This week in NFK: Christmas, Hannukah, Porchella, Cold Plunge, Mushroom-Soaked Gin, Wassail, R.I.P. Lambert’s Point, and more.

by | Dec 23, 2022

Happy Holidays and thanks for supporting Norfolk Currents!

Community. 

The halls are decked, the season has been greeted, and the lights are lit. Enjoy your hometown holiday. (NFK Currents Original Video). Rip it.

Lambert’s Point Golf Course will be officially closing at the end of the year and replaced with an HRSD sustainable water project. Rip it.

Norfolk Police are pursuing a 24/7 surveillance system of the city with no mention of the privacy implications of the policy. Rip it.

Data from CityWork shows how rent across the city compares to income levels, race, age, and more. Rip it.
 
Virginia’s Commission on Civic Education joined the public pushback against draft history and social science standards for K-12 schools. Rip it.

For the second year in a row, the General Assembly’s joint subcommittee on campaign finance reform failed to have any meetings. Rip it.

A new online platform maps where permit applications and other Department of Environmental Quality approvals are. Rip it.

A state group working on solar energy regulations remains largely gridlocked on important parts of regulatory law. Rip it.
 
U.S. Senator Warner is calling for an investigation into the Ashanti Alert system after uncovering incorrect data. Rip it.

Both chambers of Congress passed the Great Dismal Swamp National Heritage Area Act, making the swamp a National Heritage Area. Rip it.

Lyft is offering free and reduced-fare rides on New Year’s Eve. Celebrate responsibly! Rip it.


This week, the USNS Comfort returned to Norfolk with over 1,000 sailors and civilian staff. Rip it.


NewMan Fitness Foundation is collecting bikes at MacArthur Center to distribute to those in need over the holidays. Rip it.

This Friday, the Graves family is giving away 300 turkeys to any families in need this holiday season. Rip it.

Culture.

The Virginia Stage Company is performing “A Merry Little Christmas Carol” through Dec 30th in the historic Wells Theater. Rip it.

This weekend the Virginia Symphony performs Handel’s Messiah across the region. Rip it.

Local artist Shaolinn dropped a new single, “Cherish,” out now on streaming. Rip it.

Now at the Hermitage Museum: More Than Shelter, a pop-up exhibit with MOCA. Rip it.
 
Now at Assembly: Asymmetry, a two-person exhibition curated by the CAN Foundation. Rip it.

The region is getting a new pride month event: the Virginia Queer Film Festival. Rip it.

Charlotte Stillman won the Annual Chrysler Bake Off with a baked rendition of “Woman in Pergola with Wisteria.” Rip it. 

Norfolk artist Addie Rawr is getting lots of attention for creating greeting cards and other stationery featuring modern Black families. Rip it.

Frequency, Social Supply, and Shake Norfolk are teaming up for Vibe Fest. Rip it.

Warm Hug, Pearloid, Obscure Son, and the Lazy Dangers ring in 2023 at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.

Currently on Display:
To See a World in a Grain of Sand at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
Black Orpheus: Jacob Lawrence and the Mbari Club at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
Motion / Emotion at Barry Art Museum. Rip it.
Rhonda Holy Bear: Artist and Story-Keeper at Barry Art Museum. Rip it.
ALLiGATER HELLHOUND at Gordon Art Galleries. Rip it.
Cuyahoga River at Offsite Gallery. Rip it.
Tedious Little Things at The Gallery at Elation. Rip it.

Commerce.

Shoutout to Istoria Agency for helping Norfolk Currents create these banging holiday videos. Rip it.

Bookings are now open for the 2025 Carnival cruises out of Norfolk. Rip it. 

ODU’s State of the Commonwealth report highlighted risks to the state’s economy as recession looms and control of the U.S. Congress changes. Rip it.  

Salaries for lawyers are down nearly 14%, particularly in our region. Rip it.

Ceremony, a dry bottle shop, is preparing for a big boom in business in January as millions are expected to participate in dry January. Rip it.

In a largely click-bait bit of research, Forbes ranked Norfolk International as the 8th worst airport for holiday travel. Rip it.  

Barnes & Noble is the latest retailer to depart Norfolk’s MacArthur Mall. Rip it.

Sarah Jane Kirkland, the current president and CEO of the Civic Leadership Institute, is leaving her post to join ODU as the associate vice president for corporate partnerships. Rip it. 

Norfolk-based Magazine Jukebox Inc. announced a deal to put its digital magazine services in the waiting rooms of the entire South Florida Baptist Health system. Rip it.

Norfolk-based WB Marketing was honored with four 2022 Graphic Design USA American Graphic Designs for their work with City of Manassas Economic Development, Virginia Health Services, Breeden Construction, and SPAR, Inc. Rip it.

Norfolk-based attorney Kelly DiCorrado was reprimanded by the Virginia State Bar for violating rules regarding diligence and communication. Rip it.

Naughty By Norfolk Champion Hoodie

Naughty By Norfolk Paper Bag Koozie

Crowds.

There’s still time to knock out the Christmas Bucketlist in Downtown Norfolk. (NFK Currents Original Video). Rip it. 

The Miracle on Waterside Drive is vying to be the most cheerful place in the city for holiday celebrations. Rip it.

Nothing says Christmas like hitting up the Christmas Carol at Wells Theater. Rip it.

Christmas Eve is the last day to check out the huge model train exhibit in Selden Market. Rip it.

Plunge into the icy Chesapeake Bay on Christmas Morning and New Year’s Day with Norfolk Cold Plunge. Rip it. 

**Please note that listed times are start times; many events run several hours**

FRIDAY:
Norfolk Run Club Friday Meetup at Yorgo’s Bageldashery. 6:00 am. Rip it 
Downtown Procrastinator Power Hours at Selden Market. 11:00 am. Rip it. 
A Christmas Story showing at Naro Cinema. 2:45 pm & 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Last Minute Gift Mini Market at Cova Brewing Company. 3:00 pm. Rip it 
Feral Affairs Network Pop-Up! at Elation Brewing. 3:00 pm. Rip it 
White Christmas screening at Naro Cinema. 4:00 pm. Rip it. 
The H.O.P.E Foundation Pre-Chirstmas Dinner at 434 St. Paul’s Blvd. 4:30 pm. Rip it. 
Xmas Eve Eve 2022: DJ Williams Projekt and Grateful Jed at Smartmouth Beer. 6:00 pm. Rip it 
The Doorway Singers perform live at Cova Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
End of the year Christmas Glo Ride at OV Shopping Center. Rip it. 
Friday Night Magic: Commander at Atlantis Games & Comics. 8:00 pm. Rip it 
H.L. Wilson III performs Live at Bold Mariner. 7:00 pm. Rip it 
TBMA Bluegrass Jam at Roosevelt Area Civic League. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Norfolk Admirals v Reading Royals at Norfolk Scope. 7:05 pm. Rip it 
New Moon Ritual at Aries Apothecary. 7:30 pm. Rip it 
A Mean Girlz Christmas at The Wave. 8:00 pm. Rip it 
Foxymorons Summer Sketch Comedy Bash at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it
Matt Holloman at Grain. 9:00 pm. Rip it 
Lip Sync Battle Charity Fundraiser at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it 


SATURDAY:
Send It Saturday Morning Group Ride at East Coast Bicycles. 8:00 am. Rip it 
Christmas Brunch Buffet at Grain. 9:00 am. Rip it 
Downtown Procrastinator Power Hours at Selden Market. 11:00 am. Rip it. 
Christmas Eve Holiday Pajama Brunch at OV Beach Tavern. 11:00 am. Rip it. 
It’s A Wonderful Life screening at Naro Cinema. 12:00 pm & 2:45 pm. Rip it.
Last Day for Holiday Train Exhibit at Selden Market. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Lipgloss & Lashes Drag Brunch at 37th & Zen. 1:00 pm. Rip it 
Christmas Eve Service at First Presbyterian Church. 4:00 pm. Rip it. 
The Nativity of Our Lord at Christ Lutheran Church. 5:00 pm. Rip it. 
Tommy Douros performs live at Hilton Norfolk Main. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Christmas Eve Service at Calvin Presbyterian Church. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Saturday Night Yugioh at Atlantis Games & Comics. 6:30 pm. Rip it 
Christmas Eve Candle Light Service at Christ Lutheran Church. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Christmas eve pajama party at MJ’s Tavern. 9:00 pm. Rip it 
Hip Hop Xperience at Ultra Lounge. 9:00 pm. Rip it. 

SUNDAY:
Dustin Furlow performs live at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it 
Lipgloss & Lashes Drag Brunch at 37th & Zen. 1:00 pm. Rip it 
Pokémon TCG: Weekly Casual Play at Atlantis Games & Comics. 1:00 pm. Rip it 
MTG Modern Sunday at Atlantis Games & Comics. 1:00 pm. Rip it 
Rob Oliver performs live at Grain. 4:00 pm. Rip it 
Babylon screening at Naro Cinema. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
TRL & Talented Sundays at 37th & Zen. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 

MONDAY:
Porchella Neighborhood Concert Series in Colonial Place. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 

Get a daily rundown of events on our Daily Instagram Story.
 

Chow.

Milk and Cookies not cutting it this year? Here are some of our favorite Downtown holiday sweets. (NFK Currents Original Video) Rip it. 

Downtown Norfolk is fully stocked with cocktails inspired by your favorite holiday movies. Get ’em while you experience the festivities! (NFK Currents Original Video) Rip it.


Pierogi are hard to keep in stock at On Ice 2 with flavors like Sauerkraut and Farmer’s Cheese. Rip it.

80/20 Burger Bar is celebrating ten years with Ten Burgers, including one featuring 28-day dry-aged beef. Rip it. 

There is definitely something in the pizza at Elation Brewery. Rip it. 

Ocean View has a new charcoal-forward grill: Swell in Willoughby. Rip it.

Hansel and Gretel endorsed this gingerbread latte at Cure. Rip it.

POWnd Cakes are 100% acceptable additions to the standard Christmas food lineup. Rip it.

Toast continues the 12 Nights of Old Fashioneds with this mushroom-soaked gin and Darjeeling tea version. Rip it.  

Legrand successfully met its fundraising goal to find a new location, AND it brought back the smoked pork and sweet potato hash. Rip it. 

The Wassail craft latter is back at Kobro’s for a drink Yule not want to miss. Rip it. 

Food Truck Sightings:
Friday:

Get Stuffed and Big Belly at Cova Brewing. Rip it.
Shawna’s Rich Eats at Maker’s Craft Brewing. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.
Bar-Q at Bold Mariner Brewing. Rip it.
Flippin Hangry at Reaver Beach NFK. Rip it.
A Bite of Maine at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it.

Saturday:
Shawna’s Rich Eats at Maker’s Craft Brewing. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.

Sunday:
What’re you doing looking for food trucks on Christmas and Hannukah Combo Day?? Go spend time with your friends and family!

NFK Dad Hat

Norfolk Snapback

Paul Stetson Rice

Chelsea, NFK

Paul is the creator of NFKVA.com. He was born and raised in Norfolk, graduated from Virginia Tech, and narrowly avoided law school. Chat with him about economics, entrepreneurship, hip-hop, and hiking. When he's not working on five different projects, you'll catch him sharing a beer with friends at a local brewery.