🌊 This Week in NFK: Spaceport, IgNITE, Robotics, Blue Bird Chalet, Barnaby, and more.

Early voting is open for the “Super Tuesday” March 5th presidential primary in Virginia. Rip it. 

Norfolk’s Police Chief reported to City Council that crime was down 24% across the City, including a 33% decrease in homicides. Rip it. 

Plans for the Headwaters Resort and Casino were pulled from public meeting dockets for the second time with state deadlines looming. Rip it. 

The City of Norfolk is collecting resident feedback about recycling collection as a contract renewal likely means increased costs. Rip it. 

Norfolk’s director of emergency preparedness and response, Jim Redick, has stepped down from his role with the City. Rip it. 

Delegate Phil Hernandez has proposed a bill that would require home sellers to disclose more about a properties flooding history. Rip it. 

Declining public school enrollment has accelerated after the pandemic, with Virginia expected to lose 75,000 enrolled students by the end of the decade. Rip it. 

The local Red Cross chapter is raising the flag that blood supplies are critically low, with less than a one-day supply available regionally. Rip it. 

As respiratory viruses continue to surge local medical institutions are recommending masking inside all hospitals, medical facilities and physician practices. Rip it. 

Virginia received several F grades from the American Lung Association’s Tabacco Control report this week. Rip it. 

Legislators have proposed returning Virginia to a regional carbon market, which helps fund flood resilience infrastructure. Rip it. 

Virginia’s 2025 Governor's election is still a long ways out, but Abigail Spanberger is commanding the democratic primary with 52% of potential voters supporting the former congresswoman. Rip it. 

After rumors swirled that Virginia Tech and ODU football teams would not play this fall, an agreement appears to have been reached as final schedules go public. Rip it.

This Saturday at Assembly, the CAN Foundation hosts Conversations In Art discussing a documentary following local artists. Rip it. 

Nicole Harp has opened an exhibit “Soul Paintings” in the NEON District at Commune. Rip it. 

ODU is screening “Nobody Wants Us,” a film about WW2 Jewish refugees in Norfolk. Rip it. 

ICYMI, the Botanical Garden has a new Diversity Gallery filled with artwork. Rip it. 

Adult classes on ceramics, painting, basketweaving, and more are now open for registration at the new Visual Arts School at the Hermitage. Rip it. 

The Virginia Opera announced that it will be performing Damien Geter’s “Cotton,” a powerful fusion of music and poetry, across the state. Rip it. 

The Virginia Symphony Orchestra will perform the score to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone this spring. Rip it. 

IgNITE: Fan-da-Mania is coming to Chrysler Hall, bringing art that disrupts pop culture fandoms like Taylor Swift and Beyonce quarterly. The first drops on January 26th. Rip it. 

The Little Theater of Norfolk performs “Why Bump Off Barnaby,” a comical murder mystery, through the end of the month. Rip it. 

The Virginia Stage Company has its own Murder Mystery show coming to town, it’s “Dial M For Muder” at the Wells Theater. Rip it. 

Take a sneak peak at “Path to Freedom,” the Hurrah Players production coming next month. 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.
“Foreign Bodies” by Rowena Finn at Offsite Gallery. Rip it.
The Dawn is Ours: Amanda Gorman Textiles from South Africa at Barry Art Museum. Rip it.
Martha Chase: Progressive Kindness at Barry Art Museum. Rip it. 
Paintings from the Porch: Works by Jake McCord at Gordon Art Galleries. Rip it.
Concrete Ocean: Works by Leigh Merrill at Gordon Art Galleries. Rip it. 
Aubrey Schilke Artworks at The Gallery At Elation. Rip it.

The Virginia Spaceport at Wallops Island, with offices in Downtown Norfolk, is one of only four in the U.S. Rip it.

Airbnb is refusing to comply with 2022 laws that require them to report tax information to localities. Rip it. 

The Hampton Roads Workforce Council has launched a campaign promoting 10,000+ jobs in local maritime industries. Rip it. 

Small businesses in Virginia are pushing to legalize skill-game gambling machines that were popular at local convenience stores before a state prohibition. Rip it. 

Direct flights from Norfolk to San Juan Puerto Rico have landed at Norfolk International by way of Frontier Airlines. Rip it. 

Two SCC judges are likely to be appointed to the commission with bipartisan support after over a year of two vacancies on the the three-person board. Rip it. 

Cargo headed for the Port of Virginia is beng delayed by the ongoing military conflict in the Red Sea. Rip it. 

Megallons, the nearly 26-year-old barbecue institution on Little Creek Road has closed. Rip it. 

Regional realtors are predicting home sales to rebound in 2024 with lower interest rates expected. Rip it. 

REIN, the orgnaization responsible for Hampton Roads real estate listing service, has a new board. Rip it. 

The City of Norfolk is holding a workshop to teach people how to qualify for Enterprise Zones next week. Rip it. 

Next week, ODU’s economics department will present its annual forecasts and other predictions for 2024. Rip it. 

SVT Robotics announced a major partnership with Netlogistik to use SVT’s robot software for warehouse automation. Rip it. 

Regional Economic Stats. Labor Stats.

Waterside District has announced a recurring Flea Market event taking place the first sunday of the month. Rip it.  

Jazz Grits nights are back at Toast, don’t miss them. Rip it. 

Lava Presents has double nights of shows at Chicho’s Backstage this weekend. Rip it.

Lunch Lady Land is back at Smartmouth February 10th. Rip it.

FRIDAY:
Norfolk Run Club Friday Meetup at Yorgo's Bageldashery. 6:00 am. Rip it
Wintering Water Birds at Norfolk Botanical Garden. 9:30 am. Rip it
Common Threads: a Knitting and Crochet Club at Mary D Pretlow Anchor Branch Library. 10:30 am. Rip it
The Free and Fun Write Now! Workshop at The Muse Writers Center. 4:00 pm. Rip it
Moon Magic at Aries Apothecary, LLC. 6:00 pm. Rip it
Pride Night goes to “Sanctuary Road” at Harrison Opera House. 6:30 pm. Rip it 
IgNITE: Fan-da-Mania at The Chrysler Museum of Art. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Truetone Honeys perform live at the Music Room at the Hermitage. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Wines of Austria at Vino Culture. 7:00 pm. Rip it
LAVA Presents: A Cold Norfolk's Night: Chandler, Dettermine & more at Chicho's Pizza Backstage. 7:00 pm. Rip it 
Sanctuary Road at Virginia Opera. 7:30 pm. Rip it
Dial 'M' for Murder at Wells Theatre. 7:30 pm. Rip it
VA Opera performs “Sanctuary Road” at Harrison Opera House. 7:30 pm. Rip it. 
But Why Bump Off Barnaby: A Mystery Farce at Little Theatre of Norfolk. 8:00 pm. Rip it
DJ Nicola spins live at Only You Lounge. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Donal O' Shaughnessy Plays at Grace O'Malley's Irish Pub & Restaurant. 8:30 pm. Rip it
The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Naro Cinema. 11:30 pm. Rip it 

SATURDAY: 
Community Yoga & Brunch at Mudita Cafe & Bar. 7:00 am. Rip it
Weekend Long Run. 7:15 am. Rip it
Coastal Navigation Course at Nauticus. 8:00 am. Rip it
Send It Saturday Morning Group Ride at East Coast Bicycles. 8:00 am. Rip it
Yoga at Maison Soleil. 9:45 am. Rip it
Jam'n Jamz at Lafayette Park. 10:00 am. Rip it
A Taste for Color at Norfolk Botanical Garden. 10:00 am. Rip it
Live Life Fresh Boom Box Bike Ride at Freshtopia . 10:30 am. Rip it
Dry January in Hank's Backyard at Hank's Filling Station. 11:00 am. Rip it
Fresh Floral Workshop at Maker's Craft Brewery. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Love Petals at Maker's  Craft Brewery. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Disney Lorcana League at Atlantis Games & Comics - Norfolk. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Winter Market at Afterglow Brewing. 12:00 pm. Rip it  
Lipgloss & Lashes Drag Brunch at 37th & Zen. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Ryan Bennett performs live at Afterglow. 1:30 pm. Rip it. 
Children’s Performance: Frida Kahlo at the Chrysler Museum. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
Conversations in Art at Assembly. 3:00 pm. Rip it.
Yoga + Wine Tasting at Sky's The Limit Yoga Co. 4:00 pm. Rip it
Siren City Pipe Band presents a Burns Supper at Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel. 5:30 pm. Rip it
Wine 101 with Akeyla at Vino Culture. 5:30 pm. Rip it
757 Comic and Cartoon Creators at The Muse Writers Center. 5:30 pm. Rip it
Derek Smith performs live at Elation Brewing. 6:30 pm. Rip it
Meet the Director of Dial 'M' for Murder at Wells Theatre. 6:50 pm. Rip it
LAVA Presents: An evening with Grateful Jed at Chicho's Pizza Backstage. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Womxn OUT Front Presented by LGBT Life Center at 37th and Zen. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Paint & Sip: Puppy Love at Mudita Cafe & Bar. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Bhav Brigade Sound Bath Meditation at Norfolk Karate. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Dial 'M' for Murder at Wells Theatre. 7:30 pm. Rip it
Saved by the 90's at The NorVA. 8:00 pm. Rip it
DJ Nobe spins live at Only You Lounge. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
But Why Bump Off Barnaby: A Mystery Farce at Little Theatre of Norfolk. 8:00 pm. Rip it
Onsie Pajama Party at MJ's Tavern. 8:00 pm. Rip it
Hidden Gems: A Revue of Burlesque Rare-i-ties at Reaver NFK. 8:30 pm. Rip it  
Donal O'Shaughnessy Plays at Grace O'Malley's Irish Pub & Restaurant. 8:30 pm. Rip it 

SUNDAY:
Sunday Dog Day at Norfolk Botanical Garden. 9:00 am. Rip it 
Yogi Winter School - Pose Breakdown Shop at Sky's The Limit Yoga Co. 10:00 am. Rip it
Breakfast of Champions at Smartmouth Beer. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Pokemon Victory Road - Monthly League Challenge at Atlantis Games & Comics. 12:00 pm. Rip it
Wine 101 with Akeyla at Vino Culture.1:00 pm. Rip it
Lipgloss & Lashes Drag Brunch at 37th & Zen. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Sanctuary Road at Virginia Opera. 2:30 pm. Rip it
But Why Bump Off Barnaby: A Mystery Farce at Little Theatre of Norfolk. 2:30 pm. Rip it
Dial 'M' for Murder at Wells Theatre. 4:00 pm. Rip it
Virginia Chorale presents Young Singers Project in Concertsa at Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center. 4:00 pm. Rip it
Music Bingo at Reaver NFK. 4:00 pm. Rip it
Beartooth performs live at The NorVA. 6:30 pm. Rip it
Sunday Night Sound Bath at Sky's The Limit Yoga Co. 7:00 pm. Rip it

Pittie Dog Grill is open in Riverview with $5 footlongs on Friday. Rip it. 

New school biscuits meet old school style: the PB&J at Handsome Biscuit is nostalgia done right. Rip it. 

Oh. My. Cod. Becky look at those fritters. Rip it. 

Do you need four layers of focaccia, two layers of cheese, a layer of pepperoni, and a primo dip? Well, you do now. Rip it. 

Jessy’s in Ocean View has rolled out an whole new look after major renovations. Rip it. 

Elote deviled eggs are an elite move. The Bird hatched these on Colley Ave. Rip it. 

Take your “Only One” to Only You on Valentine’s Day for a three course pairing meal with wine. Rip it. 

The Rustic debuted at Chelsea Bakehouse this week with fennel pork sausage, smoked mozz, and more. Rip it. 

Barrell 17 has their signature meats on wraps too, not just brioche. Rip it. 

Burger night at Omar’s? Of course it’s a lamb burger with tapenade, truffle aioli, and cotija cheese. Rip it. 

It’s the last two weeks to catch the Blue Bird Chalet pop-up at Four Eleven. Rip it.

Espresso Martinis still aren’t old hat yet, so grab one at Gershwin’s. Rip it. 

Get your macarons personalized with valentine’s messages at Cafe Genevieve. Rip it.

Food Truck Sightings:
Friday:
Po Folks at Maker’s Craft. Rip it.
Nacho Libre at Cova. Rip it.
In Between the Buz at Reaver Beach. Rip it.
Hades Wood Fired Pizza at Benchtop. Rip it.
Shawna’s Rich Eats at Afterglow. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth. Rip it.
Bakehouse at Elation Brewing. Rip it.
Bar-q at Bold Mariner. Rip it.

Saturday:
Revery Eats at Maker’s Craft. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Cova. Rip it.
Flippin' Hangry at Reaver Beach. Rip it.
Krazy Trompos at Benchtop. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth. Rip it.
Bakehouse at Elation Brewing. Rip it.
Bar-q at Bold Mariner. Rip it.

Sunday:
Revery Eats at Maker’s Craft. Rip it.
Moontide & Sour Street Pizza at Cova. Rip it.
Tone Bonz at Reaver Beach. Rip it.
Los Birria Bros at Benchtop. Rip it.
Pelican Pete’s at Afterglow. Rip it.
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth. Rip it.
Bakehouse at Elation Brewing. Rip it.
Bar-q at Bold Mariner. Rip it.