This week in NFK: Development Projects, Tax Changes, Porchella Take 2, NYE Celebrations, 2023, and more.

by | Dec 30, 2022

Community. 

Norfolk City Manager, City Council, and Economic Development staff chose to skip the formal process for selecting a Military Circle Mall developer. Instead of forming a review committee and scoring each proposal, Council scored them “in their own heads” and voted in a non-public session. Rip it. 

Norfolk City Council approved the next phase of construction to redevelop Tidewater Gardens. Rip it.

Norfolk City Council approved a new lease for Harbor Park, which includes allowances for a temporary casino to be built in the stadium parking lot. Rip it. 

Norfolk’s light rail system may soon connect to a 10-foot-wide paved path through Virginia Beach. Rip it. 

Norfolk International Airport is seeking a litany of improvements from the City, including a hotel, runway rehabilitation, and more. Rip it. 

Several changes are coming to HRT services in January, with some stops and routes being eliminated. Rip it.

The recent cold snap overwhelmed local emergency shelters, including the City-owned former Budget Lodge motel. Rip it. 

The Joint Commission on Administrative Rules officially objected to the Virginia Department of Education’s policies on the treatment of transgender students. Rip it. 

Norfolk delegates from both parties support a budget amendment that funds the merger of ODU and EVMS, while Delegate Spruill asks why the deal wasn’t offered to NSU. Rip it. 

The Norfolk SPCA experienced burst pipes during the Christmas cold snap and is seeking donations for the fix. Rip it. 

Norfolk native Desmond Ricks was signed to Alabama’s Crimson Tide football program. Rip it.

Culture.

The NSU Spartan Legion band will be performing at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Monday. 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.

Norfolk Delegate Jackie Glass is set to host an audio tour funded by the Virginia Tourism Corporation to highlight historically Black neighborhoods in Virginia Beach. Rip it. 

A team of local artists is creating unique movie posters for every film in the Naro Cinema Flashback series. Rip it. 

Generic Theater is holding auditions for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time this week. 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 the Virginia Stage Company’s performance of “A Merry Little Christmas Carol” at the historic Wells Theater. Rip it.

Now at the Hermitage Museum: More Than Shelter, a pop-up exhibit with MOCA. Rip it.
 
Now at Assembly: Asymmetry, a two-person exhibition curated by the CAN Foundation. Rip it.

The region is getting a new pride month event: the Virginia Queer Film Festival. Rip it.
 
Currently on Display:
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.
Rhonda Holy Bear: Artist and Story-Keeper at Barry Art Museum. Rip it.
ALLiGATER HELLHOUND at Gordon Art Galleries. Rip it.
Cuyahoga River at Offsite Gallery. Rip it.
Tedious Little Things at The Gallery at Elation. Rip it.

 

Commerce.

Prime IV is capitalizing on one of the biggest party nights of the year by offering hydration IV therapies and more. Rip it. 

Starting January 1, the Commonwealth of Virginia will end its 1.5% sales tax on groceries and essential personal hygiene items. Rip it. 

Virginia policymakers are considering a proposal from Governor Youngkin to increase enforcement on businesses selling delta-8 hemp products. Rip it. 

The Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s Apprentice Program is now accepting applicants through January 15th, with positions starting at around $15/ hour and guaranteed promotions post-apprenticeship. Rip it.

The Norfolk UFC Gym is closing, and one dedicated member is rallying the community to fund a new training location. Rip it. 

The Chief Economist for the Virginia Realtors predicts that home prices will be stable or rise only slightly in 2023. Rip it.

Later this month the Hampton Roads Association for Commerical Real Estate hosts Wells Fargo Economist Charles Dougherty for an economic forecast luncheon. Rip it. 

Norfolk’s Madelaine Notaro, Abigail Southern-Kline, and Wendy Spivey were named as Unsung Legal Heroes by Virginia Lawyers Weekly. Rip it. 
 

 

Naughty By Norfolk Champion Hoodie

Naughty By Norfolk Paper Bag Koozie

Crowds.

Spongebob fans get hype; a Bikini Bottom rave is coming to The Norva on January 14th. Rip it. 

Social Cycling NFK is hosting a bike swap at the Veil on January 28th. Rip it. 

Plunge into the icy Chesapeake Bay on New Year’s Day with Norfolk Cold Plunge. Rip it.

Don’t miss the Church Street Jazz Series at Attuck’s Theater featuring Gregg Karukas and Adam Hawley. Rip it.

Smartmouth kicks off the 2023 concerts with New Year New Wave featuring The Cure, New Division, and DJ Andra. Rip it.

Got big plans for 2023? Catch the Goal Setting Micro-Workshop at Assembly. Rip it.

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

FRIDAY:

Norfolk Run Club Friday Meetup. 6:00 am. Rip it,
Last Day of Gingerbread House Display at Hermitage Museum and Gardens. 10:00 am. Rip it,
Feral Affairs Network Pop-Up at Elation Brewing. 3:00 pm. Rip it. 
GLOW Happy Hour Flow at Sky’s The Limit Yoga Co. 5:30 pm. Rip it. 
Porchella 2022 in Colonial Place. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Matt Holloman performs live at Benchtop Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Lane Rice performs live at Cova Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
The Rootz Equation performs live at Elation. 6:30 pm.  Rip it.
Bubbles and Champagne at Vino Culture. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
TBMA Bluegrass Jam at Roosevelt Area Civic League. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Friday Night Magic: Commander at Atlantis Games & Comics. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
The Improv Riot: Short Form Show. at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Donal O’Shaughnessy performs live at Grace O’Malley’s. 8:30 pm. Rip it.
Request Station Duo at Grain. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
The Improv Riot After Dark 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.
Noon Year’s Eve at The Virginia Zoo. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Bhav Yoga at Elation. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Live Life Fresh Boom Box Bike Ride at Freshtopia. 10:30 am. Rip it.
Rob White performs live at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it
New Year’s Eve Drag Brunch at 37th & Zen. 12:30 pm. Rip it. 
New Year’s Eve Peace Yin Yoga at Gud Yoga. 4:00 pm. Rip it. 
The Pushie Awards Show at Push Comedy Theater. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
New Year’s Eve Party 2023 at Circuit Social. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
New Year’s Eve at The Banque!. 6:00 pm. Rip it 
Saturday Night Yugioh at Atlantis Games & Comics. 6:30 pm. Rip it.
NYE Live! New Year’s Eve Norfolk at Waterside District. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
New Years’ Eve 2023 at the OVBT. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
New Year’s Scream at Smartmouth Norfolk. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
New Year’s Eve at Elation Brewing featuring Mosquito Cabaret. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
A Very Amore New Years’ Eve Party at The Wave. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
2022 New Year’s Eve Bash at The Granby Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
New Year’s Eve Party at 37th & Zen. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
NYE Party at The Edge Norfolk. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Donal O’Shaughnessy performs live at Grace O’Malley’s. 8:30 pm. Rip it. 
RnB Block Party at Norfolk Scope. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
Legally Stoned New Year’s Ball at Undisclosed Location. 9:00pm. Rip it.   
DJ Scooter at Grain. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
Back to the 80’s NYE Party at Pixel’s. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
R&B Only Live on NYE at The NorVA. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
Drag in the New Year at Reaver Beach Norfolk. 10:00 pm. Rip it.
Roaring 20’s Bootlegger Ball at Gershwin’s. 11:00 pm. Rip it

SUNDAY:
Tidewater HOG Chapter First 2023 Ride. 9:00 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.
New Year Day Waffeltina & Walter Fest at Benchtop Brewing Company. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
10th Annual Hogs for Hope Pig Pickin’ & Oyster Roast at Hank’s Filling Station. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
New Year, Same Me – Hangover Brunch at Reaver Beach Norfolk. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
New Year’s Day Drag Brunch at 37th & Zen. 12:30 pm. Rip it.
Pokémon TCG: Weekly Casual Play at Atlantis Games & Comics. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
MTG Modern Sunday at Atlantis Games & Comics. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Tour de ORF at Smartmouth Beer. 3:00 pm. Rip it.
Set Your Intention New Year Flow at Gud Yoga. 3:30 pm. Rip it. 
Cold Plunge at 28th Bay Street. 4:30 pm. Rip it.
Sound Healing Session with Get Well Soon. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Aaron Firestone performs live at Grain. 7:30 pm. Rip it.


Get a daily rundown of events on our Daily Instagram Story.

 

Chow.

Make plans for Downtown Norfolk Restaurant Week running January 15th – January 22nd. Rip it.

Glass Light Hotel has a five-course NYE dinner featuring truffles, scallops, rockfish, gnocchi, and more. Rip it. 

Blanca’s NYE dinner features duck ragu, mussels bourguignon, trout, and a wine pairing option. Rip it. 

Omar’s Carriage House’s three-course NYE dinner menu includes foie gras, duck confit, escargot, and pork Osso Bucco. Rip it. 

Press 626 brings their wine pairing knowledge to a four-course NYE dinner with braised short ribs, mushrooms with gorgonzola, and a warming tomato bisque with crab. Rip it.

You can enjoy a champagne-tasting flight at Grandiflora Wine Garden on Friday and Saturday. Rip it.

If pajamas are more your style, Torch Bistro is hosting a laid-back NYE event. Rip it. 

Reaver Beach drops a cocktail-inspired lemon seltzer, perfect for a NYE toast. Rip it.

Waffletina returns for a New Year’s Day popup at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it. 

Sanctuary DMZ now offers fish and grilled shrimp tacos. Rip it. 

The best barista has been named! Vessel Craft Coffee hosted a latte art competition and named a winner! Rip it.

Giving up meat in the new year? Zeke’s now has an impossible Pita. Rip it.

Food Truck Sightings:
Friday:

Cast Iron 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 at Cova Brewing. Rip it.
757 Laos Street Food at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it.

Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.
Bakehouse Pizza at Elation Brewing. Rip it. 

Sunday:
Waffletina at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it.
Moontide Sundries at Cova Brewing. Rip it.
Gocho Gourmet at 
Reaver Beach NFK. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.
Bakehouse Pizza at Elation Brewing. Rip it..

 

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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.