This Week in NFK: Casino, Stormwalls, Budgets, Shipyards, Elves, Spaceport, Grinchmas, and more

Newly released plans for the Headwaters Resort and Casino no longer include any work on the waterfront. The plans previously included a marina and new sections of the Elizabeth River Trail. Rip it. 

$73 million in funds were allocated to Norfolk’s  Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) Project (a.k.a. The Floodwall) in Governor Youngkins proposed 2024 budget. Rip it. 

Governor Youngkin said that new funds for the stormwall project would be contingent on the City building the Headwaters Casino. Rip it. 

Norfolk Public Schools will start school years on the earliest date in decades: August 19th. Rip it. 

Norfolk City Councilman John (J.P.) Paige organized “A Warm Embrace,” an event for mothers of victims of gun violence this week. Rip it. 

A recent JLARC study says that state-run psychiatric hospitals are overwhelmed with unsafe conditions. Rip it. 

The Commonwealth plans to close four prisons and take control of the sole private prison in the state in order to “enhance public safety.” Rip it. 

Virginia may ban TikTok in new legislation being pushed by Governor Youngkin. Rip it. 

$2 million in federal funds is going to a coalition of local organizations to combat community violence. Rip it. 

A “Charlie Brown-style” christmas tree, with a fittingly scrawny stature and pitiful foliage, has popped near 6th Bay Street. Rip it. 

Old Dominion University awarded over 1,500 news diplomas during this December’s commencement. Rip it. 

The Norfolk Admirals are on the cusp of leading the ECHL’s North division with 14 wins and 7 losses. Rip it. 

The Norfolk Tides were named the Minor League Team of the Year by Baseball America. Rip it. 

Old Dominion suffered an embarrassing loss in the Famous Toastery Bowl, when they blew 28-0 lead last weekend. Rip it. 

Registration for art classes at the Hermitage’s new Visual Arts School are now open. Rip it. 

d’Art Center dropped it’s 2024 exhibition schedule with dates for open artist calls. Rip it. 

It’s cold outside but the tropical display house at the Norfolk Botanical Garden is warm and stunning. Rip it. 

Eric Darius performs live at Brother’s in Downtown Norfolk for New Year’s Eve. Rip it.

Spirit Gun, Gypsy Wizard, Balizitos, and Pilot land at 37th & Zen on December 30th. Rip it.

Not For The Weak Records is hosting a punk rock bike ride on the last Sunday of each month. Rip it.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone In Concert is coming to Chrysler Hall this spring. Rip it. 

The Attucks Jazz Club continues in 2024 with Anthony Hervey on the trumpet. Rip it. 

Currently on Display:
Charles Atlas: Selected Videos 1987–2015 at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
Jaime Guerrero: Dendrolatry at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
Fall 2023 Glass Studio Assistantship Exhibition at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
A Shared Vision: The Macon and Joan Brock Collection of American Art 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.
“Foreign Bodies” by Rowena Finn at Offsite Gallery. Rip it.
Works by Corrina Elise November at The Gallery At Elation. Rip it.

Newport Gardens Apartments is bringing 48 units of housing to the Park Place neighborhood. Rip it. 

Colonna Shipyard, the 148-year-old and continuously family-owned private shipyard in Berkley, lost the chairman of its board, Willoughby Warren “Bill” Colonna Jr. at age 94. Rip it. 

The USS Harry S. Truman has finished a year of repairs and upgrades at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Rip it. 

Navy Federal Credit Union has been accused of racially biased lending practices in an new report by Christopher Newport University. Rip it. 

The Nature Conservancy is set to study the effects of wind turbine construction on ocean wildlife. Rip it. 

The Virginia Spaceport Authority, with an HQ in downtown Norfolk, is getting $20 million for an expansion of the Wallops Island spaceport. Rip it. 

757 Build Weekend, a business building event, lands at Assembly in February. Rip it.

ODU and Harbor’s Edge have announced a new partnership that will enhance resident life and open opportunities for ODU students. Rip it. 

Norfolk International Airport is seeking public common on $29 million in proposed spending. Rip it. 

Home sales in Hampton Roads were down in November while active listings are up slightly. Rip it. 

Regional Economic Stats. Labor Stats.

Don’t miss 50 Elf Doors, Pop-up Bars, Christmas Carols, and more festivities in Downtown for the holidays. Rip it.

This Saturday at Selden Market the Hispanic Heritage Holiday Market is bringing the best last minute shopping to the city. Rip it. 

The Nancy Langhorne Foundation's 6th annual Xmas Eve Eve Benefit Concert takes over the Smartmouth Warehouse on Saturday the 23rd. Rip it. 

Ring in the new year with a pig pickin’ benefiting Hope House Foundation on New Years Day. Rip it. 

LAVA Presents is bringing back a two-day music festival to ODU. YES Fest is on January 13th and 14th. Rip it. 

FRIDAY:
Lego Days at 757 Creative ReUse Center. 10:00 am. Rip it
Common Threads: a Knitting and Crochet Club at Mary D Pretlow Library. 10:30 am. Rip it
Mele Kalikimaka performs live at Cova. 2:00 pm. Rip it 
Festive Features: It’s A Wonderful Life (1946) at Naro Cinema. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
A Merry Christmas Carol at Wells Theatre. 3:00 pm. Rip it
Festive Features: White Christmas (1954) at Naro Cinema. 4:30 pm. Rip it.
WinterFest on Wisconsin at Nauticus. 5:00 pm. Rip it
Dominion Energy Garden of Lights at Norfolk Botanical Gardens. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Cody Browning performs live at Cova. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Ben Long performs live at Afterglow Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Yule Circle and Winter Potluck at Kindred Spirit. 6:00 pm. Rip it 
Weekly TBMA Friday Jam at Roosevelt Area Civic League. 6:00 pm. Rip it
Yule Celebration at Aries Apothecary. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Tomii and PeachyK8 spin live at Only You Lounge. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Holiday Movie Nights: Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) at Reaver Beach. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Festive Features: It’s A Wonderful Life (1946) at Naro Cinema. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Wine & Cheese Pairing with Ryn at Vino Culture. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Norfolk Admirals vs. Reading Royals at The Scope. 7:05 pm. Rip it
A Merry Christmas Carol at Wells Theatre. 7:30 pm. Rip it
Vaudeville at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it
Friday Night Magic: Commander at Atlantis Games & Comics. 8:00 pm. Rip it
Goth Night: Tacky Sweater Party at 37th and Zen. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Glasglow Kiss performs live at Grace O’Malley’s. 8:30 pm. Rip it.
The Made-Up Movie improv show at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it.

SATURDAY: 
Holiday Nature Ornaments at Norfolk Botanical Gardens. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Mercado de Navidad (Hispanic Heritage Holiday Market) at Selden Market. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Disney Lorcana League at Atlantis Games & Comics. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Weekly Standard Tournament at Atlantis Games & Comics. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Festive Features: It’s A Wonderful Life (1946) at Naro Cinema. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
Christmas Eve’s Eve Throwdown at Benchtop. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
Festive Features: White Christmas (1954) at Naro Cinema. 4:30 pm. Rip it.
WinterFest on the Wisconsin at Nauticus. 5:00 pm. Rip it
Xmas Eve Eve 2023: Dj Williams Projekt , Grateful Jed, Shera Shi at Smartmouth. 5:00 pm. Rip it
Dominion Energy Garden of Lights at Norfolk Botanical Gardens. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Myths & Legends: Krampus vs Santa at Aries Apothecary. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Norfolk Admirals vs. Reading Royals at The Scope. 6:05 pm. Rip it
Dan Pellegrino performs live at Elation. 6:30 pm. Rip it
Saturday Night Yugioh at Atlantis Games & Comics. 6:30 pm. Rip it
Boss Queens Presents Live Music Saturdays ft. Furioso. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Festive Features: It’s A Wonderful Life (1946) at Naro Cinema. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
A Merry Christmas Carol at Wells Theatre. 7:30 pm. Rip it
The MJ’s Annual Pajama Party. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
A Very Pushers Christmas: An Inappropriate Comedy Show at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it
Glasglow Kiss performs live at Grace O’Malley’s. 8:30 pm. Rip it.

SUNDAY:
Privateer Press Game Night at Atlantis Games & Comics. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Festive Features: White Christmas (1954) at Naro Cinema. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
A Merry Christmas Carol at Wells Theatre. 1:00 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
Festive Features: It’s A Wonderful Life (1946) at Naro Cinema. 2:45 pm. Rip it.
Music Bingo at Reaver Beach 4:00 pm. Rip it
NFK Cold Plunge Meetup at 28th Bay Street Beach. 4:30 pm. Rip it. 
WinterFest on Wisconsin at Nauticus. 5:00 pm. Rip it
Dominion Energy Garden of Lights at Norfolk Botanical Gardens. 5:00 pm. Rip it.

A Candy Cane Martini from Mudita Cafe is just the thing you need to celebrate the holidays. Rip it.

Neptune’s Fury Coffee is a wonderful place to pick up some last minute gifts for the coffee lover in your life. Rip it.

Filled with Christmas dread, release your inner humbug with the Grinchmas Margarita at Omar’s Carriage House. Rip it.

Our People’s Soulful Seafood now has Cajun Salmon and Shrimp Egg Rolls! Rip it.

All cans, bottles & fills are 20% off at Reaver Beach through Christmas Eve! Rip it.

Rich Port & S’mores Amore have joined forces for a unique coffee blend called “Get Fired Up.” Rip it.

Kobros Coffee’s holiday blend is packed and ready for you to pick it up, what are you waiting for? Rip it.

I can’t believe I missed the Mother Clucker at The Grilled Cheese Bistro this Sunday… Don’t be like me, check them out! Rip it.

This weekend is the end of 12 Nights of Old Fashioneds at Toast. Don’t miss out on an assortment of amazing old fashioned variations. Rip it.

Food Truck Sightings:
Friday:
Shawna's at Maker’s Craft. Rip it.
Nacho Libre at Cova. Rip it.
Munchies & Such at Benchtop. Rip it.
Hades Wood Fired at Afterglow. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth. Rip it.
Bar-q at Bold Mariner. Rip it.

Saturday:
Los Birria Bros at Cova. Rip it.
Krazy Trompos at Reaver Beach. Rip it.
Hades Wood Fired at Benchtop. Rip it.
Sour Street Pizza at Afterglow. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth. Rip it.
Bar-q at Bold Mariner. Rip it.

Sunday:
Shawna's at Maker’s Craft. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth. Rip it.
Bar-q at Bold Mariner. Rip itT.