This Week in NFK: Transportation Funds, Elections, Cruise News, Offshore Wind, Selden Market, and more

by | Nov 3, 2023

Supported By:

Community. 

Armed Forces Brewing, a new brewery that has polarized the community, may receive up to $300K in state funds for opening in Norfolk. Rip it. 

The developers behind the Headwater’s Casino and Resort have submitted new site plans to the City for review. Rip it. 

The window for the Headwater’s Casino and Resort to get a development certificate has been extended by a year, to January 2025. Rip it. 

The Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney office and UVA Law School are undertaking a full review of cases handled by former Officer Ford, who was convicted on extortion charges in 2011. Rip it. 

Norfolk School Board is considering four applicants for the vacant Ward 5 school board seat. Rip it. 

Advocates are calling for Virgnia’s Senate to have proportional representation on committees similar to the House of Delegates. Rip it. 

Fundraising totals for candidates in Senate and House of Delegates races this year, over $80 million,  showcase dramatic increases over the past decade. Rip it. 

Of 3,400 thousand voters who were accidentally removed from voter rolls, at least 3,000 have been restored, including 130 in Norfolk. Rip it. 

Virginia Democrats are calling for a Department of Justice investigation into the removal of voters from voter rolls. Rip it. 

The American Civil Liberties Union is throwing a $1 million into the Virginia legislative races, joining other outside groups with large spending in this election cycle. Rip it. 

The number of pedestrians injured or killed by drivers continue to rise in the region. Rip it. 

Changes to the SMART SCALE transportation funding system may significantly change what projects get funded and cap the number of projects that municipalities can submit applications for. Rip it. 

Amtrak is rolling out new fare structures, including 75% and 100% refund options. Rip it. 

In Virginia, the department of health finds that 5% of Virginians over the age of 6 months have gotten the lates COVID vaccination shots, among them 8% are adults. Rip it. 

NSU Men’s Basketball, ranked 2nd in the MEAC preseason, are rebuilding their roster as the season kicks off. Rip it. 

Culture.

The Governor’s School for the Arts brings “Metamorphoses: Based On The Myths Of Ovid” to the stage this weekend. Rip it.

Up next from the ODU Rep Theater: “Blood at the Root.” Starting November 9th. Rip it.

Radium Girls is wowing audiences at Little Theater of Norfolk through this weekend. Rip it. 

The Virginia Opera is bringing Rossini’s The Barber Of Seville to Harrison Opera House. Rip it.

The City of Norfolk is seeking artists to help beautify utility boxes around town. Rip it.

The one-person show “Every Brilliant Thing” featuring Candunn Jennette and produced by the Virginia Stage Company made its way to Naval Station Norfolk. Rip it.

Former SNL writer Nimesh Patel is set to do stand-up at Attucks Theater this Friday. Rip it.

Currently on Display:

Reckonings and Reconstructions: Southern Photography from the Do Good Fund at Chrysler Museum. (FINAL WEEKEND) Rip it.
Charles Atlas: Selected Videos 1987–2015 at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
Jaime Guerrero: Dendrolatry at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
2023 Artists/Educators Exhibit at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
Perspectives: Modern and Contemporary Glass from the Waitzer Collection at Barry Art Museum. Rip it.
Fashioning Innovation: Madame Alexander at 100 at Barry Art Museum. Rip it.
Nurture | Nature at Barry Art Museum. Rip it.
Vague Appliances and Utilities at Gordon Art Galleries. Rip it.
Papahanaumoku: A Panoply of New Island Cultures at Gordon Art Galleries. Rip it.
“Fiber Friends” by Kristin Skees & Ryan Lytle at Offsite Gallery. Rip it.
Everything Pink at The Gallery At ElationRip it
“A Look Within” a CAN Foundation collaboration at TCC Arts & Design Center. Rip it.
Selections from The CAN Collection at Assembly. Rip it.

Commerce.

Hear Danielle Talley’s story of leaving finance, moving to Norfolk, and opening Sky’s the Limit Yoga Company on this weeks episode of the Norfolk Currents podcast. Rip it. 

Steel pillars big enough to drive a tractor-trailer through, landed at the Port of Virginia, before their planned installation as offshore wind turbine foundations. Rip it. 

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management handed down approvals for Dominion Energy’s offshore wind projects, however, they still require federal sign off on construction and operation plans. Rip it. 

Carnival Cruises has wrapped the 2023 Norfolk cruise season, with expectations to return for a much larger run in 2025 after significant cruise infrastructure improvements. Other cruise liners will continue to use the facility in 2024. Rip it. 

A Government Accountability Office report shows that flood insurance premiums have gone up by about 11% in Norfolk after a FEMA revamp of insurance premiums. Rip it. 

The Cannabis Control Authority will start tracking revenue from medical marijuana sales in 2024. There were 1.7 million “dispensations” in 2023 through September. Rip it.

Electric car ownership in Virginia has more than doubled since 2021; however, Dominion Energy’s incentive program for charger installations has seen little participation. Rip it. 

Car insurance rates in Virginia have spiked an average of 20% in the past year. Rip it. 

Facade grants were awarded to a number of local businesses, and the second round of applications have opened. Rip it. 

The Norfolk State University Innovation Center hosted the CEO of one of the few black woman-owned champagne brands. Rip it. 

The housing market continues to be tight as high interest rates discourage sellers and buyers alike. Rip it. 

Hunt and Gather is a vintage marketplace blooming on 21st Street. Rip it. 

Orapax shares a word of warning with other small businesses after their instagram was hacked. Rip it. 

NOAA is hosting a recruiting event in Norfolk on the 15th of November. Rip it.

Regional Economic Stats. Labor Stats.

Nawfuk Trucker Cap

Norfolk Rocker Label Tote

Crowds.

This Saturday the Swifties take over Reaver Beach for a 1989 style party with a slate of specialty beermosas. (NFK Currents Original) Rip it.

Don’t miss Harvest at the Hermitage on November 17th. Rip it.

This Friday Selden Market is hosting a grand opening party for three new shops opening, with a midday ribbon cutting and late night friday hours. Rip it.

The ERT is throwing a Glow Party at Robertson Park along the glowing part of the trailon November 4th. Rip it.

FRIDAY:
Run Club Friday Meetup at Yorgo’s Bageldashery. 6:00 am. Rip it
Recycled Reads Used Book Sale at Slover Library. 9:00 am. Rip it
Fall Party and Pottery Class at All Hands Pottery Studio. 9:00 am. Rip it.
Lego Day at 757 Creative Reuse Center. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Writers Coffee Break at Cafe Stella. 10:00 am. Rip it.
KinderSTEM at Mary D. Pretlow Library. 10:30 am. Rip it.
Pickleball Tournament at Blocker Norfolk Family YMCA. 4:30 pm. Rip it.
Grand Opening for Amale Tre Focacceria, CTLRE and LNK at Selden Markets. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Headshots & Happy Hour at Cova. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Books & Brew & Vino Too at Slover Library. 6:00 pm. Rip it
Bad Movie Night: “Moon Zero Two” at ODU Planetarium. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Hampton Roads Pride Night – Virginia Opera – The Barber of Seville. 6:30 pm. Rip it
Paul Urban performs live at Elation. 6:30 pm. Rip it.
Digimon TCG Weekly Tournament at Atlantis Games & Comics. 6:30 pm. Rip it.
Wheel Of Fortune LIVE! at Chrysler Hall. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Spooky Acres Haunted House at MacArthur Mall. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
PechaKucha Night at 757 Makerspace. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Norfolk Admirals vs. Maine Mariners at The Scope. 7:05 pm. Rip it
The Expendables & Bumpin Uglies perform live at The NorVA. 7:15 pm. Rip it
Nimesh Patel: Fast and Loose Tour at Attucks Theatre. 7:30 pm. Rip it
Community Misa & Spiritual Gathering at Aries Apothecary. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Virginia Virtuosi at ODU Theatre. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Friday Night Magic: Draft at Atlantis Games & Comics. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Friday Night Magic: Commander at Atlantis Games & Comics. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Heather Edwards & Nathan Firth perform live at OV Beach Tavern. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Vitreous Theater: Light Unraveled by Madeline Rile Smith at Chrysler Glass Studio. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Radium Girls at Little Theatre Norfolk. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Gabriel Donohue performs live at Grace O’Malleys. 8:30 pm. Rip it.
Pajama Party: Improv Comedy and Storytelling at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it.

SATURDAY:
Wheel Of Fortune LIVE! at Chrysler Hall. 7:00 am. Rip it
Weekend Long Run. 7:15 am. Rip it
Send It Saturday Morning Group Ride at East Coast Bicycles. 8:00 am. Rip it
RISE Men’s Retreat Conversation and Understanding at LGBT Life Center. 9:00 am. Rip it
DreamHack Modern RCQ at Atlantis Games & Comics. 9:00 am. Rip it.
Yoga at Slover Library. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Live Life Fresh Boom Box Bike Ride at Freshtopia. 10:30 am. Rip it
Cool Creations: Fabric Pumpkins & Guided Drawing of a Kawaii-style Owl at d’Art Center. 11:30 am. Rip it
1989 (Reaver’s Version)  A Taylor Swift Party with Reaver NFK. 12:45 pm. Rip it
Lipgloss & Lashes Drag Brunch at 37th & Zen. 1:00 pm. Rip it
5th Annual Virginia Bourbon Invitational. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Gabriel Donohue performs live at Grace O’Malleys. 3:00 pm. Rip it.
2nd Annual Glow Party at Jeff Robertson Park. 4:00 pm. Rip it
Rock the Kroc at Kroc Center. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
80s Night with REM, The Pretenders & Elvis Costello at Smartmouth Beer. 5:00 pm. Rip it
Chris Ride performs live at Cova. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Rob Oliver performs at Afterglow. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Norfolk Admirals vs. Maine Mariners at Norfolk Scope. 6:05 pm. Rip it
Saturday Night Yugioh at Atlantis Games & Comics. 6:30 pm. Rip it.
Demon, Oberlin, Dead Format & That Which Sleeps at The Taphouse Grill. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Radium Girls at Little Theatre Norfolk. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Silent Disco at Waterside District. 8:00 pm. Rip it
Date Night at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Vince Kornegay Duo performs live at The Grain. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
Sketchmaggedon! The Ultimate Sketch Comedy Competition at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it.


SUNDAY:
Yoga on Tap at Reaver NFK. 10:45 am. Rip it.
MTG Commander League at Atlantis Games & Comics. 12:00 pm.. Rip it.
Lipgloss & Lashes Drag Brunch at 37th & Zen. 1:00 pm. Rip it
MTG Modern Sunday at Atlantis Games & Comics. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Living Succulent Wreath at Reaver NFK. 1:45 pm. Rip it
Sound Advice performs live at Hank’s Filling Station. 3:00 pm. Rip it
Left to Rust performs live at Cova. 3:00 pm. Rip it.
Privateer Press Game Night at Atlantis Games & Comics. 3:00 pm. Rip it.
Tour de ORF at Smartmouth Beer. 3:45 pm. Rip it
Norfolk Admirals vs. Maine Mariners at The Scope. 4:05 pm. Rip it
Live From the 24th Street Lot – a celebration of the Grateful Dead at Toast. 5:00 pm. Rip it
Cutthroat Karaoke at Public House. 7:00 pm. Rip it.

Chow.

Here’s a sneak peak at what’s in store if you stop by 80/20 during their Sunday Brunch hours. Rip it.

Check out the Falafel at A World of Good, a signature dish in the Middle East that you’ve GOT to try! Rip it.

Birds & Bourbon has closed its doors at Granby. Be sure to keep your eye open for their next venture! Rip it.

Cafe Genevieve is hosting baking lessons. Sign up now! Rip it.

Did you grab a Spooktini from Gershwin’s on Halloween? Then why not tonight? Rip it.

Thanksgiving will be here before you know it. Order your pecan pie from La Brioche before it’s too late! Rip it.

The Crunchie Munchie is back at Lolly’s! Rip it.

Major Phillie Cheesesteak is hinting at a new menu, better swing by before your favorite sandwich is gone. Rip it.

Omar’s Carriage House has prepared their menu for Thanksgiving. Peep it here. Rip it.

The Velvet Mistral cocktail at Only You Lounge looks like it was ripped straight from the silver screen. Rip it.

BOGO at O’s Donuts every Wednesday from 12 – 2. Rip it.

Food Truck Sightings:
Friday:
The Lit Auntie at Maker’s Craft. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen, Nacho Libre & Bumbling Bee at Cova. Rip it.
The Potato Peeps at Reaver Beach. Rip it.
Salsa Libre at Benchtop. Rip it.
Sour Street Face at Afterglow. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth. Rip it.
Bakehouse at Elation Brewing. Rip it.
Bar-q at Bold Mariner. Rip it.

Saturday:
The Lit Auntie at Maker’s Craft. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen & Moontide Sundries at Cova. Rip it.
Flippin’ Hangry at Reaver Beach. Rip it.
Get Lit Food at Benchtop. Rip it.
Hades Wood Fired at Afterglow. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth. Rip it.
Bakehouse at Elation Brewing. Rip it.
Bar-q at Bold Mariner. Rip it.

Sunday:
Gavin’s at Maker’s Craft. Rip it.
Sour Street Pizza at Cova. Rip it.
Taqueria Las Bukis at Reaver Beach. Rip it.
Avocargo at Benchtop. Rip it.
Hades Wood Fired at Afterglow. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth. Rip it.
Bakehouse at Elation Brewing. Rip it.
Bar-q at Bold Mariner. Rip it.

The Ripcurrent.

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.