The Wizard of Oz Comes to Life at UD

☀️ Rise and Shine, 302. There’s watermelon in the fridge and sand in the car. Signs of a life well-lived.

Your 302 Rundown:

• Bring the Grandkids: Wizard of Oz Plays UD Stage

• July 4 Fire Still Smoldering in Middletown

• Blue Hens Make the Big Leagues (Sort Of)

Let’s get to it

NEWS YOU CAN USE

🎭 Follow the yellow brick road to UD

Dorothy, Toto, and the gang are taking the stage at UD’s Roselle Center for the Arts! The UD Community Music School is bringing The Wizard of Oz to life with three live shows this weekend. Expect all the magic of the original movie plus a live orchestra and plenty of local talent. Tickets are just $10 for adults and $5 for kids, and you can grab them online through July 31 or at the door if there’s space.

It’s a perfect Friday night plan with the grandkids or your favorite Oz-loving friends.

🚧 Route 4 closed until 7 AM for overnight repaving

If you're up and at 'em early today, avoid westbound Christina Parkway (Route 4) between South College Avenue and Elkton Road. It's shut down until 7 AM for overnight repaving work.

DelDOT’s smoothing out potholes and patching up the rough stuff, with bigger road improvements still in the works.

If your morning routine takes you that way, you’ll want to reroute and skip the last-minute scramble.

🌳 Coleman Park gets $101K for safety overhaul

Coleman Park in Newark is set to reopen after city council approved $101,000 for urgent safety fixes. The 8.5-acre park near Valley Road was closed in June due to hazardous trees, overgrown trails, and a poison ivy problem you definitely don’t want to mess with.

Locals were still sneaking in, so the city’s moving fast to make it safe again. Longterm upgrades like a turf field and trail paving could come by 2027 if grant funding pans out.

For neighbors who rely on the park as a walking shortcut, this is a much-needed win.

🔥 Mulch fire smoldering in Middletown since July4th

That smoky smell in Middletown? It's not your neighbor grilling. A mulch fire that started on July 4 at Middletown Materials is still burning beneath the surface. A-Del Construction is working to extinguish it by tearing apart piles of wood debris and soaking them with stormwater. DNREC’s monitoring air quality and lending support.

It’s safe, but it’s a slow process. If you live nearby, keep those windows closed a little longer.

🎮 Blue Hens land a spot in EA Sports College Football 26

For the first time ever, you can lead the Delaware Blue Hens to a national title from your couch. As UD joins Conference USA and the FBS, the Hens are making their video game debut in EA Sports College Football 26.

To celebrate, UD launched a "Dynasty Challenge" with VIP prizes for fans who win it all in-game. All you need is a little Blue Hen pride, a game controller, and some virtual coaching magic.

Whether you’re in it for bragging rights or the prize pack, it’s game on.

🚗 Free E-ZPass transponders all August

Thinking of finally getting an E-ZPass? August is your month. The Delaware DMV and E-ZPass Delaware are giving away free transponders to anyone who opens a new account between August 1 and 31.

You can sign up online, by phone, or in person at toll plazas and the Dover service center. This comes just in time, since tolls are going up August 15 on I-95, Route 301, and Route 1.

Even with the hike, you’ll pay less if you’re an E-ZPass user. So if you’ve been putting it off, now’s the time to hop on the fast lane.

IN BUSINESS

🏙️ Wilmington offices on the rebound

The office vacancy rate in New Castle County just dropped to 17.2%, and for the first time in a while, downtown Wilmington is leading the charge. Vacancy there is now 16.8%, while the suburbs are sitting at 18%.

The shift comes as companies slowly return to the office and big moves, like Incyte buying up space on the old MBNA campus, shake things up. Class A buildings are still hot, and some older ones are getting converted into apartments.

It's no gold rush, but it's a sign our post-pandemic shuffle might finally be settling.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

🏛️ New face at the top of Meyer’s team

Gov. Matt Meyer tapped Misty Seemans as his new chief of staff just weeks after denying any major staff changes. Seemans, a legal advisor with deep roots in public defense, replaces longtime aide Vanessa Phillips, who’s sliding into a senior advisor role.

The move follows a swirl of Capitol chatter and comes on the heels of a legislative session where Meyer didn’t quite land all his priorities. His office says it’s a shift in strategy, not a shakeup.

Still, swapping your right-hand woman mid-term? That’s a pretty clear signal of a new direction.

📉 Residents question tax hikes as businesses get breaks

The reassessment backlash isn’t cooling off. At the latest Finance Committee meeting, residents slammed county officials over what they see as a rigged system: one that’s jacking up taxes on homeowners while giving breaks to big commercial properties.

Now there’s a growing call for an independent audit of Tyler Technologies, the contractor behind the reassessment. The county keeps pointing to the courts, but residents say the process feels stacked and they're not backing down. With rents rising and trust dropping, this fight’s not going away anytime soon.

⚡ Power struggle over mega data center

A $10 billion data center plan near Delaware City is sparking major pushback — and not just from locals. House Speaker Melissa Minor-Brown says the county should flat-out deny it after a heated town hall left residents with more questions than answers.

The center would guzzle more electricity than a third of the entire state and rely entirely on the public grid, possibly raising rates. It’s technically allowed “by right,” but new legislation is already in the works to slow the project down.

Supporters say it could bring 500+ jobs. Critics say it’s a power-hungry gamble that could wreck utility bills and bird habitats. There’s a long road ahead before this gets resolved.

THE HAPPENINGS

Monday

KOSER at Rockford Park delivers a fierce blend of alt-rock, soul, and grit with powerhouse vocals and a wall of sound. Catch the Philly-based band on Monday, July 28 at 6:30 PM at Rockford Park, Wilmington, DE—free and open to all.

Tuesday

VinTage Jazz at Brandywine Mills Plaza is part of the free Music in the Plaza summer series, featuring live jazz, local food trucks, and vendors. Enjoy the sounds on Tuesday, July 29 from 5:00–8:00 PM at Brandywine Mills Plaza (18th & North Market Streets, Wilmington, DE)—right by the Dollar General.

Rhythm & Brews at New Garden Park pairs live music from 2uesday Nite Band with local eats and drinks for a relaxed summer night out. Head to New Garden Park (8934 Gap Newport Pike, Landenberg, PA) on Tuesday, July 29 from 6:00–8:00 PM to enjoy tunes, food trucks, and brews from Iron Hill Brewery and Harvest Ridge Winery.

Wednesday

Lunchtime Concert on the Arts Center Patio offers a midweek musical break with a performance by Zach Humenik. Enjoy the show on Wednesday, July 30 at 12:00 PM at Bellevue State Park’s Arts Center Patio, Wilmington, DE—free with park entry, so pack a picnic and soak in the tunes.

Lunchtime Concert with Vernon James at Hare Overlook Pavilion brings smooth saxophone vibes to the Riverfront for a midday escape. Enjoy the music on Wednesday, July 30 from 12:15–1:15 PM at Hare Overlook Pavilion, Wilmington, DE—just bring your lunch and relax on the lawn.

Summer Nights at Hagley offers a laid-back evening with riverside strolls, food trucks, craft beer, and ice cream in one of Wilmington’s most scenic settings. Join the fun on Wednesday, July 30 from 5:00–8:00 PM at Hagley Museum, 200 Hagley Creek Road, Wilmington, DE—admission is $5, and it’s free for members and kids under six.

Minas at the Tina Betz Urban Artist Exchange brings their celebrated Brazilian jazz and Bossa Nova sound to the CityFest Summer Music Series on Wednesday, July 30. Food and fun begin at 6:00 PM, with the main performance at 7:00 PM at 1509 Clifford Brown Walk, Wilmington, DE—bring a chair or blanket and enjoy this free, open‑seating show.

Shadows of the Night at Carpenter Recreation Area pays tribute to the powerhouse duo of Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo with a night of classic rock anthems. The music kicks off on Wednesday, July 30 at 6:30 PM at Carpenter Recreation Area, White Clay Creek State Park, DE—free and full of 80s energy.

Magical Mystery at Battery Park channels the spirit of The Beatles with a full set of classics from the band that changed music history. Part of New Castle’s free summer concert series, the performance begins on Wednesday, July 30 at 6:30 PM at Battery Park, New Castle, DE.

Twelfth Night, O Lo Que Quieras at Rockwood Park continues Delaware Shakespeare’s Summer Festival with a lively, bilingual musical twist on the classic comedy. The production runs through Sunday, August 3, with a 7:30 PM performance on Wednesday, July 30 at Rockwood Park (4651 Washington Street Extension, Wilmington, DE). All shows are pay as you will.

FORECAST AT A GLANCE

Monday
94 🌡️ 73 | 🌤️ | 7% | 💨 NNW 7 mph

Tuesday
96 🌡️ 75 | 🌤️ | 5% | 💨 WNW 6 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 76ºF
Temperature readings taken from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Monday, July 28

• Haynes Park | Wellness in the Parks: Teach Zen | 10:30 AM

• Spread Good Karma Foundation | Menopause Decoded: the Talk You should've Had Years Ago | 5 PM

Tuesday, July 29

• Chancery Market | Mindfulness w/ Mandy | 11 AM-1 PM

• Kelly's Logan House | Trolley Run Club | 6:30-8:30 PM

• Rockwood Park & Museum | Tuesday AM Flow Yoga | 9-10 AM

• Spread Good Karma Foundation | Restore, Recharge, and Recenter: A Group Reiki Healing Experience | 5 PM

• St. Mark's High School | Pike Creek Valley Running Club Track Night | 6 PM

• The Art O Mat | Self-Care for Sistas: Yoga, Breathwork, & Meditation | 5:30-6:30 PM

• Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library | Wellness Yoga | 9-10 AM

THEATRE/ARTS

Monday, July 28

• Theatre N | Vagabond | 6 PM

Tuesday, July 29

• Brown Chihocki Park | Dance4Life Presents Foundations of Dance | 10:30 AM

• The Rock Lot | Drum Circle: Guided Group Drumming | 6-7 PM

WEEKNIGHT SOCIAL

Monday, July 28

• Bellefonte Brewing Company | Free NL Texas Holdem | 5:30 PM

• Grain KSQ | Trivia w/ Riley | 7-9 PM

• Grain on Main | Classic Bingo w/ Rylie | 6-8 PM

• Twisted Irons Craft Brewing | Super Smash Brothers Bracketed Tournament | 6:30 PM

Tuesday, July 29

• Bar XIII | Dirty Sexy Bingo | 9 PM

• Cork & Barrel | Music Bingo | 8-11 PM

• Finnegan's Pub | Movie Night | 6:30 PM

• Giordanos | Trivia | 7 PM

• Grain Exchange | Jeopardy Bar League | 6-8 PM

• Grain H2O | Trivia w/ Matt | 7-9 PM

• Grain on Main | Trivia w/ Rylie | 6-8 PM

• Homebase | Friends and Seinfeld Trivia | 8 PM

• Patriots Glen Golf Club | Quizzo - Trivia Night | 6 PM

• Trolley Tap House | Music Video Bingo | 7-9 PM

LIVE MUSIC

Monday, July 28

• Argilla Brewing Co | The Sin City Band | 6 PM

• Bar XIII | Karaoke | 9 PM

• Chesapeake Inn | Dave Gates | 6-9 PM

• Christiana Pub | Open Mic Night | 6-11:45 PM

• Rockford Park Concert Stage | Summer Concert Series: Koser | 6:30 PM

Tuesday, July 29

• Brandywine Mills Plaza | VinTage Jazz | 5-8 PM

• Chancery Market | Karaoke - DJ Ski | 6-8 PM

• Chesapeake Inn | Howsmyhat | 6-9 PM

• Christiana Hilton | AJ Love Solo | 6-9 PM

• Docklands Riverfront | Old School Tuesday's w/ DJ Mega Skills | 5-10 PM

• Saint Georges Country Store | Garry Cogdell & His Hooligans | 6-9 PM

• Trolley Square Oyster House | Alfi | 7-10 PM

• Twisted Irons Craft Brewing | Open Mic Night | 6 PM

• Wilmington Brew Works | Turntable Tuesday | 6-9 PM

FOR THE KIDS

Tuesday, July 29

• Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library | Terrific Tuesdays: Crafts, Games, and Creative Fun | 10 AM-2:30 PM

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