Sandbox Podcasts

Azalea Festival Downtown impact (65 responses collected April 2025) Respondent Breakdown:- 55 % (36) downtown business owners/managers- 25 % (16) downtown residents- 20 % (13) visitors, employees, or other stakeholders Key Quantitative Take-aways: Metric Businesses open during festival (of those answered) Customer traffic change (positive / negative / no impact) Revenue change (positive / negative / no impact) Businesses with barricade pass Parking accessible (Yes / No) What people liked:- Vibrant atmosphere & increased regional visibility- Family-friendly programming (parade, street fair, garden tour)- Economic lift for hospitality sector (bars, restaurants, rentals) Primary pain-points: Value 91 % 28.6 % / 57.1 % / 14.3 % 31.4 % / 57.1 % / 11.4 % 88.6 % 41 % / 59 %- Parking / traffic - long search times, high prices, confusing detours- Barricade communication - unclear rules for some businesses/residents- Foot-traffic shift - retailers off parade route lost regular locals Opportunities for 2026: 1. Create a one-page 'Festival Access Guide' (map, parking QR codes) 2. Launch a 'Downtown Deals' passport to draw visitors to side streets 3. Establish resident quiet hours & shuttle lots to ease congestion 4. Distribute barricade passes earlier via HOA and online request portal Bottom line: Bottom line: Respondents value the Azalea Festival as a Wilmington tradition, but parking logistics and uneven business benefits temper enthusiasm. Addressing access and spreading crowds more evenly downtown could turn many neutral or negative experiences into positive ones next year.

Ted and Sandy discuss the Bad Day Music + Arts Festival which is a brand-new event debuting on July 12, 2025, in Wilmington’s Brooklyn Arts District. Designed to transform the area into a vibrant, day-to-night festival village, it will feature an eclectic mix of music genres—bluegrass, funk, reggae, house—and performances by acts like Railroad Earth, Yonder Mountain String Band, Lettuce, and more. The festival includes three stages, live mural painting, local food and drink, wellness activities, and tributes to Wilmington’s film scene.More than just entertainment, the festival emphasizes community impact, with proceeds benefiting FEMME HOUSE and the Brooklyn Arts Music Academy. It also offers opportunities for local artists, vendors, and creatives to participate, aiming to set a new standard for downtown festivals through cultural celebration and inclusivity. enjoy the podcast we hope it's informative to you.

At Port City Peddler, shopping is truly an adventure. You never know what vintage treasures you’ll find in our vendor mall. Each booth brings an assortment of interesting antique and vintage items. Plus, they have plenty of new items that are the perfect gifts or accents to your own home. With their ever-changing selection, there’s always something new to discover at Port City Peddler.

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Ted and Sandy discuss Graceful Transitions, NC which specializes in remodeling homes to meet the needs of individuals with mobility issues, disabilities, or seniors who want to age in place. They offer services like installing wheelchair ramps, barrier-free showers, and patient lift systems. Their work follows universal design principles, creating spaces functional for all, through safety enhancements, smart home integrations, and healthcare considerations. The company's process involves consultation, in-home assessment, design, installation and review. This sector addresses the rising demand for independent living solutions, allowing people to remain in their homes comfortably and securely as their needs change. The goal is to avoid or delay moves to assisted living facilities. Join us in this lively discussion.

Hey! It's Dr. K., is committed to promoting emotional health and wellness by sharing The Truth About Mental Illness. Dr. K. candidly reveals her life journey with mental illness through speaking and media engagements, education and professional development, compassion for lived experiences, and personalized consultation services.

Join Ted and Sandy as they explore Oak Harbor Village in a special episode of Focus on the Coast!Discover a community where every detail is designed for the ultimate living experience – a place where comfort, convenience, and coastal charm come together.

We have been hosting tours in Sun City Carolina Lakes and sponsoring a softball team in the communitysince 2009. In the past years we have taken SCCL groups to Hawaii, Greece, Egypt/Jordan, Italy, Scotland, Anartica, and South Africa. These tours are open to all residents, their families, friends, andnon-residents.