This Week in NFK: DePaul, Armed Forces, State Laws, Beetlejuice, Elves, Jungles, a new bagel shop, and more.

ICYMI: Here’s our preview for Tuesday’s City Council meeting. Rip it. 

After significant controversy and public comment, City Council approved Armed Forces Brewing Company’s conditional use permits to operate in Norfolk. Rip it. 

The former DePaul Hospital, which was set to become a mix of market rate and affordable apartments, was bought by a non-profit with plans to be turned into a “campus” for Next Steps to Success. Rip it.

As cases of RSV surge, CHKD is changing visitor to disallow family member under the age of 12. Rip it. 

Legislation coming to the General Assembly could make it easier for local churches to develop affordable housing. Rip it. 

Amtrak funding opens the possibility of extending passenger rail service to Charlottesville, Roanoke, and other parts of Virginia. Rip it. 

VDOT and Virginia Tech tested out an autonomous truck-mounted attenuator in Norfolk this week, which could help improve safety in construction zones. Rip it.

Inconsistent data from prisons is making recidivism rates are hard to measure. Rip it. 

A recent JLARC report sheds light on dozens of problems at state psychiatric hospitals. Rip it. 

The General Assembly seems likely to approve legislation allowing localities to increase sales tax for school capital projects. Rip it. 

The Virginia Board of Education is asking the General Assembly to develop a plan for changing the state’s existing school funding formula to help divisions strapped for money. Rip it. 

The CEO of Volunteer Hampton Roads is leaving her position to take on a role at the United Way of South Hampton Roads. Rip it. 

Norfolk boxer Keon Davis has qualified for the 2024 Olympics. Rip it. 

On this week’s Norfolk Current’s podcast, the Hermitage unveils a newly renovated Visual Arts School. Rip it.

Catch some of the best glass of the year at the 2023 Studio Assistantship Program exhibition. Rip it. 

The Virginia Symphony Orchestra is extending its contract with Principal Guest Conductor Thomas Wilkins, through the 2026-2027 season. Rip it. 

This February the Norfolk Comedy Festival brings a lineup of stand-ups to the city, including Sommore, Lavell Crawford, Bill Bellamy, and Tony Roberts. Rip it. 

Local artist Mack dropped a new album “Oil Slick” on streaming platforms this week. Rip it. 

Beetlejuice, the musical, is a big hit with Norfolk audiences. 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.
Fall 2023 Glass Studio Assistantship Exhibition. Rip it.
A Shared Vision: The Macon and Joan Brock Collection of American Art. 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.(ENDS ON DEC 16TH) 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 Korrine Mahor all December at The Gallery At Elation. Rip it. 

Country dance bar, The Banque, is celebrating 50 years in business. Rip it. 

Another new development is planned for the Lambert’s Point area, with this storage facility slated for a new life as a retail “incubator”. Rip it. 

A legal ruling on “Street Turns” at port facilities could have big implications for the Port of Virginia. Rip it. 

$14 million in DOD funds are coming to the area to help the Hampton Roads Workforce Council to train workers in ship fitting, welding, electrical, coating, sheet metal work, pipefitting and machining as demand for submarine infrastructure increases. Rip it. 

The U.S. Department of Energy is offering Virginia loans of 80% of the cost of major projects, with considerably reduced interest rates. Rip it. 

They offshore wind industry got another boost this weekend as the Federal Government proposed leasing two new areas off the coast of Virginia. Rip it. 

Get a look inside the pilot boats that guide aircraft carriers and other massive boats into the port. Rip it. 

A former Dollar Tree employee claims that the company had a data breach and didn’t notify the nearly 2-million customers involved. Rip it. 

Neptune’s Fury Coffee is donating part of its revenue to VFW Posts 2894 and has a limited edition blend of beans. Rip it. 

Regulators are recommending the body reject Dominion Energy’s most recent long-term plan because of its inclusion of new natural gas plants. Rip it. 

All V-22 helicopters, known as Ospreys, have been grounded pending further investigation. Rip it.

Midtown and Downtown tunnel tolls go up on January 1. Rip it. 

Regional Economic Stats. Labor Stats.

The Hermitage Museum’s Gingerbread House Display and Contest is a delightful exhibition in whimsy and skillful craftsmanship that’s totally worth the visit. Rip it. 

It’s not too early to start making New Year’s Eve plans. The Glasslight has a four course dinner on the books. Rip it. 

The Jolly Jungle, a house plant, craft, and vendor market hits Selden Market tomorrow with a whirlwind of holiday shopping. Rip it. 

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

Berries, Pearloid, and Feign Kin rock Packed House this weekend. Rip it. 

FRIDAY:
Lego Days at 757 Creative ReUse Center. 10:00 am. Rip it
KinderSTEM at Mary D Pretlow 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
Teenage Takeover: Printmaking at Lafayette Branch Library. 2:30 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.
Tate Garcia performs live at Gershwins. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Christmas at the Veil. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Hopped Up Holiday Weekend at Smartmouth Pilot House. 6:00 pm. Rip it
Weekly TBMA Friday Jam at Roosevelt Area Civic League. 6:00 pm. Rip it
Swing Hard Golf Simulator at Smartmouth Beer. 6:00 pm. Rip it
New Year Witch Ball Making at Aries Apothecary. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Mark Normand at Harrison Opera House. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Holiday Movie Nights at Reaver Beach. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Best Christmas Pageant Ever! at Hugh R. Copeland Center. 7:00 pm. Rip it 
Native Dread performs live at Mudita Cafe. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
A Merry Christmas Carol at Wells Theatre. 7:30 pm. Rip it
Friday Night Magic: Draft at Atlantis Games & Comics. 7:30 pm. Rip it 
Wine & Cheese Pairing with Ryn at Vino Culture. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Friday Night Magic: Commander at Atlantis Games & Comics. 8:00 pm. Rip it 
Carl Olson performs live at Gershwins. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Beetlejuice at Chrysler Hall. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Festive Features: Home Alone (1990) at Naro Cinema. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Amanda & Roo perform live at Conner O’Malley’s. 8:30 pm. Rip it.

SATURDAY:
Wreaths Across America Day at Forest Lawn Cemetery. 9:00 am. Rip it
Mermaid City Classic Holiday Edition at Titustown Town Recreation Center. 9:30 am. Rip it
Train Rides with Santa at Virginia Zoo. 10:00 am. Rip it.
2nd Annual Santa Looks Like Me: Photos with Santa and Community Toy Drive at Waterside District. 11:00 am. Rip it 
The Jolly Jungle at Selden Market. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Puppy Pics with Santa Brunch at OV Beach Tavern. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Disney Lorcana at Atlantis Games & Comics. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Movie Matinee: Elf (2003) at Mary D Pretlow Library. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Sips & Santa : A Brewtiful Holiday Event at Afterglow. 1:00 pm. Rip it 
Festive Features: The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) at Naro Cinema. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Book Buzz at Mary D Pretlow Library. 2:00 pm. Rip it
Best Christmas Pageant Ever at Hugh R. Copeland Center. 2:00 pm. Rip it
Beetlejuice 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
WinterFest on Wisconsin at Nauticus. 5:00 pm. Rip it 
Dominion Energy Garden of Lights at Norfolk Botanical Gardens. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Steve Gudasz performs live at Gershwins. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Wine & Cheese Pairing with Ryn at Vino Culture. 5:30 pm. Rip it.
Tree of Life Making at Aries Apothecary. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Clay Slab Ornaments with Evan at 757 Makerspace. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
The Bay Rats perform live at Elation. 6:30 pm. Rip it
Saturday Night Yugioh at Atlantis Games & Comics. 6:30 pm. Rip it
Berries "To Autumn" Album Release Show w/ Pearloid , Feign Kin at Packed House. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Best Christmas Pageant Ever! at Hugh R. Copeland Center. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Handel’s Messiah by Virginia Symphony Orchestra at Harrison Opera House. 7:30 pm. Rip it
A Jazzy Christmas Show Featuring Jackiem Joyner and Paul Taylor at  Attucks Theatre. 8:00 pm. Rip it
Pushing Dragons: An Improvised D&D Holiday Adventure at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it 
Jack Thomas performs live at Gershwins. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Ho-Ho Holidays at Reaver Beach. 8:00 pm. Rip it 
Dogstar performs live at The Norva. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Festive Features: Elf (2003) at Naro Cinema. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Amanda & Roo perform live at Conner O’Malley’s. 8:30 pm. Rip it.
The Drop: OOKAY at Waterside District. 9:00 pm. Rip it
UFC 296: Edward vs Covington at Blue Moon TapHouse. 10:00 pm. Rip it
Bard Talk: A Live Podcast Recording at Push Comedy Theater. 11:00 pm. Rip it.

SUNDAY:
Train Rides with Santa at Virginia Zoo. 10:00 am. Rip it.
LGBTQ+Yoga at Eleanor's Norfolk. 10:30 am. Rip it
Privateer Press Game Night at Atlantis Games & Comics. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Weekly D&D Campaign: Hail to the Queen at Cova. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Elated Market - Live Music & CHKD fundraiser at Elation. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Norfolk Weekly Pokemon League at  Atlantis Games & Comics. 1:00 pm. Rip it
MTG Modern Sunday at Atlantis Games & Comics. 1:00 pm. Rip it 
Beetlejuice at Chrysler Hall. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Old World vs New World Blind Tasting at Vino Culture. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Art Demo and Print Sale with Tamara Seraph at Gallery 21. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Festive Features: The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) at Naro Cinema. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
Sewing Bee with Melanie at 757 Creative ReUse Center. 2:00 pm. Rip it
Third Sunday Vintage Market at Smartmouth. 2:00 pm. Rip it
Succulent Workshop at Cova. 2:00 pm. Rip it
A Merry Christmas Carol at Wells Theatre. 2:00 pm. Rip it
Best Christmas Pageant Ever at Hugh R. Copeland Center. 2:00 pm. Rip it
Festive Features: White Christmas (1954) at Naro Cinema. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
NFK Cold Plunge Meetup at 28th Bay Street Beach. 4:30 pm. Rip it. 
James "Murr" Murray at Harrison Opera House. 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.
Jack Thomas performs live at Gershwins. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Class Dismissed: The Musical Improv 101 Graduation Show at Push Comedy Theater. 7:00 pm. Rip it 
Best Christmas Pageant Ever! at Hugh R. Copeland Center. 7:00 pm. Rip it 

A new bagel shop appears to be making its way to downtown Norfolk. Rip it. 

Longboard’s Shrimp and Smoked Gouda Bacon Grits is a mouthful in more ways than one. Rip it.

Streats’ food is always good, but their Pork Tonkatsu with rice is just on another level. Rip it.

You can order your Bûche de Noël (aka Yule Log) at La Brioche this holiday season. Rip it.

A Hella Fitzgerald from Handsome Biscuit sounds just like the pick me up you need! Rip it.

Lolly’s hot cocoa is a signature blend you won’t find anywhere else. Give it a try before it goes away! Rip it.

For my coffee drinkers looking for some holiday spirit, stop by Cure for the Gingerbread Latte. Rip it.

Crudo Nudo has me sweating just looking at all of these delicious tapas they offer. Rip it.

4 new drinks available at The Veil as of this Wednesday. Sky Summoner, Uncle Cousin, Secret & New Mirage! Rip it.

Every day is a new soup special at The Ten Top. It would behoove you to follow them on Insta! Rip it.

Get hype Harry Potter fans! Cova Brewing is doing Butterbeer! Stop reading this and get your butt over there before it goes away! Rip it.

Food Truck Sightings:
Friday:
Ghost Kitchen at Maker’s Craft. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen, Nacho Libre, & Weng’s Kitchen at Cova. Rip it.
Munchies & Such at Benchtop. Rip it.
Top That at Afterglow. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth. Rip it.
Bar-q at Bold Mariner. Rip it.

Saturday:
Thatz a Wrap at Maker’s Craft. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Cova. Rip it.
Revery Eats at Benchtop. Rip it.
Top That & Gocho Gourmet at Aftergl
ow. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth. Rip it.
Bar-q at Bold Mariner. Rip it.

Sunday:
Sour Street Pizza at Cova. Rip it.
Hashi Cow at Benchtop. Rip it.
757 Laos Street Food at Afterglow. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth. Rip it.
Bar-q at Bold Mariner. Rip it.