This Week in NFK: Lawsuits, Teacher Salaries, Cheugy Art, Street Car Barn, Barbie Parties, Ginseng Burgers, and more.

by | Aug 25, 2023

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Community. 

Scotty Quixx, a nightclub whose permit to operate was revoked last fall, has filed a federal lawsuit agains the City of Norfolk. Rip it.

The City of Norfolk demolished a shopping center in Park Place as it makes way for more redevelopment. Rip it.

Norfolk Kayaks and the Elizabeth River Project are working together to highlight the local wildlife via kayak tours. Rip it.

Norfolk’s Department of Neighborhood Services is hosting the 11th Annual Neighborhood Expo at Northside Park on Saturday, September 16th, 2023. Rip it.

City Councilman Tommy Smigiel blasted state legislators for not “putting the money where their mouth is” on education funding. Rip it. 

Over 100 local sailors are helping more than 10 schools prepare for the school year by taking on a variety of projects. Rip it.

Hampton Roads Regional Jail is expected to shut down, according to communications between the jail leaders. Rip it.

In the next few weeks, the first few Downtown businesses should be getting their Gold Bar accreditations. Rip it.  

Guided boat tours at the Botanical Gardens run through September 4th. Rip it.

Virginia lawmakers may be close to reaching a deal on budget legislation. Rip it.

One local woman has been waiting for years for an unemployment claim to be filled as the Virginia Employment Commission continues to work through backlogs of claims. Rip it.

Salaries for new teachers across the region got large bumps, with Norfolk now within 1% of the highest salary for new teachers ($53,000). Rip it.

Norfolk State University saw such high demand for on-campus housing that hundreds will have to live in local hotels. Rip it. 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimates that the region will experience nearly double the high tide flooding events than the east coast average. Rip it.

ODU has chosen its starting quarterback: Grant Wilson. ODU opens against Virginia Tech on September 2nd. Rip it.

Robert J. Omohundro, an African-American physicist born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia, played a significant and often overlooked role in the development of the atomic bomb during World War II. Rip it.

Culture.

Meet Josh Coplon, the man behind LAVA Presents and a pillar in the local indie scene, in this week’s Norfolk Currents Podcast. Rip it.

Norfolk Zine Fest returns to the calendar! Catch them at Not For The Weak Records on September 23rd. Rip it.

Tyler Donavan drops “Gasping for Air” next week. Rip it.

No Bragging Rights, Mouth For War, Downswing, Gif From God, and Cataract are headed to Taphouse for a rowdy show. Rip it.

LAVA Presents is seeking bands and musicians for their costumed cover band

Barry Art Museum and Vessel Craft Coffee are hosting Coffee + Contemporary Art every Thursday starting next week. Rip it.

Marv.P, Andre Love, and more are taking over Smartmouth’s Warehouse for a special GEMZ show. Rip it.


The Virginia Opera and the Richmond Symphony are performing excerpts of Loving v. Virginia on Sunday ahead of the world premiere of the full opera. Rip it.

Applications for artists, vendors, and contributors to the 8th Annual NEON Festival close this weekend. Rip it.

I’m So Cheugy, an exhibition by Derek Eley, is now at the Offsite Gallery in Macarthur Mall. Rip it.

d’Art Center has an open call for artists for their next juried exhibition: DYNAMIC. Rip it.


Currently on Display:
Reckonings and Reconstructions: Southern Photography from the Do Good Fund at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
Heather Beardsley: Strange Plants at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
Perspectives: Modern and Contemporary Glass from the Waitzer Collection at Barry Art Museum. Rip it.
M/NYC: Rough Draft, a solo exhibition by Thomas O’Casey at Assembly Gallery. Rip it.
Jenny Craddock Art & Design at The Gallery At ElationRip it

Commerce.

Meet Ashley Branton, the owner of Velvet Witch, on this week’s episode of the Norfolk Currents podcast. Rip it.

A historic 1940 streetcar barn off of Church Street is for sale. 
Rip it.

Via Design Architects announced plans to develop an empty lot on Granby Street in Downtown Norfolk. Rip it.

Bons Secours’ and Anthem’s dispute is continuing with thousands of Virginians’ healthcare hanging in the balance. Rip it.

Norfolk International Airport had another record-breaking month, with 466,000 passengers in July. Rip it.

Booz Allen Hamilton, a government contracting consulting firm, is expected to add at least 60 new positions over the next year with more growth planned. Rip it.

Applications for facade improvement grants close on Friday, September 8th. Rip it.

Some Norfolk teachers are turning to GoFundMe to help fund their needs for school supplies this year. Rip it.

A new gene therapy was used for the first time at CHKD. Rip it.

Inc Magazine recognized local development corporation Breedan Company as one of the fastest growing companies in America. Rip it.

Virginia U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced they secured $500,000 for ODU to launch a program that accelerates the establishment, certification, success, and growth of veteran entrepreneurial businesses. Rip it.

The housing market is slow, but a lack of new homes on the market is keeping it competitive. Rip it.

Dollar Tree and Family Dollar, one of the region’s largest employers, reached a settlement with the Federal Department of Labor. Rip it.

Year-to-date Hotel Revenue per Available Room for the region is up 11%. Rip it.

Disabled American Veterans and RecruitMilitary plan to co-host a job fair at Naval Station Norfolk on Wednesday, August 30. Rip it.

Regional Economic Stats.Port StatsLabor Stats.

NFK Dad Hat

Norfolk Snapback

Crowds.

LAVA Presents MiniFest this Saturday at Toast featuring; The Lazy Dangers, Plant Sounds, Feminine Death, and many more! 4:00 pm. Rip it.

Join 80/20 for Retro Game Night next week – don’t forget your costume. Rip it.

If you can’t make this week’s LAVA show, be sure to clear next Saturday when LAVA presents Wandcarver, Gull, and Buck Gooter at Chicho’s. Rip it.

The Tides are playing the Durham Bulls this week. Rip it.

Less than a month until NashFest returns to Town Point Park! Rip it.

Elation Brewing’s popular Oktoberfest will return in North Colley on September 16th. Rip it.

FRIDAY:
Run Club Friday Meetup at Yorgo’s Bageldashery. 6:00 am. Rip it
Sunrise Yoga + Coffee On The River with Sky’s The Limit Yoga. 6:30 am. Rip it.
Coffee Networking Mixer at Mudita Cafe. 8:00 am. Rip it.
Dog Days of Summer Book Club at Mary D Pretlow Anchor Library. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Spiral Bouquet Workshop at Waters Edge Winery. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Celebrate Seek Party at Smartmouth Brewing. 5:30 pm. Rip it  
Wine Tasting at The Green Onion. 5:30 pm. Rip it.
Myths & Legends: Mermaids at Aries Apothecary. 6:00 pm. Rip it
Zach DeSocio at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 6:00 pm. Rip it
Painting with Goats at Cova Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it
Native Dread performs live at Cova Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Allegra DuChaine performs live at Benchtop Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Robert White performs live at Afterglow Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Small Animal Sculptures Class at All Hands Pottery. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
BOCA Band performs at Varia Modern in Main Hilton. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Tidewater Drive Band performs live at OV Beach Park: 6:00 pm. Rip it.
The House of Graves Leather Munch at 37th & Zen. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
A Tapas Tasting Adventure at Slover Library. 6:30 pm. Rip it.
Throw Yourself Into Pottery at All Hands Pottery. 6:30 pm. Rip it.
The Bay Rats perform live at Elation Brewing. 6:30 pm. Rip it.
Norfolk Tides vs. Durham Bulls at Harbor Park. 6:35 pm. Rip it
Wines of the Mediterranean with Ryn at Vino Culture. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Improv Social at Vessel Craft Coffee. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Wines of the Mediterranean at Vino Culture. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Elizabeth River Dinner Cruise on Spirit of Norfolk. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Open Mic Night at The Muse Writers Center. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Fortune Feimster live comedy at Harrison Opera House. 7:30 pm. Rip it
Puff & Paint at Hair By Taryn. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Beth Patterson performs live at Grace O’Malley’s. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Friday Night Magic: Commander at Atlantis Games & Comics. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Urinetown, The Musical at Little Theatre of Norfolk. 8:00 pm. Rip it
The Improv Riot: The Short Form Show at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Urinetown, The Musical at Little Theatre of Norfolk. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Synthwave Night at 37th & Zen. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Friday Night Magic: Commander at Atlantis Games & Comics. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Let’s Go Party: Barbie Inspired Dance Party at The NorVA. 9:00 pm. Rip it
Barbie Party at Chicho’s Backstage. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
The Improv Riot After Dark: The Short Form Improv Show at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it.
ManDate Presents: Friday Skate Night!. 11:00 pm. Rip it
Naro Night Owls Presents HEAVY METAL at Naro Cinema. 11:00 pm. Rip it

SATURDAY:
Weekend Long Run. 7:15 am. Rip it
Send It Saturday Morning Group Ride at East Coast Bicycles. 8:00 am. Rip it
Gimme Shelter Ride with Tidewater HOG Chapter #5344. 8:30 am. Rip it.
East Beach Farmers Market. 9:00 am. Rip it.
Kids Yoga at Sky’s The Limit Yoga. 9:30 am. Rip it.
City Girls Walk Meetup at Stockley Gardens. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Talk About It Norfolk Walk and Talk at Plum Point Park. 10:00 am. Rip it
ERT Botanical Bike Tour – Plants of the ER. 10:00 am. Rip it
Live Life Fresh Boom Box Bike Ride at Freshtopia. 10:30 am. Rip it
Pup and a Pint End of Summer Paw-ty at Hank’s Filling Station. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Pawsome Puptails at Pawsnickety Pets. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Open Studio: Sharpie Tie Dye Totes at Outside the Lines Art Studio 11:00 am. Rip it.
2D Needle Felting with Amy at 757 Creative ReUse Center. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Funk Fest at Smarthmouth Brewing. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Funk in the Trunk at Benchtop Brewing. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Love Petals Floral Arrangement at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
2D Needle Felting at 757 Creative ReUse Center. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Kovar Annual Bowling Tournament at AMF Norfolk Lanes. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Lipgloss & Lashes Drag Brunch at 37th & Zen. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Norfolk Celtic Slow Session. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Sweets and Scents Pop Up Market at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 2:00 pm. Rip it
Historic Houses: A Downtown Norfolk Walking Tour at Willoughby-Baylor House. 2:00 pm. Rip it
Hot Hot Hot Market at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 2:00 pm. Rip it
LAVA MiniFest at Toast. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
Kinship 2023 at Smartmouth Brewing. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Smooth Summer Jazz at Greater Metropolitan AME Zion Church. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Bak N Da Day at Attucks Theatre. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Talisman Making at Aries Apothecary. 6:00 pm. Rip it
Swell Luck Duo performs live at Cova Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
The Dirty Dismals perform live at Afterglow Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Amy & Regina perform live at Sunset Grill. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Root Chakra Workshop at Mystic Moon. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Joe Boone Beach Wrestling X-Travaganza at OV Fishing Pier. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Saturday Night Yugioh at Atlantis Games & Comics. 6:30 pm. Rip it.
Norfolk Tides vs. Durham Bulls at Harbor Park. 6:35 pm. Rip it
Red Stapler performs live at Sly Clyde. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Spikepit (Tape Release)/Self-Inflict/Prime Suspect/Ulamog at Taphouse. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Murder Mystery Dinner Theater at The Granby Theater. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Wine Dark Sea perform live at Elation Brewing. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Beth Patterson performs live at Grace O’Malley’s. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Urinetown, The Musical at Little Theatre of Norfolk. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Girlprov at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience at Sandler Center for the Performing Arts. 8:00 pm. Rip it
Por Vida and The New Mutiny perform live at Chicho’s Backstage. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Lock & Key Party at Baxter’s. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
JAG Duo performs at Grain. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
Improvageddon: Dog Days of WAR 2023 at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it.

SUNDAY:

August Beach Cleanup at The Bold Mariner Brewing Company. 8:00 am. Rip it
Victory Road League Cup/Case Tournament at Atlantis Comics & Games. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Slow-Mo Sunday Group Ride at Local Bike Shop NFK. 10:30 am. Rip it
Lil Roar Cat Rescue Adoption Event at PetSmart. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Trashy Hour Pickup with Reaver Beach. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Watch Liverpool v Newcastle at Grace O’Malley’s. 11:30 am. Rip it.
Magic: The Gathering Commander League at Atlantis Games & Comics. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Coalition Meeting: Trans Safe Space List at 757 Creative ReUse Center. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Black Queens Matter Brunch at Boss Queen Soul Cafe. 12:30 pm. Rip it.
MTG Modern Sunday at Atlantis Games & Comics. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Norfolk Weekly Pokemon League at Atlantis Games & Comics. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Lipgloss & Lashes Drag Brunch at 37th & Zen. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Peace & Pints Yoga at Smartmouth Brewing. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Healing Love Inc Sneakerball at Headquarters by Fly Girl Boutique 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Open Stage at TCC Roper Performing Arts Center. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
Art Rowe performs live at Willoughby Fish House. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
Urinetown, The Musical at Little Theatre of Norfolk. 2:30 pm. Rip it.
Zach Desocio performs live at Afterglow Brewing. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
Norfolk Tides vs. Durham Bulls at Harbor Park. 4:05 pm. Rip it
Kids Paint Night at Cova Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Drifting Roots with guests Ground Level perform live at Chicho’s Backstage. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Community Sound Bath at FLOW Massage & Bodywork. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
The Khedive Notables Dance Band performs live at OV Beach Park. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Beth Patterson performs live at Grace O’Malley’s. 7:30 pm. Rip it.

 

Chow.

Paw Paw fruits made it into Kobro’s craft lattes this week. Rip it.

The Gingseng Burger by Frank & Patty’s is showing up at Harbor Park. Rip it.

Meet Zephaniah Cain, the baker behind the legendary Yorgo’s Bagels. Rip it.

Reaver Beach is dropping its newest OktoberFest beer, the Plunderer, on Saturday. Rip it.

Summer cocktails at Blanca Food + Wine look crispy & refreshing. Rip it.

Groovy’s has the fresh seafood ready and on ice. Rip it.

Norfolk’s most hidden brewing company: Rip Rap. Rip it.

Ooey gooey brown butter cake, sesame matcha meringue cookies, maple coffee balsamic glaze, and whipped cream drip make up Toast’s Strawberry Lemonade Trifle. Rip it.

Food Truck Sightings:
Friday:
Revery Eats at Maker’s Craft. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen & Big Belly at Cova. Rip it.
Holiday Harvey at Benchtop. Rip it.
Revery Eats at Afterglow. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth. Rip it.
lil’za Pizzaria at The Veil. Rip it.
Bakehouse at Elation Brewing. Rip it.
Bar-Q at Bold Mariner. Rip it.

Saturday:
Gavin’s Dishes at Maker’s Craft. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen & Deutscher Imbiss at Cova. Rip it.
Hashi Cow at Benchtop. Rip it.
The Sloppy Dawg at Afterglow. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth. Rip it.
lil’za Pizzaria at The Veil. Rip it.
Bakehouse at Elation Brewing. Rip it.
Bar-Q at Bold Mariner.  Rip it.

Sunday:
Shawna’s at Maker’s Craft. Rip it.
Courtney’s Kitchen at Cova. Rip it.
Hashi Cow at Benchtop. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Rip it.
lil’za Pizzaria at The Veil. Rip it.
Bakehouse at Elation. Rip it.
Bar-Q at Bold Mariner. 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.