Community. 

City Council is set to vote on the Granby Street Bike Lane project on January 25th. Rip it. 

Jackie Glass was declared the winner in the Special Election for the 89th House District. She was sworn in Thursday ahead of the start of the General Assembly Session. Rip it. 

Journalist Brandon Jarvis is reporting that Andria McClellan and Angelia Williams Graves are both considering a run for the new Norfolk-based Senate district, SD-21. Rip it.

Military Circle a mass vaccination site, will now be offering free COVID-19 testing by appointment only in an outdoor facility. Rip it.

Metronet, a new-to-market internet provider, has begun construction on fiber optic infrastructure in the city with first customer access expected this fall Rip it.

Governor-elect Youngkin has promised to remove the Commonwealth from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative meant to implement a cap-and-trade system. Rip it. 

Attorney General Mark Herring claims Governor-elect Youngkin does not have the authority to remove Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative via executive action. Rip it.  

NRHA is facing staff shortages as COVID-19 causes employee absences. Rip it. 

The City of Norfolk has over 800 vacant positions, including positions for nearly 300 for police, fire, and 911 operators. Rip it. 

After extensive advocacy by Lakewood Civic League, speed humps were installed on Willow Wood Drive. Rip it. 

The Government Accountability Office found substation problems at VA nursing homes. Rip it. 

In a substantial reduction, the City offices for the Commissioner of the Revenue and Treasurer will be closed to the public on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Rip it. 

A Norfolk teacher is rolling out “dynamic seating” for students after a successful Donors Choose campaign. Rip it. (You can donate to other projects by Norfolk teachers here). 

Smart Meters are set to roll in Virginia after Dominion Energy gets approval. Rip it. 

A free clothing program is coming to the Jordan-Newby Food Pantry every Saturday. Rip it.

A shelter for trans members of the community opened in Norfolk, the first in the region. Rip it. 

ODU Football staffs up, hiring Dave Patenaude, a 30-year-coaching-vet, as offensive coordinator. Rip it.  

Culture.

Norfolk’s Original Indie Comics Expo returns on February 5th to Smartmouth. Rip it.

Tickets are on sale for the 10th Anniversary Panties In A Twist presented by Push Comedy Theater at the Norva. Rip it. 

757 Headspace’s first event “Open Floor” featuring over a dozen choreographers comes to ODU’s Univesity Theater on January 27th. Rip it. 

The Patriotic Festival lineup has been announced. Jon Pardi, Kane Brown, Morgan Wallen and more will perform at this memorial day weekend festival. Rip it. 

Auditions are coming for Todd Rosenlieb Dance and the Virginia Ballet Theater’s Spring Ensemble. Rip it.

Support local artists and find a unique valentines day gift at d’Art Center’s art shop. Rip it. 

Grey Hue’s drops an album and a book. Catch the release party on February 4th. Rip it. 

Norf MSN brings Teezysodope, Marv.P, Roberta Lea, and Gabrial Everlast to Slowdive Gallery on the 27th. Rip it. 

Currently on Display:
Fence Street Gallery in the NEON District. Rip it.
Pier Luigi Nervi: Art and Science of Building at Chrysler Museum. Rip it. 
Tuan Andrew Nguyen: The Boat People at Chrysler Museum. Rip it. 
Alpha / Beta at Offsite Gallery. Rip it. 

Commerce.

The Federal Reserve has released the Beige Book, which includes updated economic reports and forecasts for our region (page 15). Rip it. 

The redevelopment of the Military Circle Mall area has been delayed due to the ongoing pandemic. Rip it. 

Despite pandemic-related challenges, local small businesses report a generally good holiday sales season. Rip it. 

Black BRAND, a  local nonprofit, received a $750,000 grant to support local African American and Latinx companies. Rip it. 

Norfolk businessman Shep Miller, who sits on the boards of TowneBank, Greater Norfolk Corp, the Chamber of Commerce, was named as the next Secretary of Transportation by Governor-elect Youngkin. Rip it. 

Local restaurants could get additional pandemic aid as Congress negotiates $40 billion in fresh funding. Rip it. 

Prices for meat in the region have more than doubled according to local butchers. Rip it. 

The Eastern Shore has been chosen as a finalist for an expansion of RocketLab, a rocket manufacturing company. Rip it. 

TechArk, a local digital agency, has acquired Auxesia, a web-based application for the ship repair industry. Rip it. 

TCC is rolling out a mobile welding lab to recruit welding students for 5 week program with guaranteed interviews with Lyon Shipyard. Rip it. 

Two local maritime industry professionals were appointed to the Virginia Offshore Wind Development Authority. Rip it. 

The Breedan Co., which is leading several Norfolk construction projects, named Timothy Faulker, as the new president and CEO. Rip it. 

Real estate sales in the region are holding steady while inventory has dropped. Rip it. 

The Hemp Barkery is the latest popup to join Selden Market, specializing in dog CBD treats. Rip it. 

Regional Economic Stats. Port Stats. Labor Stats.

Crowds.

Several events this week have been canceled due to rising COVD-19 cases. Please confirm event information and follow all CDC guidelines.  

Join the Get Well Soon team for a felt craft session this week and create a *heartfelt* collage. Rip it. 

Norfolk Roundnet hosts a New Year Classic tournament at Lafayette Park on January 22nd. Rip it. 

**Please note that listed times are start times, many events run several hours**
All Weekend:
MacArthur On Ice at MacArthur Center. Rip it. 
The Creative Mind at Nauticus. Rip it. 

Friday: 
Yoga + Coffee at Cafe Mudita with Skys the Limit Yoga. 6:30 am. Rip it. 
Friday Happy Hour Wine Tasting at Vino Culture. 4:00 pm. Rip it. 
Fox and the Bear perform live at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Marty Moore performs live at Cova Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Stonewall Sports Tshirt Pickup and Drag Bingo at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Skylark with Skip Hancock performs live at Varia. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Mark Viera performs live at the Granby Theater. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Hand-build Character Mugs at All Hands Pottery. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Blind Tasting Class at Vino Culture. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Dan Pellegrino performs live at Reaver Beach NFK. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Black Jacket Symphony perform The Beatles “White Album” at Harrison Opera House. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
The Connells perform live at The Norva. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Goth Night at 37th & Zen. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Glitch City meet the artist night at Slowdive Gallery. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Wolf Moon Esbat at Mystic Moon Norfolk. 8:30 pm. Rip it. 
Beth Patterson performs live at Grace O’Malley’s. 8:30 pm. Rip it. 
JonQuan performs live reggae vinyl set at Thank You Thank You Bar. 9:00 pm Rip it. 
Brandon Peter performs live at Grain. 9:30 pm. Rip it. 

Saturday: 
Weyanoke Bird Sanctuary Nature Walk. 9:00 am. Rip it. 
The Muse Writers Center Book Sale. 10:00 am. Rip it. 
Volunteer Litter Cleanup with Elizabeth River Project. 10:00 am. Rip it. 
Sky’s The Limit Yoga on Tap at Reaver Beach Brewing. 10:45 am. Rip it. 
BigForestFire performs live at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it. 
Elated Craft Market at Elation Brewing. 12:00 pm. Rip it. 
Community Gentle Yoga at Ocean View Beach Park. 12:00 pm. Rip it. 
Stranger Strains Cannabis Popup at 5802 E Virgina Beach Blvd. 12:00 pm. Rip it. 
Nutrition and Mindfulness at Sky’s the Limit Yoga Co. 12:30 pm. Rip it. 
Thank You For Being a Friend (Norfolk Animal Care Center Benefit) at Reaver Beach NFK. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Creative Writing Workshop at Coaster Coffee. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Hampton Roads Adult Kickball League Forming at Norfolk Collegiate. 2:00 pm. Rip it. 
Catch My Thrift – Thrifting Experience at Bromley Shopping Center. 2:00 pm. Rip it. 
IFC Championship Watch Party at The Granby Theater. 5:00 pm. Rip it. 
Burns Supper with Siren City Pipe Band ad Quality Suite Lake Wright. 5:30 pm. Rip it.
Chris Ride performs live at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Black and Gold perform live at Benchtop Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Neptune Groove performs live at Varia. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Netflix & Chill Cabaret Dinner Theater at 37th & Zen. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Virginia Symphony performs Spirituals and Operatic Showstop at Chrysler Hall. 7:30 pm. Rip it. 
Silent Disco at Waterside District. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Beth Patterson performs live at Grace O’Malley’s. 8:30 pm. Rip it. 
Mya May and Fake Uzumi perform live at Slowdive Gallery. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
Players Ball at Caior Bistro & Social. 9:30 pm. Rip it. 
Runnin’ Shine performs live at Grain. 9:30 pm. Rip it. 
Hey May All RNB All Luv at Chicho’s Backstage. 10:00 pm. Rip it. 

Sunday:

Chow.

Lobster Ravioli. That’s all you need to hear. Get down to Omar’s Carriage House. Rip it. 

On Ice 2 is slinging a tasty Butter Beer and Blondies flavor this week. We’ve nicknamed it the Luna Lovegood. Rip it. 

Watch out GCB, Va Cheese Company is coming for the title with a new Cheese Curd Grilled Cheese. 

Brunch is back on Sundays at Coach House on North Colley. Rip it. 

The best sushi in town is elusive. Catch Vang’s sushi food truck if you can. Rip it. 

Juicy Root, a carrot and butternut squash Gose, drop this week at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it. 

Chorizo Mexican does not fool around with their tacos. Rip it. 

Sweeten up your life a bit. Hawaiian Sunsets and Classic Hot Fudge Sundaes at Doumar’s. Rip it.

Food Truck Sightings:
Friday:
Pittsburgh’s Best at Cova Brewing. Rip it. 
Sense’s Vegan at Reaver NFK. Rip it. 
Shawna’s Rich Eats at Maker’s Craft Brewing. Rip it. 
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.
Gavin Dishes at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it.  

Saturday:
Big Belly Food Truck at Reaver NFK. Rip it. 
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.
VAng’s Sushi at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it.  
Pelican Pete’s Pizza at Cova Brewing. Rip it. 
Bite of Maine at Maker’s Craft Brewing. Rip it. 

Sunday:
La Cucina di Sophia at Maker’s Craft Brewing. Rip it. 
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.
Big Belly Food Truck at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it.  
Vang’s Sushi at Cova Brewing. Rip it. 

The Ripcurrent.

Consumer Brewery was once a great horse-driven local brewery. 

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!