Community. 

Norfolk is set to receive $250 million to address flooding in the city, although funds must be matched by state or local spending. Rip it. 

Governor Youngkin has issued an order prohibiting mask mandates at public school systems, but Norfolk Public Schools will still require students and staff to wear masks. Rip it. 

A team of scientists at ODU are digging deep to figure out how old sand dunes in the region are. Rip it. 

A Virginia Institute of Marine Science has found that the Chesapeake Bay is experiencing an increasing amount of marine heatwaves. Rip it. 

Advocates are pressing for more funding to maintain historic Black cemeteries in the region. Rip it. 

The Hunton YMCA, which was first established in 1875, has yet to find a new home as the St. Paul’s Area redevelopment project continues. Rip it. 

Norfolk Public Schools is releasing an app to anonymously report bullying incidents. Rip it. 

Norfolk State’s men’s basketball dominated Delaware State, running up the score 80 to 51. Rip it. 

ODU women’s basketball beat our Florida Atlantic 61-48 after an impressive 14-1 point run. Rip it. 

The first-ever Bob Dandridge MLK Basketball Challenge at NSU was a big success. Rip it.  

Old Dominion University is considering a proposal for a new baseball stadium with significant upgrades. Rip it. 

The Virginia Zoo has lost another red panda. Timur or Timmy passed after experiencing significant health problems. Rip it. 

Ehhh, what’s up doc? Former Governor Ralph Northam is back in Norfolk and taking patients once again. Rip it. 

Culture.

Local artist Shaded Zu dropped REBOOT and it’s a solid listen. Rip it. 

Coming soon to Nauticus: Message in a Bottle, an exhibit featuring real messages found in bottles during river cleanups. Rip it. 

Artwork made by detainees from the U.S. prison at Guantánamo Bay is on display at the Gordon Art Galleries. Rip it. 

The Creative Mind, a showcase of contributions made by incredible African Americans, is now on display at Nauticus. Rip it. 

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. 

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

Norfolk Master Gardners are hosting a 10-party weekly gardening series starting February 8th. Rip it. 

Song of Praise, Broken Beaches, and Castle Black come to Taphouse on February 19th. 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. 
FloodZone: Photographs by Anatasia Samoylova at Chrysler Museum. Rip it. 
Water’s Rising: A View From Our Back Yard at Chrysler Museum. Rip it. 
The Totality of Time Lusters the Dusk at Chrysler Museum. Rip it. 
Art from Guantánamo Bay at Gordon Art Galleries. Rip it. 
Glitch City at Slowdive Gallery. Rip it.
Alpha / Beta at Offsite Gallery. Rip it. 
Generational Shift at Gallery 21. Rip it. 

Commerce.

Lemon Seed Designs, a small business in MacArthur Mall, is standing out with a diverse array of events from jewelry-making to aerial dancing workouts. Rip it.  

ODU Women’s Business Center is partnering with Norfolk Human Services to build more child-care provider businesses. Rip it. 

Breeze Airways announced three new direct routes from ORF to Tampa, Columbus, and Hartford. Rip it. 

Virginia has signed an agreement with Denmark to work towards advancing the offshore wind industry. Rip it. 

Check the latest updates from the Norfolk Parking Division. Rip it. 

The CEO of the organization responsible for tolling the tunnels crossing the Elizabeth River is stepping down. Rip it. 

ODU’s annual economic forecast by the Dragas Center for Economic Analysis and Policy will be presented on January 26th. Rip it. 

Take a look at how housing markets across Virginia compared in 2021. Rip it. 

ORF reported a 97% increase in passenger traffic in December compared to that time a year ago. Rip it. 

Regional Economic Stats. Port Stats. Labor Stats.

Crowds.

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

Here’s our guide on crushing a hockey night out in Norfolk. (NFK Currents Original). Rip it. 

Reaver Beach has a stacked lineup for Bleak & Brewtal – Strong Ale Festival on February 5th. Rip it. 

Yung Gravy, considered a “TikTok Rapper,” comes to the Norva on Valentine’s Day. Rip it.

Cover bands? Cover Bands! The Norva has tribute bands to the 80s and the 2000s coming up. Rip it. 

Calling all true crime junkies. Serial Killer Trivia is on deck at Maker’s. Rip it. 

**Please note that listed times are start times, many events run several hours**
Friday: 
Happy Hour Wine Tasting with Vino Culture. 4:00 pm. Rip it. 
Kaboombox performs live at Cova Brewing. 5:00 pm. Rip it. 
Cody Browning performs live at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Intro to Kemet at Aries Apothecary. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
BOCA performs live at Elation Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Hooks & Hops meetup at Benchtop Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
DJ Canrock performs live at The Veil. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Marty C. Moore performs live at Benchtop Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
High Joy Love Exhibit Night at Mudita Cafe. 6:30 pm. Rip it. 
Dahna Rowe and Jonathan Friedman perform live at Varia. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Funsie in a Onesie Mayhem Party at PBR. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
The Thanksgiving Play at Wells Theater. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Pat Garvey performs live at Grace O’Malley’s. 8:30 pm. Rip it.
DJ Mista Nice performs live at Grain. 9:30 pm. Rip it. 
Justin and Kobe perform live at Thank You Thank You Bar. 10:00 pm. Rip it. 
Boygirl, Myamay, JoFroxi, and Fake Uzumi perform live at Slowdive Gallery. 10:00 pm. Rip it. 

Saturday: 
Yoga + Coffee with Sky’s the Limit Yoga at Coalescence. 9:00 am. Rip it. 
Norfolk Roundnet New Year Classic at Lafayette Park. 9:00 am. Rip it. 
East Beach Winter Farmers Market. 11:00 am. Rip it. 
BigForestFire performs live at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it. 
Community Gentle Yoga at Ocean View Beach Park. 12:00 pm. Rip it. 
Kung Fu Art: Mindfulness Workshop at Slover Library. 1:00 pm. Rip it. 
TikTok Famous Dance Class at For The People. 2:00 pm. Rip it. 
Glasgow Kiss performs live at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Buyers and Brews with Sell757 at Elation Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Stone and Crystal Properties Class at Aries Apothecary. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Beth Turner performs live at Varia. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
The Thanksgiving Play at Well’s Theater. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Pat Garvey performs live at Grace O’Malley’s. 8:30 pm. Rip it. 
DJ Natalie perform live at Slowdive Gallery. 9:00 pm. Rip it. 
Kaboombox performs live at Grain. 9:30 pm. Rip it. 
DJ Canrock performs live at Thank You Thank You Bar. 10:00 pm. Rip it. 

Sunday:

Chow.

On National Bagel Day, we learned that Yorgo’s is expanding to the 2nd floor with something new. (NFK Currents Orginal) Rip it. 

Why not just grow your own fruit? Jam’n Jamz is back to give out free fruit trees next Saturday. Rip it. 

Bumbling Bee Vegan Food truck hosts Bumbling Beetz Urban Market with plant-based food, crafts, and art. Rip it. 

This spread from Yendidi Ghanaian Restaurant is looking phenomenal. Rip it. 

The Dirty Buffalo is bringing salt and vinegar to wings with a chip-encrusted flavor of the week. Rip it. 

Sanctuary’s Purple Haze might just be the perfect Friday night cocktail. Rip it. 

Food Truck Sightings:
Friday:
La Cucina Di Sophia at Cova Brewing. Rip it. 
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.
Vang’s Sushi at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it.  

Saturday:
Not Your Routine Poutine at Reaver NFK. Rip it. 
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.
Gavin Dishes at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it.  
Big Belly Food Truck at Cova Brewing. Rip it. 
Avocargo at Maker’s Craft Brewing. Rip it. 

Sunday:
 Shawna’s Rich Eats at Maker’s Craft Brewing. Rip it. 
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.
Hades Wood Fired at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it.  
Vang’s Sushi at Cova Brewing. Rip it. 

The Ripcurrent.

A look back at “The Circus Blizzard” of 1980. 

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!