Wilmington Breweries Roll Out Beer Week Specials

☀️ Rise and Shine, 302. Just enough information to sound informed, not exhausted.

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Sometimes the easiest way to know if daycare is a good fit is to simply try a day and see how your dog does. The Doggie Playhouse makes that first step simple with a free first day of daycare for new clients.

Your dog gets to experience the routine, the supervised play, and the calm structure of the day. You get to see the difference at pickup, when they head home exercised, settled, and ready for a quiet evening. If boarding is something you may need down the road, new clients also receive 15% off their first night.

There is no pressure to commit beyond that first visit. Just a low-risk way to see how daycare fits into your dog’s life.

Learn more or book a first visit at thedoggieplayhouse.com.

A leaky faucet, a flickering light, a weird sound in the wall… when something breaks at home, what’s your move? This one’s just for fun—no wrong answers, just curiosity.

Snow removal crews in Wilmington are back in action after taking a break over the weekend. The city decided to pause operations to give workers a rest after they spent seven days battling icy conditions in frigid temperatures.

With temperatures expected to climb above freezing this week, the city plans to salt the roads. This should help break down the ice and make plowing more effective as crews continue their efforts to clear the streets.

Residents can expect to see more activity on the roads as the city works to improve driving conditions in the days ahead.

If AI feels like something you are supposed to understand by now but quietly do not, this one is worth a look.

Reflexive Work is hosting a one-day, in-person AI Immersive on February 10 in Wilmington. It is designed specifically for non-technical professionals who want a practical, grounded starting point with AI at work.

The workshop focuses on real work scenarios, responsible use, and cutting through the hype so AI feels usable instead of overwhelming. Expect guided instruction, hands-on exercises, and discussion rooted in everyday workplace decisions.

The experience is powered by Zip Code Wilmington, which caught my attention for a personal reason. I went through one of their immersive programs years ago, and it genuinely changed the direction of my career. This newsletter would not exist without it.

If you are curious but cautious about AI, this looks like a smart place to start.

The city of Newark has temporarily closed the public access to the Newark Reservoir due to concerns about people venturing onto the frozen surface. Officials put up warning signs, but reports of people walking on the ice have continued, prompting the closure.

The reservoir, which is 55 feet deep, poses a significant danger if the ice breaks. City spokeswoman Jayme Gravell highlighted the risks, noting that falling through could lead to severe injury or death. To ensure safety, the entrance is barricaded, and police will patrol the area.

Preston’s Playground, located at the reservoir's base, is also closed due to ice buildup. These closures will remain until conditions improve, with the city asking for public cooperation during this safety measure.

Greater Wilmington Beer Week is kicking off with a citywide toast on February 18 at 7 p.m. to celebrate America's 250th anniversary. Fourteen venues are participating, offering commemorative pint glasses for those who join in the festivities.

Beyond the toast, eight local breweries are crafting special beers for the occasion, inviting attendees to sample and explore. Six restaurants will also showcase top-notch craft beer menus, making it a week to remember for beer enthusiasts.

Each brewery and venue offers its own unique vibe, with some featuring live music, special events, and dog-friendly spaces. Whether you're into quiz nights, karaoke, or just a good pint, there's something for everyone at this year's Beer Week. See the full list in this Out & About write-up.

The Newark Arts Alliance is embracing a cool color palette with its latest exhibit, “A Case of the Blues.” This winter showcase features 87 artworks from 58 artists, all highlighting blue tones across various mediums like paintings, sculptures, and glasswork. Denise Van Deroef, a retired art teacher and the exhibit's juror, also has her own paintings on display.

Visitors can explore this blue-hued collection at the gallery located in the Shoppes at Louviers on Paper Mill Road. The exhibit runs through February 13, with a free public reception on February 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. Gallery hours are noon to 4 p.m. on most days, with extended hours on Fridays.

The 9th Annual Deer Park Goes Pink 5K at Deer Park Tavern brought in $58,595 for the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition. This community event was supported by participants, sponsors, and the Ashby Hospitality Group.

A total of 1,703 runners turned out for the event, which aimed to support DBCC's mission of helping individuals and families affected by breast cancer. The funds will aid DBCC's programs that focus on education, screening access, and patient support.

Proceeds from the 5K will be used to enhance DBCC's statewide services, particularly benefiting underserved and minority communities across Delaware.

Delaware just put real numbers behind where paychecks are actually coming from. A new analysis from the Delaware Department of Labor shows total wages and salaries hit about $36 billion in 2024, with finance, insurance, real estate, rental, and leasing leading the pack at more than $6 billion paid out.

Health care and education came in second, followed closely by government jobs and professional services. Retail, construction, and hospitality also posted solid gains, especially year over year.

This matters because it explains why some sectors feel hotter than others when it comes to hiring, raises, and job security. If you are curious where Delaware's economic muscle really sits, the full GDP and workforce breakdown is worth a skim.

Buccini Pollin Group has sold the 417 N. Market Street building in Wilmington to the Delaware Affordable Housing Group (DAHG) for just $1. This property is set to be transformed into five one-bedroom apartments and retail space on the ground floor.

The new apartments will be rent-stabilized and priced below HUD's Fair Market Rents to support middle-income residents. Renovations are expected to kick off this year, with annual rent increases capped at 1% to maintain affordability.

DAHG now owns the property, while the Wilmington Housing Authority will handle the renovations and property management. This project aims to address the "missing middle" housing gap in the area.

Spotlight Delaware has kicked off a new series to demystify the state's budget process. This special feature aims to shed light on how Delaware organizes, spends, and balances its money through its four main budget components: the General Fund, Special Funds, the Bond Bill, and Federal Transfer Funds.

The series explains that Delaware's budget is more than just numbers; it's a blueprint that impacts everything from education and healthcare to infrastructure and public safety. For instance, the General Fund covers everyday expenses like teacher salaries and state police, while the Bond Bill funds long-term projects like new schools and road improvements.

This series will continue to explore how these financial decisions shape the lives of Delawareans and what they reveal about the state's priorities.

On Mondays, opening acts and exhibits are listed here when they debut. After that, you'll find individual dates in the regular Theatre/Arts listings.

The Rainbow Fish Musical at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church. Dive into a colorful, family-friendly stage adaptation of the beloved story, packed with catchy songs, bright visuals, and a gentle lesson about generosity and belonging that little ones will easily follow. Friday through Sunday at various times; all seats $15, with a one-hour run time that is just right for young audiences.

Ruby Stanley One-Act Festival at Wilmington Drama League. Celebrate fresh storytelling as local playwrights present original one-act plays in this audience-judged festival honoring a beloved Wilmington Drama League volunteer. Friday & Saturday at 8 PM, with audiences voting to send a standout production on to the state level.

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

If happiness had a tail, it would probably look a lot like Sir Wiggles. This four-year-old, handsome brown boy is equal parts charm and chill, with a face that says, 'Yes, I would love to be your best friend.' Sir Wiggles is a happy-go-lucky, people-loving guy who has been winning over staff with his friendly vibes and easygoing personality. He is dog friendly, enjoys making new pals, and seems to approach life with the calm confidence of someone who knows good things are coming.

At just the right age to have grown out of puppy chaos but still have plenty of pep, Sir Wiggles is ready to settle into a forever home where walks, couch time, and daily affection are non-negotiable. He is currently hanging out at the Brandywine Valley SPCA New Castle campus and would love to meet you.

Ready to let Sir Wiggles wiggle into your life? Go meet him and see if he is your missing piece.

33 🌡️ 16 | ☀️ Sunny | 5% | 💨 NW 15 mph

38 🌡️ 27 | ⛅ Partly Cloudy | 10% | 💨 W 9 mph

35 🌡️ 18 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 15% | 💨 NNW 11 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 35ºF
Temperature readings taken from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach.

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