

• Klondike Kate’s | Nelli | 10 PM—1 AM

• Klondike Kate’s | Tiz | 10 PM—1 AM

• Nomad | R&B Night w/ DJ Shaun Klassic | 8—11 PM

• Saint Georges Country Store | Joey Fulkerson | 6—9 PM

• The Reef Seafood & Steak | Joe Pettis & Friends | 7:00 PM

• Tonic Seafood & Steak | DJ Hugh in Lounge | 4—7 PM

APPRECIATE YA!

That’s it for now — tell a friend, impress a coworker, confuse a stranger. Just don’t keep it to yourself.

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