Community.
Increased patrols have caught dozens of commercial trucks violating time-based bans on Hampton Blvd. Rip it.
The Army Corp floodwall project could change the look and feel of Downtown’s waterfront. Rip it.
The Norfolk Botanical Garden has been able to name 78 of 220 African American women who cleared land for the garden and needs help identifying the rest. Rip it.
Norfolk’s Commonwealth Attorney is facing legal action in a case being brought to court by his former political opponent. Rip it.
TSA at Norfolk International Airport is asking passengers to leave guns at home after record numbers of weapons were caught. Rip it.
The hull of the Spirit of Norfolk is likely headed for a final career as an artificial reef. Rip it.
Crossover, the halfway mark of the General Assembly session, is this Tuesday. Over 1,000 bills are still in play as they pass to the other chamber. Rip it.
Virginia’s Senate has passed a bill to start a psilocybin advisory board that would develop a plan for establishing medical use in the Commonwealth. Rip it.
Lawmakers do not have a clear path for the recreational sale of marijuana in Virginia, leaving grey areas and confusion. Rip it.
SNAP benefits for thousands of Virginians will end this week as the COVID allotments expire. Rip it.
Several bills regulating environmental pollutants like microplastics, driveway sealers, and PFAs are making their way through the General Assembly. Rip it.
A bill that would open Virginia’s coast to offshore oil drilling passed the U.S. House on a mostly party-line vote. Rip it.
Former ODU football player, Zach Pascal, will play in the Super Bowl this weekend for the Philadelphia Eagles. Rip it.
Culture.
The Hermitage continues its second small-crowd performance series this Friday with GSA Jazz. (NFK Currents Original). Rip it.
The Hermitage’s 7th Annual Immersive Theater Series is coming up with three weeks of showtimes that will surely sell out. Rip it.
Shark City Drum Corp is bringing percussion, inspiration, and family to kids of all ages. Rip it.
Norfolk Master Gardeners are back with a series of “Good Gardening” talks. Rip it.
Dozens of bands are set to play at YES FEST, a collaboration between ODU and LAVA Presents. Rip it.
ODU writers and game designers are coming together to put storytelling and digital design together. Rip it.
A $10,000 open call to artists for a mural and performance event project in Norfolk closes on Feb 22. Rip it.
ODU is hosting its first-ever Short-Film Fest on February 17th. Rip it.
The Rep Theatre at ODU is hard at work preparing Artemis, I for the grand opening in March. Rip it.
To See a World in a Grain of Sand at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
The Great Exhibition: Bébés at the Barry Art Museum. Rip it.
Commerce.
An economic impact study released this week says that “air taxis” could generate $16 billion in new business in Virginia. Rip it.
Yellow Dog Software, which specializes in inventory software, is expanding its office and hiring 20 people. Rip it.
NFTW Records is raising funds for a new record shop in Downtown Norfolk with a show next weekend. Rip it.
Harbor Group International promoted Yisroel Berg to chief investment officer for multifamily after a year where the firm invested more than $2 billion in buying apartments. Rip it.
The GAO says Navy ships faced persistent and worsening sustainment challenges as repairs and maintenance build up. Rip it.
Clean Eatz franchisee Dylan Richmond is expanding to a third location after the success of his Ward’s Corner shop. Rip it.
ODU adopted a 2023-2028 strategic plan that will guide the direction of the university in the coming years. Rip it.
Applications to 757 Startup Studios are now open. Accepted founders can get 6 months of free office space, 25 weeks of programming, and more. Rip it.
Aspire at Church Street breaks ground this week. Rip it.
Half Moon Cruise Terminal may be getting some competition as Yorktown lands two cruise port calls. Rip it.
Crowds.
Over 120 video games are on deck at Nauticus for the competitive, the nostalgic, and the curious. Rip it.
Commonwealth Comedy brings improv to OV later this month. Rip it.
The Norfolk Tides firework schedule just dropped. Rip it.
FRIDAY:
Norfolk Run Club Friday Meetup. 6:00 am. Rip it
Yoga at Vessel Craft Coffee. 6:15 am. Rip it
VA General Assembly Cross Over: Resilience Recap w/ Wetlands Watch. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
U-Nite: Resistance & Reflection at Barry Art Museum. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Velocity Networking: 5 Star Connections at Black BRAND. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Breathe Move Love with Tessa Taub at Flourish on Colley. 5:30 pm. Rip it.
For the Love of Beer 2023 at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 6:00 pm. Rip it
Valentine Murder Mystery at The Granby Theater. 6:00 pm. Rip it
Ouroboro Book Release at The Venue on 35th. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Art Rowe performs live at Sunset Grill. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Sammy Lee performs live at Benchtop Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
LIVE From the Music Room x GSA at Hermitage Museum and Gardens. 6:15 pm. Rip it
Love is in the Air Wine Tasting with Ian Honaker at Town Point Club. 6:30 pm. Rip it
The Muse Neighborhood Jam at The Muse Writers Center. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Weekly TBMA Bluegrass Jam at Roosevelt Area Civic League. 7:00 pm. Rip it
EVMS Faculty and Students present The Vagina Monologues. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
PALentine’s Day Paint Party at Pinot’s Palette. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Soil Series Part II: Limestone Vineyards at Vino Culture. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Brews and Brushes: Valentines Paint Party at Smartmouth. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Into The Zoo Friday at Republic NFK. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
CATS performed live at Chrysler Hall. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
The Clown Bash at 37th and Zen. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Tales from the Campfire at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it
Red Stapler performs live at OV Beach Tavern. 8:00 pm. Rip it
Iola’s Letter performed live at the Little Theater of Norfolk. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Friday Night Magic: Commander at Atlantis Games & Comics. 8:30 pm. Rip it
Beth Patterson performs live at Grace O’Malley’s. 8:30 pm. Rip it.
Pink Floyd – The Wall screening at Naro Cinema. 11:00 pm. Rip it
Jan & Zane perform live at Grain. 9:00 pm. Rip it
Teacher’s Pet – Improv Comedy Show at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it
SATURDAY:
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
Atlantis Games and Comics 40K Event. 8:30 am. Rip it
Yoga + Coffee at Coalescence. 9:00 am. Rip it
Puttering Around the Zoo with Tidewater United Disc Golf. 9:30 am. Rip it.
Bhav Brigade Yoga at Elation Brewing. 10:00 am. Rip it
Hot Glass Heart Class at Chrysler Museum. 10:00 am. Rip it.
The Strength Gauntlet at Brute Strength Gym. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Chess Club at Slover Library. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Galentine’s Brunch at COVA. 10:00 am. Rip it
Hot Girl Walk departing Stockley Gardens. 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
Sweetheart Saturday at Selden Market. 11:00 am. Rip it
Winter Farmer’s Market at OBC. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Lovers Rock Vintage Market at The Veil. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Galentine’s Day Mini Market at Reaver Beach NFK. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Lipgloss & Lashes Drag Brunch at 37th & Zen. 1:00 pm. Rip it
NoCo Oyster Roast Second Edition at Elation Brewing. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Give Yourself Some of That Self-Love at Flourish on Colley. 1:30 pm. Rip it.
Waterways to Freedom: African American History Tour on the ERT. 1:30 pm. Rip it
CATS performed live at Chrysler Hall. 2:00 & 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Author Convo: Lauren Blackwood at Prince Books. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
Cupid’s Cups Charity Beer Pong Tournament at The OV Beach Tavern. 2:00 pm. Rip it
Yin + Chocolate Tasting at Sky’s The Limit Yoga Co. 4:30 pm. Rip it
Crazy DJ Music Bingo at Hank’s Filling Station. 4:30 pm. Rip it.
Kiss & Tail at The Virginia Zoo. 5:00 pm. Rip it
Cheese & Chocolate Wine Pairing Class at VIA design. 5:00 pm. Rip it
Dark Sines, Oahu, Good Glass, Steven Kemner perform live at Korbros. 6:00 pm. Rip it
Va Stage Co performs Every Brilliant Thing at Trinity Presbyterian Church. 6:00 pm. Rip it
Cody Browning performs live at Benchtop Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
BOCA performs live at Varia. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Protection Sachet Making at Aries Apothecary. 6:00 pm. Rip it
‘PHASES’ Film Premiere at Chrysler Museum. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Lindsey Webster performs live at Attucks Theatre. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Valentine’s Nightmare at The Norfolk Haunted Temple. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Dueling Pianos performs live at Boss Queens. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
VCW Pro Wrestling Live at Kroc Center Hampton Roads. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Jacquees performs live at The NorVA. 8:00 pm. Rip it
The Unusual Suspects: An Improvised Murder Mystery at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it
Iola’s Letter performed live at the Little Theater of Norfolk. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Beth Patterson performs live at Grace O’Malley’s. 8:30 pm. Rip it.
Broken Hearts with DJ Kenny Kruzeat The Wave. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
Flirty February – Valentine’s Day Drag Show with Javon Love! at Reaver NFK. 9:00 pm. Rip it
Vince Kornegay performs live at Grain. 9:00 pm. Rip it
Saturday Karaoke at Pizza Chef. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
Love Sucks Caraoke at Cogan’s Ghent. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
House You with DJ Supladies, DJ Dmya May, Chriz Javey, and more at 80/20. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
UFC 284: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski at Waterside District. 10:00 pm. Rip it.
Second Saturday Stand-Up at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it
SUNDAY:
Hot Glass Heart Class at Chrysler Museum. 10:00 am. 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
Valentine’s Day Church Street Market at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 11:00 am. Rip it
Lovers and Friends V-Day Social with Get Well Soon. 11:15 am. Rip it.
Super Bowl Bash at Waterside District. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Bhav at Sky’s the Limit. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Elated Craft Market -Valentine’s Edition at Elation Brewing. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Happily-Ever-After Tea with Cinderella at Hunter House Victorian Museum. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Love With Intention at Kindred Spirit. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Lipgloss & Lashes Drag Brunch at 37th & Zen. 1:00 pm. Rip it
CATS performed live at Chrysler Hall. 1:00 & 6:30 pm. Rip it.
NEON Art Lover Tour at The Plot. 2:00 pm. Rip it
Iola’s Letter performed live at the Little Theater of Norfolk. 2:30 pm. Rip it.
John Baldwin performs live at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 2:30 pm. Rip it.
Reiki Level 1 at Aries Apothecary. 3:00 pm. Rip it
Music Bingo at Reaver NFK. 4:00 pm. Rip it
Watch the Big Game at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 4:00 pm. Rip it
Into The Fog performs live at Benchtop Brewing Co. 4:00 pm. Rip it
Big Bowl Bash: Kansas City VS Philadelphia at The OV Beach Tavern. 4:00 pm. Rip it
Super Bowl Sunday at Grace O’Malley’s Irish Pub & Restaurant. 5:00 pm. Rip it
The Connect 757 SB Watch Party at Waterside District. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Brandon Peter performs live at Grain. 7:30 pm. Rip it
Chow.
New ciders just popped up in the Eleanor’s Bottle Shop. Rip it.
This Heart of Darkness latte with rose, cardamom, and activated charcoal is quite the V-Day statement. Rip it.
The Yorgo’s breakfast burrito is will revive you from any and all Friday night-induced ailments. Rip it.
When you see gnocchi on the menu at The Ten Top, you do not want to miss it. Rip it.
Double espresso, star anise, orange slice? It’s the Exit Strategy. Rip it.
You’ve had a smash burger, but have you had a blackened smash burger? Check it out at OV Beach Tavern. Rip it.
“The Queens Bones,” the specialty at Boss Queens Soul Cafe. Rip it.
Commune is back on the brunch game, and this time they’ve got pancakes. Rip it.
Southwest Egg Rolls and those round fries at Hells Kitchen is a primo move. Rip it.
Keeping dry January going? Toast has a full lineup of NA options. Rip it.
Stony’s Dockside is rolling out the lobster ravioli and flounder bercy for its Valentine’s Day dinner. Rip it.
The Orapax lamb chops are a rare find, but they’re ready for the Valentine’s menu. Rip it.
EMOcha Raspberry Craft Latte on deck this week at Kobros. Rip it.
Nothing says classic like chicken and waffles and mac & cheese. Rip it.
Flavor of the week at Dirty Buffalo: jalapeno beer cheese. Rip it.
Food Truck Sightings:
Friday:
Ghost Kitchen & Weng’s Kitchen at Cova Brewing. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.
Buss Down Boils at Reaver Beach NFK. Rip it.
Bakehouse Pizza at Elation Brewing. Rip it.
Saturday:
Gocho Gourmet & Luva Bowls 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:
Chelsea Bakehouse Delivery 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.