Community. 

The Grand Illumination Parade is canceled again this year due to covid, instead Downtown will be full of smaller activities and festivities of all kinds. Rip it. 

Dominion Power customers are set to get refunds and see a reduction in rates going forward. Rip it. 

The City of Norfolk is looking for input on how to spend $154 in funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. Rip it. 

A new Virginia Department of Health health equity dashboard suggests that Black residents of Norfolk were more than three times as likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19. Rip it.

The Center for Digital Government has ranked Norfolk as the 10th most digital city for its size. Rip it. 

The Urban Renewal Center has received $150K grant to help unhoused residents find employment. Rip it. 

Virginia budget officials are predicting $13.6 billion in additional state revenues over the next two years based on higher forecasts. Rip it. 

Berkley residents say that workers from the nearby shipyard are contributing to a growing trash problem. Rip it. 

City Council unanimously approved a redesign of the HRT bus network in the city, which should result in reduced wait times in major corridors. Rip it. 

For the first time since the pandemic began, TCC is slated to hold an in-person commencement ceremony. Rip it. 

Bruce Cooks, a Norfolk resident, is leading the charge to raise awareness of the dangers of prostate cancer after surviving it himself. Rip it. 

The city of Norfolk is partnering with a group of faith leaders, civic leagues, to lean on an example from Newark, NJ to reduce violence in the city. Rip it. 

The Community Leadership Partners giving group recently awarded $200,000 in grants to 15 area nonprofits focused on helping “opportunity youth.” Rip it.

A historic Norfolk sanctuary damaged by Tropical Storm Isaias is moving to become a community arts center. Rip it. 

ODU kicks off a basketball season worth starting. Rip it. 

Culture.

LAVA MiniFest brings 8 incredible acts to Toast this Saturday. Rip it. 

Ludacris and Nelly are headed to Scope for the “Norfolk Hip Hop Festival” in January. Rip it. 

Newly moved to Norfolk, the Patriotic Festival has announced it’s headliner: Jon Pardi. Rip it. 

Catch famed Irish singer Anthony Kearns in Norfolk this weekend. Rip it. 

Gingerbread Artists it’s your time to shine with the Hermitage Museum’s 2nd Annual Gingerbread House Contest. Rip it. 

Artist applications are open to NOICE (Norfolk’s Original Indie Comics Expo) in 2022. Rip it.

The Chrysler launched an exhibit this week in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr.’s transformative gift of art to the Chrysler Museum of Art. Rip it. 

Coming soon to ODU Goode Theater: Hampton Roads Queer History Exhibition. Rip it. 

Kindred Spirits, a skateboarding film, has it’s Norfolk premiere at the Naro on Friday. Rip it. 

Currently on Display:
Sauce: 2021 ODU Art Alumni Exhibition at Baron and Ellin Gordon Art Gallery. Rip it. 
Life and Limb: Works by Matt Sesow at Baron and Ellin Gordon Art Gallery. Rip it. 
Fence Street Gallery in the NEON District. Rip it.
Edward Steichen: In Exaltation of Flowers at Chrysler Museum. Rip it. 
Pier Luigi Nervi: Art and Science of Building at Chrysler Museum. Rip it. 
If You Thirst for a Homeland: Flame-worked glass at Chrysler Museum. Rip it. 
Karen LaMonte: Théâtre de la Mode at Barry Art Museum. Rip it. 

Commerce.

Malik Emmanuel, a bespoke shoemaker, is raising funds on Kickstarter to help fund new equipment.  Rip it. 

Midtown and downtown tunnel tolls are set to be discounted for residents of Norfolk and Portsmouth. Rip it. 

Norfolk State is expanding its online education and graduate programs offerings including degrees in Computer Science, Cyberpsychology, and Urban Education. Rip it. 

Thanksgiving dinner is expected to cost 14% more this year due to ongoing inflation. Rip it. 

The National Defense Authorization Act which will undoubtedly affect the regional economy is being taken up in the Senate with nearly 800 amendments in consideration. Rip it.  

VetBizLadyStart, a federally funded nonprofit program at Old Dominion University, is about to graduate its first class. Rip it. 

Eight businesses made over $20.1 million in capital investments in the Norfolk Enterprise Zone (NEZ) in 2020. Rip it.

The Gravity 400 project by Buddy Gadams is set to bring 273 new apartments downtown. Rip it.  

Single-family build-to-rent housing is growing quickly in the regional market. Rip it. 

Skip Black Friday and focus on Small Business Saturday this year. Selden Market’s event is a great place to start with over 50 vendors. Rip it. 

Regional Economic Stats. Port Stats. Labor Stats.

Crowds.

Next weekend, don’t miss Smartmouth’s Dark Arts Fest with bands, vendors, and more. Rip it.

Chrysler Museum is hosting its third Annual Bake Off on December 3rd. Rip it.

Norfolk’s first “Santarchy” hits the streets on December 11th. Rip it.

DJ Williams Projekt, Grateful Jed, and Prabir Trio headline the Nancy Langhorne Foundation’s annual benefit concert next month. Rip it.

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

All Weekend:
Zoolumination at Virginia Zoo. Rip it.
Million Bulb Walk at Norfolk Botanical Garden. Rip it.
Winterfest at Nauticus. Rip it.
MacArthur On Ice at MacArthur Center. Rip it.
Intimate Apparel at ODU Goode Theater. Rip it.
ODU Dance Fall Dance Concert at Univesity Theater. Rip it.
Building a Legacy: Chrysler Collects for the Future. Rip it.

Friday: 
NFK Run Club meetup at Yorgos. 6:00 am. Rip it.
Sarah Shook and the Disarmers perform live at Smartmouth Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Beth Turner performs live at Maker’s Craft Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Saint Juliens Creek Revival performs live at Cova Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Chris Keys performs live at Varia. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
MercyME performs live at Chartway Arena. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
A Drag Queen Christmas at Harrison Opera House. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Anastasia performed live at Chrysler Hall. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
The Diversity JAM! live show at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Glasgow Kiss performs live at Grace O’Malley’s. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Jan and Zane Duo perform live at Grain. 9:30 pm. Rip it.
The Loop! perform live at Waterside District. 9:30 pm. Rip it.
Kindred Spirits premiere at the Naro. 9:30 pm. Rip it.
Harold Night live show at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it.

Saturday: 
Chartway Norfolk Harbor Half Marathon & 10K. 7:30 am. Rip it.
Monthly Nature Walk at Weyanoke Bird Sanctuary. 9:00 am. Rip it.
Surfrider Foundation Monthly Beach Cleanup at Ocean View Fishing Pier. 9:00 am. Rip it.
Pajama Goat Yoga at Cova Brewing Co. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Deck the Halls Holiday Open House at Hunter House Victorian Museum. 10:00 am. Rip it.
757 Holiday Plant Swap at Selden Market. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Norfolk Yacht and Country Club 125th Anniversary Celebration. 10:30 am. Rip it.
BigForestFire performs live at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it.
757 Maker Market at 757 Makerspace. 11:00 am. Rip it.
6th Annual Nor-FOLK Festival at Benchtop Brewing. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
3rd Annual NoCo Holiday Wine Fest with Hank’s Filling Station. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
The 7th Annual Great Hot Cocoa Wars. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Holiday Centerpieces workshop with Dita at 757 Creative Reuse Center. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Mobile Axe Throwing with Killin’ Pine at Reaver Beach NFK. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
Free Cold Wax Demonstration at Offsite Gallery. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
Va Children’s Chorus Harvest of Song Concert at Royster Presbyterian Church. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
2021 Grand Illumination Celebration in Downtown. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
LAVA MiniFest at Toast with 8 musical acts. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Madrigal Holiday Market at ODU Brock Commons. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Laugh Out Loud Cannabis-Infused Comedy Show at 2600 Granby St. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Felicia Hoyos performs live at Makers Craft Brewery. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Downtown Rudolph Ride to the Parade. Departing the Plot. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Sail Nauticus Holiday Parade of Sails. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Umphrey’s McGee performs live at The Norva. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Skylark with Skip Hancock performs live at Varia. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Tidewater Hokies Football Watch Party at Waterside District. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
James Taylor and Jackson Browne perform live at Norfolk Scope. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Last Podcast on the Left: Mama Mia at Harrison Opera House. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Paul Urban and Friends perform live at Fishin’ Pig. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
DJ PonFetti performs live at Grain. 9:30 pm. Rip it.
It’s All Good performs live at Waterside District. 9:30. pm. Rip it.
Platform’d: A Sketch Comedy Showcase live at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it.

Sunday:

Chow.

757 Fork You brings Thanksgiving Foodie Feast to Maker’s Craft Brewery. Rip it. 

Pour out a half-priced well drink. Red Dog Saloon is officially closed. Rip it. 

Miss the collab sours at Reaver Beach’s Yours, mine, and Sours? Get them on tap at Reaver Beach. Rip it. 

There’s a Hot Cocoa War brewing in Norfolk. Shops across town are meme-battling it out and bringing their best recipes. Rip it. 

Wicked Walter, a double mashed and bourbon barrel-aged stout, returns for its 5th anniversary at Benchtop Brewing with coffee beans, coconut, cacao nibs, and maple syrup. Rip it. 

Commune’s return to full service is not disappointing. Rip it. 

Apple cinnamon lattes come to OV at Cafe Mudita. Rip it. 

Sage and brown sugar are on deck for Kobro’s weekly craft latte. Rip it. 

Elote style corn pancakes are Mea Culpa are the brunch item you didn’t know you were missing. Rip it. 

Thank You Thank You Bar comes to the former Aunties location with a formidable cocktail menu. Rip it. 

My Mama’s Kitchen is whipping up Thanksgiving pre-orders, which is just very appropriate. Rip it. 

You’ve never met a grilled cheese as bougie as Birch Bar’s “Bauernhof” with turkey, fourmage gouda, whipped goat cheese, plum chutney, chipotle paste, & honey. Rip it. 

Food Truck Sightings:
Friday:
La Cucina Di Sophia & Miami Fusion at Cova Brewing. Rip it. 
Smoked Biscuit at Reaver Beach NFK. Rip it.
Prime 757 at Maker’s Craft Brewing. Rip it. 
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it. 
Lumpia King by Gavin Dishes at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it. 

Saturday:
Hashi Chow & Big Belly Food Truck  at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it. 
Miki’s Doghouse at Cova Brewing. Rip it. 
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it. 
Crop Circle Gourmet at Maker’s Craft Brewery. Rip it. 

Sunday:
Shawna’s Rich Eats and 757 Fork You Market at Maker’s Craft Brewing. Rip it. 
Not Your Routine Poutine at Reaver Beach NFK. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.
Flavor Savor BBQ at Cova Brewing. Rip it. 

The Ripcurrent.

Santa made it to the lighted boat parade at Nauticus. 

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. Go Hokies!