This Week in NFK: Big Dollar Projects, Night Shift, New Contracts, High Prices, Grinch Pancakes and more.

Armed Forces Brewing goes before City Council next week, with both sides of the heated debate making their final pushes. Rip it. 

The Army Corp of Engineers is seeking additional funding for the $2.6 billion flood mitigation plan so it can complete a 5-year reevaluation of the plans for southside Norfolk and Willoughby Spit. Rip it. 

A majority of City Council said they want to move forward to modernize and enhance Scope and Chrysler Hall. Rip it. 

The City of Norfolk is setting aside millions of dollars to investigate and replace any lead pipes in the city. Rip it. 

Norfolk Public Schools has chosen Heartland Construction to build a new Maury High School and renovate the old building for new uses. Rip it. 

Virginia is experiencing a child and adolescent psychiatrist shortage, with Norfolk having only two. Rip it. 

$10 million in federal funds were awarded to the City of Norfolk to construct the stormwater wetland at the St. Paul’s redevelopment site. Rip it. 

Hampton Roads Transit is planning to improve lighting and security features at three ferry stops with its share of Transit Ridership Incentive Program funds. Rip it. 

The Commonwealth Transportation Board voted against reducing the number of SMART SCALE applications localities can submit. Rip it. 

Vessel Disposal Reuse Foundation has removed 29 boats from local waterways, amounting to more than 300,000 pounds of hazardous materials removed. Rip it. 

A vessel was left adrift in Willoughby Bay and the Coast Guard is seeking the owner. Rip it. 

Lobbyists and advocacy groups are preparing their pitches for legislators in the upcoming session. Rip it. 

In case of winter weather this year (did someone say White Christmas?!) you can track VDOT snowplows on an interactive map. Rip it. 

Respiratory Syntactical Virus Infection is on the rise across the region, while there is a shortage of infant immunizations for RSV. Rip it. 

Fly through the construction underway at the Norfolk Botanical Garden’s Garden of Tomorrow. Rip it. 

Full Disclosure, the Night Shift Collective Exhibition at Commune, closes next week. Rip it. 

This Saturday the Shark City Drum Corps holds a gala to help raise money to find a new home. Rip it. 

The Patriotic Festival announced it’s 2024 lineup and plans to expand to four days. Rip it. 

There’s a new art gallery in Slover Library, curated by d’Art Center. Rip it. 

Up next at Little Theater of Norfolk: “Why Bump Off Barnaby?” Rip it.

There are open calls for up to 600K in art projects for the St. Paul’s neighborhood. Applications are open through January 7th. Rip it. 

The Hip Hop Nutcracker lands at Chrysler Hall on December 28th. 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.
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.
Fall 2023 Senior Exhibition: Preservation at Gordon Art Galleries. Rip it.
Papahanaumoku: A Panoply of New Island Cultures at Gordon Art Galleries. Rip it.
“Foreign Bodies” by Rowena Finn at Offsite Gallery. Rip it.
Works by Corrina Elise November at The Gallery At Elation. Rip it.

General Dynamics NASSCO-Norfolk was awarded a $27 million modification to a previously awarded contract for work on the George H.W. Bush. Rip it. 

Norfolk Solar, and other community solar projects, are facing significantly higher connection costs from Dominion Energy threatening their ability to continue to operate. Rip it. 

With 730,000 jobs tied to the maritime industry, and an expectation to grow by 10%, efforts are underway to expand workforce education in the region. Rip it. 

Another local car dealership has been added to the off-limits list for service members after misrepresenting the business as a free driver safety course. Rip it. 

Two Rite Aid stores in Norfolk are closing this week, after already closing several others in the region. Rip it. 

Local Bike Shop NFK is sadly closing their doors with a 70% clearance sale and farewell this Sunday. Rip it.

Teaching licenses are getting easier to obtain with hopes of attracting more people to the career. Rip it. 

Researchers have found that the prices for medical marijuana in the state are comparatively high. Rip it. 

Regional Economic Stats.Labor Stats.

Reaver Beach hosts a joy-filly Very Merry Market this weekend with 50 local vendors. Rip it. 

Winter witches abound! Selden Market hosts a late-night Winter Witch Market on Saturday night. Rip it. 

LAVA Presents hosts a Tom Petty tribute at Chicho’s Backstage on Friday. Rip it. 

50 elf doors have appeared all around Downtown Norfolk. Happy Hunting! Rip it. 

FRIDAY: 
Lego Days at 757 Creative ReUse Center. 10:00 am. Rip it 
4th Annual Gingerbread House Contest & Display at Hermitage Garden Museum. 10:00 am. Rip it.
KinderSTEM at Mary D Pretlow Anchor Branch Library. 10:30 am. Rip it
Common Threads: a Knitting and Crochet Club at Mary D Pretlow Library. 10:30 am. Rip it
Homeschool Hangout Book Club at Mary D Pretlow Library. 1:00 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.
Holiday Market at Pendulum Fine Meats. 5:30 pm. Rip it.
Left to Rust performs live at Cova. 6:00 pm. Rip it
Weekly TBMA Friday Jam at Roosevelt Area Civic League. 6:00 pm. Rip it 
Talisman Making at Aries Apothecary. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Dan Pelligreno performs live at Afterglow. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
PC Duo perform live at Benchtop. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Fox & The Bear perform live at Elation. 6:30 pm. Rip it
Elf in Concert at Chrysler Hall. 7:00 pm. Rip it
The Bouncing Souls perform live at The NorVA. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Holiday Movie Nights: The Santa Clause (1984) at Reaver Beach. 7:00 pm. Rip it
A TRADOC Holiday at Harrison Opera House. 7:00 pm. Rip it
LAVA Presents: Full Moon Fever (Tom Petty Tribute) at Chicho's Pizza Backstage. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Norfolk Admirals vs. Jacksonville Iceman at The Scope. 7:05 pm. Rip it
A Merry Christmas Carol at Wells Theatre. 7:30 pm. Rip it 
John Brad and Band perform live at District Apizza. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Mossy performs live at Conner O’Malley’s. 8:30 pm. Rip it.
Festive Features: Die Hard (1988) at Naro Cinema. 9:15 pm. Rip it.
Teacher's Pet - Improv Comedy Show at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it

SATURDAY:
Winter Wonderland at The Slover. 10:00 am. Rip it
Ho-Ho-Holiday Drag Brunch at The OV Beach Tavern. 10:00 am. Rip it
Second Saturday Volunteer Call at Little Theatre of Norfolk . 10:00 am. Rip it
Peace & Pints: Bhav Brigade Yoga at Smartmouth. 11:00 am. Rip it
Cookies with Santa at Fairlawn Recreation Center. 11:00 am. Rip it
Cool Creations: Miniatures! Snowperson Paintings & DIY Ugly Holiday Sweaters at d'Art Center. 11:30 am. Rip it
NEON Holiday Market at The Plot. 12:00 pm. Rip it
A Very Merry Market at Reaver Beach. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Mobile Pet Pantry at Mary D Pretlow Library. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Vision Boards at Richard A. Tucker Memorial Library. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Disney Lorcana League at Atlantis Games & Comics. 12:00 pm. Rip it
One Piece 1st Anniversary Tournament at Atlantis Games & Comics. 12:00 pm. Rip it
WINTERFEST - Harry Potter CHKD fundraiser at Elation. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Lost Caverns of Ixalan Standard Store Championship at Atlantis Games & Comics. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Compact Canine s Photos with Santa at Maker's Craft. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Elf In Concert at Chrysler Hall. 2:00 pm. Rip it
Monarch Makes at Barry Art Museum. 2:00 pm. Rip it
A Merry Christmas Carol at Wells Theatre. 3:00 pm. Rip it 
Mosaic Steel Orchestra Annual Concert at Second Calvary Baptist Church. 3:00 pm. Rip it
Krampusnacht at Smartmouth Beer. 4:00 pm. Rip it 
Bubbles & Bold Reds Expo with Vino Culture. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
7th Annual Santa Bike Party at Smartmouth Beer. 4:30 pm. Rip it
Drumming To America: A Drum Comedy at Attucks Theatre. 5:00 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.
Sail Nauticus Lighted Boat Parade at Nauticus. 6:00 pm. Rip it 
Joaquin Garza performs live at Afterglow. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Emo Nite at The NorVA. 6:00 pm. Rip it
Norfolk Admirals vs. Jacksonville Iceman at The Scope. 6:05 pm. Rip it
Saturday Night Yugioh at Atlantis Games & Comics. 6:30 pm. Rip it
Winter Witch: A New Moon Market at Selden Market. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
DJ Nobe performs live at Only You Lounge. 9:00 pm. Rip it. 
CCN Improv Comedy at Mudita Cafe. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
The Unusual Suspects: An Improvised Murder Mystery at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it 
Festive Features: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) at Naro Cinema. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Cultivated Mind performs live at District Apizza. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Mossy performs live at Conner O’Malley’s. 8:30 pm. Rip it.
Second Saturday Stand-Up-Grand Show at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it 

SUNDAY: 
Bhav Brigade at Sky's the Limit. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Doggie Santa at Hank's Filling Station. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Weekly D&D Campaign: Hail to the Queen at Cova Brewing Company. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Farewell Clearance Sale - Everything Must Go at Local Bike Shop NFK. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Privateer Press Game Night at Atlantis Games & Comics. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Dungeons & Dragons at Maker's Craft. 12:30 pm. Rip it
Viewpoints with Deborah Wallace at Barry Art Museum. 12:30 pm. Rip it 
Brancatelli Super Tuscan Mini-Class at Vino Culture: 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
A Merry Christmas Carol at Wells Theatre. 2:00 pm. Rip it
Cemetery Flagging Day - Wreaths Across America at Forest Lawn Cemetery. 2:00 pm. Rip it
Jingle Bell Jam at Sandler Center for the Performing Arts. 3:00 pm. Rip it
Brancatelli Super Tuscan Mini-Class at Vino Culture: 3:30 pm. Rip it.
Festive Features: A Chrismas Carol (1989) at Naro Cinema. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
Music Bingo at Reaver Beach. 4:00 pm. Rip it
Sing We Nowell at Christ and Saint Luke's Episcopal Church. 4:00 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.
Luther ReLives at Attucks Theatre. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Holiday Pops at Sandler Center for the Performing Arts. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Festive Features: A Chrismas Carol (1989) at Naro Cinema. 7:00 pm. Rip it.

With the cold weather, it’s a perfect time for some warm, authentic African food from Yendidi! Rip it.

Toast has some of the best mocktails in the area. Watch them whip up their drink the Earl Duke of Grey Gardens here. Rip it.

The grinch has made a stop by The Stockpot to cook up some of his signature Grinch Pancakes, guaranteed to make your heart grow 3 sizes! Rip it.

Be sure to check Starving Artist Cafe’s specials for the week like a vegan italian sandwich and mediterranean pasta salad. Rip it.

S’mores Amore is in the holiday spirit with their Mint Chocolate S’more Brownie. Rip it.

Prime 255 does wings right EVERY Wednesday at 50% off! Rip it.

You’ve got a little more than a week to put in your holiday orders at Pownd Cakes by Jen. So move, move, move! Rip it.

Capo Capo has a new menu. Stop by and try it all, why don’t you? Rip it.

Food Truck Sightings:
Friday:
Shawna's at Maker’s Craft. Rip it.
Big Belly at Cova. Rip it.
757 Laos at Afterglow. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth. Rip it.
Bakehouse at Elation Brewing. Rip it.
Bar-q at Bold Mariner. Rip it.

Saturday:
Shawna's, Gavin’s Dishes, & Prime 757 at Maker’s Craft. Rip it.
Cast Iron, Daddy G’s Salsa, & Sour Street Pizza at Cova. Rip it.
Flippin' Hangry & The Potato Peeps at Reaver Beach. Rip it.
Hades Wood Fired Oven at Afterglow. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth. Rip it.
Bar-q at Bold Mariner. Rip it.

Sunday:
Thatz a Wrap at Maker’s Craft. Rip it.
Los Birria Bros at Cova. Rip it.
In Between The Bunz at Benchtop. Rip it.
Gocho Gourmet at Afterglow. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth. Rip it.
Bar-q at Bold Mariner. Rip it.