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  • PCP Fri Jul 18: đŸ–ïž Baila, BBQ, and Beehive Blondes—Weekend Starts Here

PCP Fri Jul 18: đŸ–ïž Baila, BBQ, and Beehive Blondes—Weekend Starts Here

Sun, salsa, and street tacos? Here's your Friday rundown of what’s happening in Wilmington this weekend.

Good morning Wilmington!

With temps in the 90s and sunshine on tap, this weekend is made for beach time, breezy nights, and waterfront fun — including a salsa night that’ll have you dancing under the stars.

In today’s Port City Pulse:

  • Rezoning Sought for Mixed-Use Development Along Growing Market Street

  • NHC Offers Retirement Incentives, Plans Layoffs to Balance Budget

Rezoning Sought for Mixed-Use Development Along Growing Market Street Corridor in Ogden

[WilmingtonBiz] A proposed development in Ogden could bring a convenience store, fast food restaurant, and up to 12 townhomes to the corner of Market Street and Alexander Road. The five-acre site, adjacent to a larger apartment complex already in the works, will need to be rezoned to accommodate the mixed-use plan. Conceptual plans show drive-thru access, new road improvements, and the addition of a stormwater pond. Planning board discussions have been delayed until August due to underground AT&T fiber lines recently discovered on the site.

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NHC Offers Retirement Incentives, Plans Layoffs to Balance Budget

[WHQR] New Hanover County’s newly approved budget includes nearly $10 million in staffing cuts, achieved through retirement incentives and three scheduled rounds of layoffs. The plan freezes dozens of vacant roles and eliminates 70 active positions. While some departments like the sheriff’s office and 911 center are spared, most face 5% operational cuts. Eligible employees have until July 21 to opt into early retirement incentives. Layoffs are scheduled for August 18, September 15, and October 21. County officials opted not to tap into a $300M reserve fund that could have softened the blow.

News Roundup

Local News

  • Boiling Spring Lakes residents are increasingly frustrated as a major road remains closed nearly seven years after Hurricane Florence, with only a brief reopening during that time.
    WECT

  • The Midtown Wilmington YMCA is planning a major expansion, which includes a larger wellness center and upgraded aquatic and youth facilities. The YMCA says the project will better meet growing community demand.
    WWAY

What You Should Know

  • President Trump underwent medical testing after experiencing mild swelling in his legs and bruising on his hand, revealing chronic venous insufficiency, a common vein condition in people over 70, with no signs of blood clots or arterial disease.
    The Hill

What Might Surprise You

  • A mysterious fire near Area 51 sparked renewed UFO speculation after dramatic images have captured plumes of smoke erupting outside the remote Air Force.
    The Sun

  • Fed Chair Jerome Powell may face criminal referral for alleged perjury. The accusation is related to the renovation of the Fed’s DC headquarters.
    Gateway Pundit

  • CBS is canceling “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” in a cost-cutting move. The decision is part of a broader shift away from traditional late-night programming.
    Variety

Don’t Miss

Baila in the Boatyard w/Wilmington Latin Dance

SUN JUL 20: 7PM @ Tequila’s Waterfront - DT
💃🌼 Baila in the Boatyard | Salsa Night at Tequila’s Waterfront 🌊đŸč

Sunday, July 20th | 7 PM – 10 PM

📍 Tequila’s Waterfront – The Boatyard | 10 Harnett St, Wilmington, NC

Spice up your Sunday with Wilmington Latin Dance at Tequila’s Waterfront for Baila in the Boatyard — a salsa-filled night by the river! 💃✹

  • đŸŽ¶ 7:00 – 7:30 PM: Beginner Salsa Lesson

  • đŸ•ș 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM: Open Salsa Dancing under the stars!

Whether you're brand new or a salsa regular, this is your chance to dance the night away with waterfront views, margaritas in hand, and street tacos sizzling nearby.

  • 🌼 Street tacos by Tequila’s Waterfront

  • đŸč Refreshing margaritas in the Boatyard

  • 🌊 Beautiful views of the Cape Fear River

  • No partner? No problem. Just bring your energy and let the rhythm take over!

  • Free to attend | 21+ to drink | All dance levels welcome

  • Let’s turn the Boatyard into a dance floor — see you there!

Pickle for a Purpose Tournament for Surfers Healing

SAT JUL 19: 9AM - Noon @ Pickle & Taps - ILM
Join us in our first pickleball tournament to support our 20th Annual Surfers Healing North Carolina camp! Surfers Healing is the original surf camp for children with autism - Our mission is to enrich the lives of people living with autism by exposing them to the unique experience of surfing.

Luau

SAT JUL 19: 6PM @ Wilmington Shrine Club
Come enjoy a fun time at our Luau on June 14 at the Shrine Club. Hawaiian Pig, Chicken, Speciality Drinks. Music by DJ Lee Pearson

Grease Retro Dance Party

SAT JUL 19: 9:30-midnight @ Eagle’s Dare - ILM
The Beehive Blondes will create a nostalgic journey where you feel like you're at the gym dance in GREASE! Sing along to your favorites from the Grease soundtrack and dance the night away to 1950's, 60's and more modern retro songs with Grease vibes. $19.05-$58.93

So You Think You Can Ink

SUN JUL 20: 3PM @ Ironclad Brewery -DT
Tattoo fake skin with real machines No experience needed. Just good vibes, cold drinks, and creative mayhem. Wilmington’s wildest pop-up is back — are you in? $65

Weather

Fri Jul 18: đŸŒ€ïž Mostly Sunny | 92°F / 79°F | 23% | SW 13 mph
Sat Jul 19: ⛅ Partly Cloudy | 92°F / 79°F | 24% | SW 10 mph
Sun Jul 20: â›… Partly Cloudy | 91°F / 79°F | 24% | SW 11 mph

Live Music

Friday

The White Loafers

7-10PM @ Bowstring - SPD

Dickey Hazel

7:00 PM @ Ogden Tap Room - OGD

Spare Change Live

8:00 PM @ SeaWitch - CB

Saturday

Grease Retro Dance Party W/ The Beehive Blondes

9:30 PM @ The Eagle's Dare - DT

Flipturn Afterparty W/ Dead Fletchers

10:00 PM @ Greenfield Lake Yacht Club - GFL

Ethan Hanson

10:00 PM @ Wilmington Distillery  - DT

Sunday

45 RPM

1:00 PM @ The Pilot House - DT

Randy Mcquay

5:00 PM@ Kure Beach Ocean Front Park - KB

Live Music With Justin Fox

5:00 PM @ Seven Mile Post - OG

We can’t fit much more content into this newsletter so if you want to hear about more live music, subscribe to Port City Jams

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-Jason