Rockwell's on Main opens in Newark

☀️ Rise and Shine, 302. You have survived every haircut you were unsure about. There is probably a lesson in there somewhere.

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.

Brew HaHa! didn't always have coffee shops scattered around northern Delaware. Can you identify where the first location got things started?

Source: State of Delaware News

The Delaware Office of Unclaimed Property mailed over $1.2 million in unclaimed funds directly to about 10,000 taxpayers. The state distributed the money through its annual Money Match program, which automatically sends checks to eligible residents without requiring a claim.

Officials use data from personal income tax returns to locate the owners of forgotten assets. These funds often come from old bank accounts, uncashed paychecks, and unreturned utility deposits that businesses must turn over to the state.

The automated program has returned more than $6 million to Delaware residents over seven years. Taxpayers who do not receive a check can still search for missing funds through the state website or a national database.

Source: WDEL

A movie production is bringing temporary street closures to the heart of New Castle. Armory Films is shooting a project titled "Unaccompanied Minor" in the city this week.

Filming requires traffic control and street closures on Thursday and Friday. Crews are installing a fake traffic light at the intersection of Delaware Street and Fifth Street. The prop light will be turned off when cameras are not rolling, and drivers should continue to obey the existing stop signs.

Driveways are not being blocked, and homes and businesses remain reachable during the work. People interested in extra roles can inquire through the posted casting information.

Source: Delaware Business Now

The i.g. Burton Auto Group acquired Willis Ford in Smyrna, expanding its footprint to 16 dealerships across Delaware and Maryland. The location took the new name i.g. Burton Ford of Smyrna.

The purchase gave the Milford-based company its first Ford store to add to a lineup that includes Chevrolet, Jeep, and BMW. Willis retained ownership of its separate Chevrolet dealership in the town. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The acquisition followed a broader consolidation trend in the regional auto market. Company leaders began overseeing the transition to integrate the location into the broader network.

Source: Newark Post

Rockwell's on Main opened its doors in downtown Newark, taking over the former Iron Hill Brewery space on East Main Street. The new steakhouse is owned by Gianmarco Martuscelli, who also operates the nearby Klondike Kate's.

The menu centers on steaks, alongside a discounted meal available exclusively to University of Delaware students with a valid ID. The restaurant features private dining areas, weekend brunch, and interior decor highlighting local university sports history.

To address downtown parking shortages, the business partnered with the city to offer a valet service for guests. If the pilot program succeeds, the owners hope to expand the valet option to other Main Street restaurants.

Source: Spotlight Delaware

About 300 automatic license plate reader cameras, most sold by a company called Flock Safety, are installed across Delaware, funded by tax dollars. Law enforcement agencies have been operating them without any statewide oversight standards in place.

Georgetown Police Lt. Joel Diaz walked through how his department uses the cameras, including 30-day data deletion, monthly audits, and a public transparency portal he is working to publish. Newark community advocate Amy Roe, who filed public records requests and found more than 4,000 Flock searches conducted by Newark officers last year, said she still cannot get answers on data-sharing agreements with outside agencies.

State law enforcement commissions are drafting model guidelines covering data retention, access, and auditing. Finalized standards are expected to come up at the Police Officer Standards and Training Commission meeting scheduled for October 13 in Dover.

Source: Spotlight Delaware

State officials and developers broke ground on the long-planned Port of Wilmington expansion in Edgemoor. While dignitaries celebrated the start of construction inside the former DuPont chemical plant, a group of residents gathered outside the gates to protest the project.

The new container shipping terminal is expected to cost around $669 million, which includes more than $110 million in state taxpayer funding. Supporters point to the potential for thousands of new jobs, but opponents have raised concerns about environmental impacts, traffic congestion, and whether automation will limit actual hiring.

Several lawsuits aimed at halting the development remain pending in court. Representatives for the port operator stated they plan to continue meeting with neighbors as the project moves forward.

Source: Spotlight Delaware

The Working Families Party had its strongest Delaware primary showing yet, with eight of its 13 endorsed candidates winning. Those victories produced five new House members, returned one WFP-backed House incumbent to office, added a new state senator, and advanced a new New Castle County Council member. The wins came across Wilmington, Smyrna, New Castle, and Middletown, with WFP-backed candidates going 8 for 13 in races where the party made endorsements.

The most striking upset came in the 28th House District near Smyrna, where Army veteran Tyeisha Grier defeated Rep. Bill Carson, a nearly 20-year incumbent, while raising less than $2,000. Carson's campaign drew more than $100,000 in support. Grier heads straight to Legislative Hall in January with no Republican opponent.

At the top of the ticket, Sen. Chris Coons, Attorney General Kathy Jennings, and treasurer candidate Ted Lauzen each won their primaries and will face Republican challengers in November.

Source: State of Delaware News

Delaware is accepting applications for its first entertainment and production tax credit. The $10 million state program offers financial incentives to film, television, and video game companies that shoot in the state.

Eligible productions can receive a 30% transferable tax credit if they spend at least $100,000 locally over a 12-month period. To attract independent filmmakers, the state waives minimum local-hiring requirements and removes CPA audit rules for small projects under $1.5 million.

Officials are reviewing submissions on a rolling basis until the funds run out. The credit is retroactive, allowing companies that filmed in Delaware after July 1 to apply.

Brandywine Valley Restaurant Week | Greater Wilmington & Brandywine Valley Area. A dining event featuring prix-fixe menus at owner-operated restaurants across the area. Two-course lunches are $20, and two- or three-course dinners are $35 or $55. Thursday through Sunday, 12-9 PM.

Oktoberfest | Delaware Saengerbund. A traditional German festival featuring Bavarian dance performances, live music from a visiting German band, authentic food, and unlimited amusement rides. Tickets are $10. Friday, 5-11 PM, Saturday, 12-11 PM, Sunday, 12-6 PM.

Third Thursdays on State Street | State Street, Kennett Square. An outdoor dining and shopping event with family activities along a pedestrian-only stretch of State Street. Local restaurants set up tables outside between Broad and Center streets, and parking is free in the East Linden Street garage. Thursday 5:30-10 PM.

ReThink Fashion Show - The ECO Edit: A Night Where Style Meets Sustainability | Goodwill Recycling Center & Outlet. A sustainable fashion showcase featuring designer Dell Scott, where every runway outfit is sourced directly from Goodwill stores. The evening includes a curated shopping experience, networking, and art displays, with ticket sales supporting local workforce programs. Thursday 6-8:30 PM.

Brew at the Zoo | Brandywine Zoo. An after-hours fundraiser featuring beer, wine, and spirit tastings, light fare, live music by Spokey Speaky, and appearances by animal ambassadors. Food, beverages, and a souvenir cup are included with admission. 21+. Friday 5-8 PM.

Folk Art Friday | Blue Ball Barn. A family-friendly evening featuring live music by the Red Rock Runaways, games, food, and an art exhibit by the Latin American Community Center. Friday 5:30-8 PM.

Jardin en Vert | Delaware Center for Horticulture. A garden party fundraiser featuring food, drinks, live music, and a silent auction benefiting the center's educational and community greening programs. Tickets are $150 for individuals, $275 for couples. Friday 6-9 PM.

The Downtown YMCA Sneaker Ball | Delaware Art Museum. An annual fundraiser for the Central and Walnut Street YMCAs featuring food, music, networking, and raffles, where attendees wear their favorite sneakers to support Wilmington youth and health programs. Friday at 6:30 PM.

Muskets to Machine Guns: A Day of Living History | Fort DuPont State Park. A family-friendly living history event on the Parade Ground featuring military encampments, reenactors, and demonstrations tracing the evolution of warfare. Free. Saturday 10 AM - 3 PM.

Bellefonte Block Party | 800 Block of Brandywine Blvd. An end-of-summer celebration featuring live music, food trucks, local vendors, and in-store specials at participating neighborhood shops. Saturday 12-6 PM.

Hispanic Heritage Festival | Downtown Kennett Square. A street festival in downtown Kennett Square celebrating Hispanic and Latin American culture, with live music, dance performances, food, and artisan vendors. Saturday 1-8 PM.

Shakespeare in the Gardens | Mt. Cuba Center. A performance by Delaware Shakespeare condensing 36 plays into under 100 minutes of physical comedy and audience interaction. Attendees can walk the grounds and try botanical activities before the outdoor show, with drinks available for purchase. Tickets are $35 for non-members, $25 for members. Saturday 2-5 PM.

Ballet in Bloom: First State Ballet Theatre | Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library. A mixed-repertory performance featuring excerpts from classical ballets and contemporary works. Tickets are $35 to $37 for the performance, or $47 to include daytime general admission to the house and garden; $20 for children 12 and under. Saturday 6-7 PM.

Fearless Improv Monthly Show | The Delaware Contemporary. City Theater Company's monthly improv showcase, featuring unscripted comedy performed live on stage. Saturday at 8 PM.

Hagley Car Show | Hagley Museum and Library. A showcase of more than 500 antique and restored cars featuring American independent automakers, alongside a vehicle parade and food trucks. Advance spectator passes are $30 per carload or $25 for members. Sunday 10 AM - 3 PM.

Newark Community Day | Main Street Newark. An outdoor festival on the University of Delaware Green featuring local musicians, a food court, and vendors selling fine art and homemade crafts. Activities include scarecrow making in the children's area and demonstrations from local organizations. Attendees are asked to leave pets at home. Sunday at 11 AM.

Yappy Hour: Rockwood Dog Party | Rockwood Park & Museum. A free outdoor event combining live music, vendors, and a cash bar, with bar proceeds supporting Rockwood's preservation efforts. Dogs welcome. Sunday 2-5 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

85 🌡️ 70 | ⛅ Partly Sunny | 9% | 💨 S 0 to 10 mph

Friday

84 🌡️ 62 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 10% | 💨 N 5 to 10 mph

Saturday

79 🌡️ 63 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 0% | 💨 E 5 mph

Sunday

79 🌡️ 63 | ⛈️ Showers And Thunderstorms Likely | 61% | 💨 S 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 →

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