This Week in NFK: Digital Twins, Sensor Loans, Raven Stories, Spring Breakers, The Foreign Resort, & More.

by | Mar 24, 2023

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Community. 

Crabbing season starts in March. Here’s everything you need to know about crabbing in Norfolk. (NFK Currents Original) Rip it.

The Norfolk Currents podcast is now available on your favorite streaming services. Rip it. 

The Norfolk School Board, in a 5-2 vote, approved its $494 million budget for the upcoming year Wednesday night after several failed attempts to amend it. Tanya Bhasin and Rodney Jordan dissented. Rip it.

Norfolk Public Schools is hosting community forums to discuss a new curriculum for family education in grades 6-12. Rip it.

It’s expected that construction on Norfolk’s potential casino will not begin prior to 2024, and with past estimates of a 2-year construction timeline, it will not likely open until 2026. Rip it.

Norfolk’s getting a state-of-the-art fire station in Fairmount park via the renovation of an existing fire station built in 1925. Rip it.

ODU scientists are scanning and measuring areas across the region to build a “digital twin” to be used in forecasting flooding. Rip it.

Residents were jubilant as the community embraced the return of the Ocean View St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  Rip it.

A 35-acre solar farm may be on its way to the Campostella area, with the potential to power 9000 homes. Rip it.

The City could lose millions in flooding and resilience funding if the Youngkin administration pulls Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Rip it.

The Navy’s childcare programs have a waiting list of more than 5,500 names leaving parents struggling to find care. Rip it.

The EPA is loaning out almost 220 devices to people and organizations in the region so they can see hyper-local air quality. Rip it.

Virginia is just starting to grapple with decades of extensive use of PFAs, also known as “Forever Chemicals.” Rip it.

Old Dominion University officials confirmed this week that parts of the longstanding maglev structure may be demolished. Rip it.

The Foodbank will host an emergency food distribution this Friday near Church and Brambleton as the nearby community still reels from the loss of the Family Dollar. Rip it.

HRT’s last Light Rail Info pop-up will take place this Saturday at 9:00 am. Rip it.

Virginia will be undergoing a comprehensive review of its Smart Scale transportation funding program. Rip it.

The region is entering peak pollen season and ranks as one of the worst in the country. Rip it.

Hospitals across the region have dropped mask mandates as contagion risks decline. Rip it.

A mobile dentistry clinic traveled hundreds of miles to offer free dental services to Norfolk residents last Sunday. Rip it.

Norfolk Sister Cities Association is seeking several more host families for an exchange of high school students from Wilhelmshaven, Germany. Rip it.

Downtown may see the demolition of 330 Granby Street next to Chicho’s Backstage. Rip it.

Culture.

Glass Act: anticipation is building for Chrysler Museum’s massive glass studio expansion. (NFK Currents Original). Rip it.

Violinist Gil Shaham returns to the Virginia Symphony this weekend in one of the most anticipated events of their season. Rip it.

Internationally acclaimed glass artist Preston Singletary is telling the Native American story of the Raven and his transformation of the world through his current exhibition at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.

The Norfolk Historical Society is hosting an art and architecture tour of Elmwood Cemetery on April 12th. Rip it.

Book lovers rejoice, several bookstores are teaming up for the first ever regional Bookstore Crawl in April. Rip it.

Applications for the Norfolk Arts Commission’s general operating grant and project support are closing on March 31st. Rip it.

TCC is hosting open auctions for their rendition of Shakespeare’s “Tartuffe” on April 8th. Rip it.

The Slow Jam returns to 80/20 next week. Rip it.

Aspiring photographers, here’s your chance to learn from the pros. Rip it.

Currently on Display:
Facing Ourselves: Mike Disfarmer and the American Portrait at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
Barbara Earl Thomas: The Illuminated Body at the Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
Sam Bartlett: Low Stakes, Plywood Cutouts & Everyday Comix at Gordon Art Galleries. Rip it.
PERSPECTIVES: Modern and Contemporary Glass at the Barry Art Museum. Rip it.
The Great Exhibition: Bébés at the Barry Art Museum. Rip it.
Match Prints by Mike Watts Design at The Gallery at Elation. Rip it.
Timeless Art in a Changing World at Gallery 21. Rip it.
“Blue Musings” by Hanna Kirby at Offsite Gallery. Rip it.

Commerce.

Applications for 757 Angel’s “Investment Cycle 2” close on March 29th. Rip it.

Applications for 757 Startup Studios close on April 2nd. Rip it.

Nominated your favorite local hospitality workers for a national tourism award. Rip it. 

Norfolk saw the fifth most increase in hotel nights sold in the country for ‘spring break,’ with a 186% increase in bookings. Rip it.

Norfolk is expected to lose about 200 jobs as the Freemason area NOAA facility will move its operations to Rhode Island. Rip it.

ODU received two state planning grants totaling $400,000 to develop lab school proposals with public schools in Newport News and Chesapeake. Rip it.

ODU has been awarded a $2.6 million grant by the NIH to apply machine learning techniques to analyze functional brain imaging. Rip it.  

Norfolk State renewed a partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard to give some students two years of free tuition and a full active-duty paycheck. Rip it.

Chartway Credit Union launched a venture fund to invest in organizations that unlock the potential of individuals and families so they can thrive. Rip it.  

SVT Robotics scored a partnership with Kardex Solutions to help develop robots that could package e-commerce purchases. Rip it.

Sentara rolled out a new 3D mammography van that will deliver screenings across the region. Rip it.

After 40 years in business, the Colley Discount Pharmacy is closing. Rip it.

Women are outpacing men in home ownership in Virginia. Rip it.

Despite an over 20% decline in overall home sales, the average price of a home has continued to rise in Virginia. Rip it.

Regional Economic Stats
Port Stats. Labor Stats.

Naughty By Norfolk Champion Hoodie

Naughty By Norfolk Paper Bag Koozie

Crowds.

Enjoy breakfast with a wild bunch: The zoo hosts “Breakfast With the Animals” this Saturday. Rip it.

The Great American Cleanup kicks off this weekend across the city. Rip it.

HIRS Collective, Demons, Humanitarian Deficit, and Transgression take over Taphouse Monday night. Rip it.

Festevents dropped the Ocean View Beach Park summer lineup. Rip it.

LAVA MiniFest is back at Toast with 9+ bands next month. Rip it.

FRIDAY:
Norfolk Run Club Friday Meetup at Yorgo’s Bageldashery. 6:00 am. Rip it
Crossing the Street: Poetry & Performance Workshops at Virginia Stage Company. 3:00 pm. Rip it
A Girl Noticed Immersive Exhibit in the d’Art Center Vault. 5:30 pm. Rip it
Persistence V: All Women’s Exhibition Opening Reception at d’Art Center. 5:30 pm. Rip it
Dan Pellegrino performs live at Cova Brewing Company. 6:00 pm. Rip it
Kumihimo Basics at Aries Apothecary. 6:00 pm. Rip it
Murder Mystery Dinner at The Granby Theater. 6:00 pm. Rip it
Painting with Goats at Cova Brewing Company. 6:00 pm. Rip it
All You Can Eat Fish Fry at Knights of Columbus. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Beth Turner performs live at Varia. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Matt Holloman performs live at Benchtop Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Pavel performs live at Ocean View Fishing Pier. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Zach Desocio performs live at Elation Brewing. 6:30 pm. Rip it
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship at Norfolk Scope. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Friday Night Magic: Draft – Norfolk. 7:30 pm. Rip it
ODU Opera presents The Old Maid and the Thief at University Theatre. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
TrapxCanvas at Springhill Suites Marriott. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
The Nashville Nights 90s Country Band at The Norva. 8:00 pm. Rip it
Vaudeville at the Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at Generic Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it
Cultivated Mind & TC Cline perform live Chicho’s Backstage. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Jolly Roger Duo performs live at the OV Beach Tavern. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Virginia Leather Meet & Greet at MJ’s Tavern. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Donal O’Shaughnessy performs live at Grace O’Malley’s. 8:30 pm. Rip it.
Pulp Fiction *Flashback Friday!* at Naro Cinema. 9:15 pm. Rip it
Friday Night Magic: Commander at Atlantis Games & Comics. 8:30 pm. Rip it
House of Cooper: Blacklight Edition at MJ’s Tavern. 9:00 pm. Rip it
The Foreign Resort, Raise Hell Over The Summer & Arms Bizzare at 80/20 Burger Bar. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
OK performs live at Grain. 9:00 pm. Rip it
Phisher Pryce, My First Sketch Comedy Show at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it.
Grown and Sexy Midnight Cruise on the Spirit of Norfolk. 11:00 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
Breakfast With The Animals at The Virginia Zoo. 8:00 am. Rip it
Keep Weyanoke Beautiful Volunteer Day at Weyanoke Bird and Wildflower Sanctuary. 9:00 am. Rip it
Michael Shipp Memorial Ride at Coalescence Coffee Company. 9:00 am. Rip it
Cars and Coffee March Meetup at Uno Pizzeria. 9:00 am. Rip it.
Walk and Talk at Water Street Open Space. 10:00 am. Rip it
Sailing Swap Meet at Willoughby Harbor Marina. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Yoga at Coalescence Coffee. 10:00 am. Rip it
Hunt and Gather Market. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Sassy Drag Brunch at The Granby Theater. 10:00 am. 
Rip it.
Women In STEM Discovery Day at Nauticus. 10:00 am. Rip it
Hot Girl Walk at COVA Brewing Co. 10:00 am. Rip it
Sassy’s Drag Brunch at Granby Theater. 10:00 am. Rip it
NFK Social Spring Market at Toast. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Into the Wild Adventure Day at NBG Youth & Family Programs. 10:00 am. Rip it
Bhav Brigade Yoga at Elation Brewing. 10:00 am. Rip it
Live Life Fresh Boom Box Bike Ride at Freshtopia. 10:30 am. Rip it
Mastering Your Money Series: Debt Workshop at Richard Tucker Memorial Library. 10:30 am. Rip it
Winter Farmer’s Market at OBC. 11:00 am. Rip it
Women-Owned Business Brunch Expo at Mary D Pretlow Anchor Branch Library. 11:00 am. Rip it
BigForestFire performs live  at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it
Flea Market at Mrs. Pinkadot in Riverview. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Lucky Vintage Market at Selden Market. 11:00 am. Rip it
War of the Wings (Day 1) at Waterside District. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Be True To Your Weekend At Norfolk Indoor Sports.12:00 pm. Rip it
Hop into Spring at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Spring Bouquets at the Norfolk Botanical Garden. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Lipgloss & Lashes Drag Brunch at 37th & Zen. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Spring Vintage Market with Hanks Vintage at Reaver NFK. 2:00 pm. Rip it
Veer Award Celebration Event for Red Stapler Duo at O’Connor Brewing Co.. 4:00 pm. Rip it
Crazy DJ Music Bingo at Hank’s Filling Station. 4:30 pm. Rip it.
Michael Clark Band performs live at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Egyptian Magic Basics at Aries Apothecary. 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.
Saturday Night Yugioh at Atlantis Games & Comics. 6:30 pm. Rip it
Brian Kenneth & The Soul Revival perform live at Boss Queens Soul Cafe. 7:00 pm. Rip it
The Storyweavers perform live at Cafe Stella. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
R&B Only Live at The Norva. 7:15 pm. Rip it
Hits! The Musical at Harrison Opera House. 7:30 pm. Rip it
Violinist Gil Shaham performs live at Chrysler Hall. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Rhythm & Laughter Birthday Edition at The Venue on 35th. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Girl-Prov at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at Generic Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it
Mike Phillips performs live at Attucks Theatre. 8:00 pm. Rip it
Donal O’Shaughnessy performs live at Grace O’Malley’s. 8:30 pm. Rip it.
IMPROVAGEDDON: March Mayhem at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it

SUNDAY:
March Beach Cleanup at The Bold Mariner Brewing Company. 10:00 am. Rip it
Slow-Mo Sunday Group Ride at Local Bike Shop NFK. 10:30 am. Rip it
Dustin Furlow at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it
STL Little Free Library Social at Sky’s The Limit Yoga Co. 11:30 am. Rip it
GamerBus Sundays At Nauticus. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Wildflower Tea at Hunter House Victorian Museum. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Pokemon Victory Road – Monthly Tournament at Atlantis Games & Comics. 12:00 am. Rip it
War of the Wings (Day 2) at Waterside District. 12:00 am. Rip it
Peace & Pints: Bhav Brigade Yoga at Smartmouth Brewery. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Privateer Press Game Night at Atlantis Games & Comics. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Lipgloss & Lashes Drag Brunch at 37th & Zen. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Mini-Class Paloma Vineyard Merlot Vertical Tasting at Vino Culture. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Weekly Pokemon League at Atlantis Games & Comics. 1:00 pm. Rip it
MTG Modern Sunday at Atlantis Games & Comics. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Sunday Funday: Board Game Night at COVA. 1:00 pm. Rip it
World Street Soccer Meetup at The Veil. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Reads March Book Club: Admissions at Central Park Avenue. 2:00 pm. Rip it
Violinist Gil Shaham Returns at Sandler Center for the Performing Arts. 2:30 pm. Rip it
ODU Opera presents The Old Maid and the Thief at University Theatre. 2:30 pm. Rip it.
Reiki Level 1 at Aries Apothecary. 3:00 pm. Rip it
Music Bingo at Reaver Beach NFK.4:00 pm. Rip it
Traditional Folk Music Jam at The Muse Writers Center. 4:00 pm. Rip it
Women’s History Tour in Elmwood Cemetery. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
Norfolk Cold Plunge Meetup at 28th Bay Street. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
DJ DWill and MikexAngel perform live at Boss Queens Soul Cafe. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Class Dismissed: The Musical Improv 201 Graduation Show at Push Comedy Theater. 7:00 pm. Rip it
 

Chow.

Citizen Club members get $1 draft beers at Reaver Beach and $1 drip coffee at Cafe Mudita for the month of March. Rip it.
 
 
So you’re moving? The LeGrand story.  (NFK Currents Original). Rip it.
 
 
Perro Blanco in Park Place is just your friendly neighborhood taco (and mezcal) spot. (NFK Currents Orginal Video) Rip it.

Plaza Del Sol has shown how much the community makes it what it is. (NFK Currents Original). Rip it.

Visit Norfolk dropped City With Bite season 3 this week, with three episodes ready to stream. Rip it.


STARK, a German doppelbock lager brewed with imported German pilsner and Munich malts, is described as ‘chewy.’ Catch it at Reaver Beach this weekend. Rip it.

Soft shells are starting to popup around town. Spotted at Swell at OV. Rip it.

The team from Codex has a new project coming: Gunner & Marley’s Luncheonette. Rip it.

My Mama’s Kitchen has three flavors of fully loaded Po’ Boys. Rip it.


This week at Kobro’s: Blueberry Lime Zest craft lattes.  Rip it.

The sandwiches at Ten Top are phenomenal and yet push the boundaries of what should be called a sandwich. Rip it.

Dine in at Commune and catch this new piece by Danthan Kane. Rip it.

Bar-Q is ready to give your tastebuds an imagination with these pork belly burnt end and kimchi hotdogs. Rip it.

The Ocean View Fishing Pier is well-versed in the art of the sunset. Rip it.

Hummingbird Desserts unveiled a beautiful lineup of tarts this week. Rip it.

Omar’s Carriage House has $10 burger nights that are not to be missed. Rip it.

Spring is definitely on the menu at Cafe Stella. Rip it.

Macarons from Equinox will sweeten up the weekend. Rip it.

New at 411 York: Luxardo Collins featuring citadelle gin and luxardo cherry cordial. Rip it.

Food Truck Sightings:
Friday:
Ghost Kitchen & Pittsburgh’s Best at Cova Brewing. Rip it.
Shawna’s Rich Eats at Maker’s Craft Brewery. Rip it.
Hades Wood Fired at Reaver Beach NFK. Rip it.
JMT Vegan Eats at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.
Bar-Q at Bold Mariner Brewing. Rip it.
Bakehouse Pizza at Elation Brewing. Rip it.

Saturday:
Crop Circle Gourmet at Maker’s Craft Brewery. Rip it.
Bar-Q at Reaver Beach NFK. Rip it.
Gavins Dishes at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.
Bar-Q at Bold Mariner Brewing. Rip it.
Bakehouse Pizza at Elation Brewing. Rip it.

Sunday:
Bite of Maine at Cova Brewing. Rip it.
Gocho Gourmet at Reaver Beach NFK. Rip it.
Edible Arts by Brandy at Maker’s Craft Brewery. Rip it.
Sour Street Pizza at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.
Bar-Q at Bold Mariner Brewing. Rip it.
Bakehouse Pizza at Elation Brewing. Rip it.

The Ripcurrent.

NFK Dad Hat

Norfolk Snapback

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.