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- PCP Thu Aug 13: 🎒 Free backpacks, groceries & haircuts — this Saturday
PCP Thu Aug 13: 🎒 Free backpacks, groceries & haircuts — this Saturday
800 free backpacks. NourishNC grocery market. Great Clips haircuts. All free. This Saturday at NHHS.
Jason @ Port City Pulse
August 13, 2026
Good morning Wilmington!
If you or someone you know could use a little help heading into the school year, this Saturday is the day to show up.
Trinity United Methodist Church is hosting a massive back-to-school block party on Saturday, Aug. 15, 11am–2pm at Brogden Hall at New Hanover High School. They’re offering: 800 free backpacks stuffed with school supplies, a NourishNC grocery market serving up to 500 families, hot dogs, and free haircuts courtesy of Great Clips. Everything is free — no questions asked. WWAY has the details.
In today's Port City Pulse:
Wilmington Gets $1.5M to Plant Hundreds of Trees and Inventory Thousands More
Dean Neff Opening 'Little Bird' Next to Seabird on South Front Street
NHC Invests $2M to Put 236 Blue Clay Road Townhomes Below Market Rate
WECT — New Hanover County is investing $2 million in Proximity Blue Clay, a 236-unit townhome development on Blue Clay Road being built by Cape Fear Development. The project targets households earning 60–90% of area median income, with rents set at $1,311 for a 1-bedroom, $2,001 for a 2-bedroom, and $2,345 for a 3-bedroom — well below current market rates. The county holds the loan at 5% interest with $100,000 per year due after a 10-year deferral; a 10-year affordability requirement is attached. Construction is expected to take about 18 months.
Dean Neff Opening 'Little Bird' Next to Seabird on South Front Street
WWAY — Chef Dean Neff — the James Beard–nominated talent behind Seabird and Zora's — is opening Little Bird at 9 S. Front St., right next door to Seabird, targeting a winter 2027 opening. The 2,200-square-foot space will feature a dining room and a 25-seat bar room with a total capacity of 55–60 guests, inside a renovated historic building with a restored facade. Little Bird will focus on seafood, with guest chef collaborations and private events — and when combined with Seabird, can accommodate around 150 people total.
Wilmington Gets $1.5M to Plant Hundreds of Trees and Inventory Thousands More
WHQR — A federal grant will let Wilmington create an official tree inventory covering about 36% of the city, while also funding new plantings, pruning, removals, and stump grinding. The Alliance for Cape Fear Trees receives $100,000 over two years to plant and maintain 350 street trees, plus distribute 1,000 native trees annually. The grant covers planting at least 300 trees, pruning roughly 500, removing 100 dangerous specimens, and grinding 200 stumps. Arborists are particularly focused on replacing aging Laurel Oaks — which can hide internal rot while appearing healthy — with longer-lived Live Oaks. Residents can request plantings or report tree concerns via the city's new street tree maintenance portal.
News Roundup
Local News
A Sanderling Place couple was involved in an apparent murder-suicide Tuesday night. NHC deputies responded around 8 PM to the 7800 block of Sanderling Place, where they found Linda Anderson, 86, dead inside the home and Jack Anderson, 87, critically injured in the backyard from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Jack was transported to Novant Health NHRMC and remained in critical condition. The investigation is ongoing. WWAY has the story.
ILM is studying whether departing planes can be rerouted away from downtown Wilmington. The airport presented the latest phase of its FAA Part 150 noise study, exploring voluntary measures such as having departing aircraft fly over the commercial area near Smiths Creek rather than over downtown. The FAA currently requires noise mitigation for homes north of the airport; additional changes would be voluntary. The study is expected to wrap by end of year, with FAA review taking 6-12 months and implementation another year out. Residents can submit comments at ilmpart150.airportstudy.net. WWAY has details.
What You Should Know
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is stepping down at the end of August. President Trump announced the departure Wednesday, describing her as "one of my most trusted aides" and saying she wants to spend more time with her young children. Leavitt, 28, is the youngest person ever to hold the role and gave birth to her second child in May while serving. The exit comes with less than three months until midterm elections; Trump has not named a replacement. AP News has the story.
What Might Surprise You
Multiple sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln have attempted to go overboard during an extended deployment with no return date in sight. The carrier left in November, was supposed to return in May, and has now been extended indefinitely with about 5,000 sailors and Marines aboard. Families describe mental health crises driven by exhaustion and uncertainty. A sailor on watch intervened to stop one crewmate from going over the side. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao met with families in San Diego but offered no timeline for return. Navy Times has more.
National News
Paramount says selling CNN is now "on the table" to settle the antitrust lawsuit over its $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. The company's chief legal officer floated the possibility amid a 12-state lawsuit; California AG Rob Bonta called the company's assurances "piecemeal promises." David Ellison threatened to relocate Paramount out of California by October 1 if no settlement is reached by September 30. If no deal, trial is set for March 2, 2027. Yahoo Finance has the full story.
Don’t Miss
 Easy HoneyFRI AUG 14 · 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM · Bowstring Easy Honey brings their signature sound to Bowstring Burgers and Brewyard on a Thursday night. Tickets via WhollyTicket. Live music 7–10 PM. |  WalkerWorld Summerfest Art and Music FestivalSAT AUG 15 · 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM · Walkerworld Organic Artist Retreat A grassroots mix of art, live music, and wellness on the water at Walkerworld Organic Artist Retreat. Art installations, live music, murals, piano treehouses, drum circles, yoga, food trucks, local br… |
 Charles Esten: Carolinas TourSAT AUG 15 · 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM · Bowstring Charles Esten — known as Deacon on ABC's Nashville — brings his Carolinas Tour to Bowstring. Tickets via WhollyTicket. Saturday evening, 7–10 PM. |  A Tribute to Dylan & Cash with Rod Abernethy and David BurneySUN AUG 16 · 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM · Live at Ted's A special tribute to Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash featuring Rod Abernethy and David Burney at Live at Ted's. Ages 10 and up. Doors 3pm, Show 4pm. |
Weather
Thu Aug 13 ☁️ Overcast | 97° / 77° | 10% | SW 9 mph
Fri Aug 14 ⛈️ Thunderstorm | 104° / 78° | 43% | SW 10 mph
Sat Aug 15 🌦️ Drizzle | 91° / 78° | 42% | E 11 mph
Live Music
Thu Aug 13
5PM–8PM @ Harris Teeter · Free | |
7PM–10PM @ Seven Mile Post | |
7PM–10PM @ SeaWitch Tiki Bar | |
8PM–11PM @ Celtic Monkey Pub |
Fri Aug 14
7PM–9PM @ The Fuzzy Needle | |
7PM–10PM @ Seven Mile Post | |
8PM–10PM @ Live at Ted's ($$22) | |
9PM–2AM @ Yacht Club Wilmington ($$5 ADV / $10 DOS) |
Sat Aug 15
1PM–4PM @ The Cotton Exchange · Free | |
7PM–10PM @ Rooster & The Crow | |
7PM–9:30PM @ Wilson Center ($Tickets Required) | |
8PM–10PM @ Live at Ted's ($$22) |
Quick reminder for this Saturday, August 15: Trinity United Methodist Church is hosting a free Back-to-School Block Party at Brogden Hall at New Hanover High School, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. — 800 free backpacks, a NourishNC grocery market for up to 500 families, free hot dogs, and Great Clips haircuts. Everything is free, no questions asked. Details here → |  |