Today’s Forecast

69º | 0% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:42 a.m. | Sunset 6:21 p.m.

Mother Nature’s symphony is about to begin

Everything you need to know about the 2024 cicada super brood

Dozens of cicadas sit on the branch of a tree

Cicadas prefer oaks, willows, maples, and ash trees. | Photo via Gene Kritsky

Are you ready for swarms of cicadas to take over a 16-state area?

It’s rare, but occasionally two broods emerge at the same time. Brood XIII (comprising cicadas that emerge every 17 years) and Brood XIX (13-year cicadas) will both reproduce this spring.

Did you know? The last time Broods XIII and XIX emerged simultaneously was 1803.

Enter: the super brood

Does this mean the two broods can reproduce with each other? Will that result in even more cicadas during their next emergences?

We spoke to Dr. Gene Kritsky, a cicada expert at Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, to find out. He let us know that since “the broods do not have a wide area of overlap” it is unlikely that they will reproduce with each other. However, he noted, “If there was an overlap, it could satiate the predators more quickly, resulting in generally more offspring from each brood.”

A gif showing the difference between one cicada brood emerging in the south and both emerging in the south and through Illinois and Wisconsin. — Brood XIII (aka Northern Illinois Brood) joins Brood XIX (the Great Southern Brood).
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Map via Gene Kritsky, gif created with Knight Labs

What this means

The good news? There is no overlap of broods in Winston-Salem, so we are unlikely to see more cicadas due to the super brood.

However, Brood XIX is coming. Cicadas usually emerge when the soil hits 64 degrees, which begins in April for some places. The current temp in our area is 59 degrees.

In other words, we’re close to the event these cicadas have been waiting over a decade for.

The Cicada Safari map in Winston-Salem shows 4 sightings in Winston Salem — Watch out, Oak Ridge, the cicadas are coming for you too.
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Screenshot via Cicada Safari courtesy of Gene Kritsky

How you can help

Cicada Safari needs you to track cicada spottings. Mapping cicadas helps experts understand when broods may emerge. Per Dr. Kritsky, it also led to a discovery “that some 17-year cicadas can emerge four years early and may form a new brood.”

Download the free app to track cicada spottings and submit your own photos.

Look for cicadas where there are trees, full sun, and low vegetation. Think: Salem Lake Park and Woodland Cemetery.

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Events

Thursday, March 7

Vegas in the City | Thursday, March 7 | 8-10 p.m. | Joyner’s Bar, 854 W. 4th St., Winston-Salem | $25-$200 | Enjoy Vegas vibes in the Twin City with live entertainment, craft cocktails, music from a DJ, and food.

Friday, March 8

A Night in the Quarter: DEAC Clinic Fundraiser | Friday, March 8 | 6-8 p.m. | Wake Forest University School of Medicine’s Atrium Lobby, 475 Vine St., Winston-Salem | $30-$60 | The evening includes a silent auction, food, live music and more.

Saturday, March 9

Concert for Community | Saturday, March 9 | 3-5:30 p.m. | Wait Chapel, 1834 Wake Forest Rd., Winston-Salem | Free, RSVP | Music Director Michelle Merrill will conduct the combination orchestra of the Youth Symphony and their professional counterparts in the Winston-Salem Symphony.
International Women’s Legacy Parade of the Triad | Saturday, March 9 | 1-3 p.m. | 4th St., Winston-Salem | Free | Come out to watch the parade that celebrates the impact of women and girls in our community.
Mast General Store Sidewalk Sale | Saturday, March 9-Sunday, March 10 | Times vary | Mast General Store Winston-Salem, 516 N. Trade St., Winston-Salem | Free | Stop by the Mast General Store Sidewalk Sale this weekend and enjoy discounts of up to 40-50% on name brands and more.*

Sunday, March 10

The Healing Pen Presents: Healing Through Journaling Interest Session | Sunday, March 10 | 3-4:30 p.m. | Bookmarks, 634 W. 4th St., Ste. 110, Winston-Salem | Free, RSVP | Learn more about the six-session workshop geared toward adults who are interested in journaling to heal.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Civic

Forsyth County Commissioner Dave Plyler has changed his mind about his June 30 retirement. After winning one of three qualifying spots in Tuesday’s primary election, Plyler says if he is reelected in November, he intends to serve another four years. (Winston-Salem Journal)

Coming Soon

Hoots Beer Company is transitioning from a brewery to a bar + music venue. The space at 840 Mill Works St., Ste. 110 will serve rotating taps, wine, and cocktails and host performing acts for ~200 attendees — expect to see changes in the next six months.

Eat

Try a different kind of boozy brunch. The Kegs ‘n Eggs Beer-Pairing Brunch is back at Footnote Coffee and Cocktails on Sunday, March 17 at 11:30 a.m. The meal includes four courses and four Foothills beers — tickets are $55 + tax.

Coming Soon

Taste Jamaican cuisine like jerk chicken, oxtail, and curry goat. Irie Plates Restaurant and Bar will be located at 1539 Hanes Mall Blvd. We’ll keep you posted on the opening date.

Shop

Shop vintage clothes and decor at Theodore’s Bar and Market on Saturday, March 23. The spring vintage market will be held in the space at Reynolda Village (114 Reynolda Village Way, Ste. D) from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Arts

Greet travelers with your art at Piedmont Triad International Airport. The Airport Authority is calling for artists to loan their two-dimensional photographs, paintings, mixed media, small three-dimensional sculptures + large outdoor sculptures to the airport to display for one year. (Yes! Weekly)

Sports

The Carolina Thunderbirds will compete in the Federal Prospects Hockey League playoffs. The team will play the Columbus River Dragons in Georgia tomorrow, March 8 before returning to the Fairgrounds Annex to play the Baton Rouge Zydeco on Saturday + Sunday. (Winston-Salem Journal)

Edu

The registration window to enroll children in free, public Pre-K programs is open. Not sure where to start? Check out the Pre-K Priority, a group of Forsyth County organizations dedicated to early childhood education. (WFDD)

Arts

You’re invited to “Seen & Unseen: Photographs by Imogen Cunningham.” The newest exhibition at Reynolda features an array of powerful and striking photographs that reflect crucial developments in art + photography during the 20th century. Save your spot to check it out now through June 2.*

Pets

Wonder Paws’ Omega Max Drops for dogs are veterinarian recommended, support healthy joints, and reduce itchy skin and shedding. Get 15% off with code DQMRME3N.*

Development

🏗️ Halfway there

Work on care tower at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center reaches halfway point

A concrete building and active construction site. Cranes from the ground and a large red one above hangs over the multiple-story building.

Hundreds of construction crews have dedicated more than 268,000 hours to the project so far. | Photo via Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist

The final steel beams are in place for the new care tower at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. The hospital’s celebration on Tuesday, March 5 marked the completion of the building’s structural framework.

“As we commemorate the topping out ceremony of the care tower, we honor not only the steel and concrete rising to the sky, but also the collective spirit and dedication of our community and Triad construction crews,” Mike Lancaster, CEO of Blum Construction Co., said.

Work began 17 months ago. When it’s complete, the 350,000-sqft building will house an upgraded emergency department, state-of-the-art operating rooms, and enhanced adult intensive care units. There will also be more natural light in larger patient rooms + new outdoor space to promote healing.

The expanded adult emergency department is expected to open first, in mid-2025. Construction is expected to be complete in 2026. The project will cost $450 million.

The Buy

The Buy 3.07.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Your favorite pair of sneakers from Nordstrom Rack’s spring sneaker edit. We’re loving the prices on pairs from Cole Haan and Lacoste.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Cambridge

From the editor

There’s nothing better than enjoying spring-like weather at the ballpark. I’m hoping the rain holds off this weekend so I can cheer on the Wake Forest baseball team. I’m also looking forward to the Dash’s first home game of the season on Tuesday, April 9.

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