Art
On July 12, the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art in Virginia Beach will open the inaugural Made in VA Biennial to the public. The exhibition running through Jan. 5 will display 87 works of art by 61 artists from across Virginia. Works span a diverse array of mediums and approaches, ranging from painting and sculpture to fiber and film. Artists include: Victoria Jensen of Chesapeake; Nadd Harvin and Ryan Lytle of Newport News; Hank the Aquarian, Kole Bennett, Gina Warren Buzby, Kim Hardy, Megan Obenaus, Seville Marina Meyn Partida and Jing Qin of Norfolk; Rowena Federico Finn, Jaimee Foster, Maggie Kerrigan, Nadia Msalek and Melissa Schappell of Virginia Beach; and Paulina Archambalt, Steve Prince and Nicole M. Santiago of Williamsburg.
In June, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility unveiled a life-sized LOVE artwork, now on display at Jefferson Lab. The artwork is an extension of the “Virginia is for Lovers” brand. The piece is one of more than 300 giant LOVE letters, called LOVEworks, in towns and cities across the commonwealth. They serve as a backdrop for visitor photos from their vacations, engagement announcements, family gatherings and more. This is the lab’s first public art installation.
Awards and honors
For the first time, Newport News was recognized as one of 10 All-America City Award winners. The National Civic League presented this honor to celebrate the city’s work to actively engage residents in strengthening democracy through local action and innovation.
Dennis M. Ellmer was named Chesapeake’s First Citizen for 2024 by The Chesapeake Rotary Club and The Chesapeake Rotary Foundation. The award will be presented at Chesapeake Conference Center at 6 p.m. Sept. 19. Ellmer, founder of Priority Auto Group, bought his first dealerships in Chesapeake and headquartered the company in the city. Because of his success, he has been able to give to many civic causes and charities.
The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners and the International Lactation Consultant Association recognized Chesapeake Regional Healthcare for excellence in lactation care. They have awarded the health system with the IBCLC Care Award for employing seven board-certified lactation consultants as part of Chesapeake Regional Medical Center’s BirthPlace team and for conducting activities that promote, protect and support breastfeeding.
Chartway is proud to announce this year’s Directors’ Memorial Scholarship recipients. Fifteen student members were each awarded $3,000, totaling $45,000 in financial aid for 2024. They include: Maria Ashimi and Le’Andra Doucet, both pursuing nursing at Tidewater Community College; Jenna McElhannon, Christopher Newport University, psychology; and John Peck, Old Dominion University, cybersecurity.
Six college-bound members of Langley Federal Credit Union will receive $5,000 Jean M. Yokum College Scholarships, named after the credit union’s former president and CEO. They are: Hannah Chen, Grafton High School graduate who will attend the University of Virginia; Parker Forrest, Tabb High School graduate who is attending Virginia Tech; Christopher Freshwater, Hampton Roads Academy grad who will attend American University; Megan Killian, Grafton High School grad who will attend Shenandoah University; Janie Qing, Tabb High School grad who will attend Duke University; and Audrey Wallin, Hampton Christian Academy grad who will be attending Old Dominion University.
The Goddard School of Lynnhaven, owned by franchisees Anne and Mike Pope in Virginia Beach, has been selected to Goddard’s President’s Club. The recognition honors the top-performing Goddard Schools throughout the country, measured by excellence in performance, education, family experience and brand stewardship. To earn President’s Club designation, schools must be selected for the Circle of Excellence for continuous years, consistently demonstrating the highest standards of educational and operational excellence in early childhood education.
Contracts
The Historic Triangle Recreational Facilities Authority approved on June 12 an interim agreement with MEB General Contractors Inc. in Chesapeake to design a live performance venue. The HTRFA is a regional entity established by the city of Williamsburg, James City County and York County. In September 2022, HTRFA selected MEB’s design team for the addition of recreational venues planned for approximately 62.9 acres adjacent to the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center, which HTRFA leases from the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. The regional sports center is the first phase of the project and is now under construction. The live performance venue is the second phase. Architectural firms Clark Nexsen, Guernsey Tingle and Timmons Group are part of the design team for this project.
Mattersoft, a wholly owned member of the Chesapeake-based INIT Group, deployed its first live Traffic Signal Priority (LIVEtsp) project in the United States. In collaboration with The Regional Transportation District in Denver, this innovative pilot empowers smart traffic control, resulting in improved schedule adherence and better on-time vehicle performance. LIVEtsp, has been configured at 22 of RTD’s key intersections throughout the Denver area. This system supports up to 400 vehicles online simultaneously and manages approximately 3,000 TSP requests daily. Real-time vehicle data, including GPS positions, is received from on-board computers via mobile networks. LIVEtsp adjusts traffic signals in real time, allowing vehicles them to spend less time at red lights resulting in shorter travel times and more efficient routes.
Expansion
Bojangles started offering catering in June through a new partnership with ezCater, the leading food-for-work technology company in the United States. Customers across the brand’s footprint will be able to place catering orders from participating restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner with delivery and pick-up options through ezCater. To place an order, visit ezcater.com/brand/pvt/bojangles. This is Charlotte, North Carolina-based Bojangles’ first official venture into catering as a company, though select franchisees have previously offered this convenience.
Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg is now selling items in the ReStore eStore. The online selection includes curated items such as antique and vintage collectibles, artwork, books, electronics, handbags and luggage, home and garden, furniture and more. All revenue generated by the Habitat ReStores goes toward building Habitat houses in the local community that are sold to residents through the affiliate’s first-time Homebuyer Program. Visit the ReStore eStore at shop.restorepgw.org.
Food Lion Feeds awarded $1,500 to Candy Cares Inc. in Chesapeake, $3,000 to ForKids in Chesapeake, $2,000 to Hands Across Mathews Interfaith Council, $1,900 to Hampton Roads Community Action Program in Newport News, $1,300 to Next Step to Success in Norfolk, $2,000 to Primeplus Senior Centers in Norfolk, $2,000 to St. Columbia Ecumenical Ministries in Norfolk, $2,000 to The Salvation Army in Norfolk, $1,300 to YWCA South Hampton Roads, $2,500 to Child & Family Services of Portsmouth, $1,300 to The Salvation Army of Portsmouth, $2,000 to Virginia Beach Community Development Corp., $1,400 to Virginia Supportive Housing in Virginia Beach, $2,500 to Grove Christian Outreach Center in Williamsburg and $2,000 to The Salvation Army of Williamsburg.
Oceana Car Wash at 1217 Oceana Blvd. signed on as a U-Haul neighborhood dealer to serve the Virginia Beach community. The location will offer essential services like U-Haul trucks, trailers, towing equipment, moving supplies, and in-store pickup for boxes. More than 21,000 dealers across the U.S. and Canada are generating supplemental income through their U-Haul affiliation.
Grants and donations
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded a $1,965,525 grant to the askHRgreen.org public awareness initiative to bolster its Start Smart, Recycle Right recycling education and outreach program in Hampton Roads. The grant is part of the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which includes a component to expand recycling infrastructure and education for waste management systems across the country. Launched in 2011, the askHRgreen.org campaign is administered through the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission with support from 17 cities and counties in the region and the Hampton Roads Sanitation District. The EPA grant will support outreach by askHRgreen.org and municipalities to amplify recycling awareness, educate residents on the benefits of recycling, improve access to recycling information and encourage all to “recycle right” in Hampton Roads.
The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services awarded a $3.7 million grant awarded to Chesapeake Regional Healthcare to build a comprehensive psychiatric emergency program. Chesapeake Regional is renovating existing space in its emergency department to build the program, which will open in December. The grant is part of Gov. Glenn Younkin’s commitment to investing in and reforming Virginia’s current behavioral health system. It follows a visit he made to Chesapeake Regional last October. The city of Chesapeake lacks a licensed inpatient behavioral health unit.
The Arby’s Foundation is donating $4.5 million this year to organizations that support childhood hunger, youth leadership and career readiness initiatives. The foundation donated $10,600 to Anchor Scholarship Foundation and $10,000 to Samaritan House Inc. in Virginia Beach. Through the end of July, Arby’s Foundation will match up to $250,000 on all donations to No Kid Hungry, a national campaign run by Share Our Strength, a nonprofit working to solve problems of hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world. To donate, visit nokidhungry.org/arbysfoundation.
This year, Buffalo Wild Wings Foundation plans to donate more than $3 million to organizations that support various youth initiatives that help kids thrive, compete and belong to a team. Of the total donation amount, $1 million will go toward Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the remaining $2 million will support more than 300 local youth-serving nonprofits throughout the US. In Virginia Beach, foundation donated $8,080 to Ainsley’s Angels of America.
The Mission & Outreach Committee of Bruton Parish Church awarded a $30,000 grant to Colonial CASA for its Empowering Youth Scholarships. The funds will help qualified individuals engage in activities such as sports, arts, camps, STEM programs and academic enrichment.
Openings
Centria Autism, a leading national provider of applied behavior analysis therapy opened Life Skills Autism Academy in Portsmouth, its first in Virginia. The 12,850 square-foot facility opened at at the corner of High Street and Frederick Boulevard and can serve up to 68 clients at a time. The company specializes on early intervention with high-intensive therapy to children with autism who are 5 and younger with individualized treatment plans prioritizing the development of everyday skills and social behaviors that will allow children to thrive in school, at home and in their communities. Centria plans to expand in Virginia. For more information, visit lifeskillsautismacademy.com.
Burlington Stores opened a new location at 6253 College Drive in Suffolk on June 28. The retailer sells men’s, women’s and kids apparel, footwear, home decor and pet care and toys.
A Sherwin-Williams store opened in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, on June 12. It is the brand’s third store in the Outer Banks. The store sells a wide range of premium paints, coatings and related products,
catering to the needs of homeowners and contractors alike.
LoKee Restaurant and Bar opened June 18 at 130 W. Washington St. in Suffolk. The downtown Suffolk restaurant is located near the upcoming Festival Event Park. For more information, contact the restaurant at lokeehookahlounge@gmail.com.
Transportation
The TRAFFIX commuter options program, administered by Hampton Roads Transit, debuted its renovated office at Naval Station Norfolk as part of ongoing support of regional military bases and personnel. It’s the first renovation of the 120-square-foot space since it opened in 2008. The office provides visitors with commuter information and resources about vanpools, carpools, transit, walking, biking, teleworking and other transportation options available through HRT, TRAFFIX and the Department of Defense. Staff at the office coordinate with Hampton Roads military installations on the federal Transportation Incentive Program and Mass Transportation Benefit Program. These can save eligible users up to $315 a month to commute via transit or vanpool. In partnership with Naval Station Norfolk, HRT operates the Base Express, a free on-base shuttle bus service that travels to the Navy Exchange Mall and off-base shopping and entertainment. To learn more, visit gohrt.com/modes/base-express/.
The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority, Amtrak and the Center of the Universe Brewing Co. in Ashland are partnering to offer a local craft beer, Brewski, onboard Amtrak Virginia trains for purchase in the café cars on northeast regional service traveling along four corridors from Roanoke, Newport News, Norfolk and Richmond to Washington, D.C., and continuing to Philadelphia, New York City and Boston. A 12-ounce can of Brewski will cost $8. The addition of Brewski to Amtrak Virginia beverage options is the culmination of a two-year effort to offer locally sourced products on Virginia trains, a key recommendation of the Amtrak Food & Beverage Working Group.
Tourism funding
Virginia Tourism Corp., in partnership with the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission, announced more than $200,000 in grant funds will be awarded to 25 programs through VTC’s VA250 Marketing Leverage Program. The reimbursable grant program is designed to support, promote and market programming, events and interpretive signage related to quests for freedom against the backdrop of America’s 250th commemoration. VA250 grants are provided to officially recognized VA250 committees, historic sites and museums that are required to provide a targeted and research-based marketing plan. The next funding round is scheduled to open on Aug. 1. For more info, visit vatc.org/grants or va250.org.
*Correction: This story was corrected on July 8, 2024. Due to a source error, a previous version reported incorrect names for the franchise owners of the Goddard School of Lynnhaven. They are Anne and Mike Pope.
