The end of summer and all it has to offer can be sad, but fall is also full of exciting chances for fun throughout HRVA. Nothing shows this better than the plethora of food and drink festivals, and The Daily Press already has you covered with a guide to the best fests set for September.
All posts by Mary Ramsey
They dropped a giant space capsule at NASA Langley (on purpose)
NASA Langley was the site of test of the new Orion Capsule this week, and the test was literally dropping the capsule into the water from about 40 feet in the air. Even cooler? The whole thing is part of NASA’s preparation for a trip to Mars in the not so distant future.
The final summer bucket list is here
Tragically, for many of us, summer is on its way out. But there’s still time to slip in that last epic trip before the leaves begin to fall. If you’re looking for ideas to squeeze the most out of your last seconds of summer, check out this final bucket list.
Skip the tour guide; here’s what’s worth seeing at area campuses
Museums, art and historic trees are just some of the features available to enjoy at HRVA universities as students flood back to campus. And if it’s all a little overwhelming, The Daily Press has you covered. They’ve put together a comprehensive list of everything worth visiting at Christopher Newport, William & Mary and Hampton University.
Inaugural ‘Waiter’s Race’ comes to Hampton
If you’ve ever been impressed by your waiter’s ability to carry a ton of plates at once, you’ll love this story. Hampton will host a “Waiter’s Race” on Saturday afternoon. But it’s not all fun and games for the racers – – there are thousands of dollars available in prize money.
NOAA predicts a very active hurricane season
The 2016 Atlantic hurricane season is expected to be a rough one, according to new predictions from NOAA. They’ve upped their previous estimate from 10-16 named storms to 12-17. There have only been 5 named storms so far this year, but hurricane season lasts all the way to the end of November.
More than 100 jobs open at Hampton Roads grocery stores
This is good news for those looking for a new job in Hampton Roads. Harris Teeter is looking to hire more than 100 new employees at stores throughout HRVA. You can apply for a job listing with the chain online here.
New pool coming to Williamsburg athletic center
The Williamsburg Indoor Sports Complex has finally taken a long awaited step forward. The Virginia Gazette reports the group has broken ground on a new aquatic facility. The $3.5 million feature will be adjacent to the current WISC center.
Celebrate the Rio Olympics with a taste of Brazil
You can get into the Olympic spirit with a taste of Rio here in the 757. Tucanos Brazilian Grill is offering special deals throughout the games. And Tucanos’ Brazilian flair isn’t its only connection to the games: bartender and Hampton University grad Brandon Jones is also competing for Belize.
‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ enchants millions
Bookstores across Hampton Roads are experiencing a magical surge in sales they haven’t seen in some time. The script of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” the on-stage follow-up to J.K. Rowling’s famous series, has sold more than two million copies in just two days. Retailers even held parties to celebrate the release.
Supreme Court rules on transgender bathroom access
Gloucester High School made national headlines Thursday when the Supreme Court ruled on the school’s bathroom policy for transgender students. The Court ruled in favor of the school district, allowing them to prevent a rising senior who identifies as male from using the men’s restroom. The school has opened its unisex bathrooms.
PETA is offering spaying/neutering for $15
Not looking spend the fall taking care of a bunch of puppies or kittens? PETA’s “Bark-to-School” offer for $15 spay/neuter services is available throughout southeastern Virginia for the summer, the Daily Press reports. You schedule an appointment for your furry friend here.
Tim Kaine officially accepts nomination
Virginia’s own Tim Kaine addressed the Democratic National Convention to officially claim the party’s vice presidential nomination. Kaine showed off his Spanish fluency and gave a shout-out to his father-in-law, AKA former VirginiaGov. Linwood Holton. But it was his folksy “dad humor” that left the internet dubbing him the rightful heir to current VP Joe Biden’s “Uncle Joe” persona. Check out the Daily Press’ interactive timeline of Kaine’s career.
Good news! The Ice Bucket Challenge worked!
Whether you happily drenched yourself or snarked from the sidelines, we can all agree this is a happy ending. A spike in donations to the ALS Association in the wake of the viral Ice Bucket Challenge has led to a big breakthrough. The org announced the millions they raised were behind the successful project. Read more about the discovery over at CNN.
Two accused of animal cruelty after Snapchat video surfaces, police say
Just because the videos don’t last doesn’t mean they can’t come back to haunt you. Two Virginia Beach men learned that lesson the hard way, the Daily Press reports, when authorities say they were charged with animal cruelty over a Snapchat video. The rather graphic videos reportedly show the men lighting a hamster on fire.
Distill the best of the best at Williamsburg festival
Williamsburg Distillery will bring together distilleries from across Virginia for its first Virginia Craft Distillers Festival, which is slated for August. The festivities will feature not just locally made booze but also bands, food trucks and artisans. Tickets for the Aug. 20 event include tastings and a souvenir cup, according to the Tidewater Review.
It’s getting even hotter in Hampton Roads
The forecast across the 757 in the coming days is officially hazardous. The National Weather Service issued the warning for much of the Hampton Roads region. It will run through next Tuesday with temperatures in the 90s with heat indices expected to reach triple digits. Here‘s how to stay safe during such stressful #hrweather, and here is a roundup of tips on how to keep our four-legged friends safe, too.
Even more bucket-list activities to totally make your summer
With the dog days of summer in full swing across #HRVA, its tempting to throw in the towel. But there are plenty of ways to beat the heat even if you think you’ve exhausted all the 757 has to offer. The Virginian-Pilot has compiled a list of 25 local treasures to add to your seasonal bucket list. And if you need a little refresher on all the other ideas we rounded up, head here.
Report: Man infected with rare bacteria at Virginia Beach oceanfront
If your nightmares include your flesh being eaten away by a rare bacteria, this isn’t the story for you. A Richmond man is recovering from just that after a trip to the Virginia Beach oceanfront, according to The Virginian-Pilot. Health officials say this isn’t an indication that the water is polluted.
Carrier group makes triumphant return
Six thousand families across Hampton Roads are celebrating the homecoming of their loved ones. The eight ships of the USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group returned home Wednesday after 8 months at sea. The group served in a support role of combat operations in Iraq and Syria, the Daily Press reports.
Car-jet combo hits HRVA
Is it a fancy new sports car? It is a high-powered jet? Jokes on us, it’s both! The HondaJet, which has room for a pilot, co-pilot, and five passengers, paid a visit to NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton Tuesday. Check out The Daily Press to read more about the history of transportation’s future.
This Snapchat update might change everything
Is your favorite part of Snapchat the whole disappears-faster-than-a-traffic-jam-in-the-HRBT thing? Then this isn’t good news for you. The popular app is introducing a new “Memories” feature that allows users saving images in an in-app archive, according to the LA Times. The new section will have a “My Eyes Only” feature.
Job-hunters, rejoice: 85 new jobs coming to Virginia Beach
Those looking a new job in the Virginia Beach area got some good news Wednesday. A Spanish metal company, Sanjo Corte Fino, will open its new North American headquarters in the oceanfront city and will look to take on 85 employees. The Pilot reports that Virginia Beach-based Stihl helped make the connection. Check out this full article for more information on the positions available.
Down-to-earth ways to be more like an astronaut
Did you once dream of heading to outer space? While that vacay on Mars might still be a little out of reach, the Daily Press reports there’s no reason you can’t incorporate some of NASA’s genius into your everyday life. Check out these space-based tools that are still useful here on Earth.
Tim Kaine reportedly atop Clinton VP list
Virginia’s own former governor/current senator Tim Kaine may be up for a new position. Politico reports that Kaine currently tops Hillary Clinton’s list of possible VP candidats. HUD Secretary Julian Castro and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) are also said to be high on the list.