An official from the College of William and Mary has had to come out and say what should never, ever have to be said: Intimidation and other such terrible behavior is never, ever tolerated on the Williamsburg campus. This comes after the words ‘Go Trump,’ with the ‘T’ as a swastika, were scratched into a paper-towel dispenser in a W&M residence hall bathroom, the Daily Press reports. A photo bearing evidence of this had percolated on social media.
Category Archives: Trending
Busch Gardens’ newest coaster is coming together
Busch Gardens’ newest roller coaster won’t debut until spring 2017, but you can already catch a glimpse of the new model of a classic coaster style. InvadR is bringing back the wooden coaster to HRVA’s favorite amusement park based on public response. And Busch Gardens is working to keep the people involved.
‘Craft cocktails’ are the new thing in Hampton Roads
HRVA is sipping on some signature drinks more and more, and people are buying more and more of the craft liquors that go in ’em. Virginia ABC data shows an increase of more than $200 million in sales. Experts say the rise in “craft cocktails,” like the rise of craft beers in previous years, plays a big part in the spike.
America’s clown crisis affecting is a legend
The plague of really creepy incidents involving clowns that has been sweeping the nation forced the hand of a classic piece of Americana. McDonald’s is closely monitoring the social calendar of Ronald McDonald himself to be sensitive toward the “current climate around clown sightings,” according to a release from the burger giant.
Hillary Clinton perfected the deadpan on ‘Between Two Ferns’
In 2016, handling comedians can be just as important as handling debate moderators. Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton did just that on Zach Galifianakis’ “Between Two Ferns” this week. Clinton offered her take on everything from the possibility of a post-2016 civil war and her ever-present email scandal.
FRESH: A look at upcoming #PokemonGo meetups in Hampton Roads
If you’re looking to mingle and meander with fellow #PokemonGo trainers, you’re in such luck. A handful of places in Hampton Roads are hosting meetups — often with lures to sweeten the deal. Here’s a look at what’s slated for the weekend and beyond.
Did we miss something? Please let us know on Facebook and Twitter, and we’ll be sure to add it to our list!
- To have a little Pokemon Go-themed fun there’ll be a Pokemon cosplay contest at the Rainbow Cactus in Virginia Beach during Labor Day weekend. Deets.
Going ham: Smithfield feeds Baton Rouge
Sea-level buddies stick together. hrScene reports Smithfield Foods donated 25,000 pounds of meat to the flood victims in Baton Rouge. Operation BBQ Relief, a nonprofit organization that provides hot meals in the wake of a disaster, put together the meals. Want to help? Join the Smithfield-created Helping Hungry Homes.
Court case haunts Hampton Roads filmmaker
The last time HRVA filmmaker Nate Parker made headlines, it was because “Birth of a Nation” broke records at Sundance. Today, Parker’s name is everywhere after news stories surfaced that he was acquitted of rape charges in a 1999 incident. The Herald reports that screenings of the film have been cancelled, possibly dashing any Oscar hopes.
Soak up your own solar power with this new Peninsula co-op
If you’ve followed stories about a solar-powered peninsula, check out this new opportunity for residents to take action. VA SUN is sponsoring a solar co-op for Middle Peninsula homeowners looking to go green (and save green in the process). Interested? Register here, or attend an info. meeting on Sept. 12 in Saluda.
Goldilocks planet orbiting a nearby star might be just right for exploration
Astronomers have discovered a new planet orbiting our nearest neighboring star, Proxima Centauri; the informally named Proxima b is a bright candidate for exploration in the future. It would take unmanned probes until the end of the century to reach the planet, but its size, location, and makeup are all promising.
Enter your funniest #PokemonGo screen capture for a chance to win movie tickets!
Snag a Snorlax at a local pizza joint? Catch a Pikachu at a pet store? If you’re playing #PokemonGo, we know you’ve had some of these funny augmented-reality-meets-real-world moments, we know you took screen grabs — and we want to see ’em. A pair of Paragon movie tickets are at stake!
Here’s the deal: Beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, Aug. 15, Head to Blend757’s Facebook page, like us and post your funny screen capture as a comment on the page. You’ll have until noon Wednesday, Aug. 17, to post your screen capture on our Facebook page.
Once the submission window closes Wednesday, we’ll create a Facebook album of all the images we received as quickly as we can. A voting period will be open Wednesday afternoon through Friday at noon. Your “like” counts as a vote. Feel free to vote for as many images as you want.
Once the voting period ends at noon Friday, we’ll tally up all the likes. We’ll award a pair of Paragon movie tickets to the two trainers whose images garnered the most votes! They’ll be notified by private message on Facebook.
And that’s a wrap! If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to email me at bbuchanan@dailypress.com! Happy hunting!
Now here are the rules and stuff:
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. Starts August 15, 2016 at 9AM and ends August 19, 2016 at 12:00 p.m. Open only to residents of Hampton, Newport News, York, Poquoson, Williamsburg, James City, Gloucester, Isle of Wight, Mathews, Surry, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Suffolk, Chesapeake and Portsmouth counties, 18+ as of 8/15/16. Excludes Sponsor’s employees & their hshld/immed fam mbrs. To enter, complete form at facebook.com/blend757. Prizes (2): Two (2) tix to Paragon Theaters. Approx. Retail Value (“ARV”): $22 per pair. Odds of winning depend on number of entries and number of votes (Facebook “Likes”.) Further restrictions apply. Click here for full version of Official Rules. Email bbuchanan@dailypress.com for Winners’ List after 8/19/16. Void where prohibited. Sponsored by The Daily Press, LLC.
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.
Smithfield police posts pic of Ditto, catches person with active warrant
The Smithfield Police Department definitely wants to catch ’em all — all the lawbreakers, anyway — and devised a most ingenious plan to do so. On its Facebook page, the authorities posted a photo of Ditto, which all #PokemonGo trainers know is elusive and hasn’t been spotted in the smartphone game thus far. The post teased that only eight *special* people (aka people with outstanding warrants) would be invited to the station to try to catch the rare ‘mon. The department announced its first successful capture Tuesday, the Daily Press reports.
Virginia’s Tim Kaine confirmed as Hillary Clinton’s VP choice
Right on the heels of Donald Trump’s nomination as the official Republican presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton announced her choice for her running mate on Friday via Twitter, which has since exploded with praise for vice presidential candidate and former Virginia governor and U.S. senator Tim Kaine. DP provides updates here.
#PokemonGo interactive map charts catches across #HRVA
If you’re a trainer trying to catch ’em all across Hampton Roads, here’s a tool that could help you in the hunt: an interactive map that drops a pin where a Pokemon was found so that hopefully you can find it there, too. But, of course, with it being interactive and all, it’s only as good as what users put in. So, if you find a sweet one — such as a Ninetails or Onyx or so on — all you have to do is fill out this form and your catch will be marked.
If you need some inspiration on some new #PokemonGo haunts, check out — and add to — our roundup of our readers’ favorite places to catch Pokemon.
Readers’ favorite spots to catch Pokemon in Hampton Roads
Our readers answered our call and shared their top spots to catch those delightful pocket monsters. If your fave isn’t listed, let us know on Facebook or Twitter and we’ll add them here!
- Fort Monroe in Hampton
- Buckroe in Hampton
- Grand View in Hampton
- City Center in Newport News
- Yorktown Beach
- Gloucester Point Beach Park
- Colonial Williamsburg
- Busch Gardens in Williamsburg
- Virginia Beach boardwalk
- Town Center in Virginia Beach
- Mount Trashmore in Virginia Beach
- Lynnhaven Mall in Virginia Beach
- Norfolk waterfront near Nauticus
- Colley Avenue in Norfolk
- Botanical Gardens in Norfolk
This land was made for you and me … to catch ’em all!
Pokemon Go players/trainers/obsessives have racked up an ever expanding list of places to not go — from cemeteries, and historical sites to the, um, Holocaust Museum, which has upset many people. The National Park Service, on the other hand, stands with open arms. Director Jon Jarvis appeared in a Facebook video to offer up the nation’s public lands.
Pokemon spotted all over #HRVA
Even if you’re not taking a break from it right now, you probably still know about #PokemonGo, the app-based video game that’s breaking the internet and crashing its own servers. While it’s good to get outside, The Virginian-Pilot warns players to remember not to drive and catch ’em all. Join the HRVA Facebook group.
O’Connoroo and all the summer events to come
Lava Fest rocked O’Connor Brewing Co. last weekend, but it’s far from the only summer festival in #HRVA (or at O’Connor). This Saturday the Norfolk brewery is hosting the third annual O’Connoroo. The event is free and family-friendly. VEER Magazine has an exhaustive list of everything between now and September.
Waterside will include local businesses now
The company developing Norfolk’s Waterside District had been criticized for not including local businesses in its plans, but that may be changing. Alt Daily reports that Chesapeake’s Carolina Cupcakery and and Cogan’s PIzza will open locations in the renovated space. Star Hill, a brewery out of Charlottesville, was announced for another space in December.
Get psyched for Lava Fest at O’Connor Brewing Co.
The Second Annual Lava Music Festival takes place Saturday at O’Connor Brewing Co. in Norfolk. You’d be hard pressed to find a better show for the money. Advance tickets are $25 (kids 12 and younger are free). Besides great beer, the event will also have food trucks. Bands include Minus the Bear and Major and the Monbacks.
‘Chewbacca’ makes Facebook history
If you haven’t seen the “Happy Chewbacca Mom” video yet, you’re missing out. Candace Payne, a mom from Texas, posted a live video on Facebook of her opening up, trying out and laughing hysterically at her new Chewbacca mask. She not only entertained millions with her laughter, but she also made Facebook history with more than 100 million views! You can watch the video here.
Family of dead inmate sues jail authorities
The family of Jamycheal Mitchell has filed a $60 million lawsuit following the release of several reports into his death. Mitchell was found dead in his cell in the Hampton Roads Regional Jail last August. The lawsuit alleges that Mitchell was maced, beaten, stood on and subject to humiliation by guards, according to The Virginian-Pilot.
America: A lager with hints of freedom and bravery
It sounds too absurd to be true, but it is. In honor of the election, Budweiser is rebranding itself as “America” for the next six months. Ironically (and as unofficial PBR Spokesman Tom Raper pointed out), Budweiser, which has some roots in Williamsburg, isn’t exactly American. It’s been under A-B Inbev, a Belgian Company, since 2008 according to the Orlando Sentinel.
Local restaurant seeks to help clarify bathroom issue
The owner of a Virginia Beach pizza restaurant may have gotten a little more attention than he initially wanted. WTKR reports that Windy City Pizza’s sign temporarily read, “We have a men’s room, we have a ladies’ room. If this confuses you, we can help!” in reference to fight over North Carolina’s HB2.
#HRVA votes: local election results
Some voters in Tuesday’s election have never known another mayor besides Paul Fraim, who has held the Norfolk office since 1994. Kenny Alexander will now replace him, becoming the city’s first black mayor. For the rest of the results in Southside #HRVA, check the Pilot’s blog. For the Peninsula, check the Daily Press.
Check out the Virginia Arts Fest Fringe Fest this weekend
All of the performances of”The Strange Undoing of Predencia Hart” have been canceled, but the rest of the Virginia Arts Festival’s Fringe Fest is good to go for this weekend. The events include everything from comedy and storytelling to live music and even a hedge maze. Check out the full schedule.
Carly Fiorina is back in the election, as Ted Cruz’s running mate
At a rally in Indianapolis Wednesday, GOP presidential candidate Ted Cruz announced that he’d picked a running mate: former candidate Carly Fiorina. Announcing a VP pick before the convention is a rare move. Many outlets compared it to Ronald Reagan’s 1976 campaign, in which he announced his pick in late July.
Shenandoah fire grows to 8,000 acres
Smoke from the Shenandoah National Park fire made it as far as north as NoVa Thursday. The Washington Post reports that the blaze has consumed up to 8,000 acres but does not threaten any communities. It’s believed to have started Saturday afternoon. The Park Service hasn’t yet ordered any evacuations.
The world mourns the death of Prince
The entertainment world is mourning the loss of Prince, who was found dead Thursday morning. Celebrities from President Obama to Chuck D paid tribute to the prolific genre-blending artist. Over his career he sold more than 100 million records and won seven Grammy awards. Over six million tweets mentioned his name Thursday.