This Week in NFK: Severance, Survey, Casino, a $440 Million Loan, Solstice Witches, Dumpster Dudes, Norfolk Kickback, & More

by | Jun 16, 2023

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Community. 

Catch the latest episode of the NFK Currents podcast with “The Dumpster Dudes,” who perform at Generic Theater next weekend. Rip it.  
 
Downtown Norfolk Council is looking for your input on the strategic plan for the Downtown area. Rip it.

Several primary elections will be taking place across Norfolk on Tuesday. Rip it.  

The City of Norfolk passed its 2024 budget for a 5% raise for staff and an additional 2.5% raise for public safety employees. Rip it.

Unbeknownst to several City Council members, the budget passed on Tuesday included a dated severance package for the City Manager that implies he is on the way out. Rip it.

The development team behind Norfolk’s proposed casino submitted their plans to City officials, showing a much smaller development that is being framed as a “first phase.” Rip it.

New renderings for the Greenie’s site dropped, featuring extended boardwalks, parking, and a food truck area. Rip it.

State, Federal, and local lawmakers came together to sign the Project Partnership Agreement that will kick off the $2.6 billion storm resilience project. Rip it.

Norfolk’s former Police Chief, Michael Goldsmith, was named to the Attorney General’s task force on Antisemitism. Rip it.

Harborfest donated funds to several non-profit organizations whose members volunteered at the festival. Rip it.

Sentara’s SEARCH program has been training individuals with developmental disabilities and welcomes seven new graduates. Rip it.

NSU fans say goodbye to Cornerbacks coach Dawson Odums who has recently resigned. Rip it.

Norfolk resident seeks half a million in damages for use of excessive force by police. Rip it.

College counseling for mental health issues is experiencing soaring demand across the Commonwealth. Rip it.

Councilmember Danica Royster will host a town hall to introduce new Police Chie Mark Talbot to the community. Rip it.

Admirals President Billy Johnson has been nominated for ECHL Executive of the Year. Rip it.

Norfolk Animal Care Center is in need of volunteers for a variety of times. Rip it.

Culture.

“Echoes of the Heart,” a highly-anticipated installation from Claudia Bueno, opens at the Hermitage Museum and Gardens this week. (NFK Currents Original). Rip it.

Norfolk Botanical opens its Butterfly House this Saturday. Rip it.

Commonwealth Comedy brings big laughs to the Generic Theater with three shows this summer. Rip it.

“Five Freedom Songs,” performed by Julia Bullock, is astounding audiences at the Attucks Theater. Rip it.

The Little Theater of Norfolk is hosting a 48-hour Play Festival with teams of 2-6 doing their interpretations of “Hero or Villians?” Rip it. 

Catch the best up-and-coming filmmakers at the Virginia Queer Film Fest this weekend. Rip it.

The Single Moms Social Club is building space for moms to connect. Rip it.

Aimee Bruce debuted “Flourish,” depicting two hands working together to plant seeds at The UP Center during its 140th anniversary. Rip it.

Currently on Display:
Barbara Earl Thomas: The Illuminated Body at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
Preston Singletary: Raven and the Box of Daylight at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
The Great Exhibition: Bébés at the Barry Art Museum. Rip it.
Perspectives: Modern and Contemporary Glass from the Waitzer Collection at Barry Art Museum. Rip it.
M/NYC: Rough Draft, a solo exhibition by Thomas O’Casey at Assembly Gallery. Rip it.
Delectable at d’Art Center. Rip it. 
High On Your Supply at The Gallery At ElationRip it.

Commerce.

A 164-unit housing complex opened in Norfolk this week with 100% affordable units opened at Tidewater and Brambleton. Rip it.

As commercial real estate headwinds pick up across the country, Norfolk-based Harborgroup refinanced 25 multifamily properties with a $440 million fixed-rate loan. Rip it.

Nightingale at Sentara completed 862 patient flights last year. Rip it.

Labor shortages are looming as the region prepares for a historic tourism season. Rip it.

The HRBT Expansion has been holding lanes closed longer than expected. Rip it.

ODU and EVMS were among a handful of higher education institutions to receive citations for not following animal welfare rules. Rip it.

Frontline Gig, a Norfolk-based startup, is helping deploy freelance workers to work on environmental projects like clearing storm drains. Rip it.

GigPro, a national company, entered the local market, offering quick access to hospitality jobs like bartending, cooking, and housekeeping. Rip it.

Norfolk allocated $12 million for improvements to the Half Moone Cruise Terminal as Carnival expands its facility use. Carnival’s estimated economic impact is just $17.6 millionRip it.

NFK Dad Hat

Norfolk Snapback

Crowds.

Connect with creatives, innovators, and new friends at the Norfolk Kickback on June 29th. Rip it.

Norfolk Tides vs Worcester Red Sox continues today and Saturday. Rip it.

Ghent Pride returns this month with a block party at the Palace Shops on June 20th. Rip it.

Tickets are now on sale for LAVA Presents next concert event on July 8th. Rip it.

Norfolk Latino Music Festival is coming up on July 22nd. Rip it.

FRIDAY:
Run Club Friday Meetup at Yorgo’s Bageldashery. 6:00 am. Rip it
Donation Drive for The Samaritan House at Ghent Farmers Market. 4:00 pm. Rip it
Ghent Farmers Market at Blair Middle School. 4:00 pm.  Rip it
Schools Out For Summer: Teacher Appreciation Party at The OV Beach Tavern. 5:00 pm. Rip it
Learn To Sail at Nauticus. 6:00 pm. Rip it
New Moon Circle in Gemini at Kindred Spirit. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
SALT performs live at Ocean View Pier. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Wine Class (Food+Wine Pairing) at Water’s Edge Winery. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Language of the Dead: Messages from the Dead Tour at Elmwood Cemetery. 6:30 pm. Rip it
Dan Pellegrino performs LIVE AT ELATION. 6:30 pm. Rip it
Norfolk Tides vs. Worcester Red Sox at  Harbor Park. 6:35 pm. Rip it
Third Friday Clay Throwdown at d’Art Center. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Regions of Rosé with Ryn at Vino Culture. 7:00 pm. Rip it
June Kilt-Pub Night at Reaver Beach. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
LNJ Sessions, Elephants Dancing, and Cultivated Mind at Chicho’s Backstage. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Miller Lite Hot Country Nights: Drew Parker at Waterside District. 8:00 pm. Rip it
Double Anna Gemini Extravaganza at 37th & Zen. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Monthly Mayhem – Beers & Bikinis at PBR Waterside. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Donal O’Shaughnessy performs live at Grace O’Malley’s. 8:30 pm. Rip it.
*Flashback!* Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion at the Naro. 9:15 pm. Rip it
Harold Night: Norfolk’s Best Improv Comedy Teams at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it

SATURDAY:
Weekend Long Run. 7:15 am. Rip it
Send It Saturday Morning Group Ride at East Coast Bicycles. 8:00 am. Rip it
Local Look & Breakfast with the Animals at Virginia Zoo. 8:30 am. Rip it
East Beach Farmers Market. 9:00 am. Rip it
Bhav Brigade Yoga at the Plot. 9:30 am. Rip it
Hot Girl Walk with City Girls Walk departing Chelsea Neighborhood. 10:00 am. Rip it
Juneteenth Freedom Festival at Slover Library. 10:00 am. Rip it.
COVA Moves: Goat Yoga. 10:00 am. Rip it
Father’s Day Weekend Festival at Nauticus. 10:00 am. Rip it
Book Exchange Charity Sale to Benefit The Muse Writers Center. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Live Life Fresh Boom Box Bike Ride at Freshtopia. 10:30 am. Rip it
Flow and Flight at Sky’s The Limit Yoga Co. 10:45 am. Rip it
Believe in Learning Kickoff Celebration at Jordan-Newby Library at Broad Creek. 11:00 am. Rip it
Juneteenth Festival in the Park at Town Point Park. 12:00 pm. Rip it
WZPM Radio performs live at Elation Brewing. 12:30 pm. Rip it.
Summer Festival at Elation Brewing. 12:30 pm. Rip it.
Free Art Demos at d’Art Center – Art in Motion!. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Lipgloss & Lashes Drag Brunch at 37th & Zen. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Blackout Cookout at Northside Park. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Lighthouse Painting at Nauticus. 2:00 pm. Rip it
Paul Urban Electric Blues performs live at Elation Brewing. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
Intro to Needle Felting with Amy at 757 Creative ReUse Center. 2:00 pm. Rip it
Triumphs & Tribulations: Evelyn T. Butts at Tucker Memorial Library. 2:00 pm. Rip it
Red Stapler performs at O’Connor Brewing. 3:00 pm. Rip it
Nicholas Charles performs live at Elation Brewing. 3:30 pm. Rip it.
Old World vs. New World Face-Off at VIA design. 4:00 pm. Rip it
Crazy DJ Music Bingo at Hank’s Filling Station. 4:30 pm. Rip it.
Juneteenth Pop-Up Market at Waterside District. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Opening Reception for Eafrica Johnson at Gallery 21. 5:00 pm. Rip it
The James Henry Morgan Gang performs live at Elation Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Community Sound Bath at Flow Massage. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
TomKat performs live at the Willoughby Fish House. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Norfolk Tides vs. Worcester Red Sox at Harbor Park. 6:35 pm. Rip it
HOGs & Dogs at Harbor Park. 6:35 pm. Rip it.
Murder Mystery Dinner Theater at Granby Theater. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Rocky 7 performs live at Waterside District. 7:00 pm. Rip it
A Musical Tribute To Luther Vandross at Attucks Theatre. 7:30 pm. Rip it
Rhythm and Laughter Father’s Day Edition at The Venue on 35th. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Pushing Dragons: An Improvised D&D Adventure at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it
Juneteenth Game Night at Major Phillie. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Donal O’Shaughnessy performs live at Grace O’Malley’s. 8:30 pm. Rip it.
Gimme Gimme Disco at The NorVA. 9:00 pm. Rip it
Un-MASC:ed, Break Free From The Labels at The Wave. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
Neon Bear Pride Edition at MJ’s Tavern. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
JAG Duo performs live at Grain. 9:00 pm. Rip it.

SUNDAY:
Sky’s The Limit Yoga on Tap at Reaver NFK. 10:45 am. Rip it
Father’s Day Bacon & Rib Fest at Hank’s Filling Station. 12:00 pm. Rip it
War of 1812 Event at Fort Norfolk. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Elated Market with live music at Elation Brewing. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Lipgloss & Lashes Drag Brunch at 37th & Zen. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Norfolk Tides vs. Worcester Red Sox at Harbor Park. 1:05 pm. Rip it
Poetry Open Mic: Melodic Movement at Mudita Coffeehouse. 1:30 pm. Rip it.
Best Dressed Dad Getup Contest at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
Chesapeake Dance Center performance at Harrison Opera House. 3:00 pm. Rip it  
Rob Oliver performs live at Grain. 3:00 pm. Rip it.
Mark Curry performs live at Brothers Norfolk. 3:30 pm. Rip it.
Yoga With A Yogi In Training at Sky’s The Limit Yoga Co. 4:00 pm. Rip it 
The Turnabout Show at the Granby Theater. 7:00 pm. Rip it.

Chow.

Food for the soul at Grandiflora Wine Garden’s Summer Solstice Witch House Experience. Rip it.

Codex’s famous burgers are now available for lunch. Rip it.

Dreaming of Danishes? Starving Artist Cafe has you covered. Rip it.

Zeltzie the Seltzie skated into the taproom with a ton of strawberry guava at Smartmouth. Rip it.

Specialty pride cocktails at Toast are the perfect June move. Rip it.

The Oxtail Cheesesteak is putting lines down the street at Major Phillie. Rip it.

The meat masters at Redwood Smoke Shack have a special Meatball Sub available this weekend. Rip it.

Fruity Pebble donuts aren’t just for cereal chillers. Anyone can grab one at O’s Donuts. Rip it.

Let’s taco bout the art! Sanctuary features unique works by CA Simmons and, of course, the tacos. Rip it.

Same great brews, and brand new views. Check the taproom renovations at Bold Mariner. Rip it.

Kobro’s Coffee has spiced pineapple coconut lattes for this weekend only. Rip it.  

Looking for a whole steamed lobster by the beach? Swell has you covered. Rip it.

Tuna Crudo. No questions asked. Legrand. Rip it.

Food Truck Sightings:
Friday:
Deutscher Imbiss at Maker’s Craft. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen, Nacho Libre, & Big Belly at Cova. Rip it.
Hades Wood Fire Pizza at Reaver Beach. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth. Rip it.
Bakehouse at Elation. Rip it.
Bar-q at Bold Mariner. Rip it.

Saturday:
Crop Circle Gourmet at Maker’s Craft. Rip it.
Sour Street Pizza & The American Taco at Cova. Rip it.
Moontide Sundries at Reaver Beach. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth. Rip it.
Bakehouse at Elation. Rip it.
Bar-q at Bold Mariner.  Rip it.

Sunday:
Crop Circle Gourmet at Maker’s Craft. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Cova. Rip it.
Flippin Hangry at Reaver Beach. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Rip it.
Bakehouse at Elation. Rip it.Bar-q at Bold Mariner. 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.