Community. 

A new wetlands project with a walking path along the Hague is one of the last in a series of projects focused on runoff kicked off in 2010. Rip it.

Ahead of the Thanksgiving holidays, the Virginia Department of Health saw a rush for increased testing and vaccinations. Rip it.

Residents of the Historic Freemason neighborhood sued the City of Norfolk for allowing the demolition of a historic home damaged by fire in 2016. Rip it.

Health officials are reporting a substantial decrease in the use of masks in public places as cold weather fuels an increase in COVID-19 cases. Rip it.

Virginia airports are getting nearly $400 million from the newly passed infrastructure bill, some of which will come to ORF. Rip it.

School enrollments are down 4% across the Commonwealth since the start of the pandemic. Rip it.

CHKD hopes to raise funds for its new mental health facility during Giving Tuesday. Rip it.

An albino shark named Santiago was tracked off the coast of Norfolk this week. Rip it.

Norfolk State posted a 95-20 win over Regent this week in a massive win. Rip it.

After extended issues, Virginia finally releases a new online unemployment system. Rip it.

Norfolk’s DMV at Widgeon Road will be temporarily closed for renovations. Rip it.

A global data-science company, Litterati, has selected Norfolk as one of three cities to participate in a new litter-monitoring system that will provide the city with detailed data on litter across the city. Rip it.

Norfolk’s Open Data portal now has data on available pet adoptions. Rip it.

Local businesses have helped raise thousands for residents displaced by the three-alarm apartment fire in West Ghent. Rip it.

Urban League announced their Community Leader Awards with Pharrell Williams as keynote speaker. Rip it.

Food banks in the area have seen considerably fewer donations this year. Rip it.

Culture.

Artist Chris Revels completed a mural for Sky’s the Limit Yoga Co this week. Rip it.

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

Pink Sweat$ hits the Norva on Monday with KIRBY and Bren Joy. Rip it.

Currently on Display:
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. (Last Weekend) 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.

The team behind My Commissary Kitchen is expanding with a second location Mise Test Kitchen in Norfolk. Rip it.

It looks like Norfolk could be getting its own ice rinks – and not at Macarthur Mall. Rip it.

ODU Economists don’t expect fuel reserve releases to quickly affect fuel prices. Rip it.

Alden Capital, the new owner of the Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press, is seeking to buy Lee Enterprises, owner of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and other Virginia newspapers. Is successful, Alden would own 12 of Virginia’s legacy daily newspapers. Rip it.

757 Startup Studios, based in downtown’s Assembly, is expanding with 22 additional startups. Rip it.

Cova Brewing Co is getting creative on social to try and get more job applicants. Rip it.

The Hampton Roads Chamber hosted Reps. Elaine Luria, Donald McEachin, Bobby Scott, and Rob Wittman this week. Rip it.

Norfolk International is moving over 6,000 people a day this holiday season. Rip it.

Join Retail Alliance for a meet and greet with the Norfolk Admirals next week. Rip it.

The team behind the Ghent Farmer’s Market is bringing the Ghent Holiday Market to town on Dec. 5th. Rip it.

Norfolk Stationery is closing after 118 years in business. Rip it.

J. Scott Adams, a Norfolk-based commercial real estate broker, was promoted to executive managing director for Colliers’ Virginia and Raleigh brokerages. He recently completed the sale of downtown’s World Trade Center. Rip it.

NBA Referee and ODU alum Tony Brothers has hit a cultural three-pointer with his downtown Norfolk restaurant. Rip it.

Mortgage rates in the area could be rising as the Federal Reserve is expected to raise interest rates. Rip it.

Regional Economic Stats. Port Stats. 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.

**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. 

Friday: 
Sky’s The Limit Yoga Co Grand Opening event. 9:00 am. Rip it. 
Black Friday Dodgeball Tournament with DJ Canrock at Norfolk Indoor Sports. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Dark Arts Festival at Smartmouth Beer. 2:00 pm. Rip it. 
Post-Thanksgiving Paella Party at Crudo Nudo. 5:30 pm. Rip it. 
Cody Browning performs live at Maker’s Craft Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
David Jones performs live at Cova Brewing Co. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Final Friday at Republic on Granby. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Leonard Rex performs live at Reaver Beach. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Skylark with Skip Hancock performs live at Varia. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Jinjer performs live at the Norva. 7:15 pm. Rip it. 
The Flat Third Duo perform live at Fishin’ Pig. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
The Improv Riot live show at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Beth Patterson performs live at Grace O’Malley’s. 8:30 pm. Rip it. 
Lady Bug Disco Club at Thank You Thank You Bar. 9:00 pm. Rip it. 
DJ Saint James performs live at Grain. 9:30 pm. Rip it. 
Steal the Sky performs live at Waterside District. 9:30 pm. Rip it. 
The Improv Rio After Dark live show at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it. 
Sunnyside Collective presents Black. at Slowdive Gallery. 10:00 pm. Rip it. 

Saturday: 
Yoga + Coffee at Coalescence with Sky’s The Limit Yoga Co. 9:00 am. Rip it. 
Cova X Howlett Home Team Turkey Trot. 10:00 am. Rip it. 
Intro to Ceramics at Dragonfly Art Studio. 10:00 am. Rip it. 
Small Business Saturday & Poinsettia & Fresh Wreath Market at Selden Market. 10:00 am. Rip it. 
Free Hot Chocolate at Kitsch for SBS. 10:00 am. Rip it. 
Bhav Brigade Yoga at Elation Brewing. 10:30 pm. Rip it. 
Big Forest Fire performs live at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it. 
Two-Point Conversion with Reaver Beach and Elation Brewing. 12:00 pm. Rip it. 
Norfolk Candle Pop-up at Velvet Witch. 12:00 pm. Rip it. 
Marty Moore performs live at Cova Brewing Co. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Fox and The Bear performs live at Maker’s Craft Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Sail Nauticus Holiday Parade of Sails at Nauticus. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Chaos Magic + Shadow Work Class at Aries Apothecary. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Derek Smith performs live at Benchtop Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Tidewater Hokies Football Watch Party at Waterside District. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Robbin King performs live at Varia. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Mae & The Juliana Theory perform live at Varia. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Girl-prov live show at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Beth Patterson performs live at Grace O’Malley’s. 8:30 pm. Rip it. 
Free Gabe Niles at Slowdive Gallery. 9:00 pm. Rip it. 
Sounds by Killgxxd at Thank You Thank You Bar. Rip it. 
M80 performs live at Waterside District. 9:30 pm. Rip it. 
DJ Mista Nice performs live at Grain. 9:30 pm. Rip it. 

Sunday:

Chow.

In case you didn’t get enough pie this week, Cova Brewing has an Apple Pie Gose on tap. Rip it.

Catch Perla NFK, a Filipino Italian fusion popup at Reaver Beach this weekend. Rip it.

The Old Virginia Ham Shop was so popular this week that they sold or 5 days in a row. Be sure to stop by their new Ghent location. Rip it.

Americana Kitchen and Haven Wellness are cooking up the goods in Freemason. Rip it.

Feeling like a salad after this week’s feasting? Taste Unlimited has you covered. Rip it.

Super into cereal? You can grab a cereal candle bowl from Ardent Candle. Rip it.

Karla’s Beach House has a breakfast bowl with fried chicken, potatoes, eggs, biscuit gravy, and more. Rip it.

Streats is serving up sesame seed seared Mahi. Rip it.

Codex on Granby has some of the best platings in Norfolk. Rip it.

Eggs Up Ghent is the newest breakfast hole in town. Rip it.

Food Truck Sightings:
Friday:
Vang’s Sushi & Prime 757 at Cova Brewing. Rip it.
Weng’s Kitchen at Reaver Beach NFK. Rip it.
Crop Circle Gourmet at Maker’s Craft Brewing. Rip it.
n at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.
A Bite of Maine at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it.

Saturday:
Sense’s Vegan Comfort Food at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it.
Big Belly at Cova Brewing. Rip it.
Perla NFK at Reaver Beach NFK. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.
Shawna’s Rich Eats at Maker’s Craft Brewery. Rip it.

Sunday:
Shawna’s Rich Eats at Maker’s Craft Brewing. Rip it.
Perla NFK at Reaver Beach NFK. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.
Hashi Chow at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it.
Weng’s Kitchen at Cova Brewing. Rip it. 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.

Watch this awesome recap of the Harbor Half Marathon.

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!