Community.
City Councilmembers elected in the November elections were sworn into office this week. John “JP” Paige is the only new member joining Council. Martin Thomas was re-elected as Vice Mayor. Rip it.
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation awarded $25 million to the City of Norfolk for the floodwall project – nearly half of all funds awarded. Rip it.
Advocates are calling for action as concerns about conditions inside the Norfolk City Jail get more attention. Rip it.
Policies to address a string of suicides in Norfolk-based Navy installations have yet to be implemented despite being signed by President Biden into law in 2021. Rip it.
Proposed state legislation would allow parents to use money allocated for public schools for private school tuition. Rip it.
Proposed state legislation would more than triple the eligibility income for free or reduced-price lunches in public schools. Rip it.
David Doré has been hired as chancellor of the Virginia Community College System. Rip it.
The invasive nutria has been eradicated from the Chesapeake Bay; here’s how officials made it happen. Rip it.
Atlantic Cod, which can be found off the coasts of Virginia, may be getting stricter catch quotas to rebuild the stock of the species Rip it.
Light rail service resumed this week following nearly three weeks of paused service caused by a water main break. Rip it.
Tolls for the Midtown and Downtown tunnels will increase up to 11% despite a contractual agreement to limit increases to 7% annually. Rip it.
Sen. Lionell Spruill is seeking to increase jury-duty pay from $30 per day to $100 per day. Senator Lynwood Lewis has proposed an increase to $50. Rip it.
Culture.
Catch the recap of NSU’s incredible Spartan Legion Band performing in the Rose Parade. Rip it.
The Library of Virginia, local courts, and other organizations are battling to preserve historical documents that were treated with cellulose acetate in 1930s-1950s. Rip it.
Dr. Andrea Warren has been named the President and CEO of the Virginia Symphony, making history as the first Black woman to serve as CEO of a leading symphony orchestra in the United States and Canada. Rip it.
The Stanley Cup and other Hockey Hall of Fame exhibits will be in Norfolk for the January 16th ECHL All-Star Classic. Rip it.
Shen Yun, an epic dance production portraying five millennia of Chinese culture, comes to Chrysler Hall on January 7th and 8th. Rip it.
It’s the last weekend to catch Black Orpheus: Jacob Lawrence and the Mbari Club at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
Walt Taylor has been sketching Cafe Stella patrons for years. Rip it.
Gemz is bringing some of the region’s biggest hip-hop names to Smartmouth. Rip it.
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.
Commerce.
Brick Anchor Brewhouse in Downtown Norfolk is set to close later this month. Rip it.
The community rallied to the aid of Siren Skate Shop after two bicycles were stolen from the store. Rip it.
The Port of Virginia claims to be the fastest-growing port in the nation. It may be contributing to a surge in industrial warehouse projects which are not always being met with community support. Rip it.
ODU received NASA and NOAA grants to further study climate change mitigation efforts. Rip it.
Breeze Airways announced several new flight routes from ORF with fares starting as low as $39. Rip it.
Norfolk ranked as the 74th best city for Jobs, according to Wallethub. Transit and walkability scores, as well as “dating-friendliness,” impacted the final rank. Rip it.
Wallethub ranked Norfolk as the 82nd-best city for singles in a different report. Rip it.
An intense motorsports club at Old Dominion is earning students on-the-spot job offers and sending graduates to GM, Honda, and other major firms. Rip it.
The Ever Forward cargo ship that ran aground in the Chesapeake Bay for several days will pay nearly 700K to restore oyster reefs. Rip it.
Gangsta Dog is expanding to East Beach Shoppes. They already have a location in Yorktown. Rip it.
StretchLab, a stretching studio, signed on to the Railyard at Lambert’s Point development. Rip it.
Sentara is investing $11 million in a Newport News redevelopment project. Rip it.
Old Dominion University’s Virginia Institute for Spaceflight & Autonomy (VISA) and the Port of Virginia successfully tested an unmanned security and emergency response drone system at the port. Rip it.
Crowds.
Social Cycling NFK is hosting a bike swap at the Veil on January 28th. Rip it.
Smartmouth kicks off the 2023 concerts with New Year New Wave featuring The Cure, New Division, and DJ Andra. Rip it.
Just announced: YES FEST: a 20+ band festival hosted by LAVA Presents and ODU Arts. Rip it.
FRIDAY:
Norfolk Run Club Friday Meetup at Yorgo’s Bageldashery. 6:00 am. Rip it.
Writers Coffee Break at Cafe Stella. 9:00 am. Rip it.
Dan Pellegrino performs live at Benchtop Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Amy Kaus performs live at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Bad Movie Night: Empire of the Ants at ODU Planetarium. 6:30 pm. Rip it.
Taught by Tawana: Wines of Tuscany at Vino Culture. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Weekly Bluegrass Jam at Roosevelt Area Civic League. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Into The Zoo Fridays at Republic NFK. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Full Moon Ritual at Aries Apothecary. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Love Me Tinder at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Karlous Miller: At the End of the Day at Harrison Opera House. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Aaron Firestone performs live at Grain. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
Get LIt Fridays at Ultra Lounge. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
MonoMania! The Completely Crazy Improvised Play at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it.
Street Photography Meetup at Macarthur Mall. 10:00 pm. Rip it.
Weekend Long Run at Ocean View Run Club. 7:15 am. Rip it
Send It Saturday Morning Group Ride at East Coast Bicycles. 8:00 am. Rip it
Virginia Children’s Chorus Auditions for Spring ’23 at Talbot Park Baptist Church. 9:00 am. Rip it
Bhav Brigade Yoga at Elation Brewing. 10:00 am. Rip it
Meet & Greet Sing-A-Long w\/ Queen Elsa at COVA. 10:00 am. Rip it.
KrocFit ’23 at Kroc Center Hampton Roads. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Live Life Fresh Boom Box Bike Ride at Freshtopia. 10:30 am. Rip it.
BigForestFire Solo at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Beginner Salsa Dance Crash Course at Mambo Room. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Frozen matinee screening at Pretlow Library. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Yoga at Slover. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Lipgloss & Lashes Drag Brunch at 37th & Zen. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Shen Yun at Chrysler Hall. 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Under the Deep Blue C….QSA at Harrison Opera House. 5:30 pm. Rip it.
New Year, New Wave at Smartmouth Beer. 6:00 pm. Rip it
Spiritual Colors and Meanings at Aries Apothecary. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
The Write Offs Writing Group at The Muse Writers Center. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Cody Browning performs live at Benchtop Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Saturday Night Yugioh at Atlantis Games & Comics. 6:30 pm. Rip it
The Fearless Few Comedy at 37th & Zen. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Gregg Karukas and Adam Hawley perform live at Attucks Theatre. 7:00 pm. Rip it
The Nashville Nights Band performs live at The Norva. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Fun Time Trivia at Hank’s Filling Station. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Chris Ride performs live at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Silent Disco at Waterside District. 8:00 pm. Rip it
Digimon TCG Weekly Tournament at Atlantis Games & Comics. Rip it
Date Night Comedy Show at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Bold in Blue Night at 37th & Zen. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
Saturday Night Karaoke at Pizza Chef. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
Friday Night Karaoke at TNT Tavern. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
Trouble in Pushville at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it.
Slow-Mo Sunday Group Ride at Local Bike Shop NFK. 10:30 am. Rip it
Dustin Furlow performs live at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it
Walk Through East Beach with Rocky Rhoades. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Privateer Press Game Night at Atlantis Games & Comics. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Bhav Brigade Yoga at Sky’s the Limit. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Elated Craft Market at Elation Brewing. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Sunday Funday w/ music by Chris Ride at Hank’s Filling Station. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Boudoir Marathon at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Boudoir Portraits at Makers Craft Brewery. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Lipgloss & Lashes Drag Brunch at 37th & Zen. 1:00 pm. Rip it
MTG Modern Sunday at Atlantis Games & Comics. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Pokemon Open Play at Atlantis Games & Comics. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Shen Yun at Chrysler Hall. 2:00 pm. Rip it
Introduction to Orisha Worship at Aries Apothecary. 3:00 pm. Rip it
Music Bingo at Reaver Beach NFK. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
Traditional Irish Session at Grace O’Malley’s Irish Pub. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Tim Bakner performs live at Grain. 7:30 pm. Rip it
Chow.
Ginger Agave Craft Latte lands at Kobro’s this weekend. Rip it.
Vessel Craft Coffee and Smartmouth are collabing to drop “Up & At ‘Em” cold brew coffee stout. Rip it.
Creme de Catalan cures the cravings at Crudo Nudo. Rip it.
Coming soon to West OV: De Rican. Grab a sneak peek from the VB location. Rip it.
If you haven’t made it to ramen Wednesday Stockpot yet, you’re missing out. Rip it.
Elation is stocking the NA libations for the resolution keepers. Rip it.
Chelsea Bakehouse’s Team has been touring NYC for pizza research. New menu coming soon? Rip it.
Stony’s is stepping outside the comfort zone with new birria tacos. Rip it.
First peek at the menu at Lola’s Beachside in OV. Rip it.
Wake up to decadence: this waffle sandwich from Our People’s is loaded. Rip it.
508 Crafthouse is coming soon to Chelsea. Check out the progress on the custom tables. Rip it.
Food Truck Sightings:
Friday:
Weng’s Kitchen at Cova 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.
Bakehouse Pizza at Elation Brewing. Rip it.
Saturday:
Southern Provisions & Sour Street Pizza at Cova Brewing. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.
Bakehouse Pizza at Elation Brewing. Rip it.
Bar-Q at Bold Mariner Brewing. Rip it.
Sunday:
Gocho Gourmet at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it.
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.