The second graders’ eyes bugged, and their mouths fell open as they entered a walled-off garden and spied a giant sculpture made entirely of sticks. One boy pointed and said, to no one in particular, “What is that?” “Castle,” another…
Growing up in Detroit, Mich., a couple of houses down from Hitsville U.S.A.—Motown’s first headquarters, founded by Barry Gordy in 1959—probably had a pretty significant impact on BJ Griffin’s love of music. Even more impactful was the family heirloom violin…
The long-anticipated completion of Norfolk’s Waterside District is nearly upon us, and we’re downright giddy for the grand opening. The district will change the face of Norfolk, bringing together locals and visitors, families and fun-loving folks at one central gathering…
Scottish artist Rob Mulholland, known for his creations depicting the interplay between humans and nature, has displayed his environmental sculptures around the world—Russia, France, South Korea—and now, in Portsmouth. Mulholland had been invited to install projects in the U.S. before…
Ask three Coastal Virginia real estate experts—Terry Gearhart, Katie Zarpas and Becky Claggett—to predict the future, and they’ll each respond the same: 2017 should be good. After 10-plus years of a twisting and turning market that kept experts and neophytes…
Sean is crazy for LEGOs. The 7-year-old is among the first to arrive at the Hampton Public Library's LEGO Club meeting, held every fourth Saturday of the month. Sitting with his mom at one of seven long tables, each adorned…
​ Photo by Jim Pile Ashok Arora is always on the run. As the owner of five local eateries—Masala Bites in Virginia Beach and Nawab Indian Cuisine (with locations in Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Williamsburg)—he’s constantly traveling from…
When Cox High School announced late last year that it planned to hold a student-organized gay-pride assembly, some people—predictably—voiced opposition. Incoming school board member Victoria Manning was chief among them. In an email to the board chair, she argued that…
I remember the fat kid in high school. Of course, there was more than one, but I specifically remember this kid in particular because I recall some of the things people said about him. You can imagine that "big boned"…
It’s no secret that Brussels sprouts get a bad rep. Kids often push them to the edge of their plates, and some adults even turn their noses up with merely a mention of the miniature cabbages. All that changes, though,…
Organized by the Society for Contemporary Craft in Pittsburgh, Pa., Mindful is no typical “craft show.” Rather, using traditional craft materials in unexpected ways, the 14 artists in Virginia MOCA’s latest exhibition explore the often subterranean and misunderstood range of…
A young Ernest Hemingway’s ode to the oyster celebrated both the flavor and the exuberance of feasting on the bivalve. He wrote of “their strong taste of the sea … the succulent texture,” that led him to “be happy and…
Things move fast in the ever-evolving world of business. In order to help you keep up with the pace, local colleges and universities offer a number of business degrees, as well as a wide variety of continuing education and certification…
If there is one form of cancer that people are most reluctant to talk about, it’s likely colorectal cancer. But whether it’s an unpleasant thing to discuss, like any other form of cancer, the key to battling it is early…
Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast presented the 9th Annual Samoa Soiree on March 25 at Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center in Norfolk. Guests sampled recipes created by top local chefs who were tasked with creating scrumptious appetizers and…
Seated at tables blanketed with chic, grey tablecloths, creative sheet music menus and spring tulip centerpieces, a crowd of approximately 300 enjoyed lunch inside Hilton Norfolk The Main’s stately Granby Ballroom in early February. Music from the Virginia Symphony Orchestra…
In life, a well-funded bank account is always a nice thing to have, but for students interested in attending independent schools, it’s not essential. Coastal Virginia private school leaders say other factors, such as generous financial aid and a good…
In 1900, the average life expectancy for a male in the United States was 46.3 years. For females, it was 48.3 years. By 2014, the ages had jumped to 76.3 for males and 81.3 for females. One reason is the…
The 2017 Taste of the Beach in the Outer Banks is scheduled for March 23–26. This year’s event will feature some of the most popular events from previous years, plus several new events to keep things interesting. “We have a…
Location, location, location is a familiar mantra for real estate. But when it comes to selling a house, more and more real estate agents and homeowners are thinking appearance, appearance, appearance. With more home choices than ever on the market…
As running back for the James Madison University Dukes, Khalid Abdullah’s college career is one for the record books. His performance on the football field shattered records for rushing touchdowns (41), total touchdowns (45) and scoring (270). In January, he…
Throughout our school years, we may not recall the hours spent mastering long division, the day we grasped the concept of photosynthesis or the exact moment we learned to spell hippopotamus. But, chances are, we remember some of the educators…
“The greatest thing about being a teacher,” says Ryan Nunley, “is watching a student work with a challenge, being there to facilitate, then watching them overcome that challenge”—not unlike a group of young scientists working to confirm their hypothesis in…
Elyse Vaughan didn’t start out to be a teacher. She was working as a chemist at the Union Camp International Paper Company mill in Franklin when the plant shut down. She and her family moved to Alabama for a few…
