🌱 9th Annual Jewish Film Festival Ongoing + Basketball Legend's 91st

Hello all! I'm back in your inbox this morning to walk you through the most important things happening in Wilmington.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: A thick cloud cover. High: 72 Low: 56.
• Thursday: Clouds and sun with a shower. High: 74 Low: 64.

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Here are the top three stories in Wilmington today:

1. Wilmington's ninth annual Jewish Film Festival is ongoing at Thalian Hall. The festival will run through May 3. Seven films are being shown at the festival this year, ranging from documentaries to comedies. One of the directors will attend Sunday, Apr. 30's screening of his own film, "Dedication." Debbie Smith, the festival chair, said, "Well first of all, just coming to see the films, they're fun, they're entertaining, they're informative. So, it's something that I think people will want to come just to be entertained. But it's also [a] really nice community event and there's a lot of energy that you get from being here." Information about the films being shown, showtimes, and tickets can be found at here. (WWAY NewsChannel 3)
2. Yesterday would have been the 91st birthday of Wilmington native and basketball legend Meadowlark Lemon: "The Clown Prince of Basketball." Lemon graduated from Williston High in 1952 and joined the Harlem Globetrotters, combining athleticism, showmanship, and slapstick to become one of the world's most loved athletes. Downtown's North 3rd Street bridge was dedicated in the late Lemon's honor in 2019. (WWAY NewsChannel 3)
3. Five new homes have been listed for sale in the Wilmington area. Available properties range from an 864-square-foot, two-bed, two-bath home for $199,900 to a $470,000 home with three beds, three baths, and 2,795 square feet. Get all the property details at the link. (Patch)

Today and tomorrow in Wilmington:

Wednesday, April 26

• Park Pop Up #2 At The Fit For Fun Center (6:00 AM)
• Annual Women's Consignment Event At Elks Lodge #532 (4:00 PM)

Thursday, April 27

• Open Mic Comedy At Dead Crow Comedy Room (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Wilmington Fire Department honored Assistant Chief Tom Robinson, who has been recognized as a Credentialed Chief Fire Officer by the Center for Public Safety Excellence. (Wilmington, NC Fire Department via Facebook)
• The New Hanover County Sheriff's Office reports Anthony James Hamilton, 19, as a missing person as of Apr. 16, 2023. Hamilton was last seen at 308 Butterfly Ct., is white, has short hair, brown eyes, and distinguishing tattoos on his right hand, right forearm, and right upper bicep. He is 5'10" and weighs 150lbs. (New Hanover County Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
• Downtown Wilmington is home to a new business: a combination of Savorez and Bespoke Coffee & Dry Goods, located on 204 Princess St., serving breakfast food (including burritos, French toast, and empanadas among others) as well as coffee. Wilmington Downtown, Inc. shares that the new establishment is open from 7:00-11:00 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday. (Wilmington Downtown, Inc. (WDI) via Facebook)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll catch up soon with your next update!

— Lauren Kubiak

About me: Lauren is an Editor for Lightning Media Partners. She graduated from Rowan University with a Bachelor’s in journalism. She was previously a full-time editor at an association management firm, editing peer-reviewed nursing journals, textbooks, and newsletters.