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Opera costumes strike a dramatic chord

NOV 2021-JAN

2022

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BEN SCHILL PHOTOGRAPHY

contents

nov 2021–jan 2022 40

Opulence of Opera: Fashion

A conversation with Pat Seyller, costume shop manager with Virginia Opera

Stepping Out in Style

Fashion-forward looks to ring in the holidays

Winds of Change

Dominion Energy takes vital step toward clean energy

New Horizons

Breeze Airways’ new Norfolk hub opens economic opportunity

DOMINION ENERGY

10 20

DEPARTMENTS:

From the Publisher

For everything there is a season

What’s Biting

In-season fish to reel in

Your Two Cents

Reader feedback to Boulevard

Notable Potables

Sip into the holiday season

Calendar of Events

What’s happening in November, December and into January 2022

Profile: Tony DiSilvestro

Local entrepreneur and founder of Ynot Italian

Tidewater Temptations: Gift Guide

We’ve sourced unique finds you’ll only get at local museum and gallery gift shops

Holiday Meal Alternatives

Serving up options for hard-to-find traditional menu items

Road Trip

Destination: OBX

Boulevard’s Last Call

Where was this photo taken? [Contest]

16 JOHN CADELL

COURTESY OF BREEZE AIRLINES

ON THE COVER Boulevard sits down with Virginia Opera’s costume shop manager to find out more about the opulent fashions and processes needed for such a variety of dramatic productions. [ PHOTO by ©Ben Schill Photography ]

boulevard | nov 2021-jan 2022

from the publisher For Everything There Is a Season

BERRY BRUNK

President | Publisher berry@blvdmedia.io

During these holidays, let’s reflect more often on family, friends, good times, future plans.

JULIE FANNING Chief Creative Officer julie@blvdmedia.io

The Boulevard team and all of you readers have sure experienced some amazing developments here in the Tidewater area during the past year. From the astronomical story about the new planetarium at ODU to the inspiring article about our NATO neighbors and the fun facts from the zoo about new additions to certain local animal families, 2021 has been quite the year of renaissance and rebirth. It’s also humbling to announce that our publication celebrates its first birthday and you have our second holiday issue in your hands and on your screens. When we started on this venture in January of 2020, we could not have forecasted the twists and turns we would need to take on the road to success. For the past five issues (remember Boulevard is quarterly) I have chronicled how the pandemic has affected small businesses, the performing arts, our sports teams, real estate and remodeling industries, the port, local media, and most of all, our way of life. Are we now in the “new normal?” What a silly phrase that is. The pandemic has taken its toll. We’ve witnessed the demise of DISTINCTION magazine, the bankruptcy of MacArthur Center, Greenbriar and Patrick Henry Malls, the second sale of the Virginian-Pilot—now in the hands of a hedge fund—and the innumerable closings of favorites in the dining, hospitality, retail and small business universe. As a backdrop to all of this carnage, the resiliency of our region shined through the dark clouds, and as a beacon of light penetrated the darkness, our tourism and visitor industry bounced back strongly. The recent penchant for travelers to avoid the skies meant the road-tripping families within driving distance ended up on our shore, bolstering hotel occupancies and feeding the local economy with the lifeblood of revenue and tax dollars. It is the diversity of our regional economic engines

JILL DOCZI Managing Editor jill@blvdmedia.io

RICK BLANTON Photography Editor rick@blvdmedia.io

JOHN CADELL Senior Photographer john@blvdmedia.io

CONTRIBUTORS DYLON SHEFFER Multimedia Design dylon@blvdmedia.io

GRACE HOBSON Writer

ALEX MARJANOVIC Writer

AINSLEY JOHN DARLING Publications Assistant

SUSIE BRUNK General Manager susie@blvdmedia.io

ADVERTISING For advertising inquiries, please contact Berry Brunk 757.340.3625 berry@blvdmedia.io

a time for celebrating

Visit our website

blvdmedia.io

KATERINA HOLMES

nov 2021-jan 2022 | boulevard

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FROM THE PUBLISHER that is Tidewater’s strength, and one of the key areas of focus we will continue to cover here at Boulevard. In this issue, we feature a couple of reasons to slip out of our sweatpants and embrace the long-awaited opportunity to dress to impress. A recent fashion show at VA MOCA highlighted some of the amazing work of local and regional fashion designers. All of this bling inspired the Boulevard photo crew to suggest a holiday glamour photoshoot. We made arrangements with Virginia Opera and Harrison Opera House to use their facility as the location for our first-ever fashion spread. We’ll repeat our take on fashion in issues moving forward. Once inside the opera house we realized what a treasure trove of costume designs they had and the talented designers and seamstresses who pull the creations together for each production. You’ll marvel at the seldom-seen, behind-the-curtain look at how this institution outfits those performers. We don’t know about you, but we plan to dress up for every occasion the upcoming holiday season presents; it’s been way too long since our fancy clothes left the closet. Also covered: two new reasons for optimism about

this region’s long-term vitality—the new Breeze Airways hub service out of Norfolk International Airport (ORF) and the mammoth $80 billion Dominion Energy offshore wind project, which will produce electricity generated from the strong breezes 26 miles out in the Atlantic. With all of this momentum as we enter the holidays, and with the pandemic [hopefully] entering the rear-view mirror, I think it’s safe to say that the wind is blowing our way. Enjoy this issue of Boulevard and please send us your thoughts, comments and suggestions. Remember that as we enter our second year of publishing, this is your magazine and we want, and need, your feedback to further refine our content and message. Cheers!

BERRY BRUNK

SUSIE BRUNK

President/Publisher

General Manager

757.340.3625 berry@blvdmedia.io

360.333.7162 susie@blvdmedia.io

boulevard | nov 2021-jan 2022

During the Virginia Beach Tuna Tournament back in late June, a bunch of buddies set out of Lynnhaven Inlet for the Norfolk Canyon, about 70 nautical miles offshore. Fishing on a 32-foot Regulator, they caught 11 yellowfin tuna and a few mahi-mahi. While they didn’t finish in the money, the memories they made were priceless. As fall sets in, the puppy drum and speckled trout will begin showing up in numbers along our beaches and inlets. Offshore, we can expect increase catches of tuna and dolphin, also known as mahi-mahi, as they head back south to warmer waters. Be sure to visit a local tackle shop for inside information, gear and a fishing license. Better yet, book a charter or reserve a spot on a head boat and let the experts take you to where the fish live. Either way, get on the water and see what’s biting. ~ Steve Bancroft While he does not consider himself a master angler, he has an understanding of what fish are biting each season. “I know enough about fishing to be productive out there, but really I’m just a lucky guy that has two great friends who have boats and all the gear.” Fighting shoulder to shoulder for six tuna at once

During November, December and January you’ll typically reel in these catches:

NOVEMBER Offshore White marlin, bigeye tuna, mahi-mahi, yellowfin tuna, blackfin tuna, bluefin tuna, swordfish, black sea bass, tilefish, flounder, black drum, triggerfish, wahoo, snowy grouper, bluefish, tautog Chesapeake Bay Bluefish, red drum, flounder, Spanish mackerel, spadefish, cobia, sheepshead, ribbon fish, striped bass, tautog, sheepshead Tidal Rivers Bluefish, flounder, speckled trout, spot, croaker, puppy drum, ribbon fish, striped bass

DECEMBER Offshore Swordfish, bluefin tuna, bigeye tuna, black sea bass, tilefish, bluefish, triggerfish, sheepshead, flounder Chesapeake Bay Bluefish, striped bass, flounder, tautog Tidal Rivers Speckled trout, striped bass

JANUARY Offshore Tilefish, sea bass, flounder, grouper, tuna, tautog Chesapeake Bay Striped bass, tautog Tidal Rivers Speckled trout, puppy drum, striped bass

ABOVE: [L] Moonset at 5 a.m. and [R] sunrise at 6 a.m. on the Atlantic Ocean LEFT: Catch of the day: yellowfin tuna and mahi-mahi

What have you reeled in? We would like to publish your photos, information, prize catches and catches of note in our What’s Biting segment. Send us your favorite amateur photos with a description and the photographer’s name.

boulevard | nov 2021-jan 2022

your two cents Reader commentary via email, social media, text and even snailmail Just read the story about the watermen—really enjoyed it! [May– Jul 2021] The Culpepper’s from Portsmouth three generations ago were also watermen, but mainly in the Elizabeth River. This was all before they started Culpepper Radiator. Keep those great stories coming! JB and Philip Culpepper Chapel Hill, NC Hello! We would love to be included in an issue of Boulevard magazine. We own Cantina Laredo in Virginia Beach Town Center overlooking the Fountain Plaza. Niraj Patel Virginia Beach, VA [Publisher’s response] We appreciate your interest and will have a sales

nov 2021-jan 2022 | boulevard

representative contact you for the next issue. I would like to submit a story and photos on a group of people who ‘wild swim’ at the Narrows. Would you be interested in publishing an article like that? Dafna Sonnenthal Virginia Beach, VA [Publisher’s response] Thank you for submitting this story idea. We are always looking for interesting ideas Send us your thoughts digitally (and don’t forget to follow, like and subscribe while you’re there!) or mail to: Blvd. Media, LLC, 4001-117 Virginia Beach Blvd., Suite 181, Virginia Beach, VA 23452

for consideration, for the online blog as well as the magazine. One of our editors will contact you. Are publications available at local retailers? Shirley Norfolk, VA [Publisher’s response] You can find copies of Boulevard at the advertisers featured in the magazine. We are also exploring the demand for newsstand distribution and at-home delivery. blvdmedia.io/letters-to-the-editor hello@blvdmedia.io blvdmedia757 360.333.7161

notable potables RICK BLANTON

GRACE HOBSON

JULIE FANNING

Concoctions to celebrate—and recover from—the holidays

Pumpkin Beertail

Apple Cider Mimosa

Suffering Bastard

Beer cocktails have been on trend as of late. Whether sipping while the turkey roasts or served alongside dessert, this surprising mix satisfies with spice and subtle sweetness.

Perfect for any special occasion, the beloved brunch staple gets a twist. The cider-sweetness and crisp apple-y combination of champagne will definitely please a crowd.

This tasty “hair of the dog” drink is supposed to help with a hangover. It also might be the perfect thing to ring in 2022 and put the past year-and-ahalf behind you.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup orange juice

• 5 oz apple cider

• 1 oz bourbon (Blanton’s)

• 1 oz (2 T) tequila (Patrón Reposado*)

• 5 oz sparkling wine/champagne

• 1 oz gin (Copper Fox Vir gin)

• 1 oz (2 T) spiced rum (Flying Dragon)

• cinnamon sugar

• 1 oz fresh lime juice

• 1 tablespoon pumpkin purée

• caramel sauce

• 1 dash angostura bitters

• 1 teaspoon maple syrup

Preparation: Drip caramel onto rim of a glass, then dip glass onto a plate with cinnamon sugar.

• 4 oz chilled ginger beer

• 1 dash angostura bitters • pumpkin beer (Aleworks Pumpkin Ale) • orange slice and cinnamon stick for garnish Preparation: In a shaker with ice, shake the orange juice, tequila, rum, pumpkin, maple syrup and bitters. Strain into a tall glass with ice.

Pour apple cider into a glass, followed by sparkling wine or champagne (prosecco worked well here). Garnish: Optional: scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream Drinkware: Tall wine or hurricane glass

Pour pumpkin beer into glass.

Drinkware: Tall highball or hurricane glass (approximately 12 oz) *The Reposado is aged in oak barrels up to about five months. Smooth, with hints of cinnamon, vanilla and toasted nuts— perfect for this drink combination.

• slice of lime Preparation: Pour first four ingredients into ice-filled glass, then top with ginger beer. Add more ice if needed. Rim the edge of the glass with lime wedge. Garnish: Sprig of mint Drinkware: Highball glass (about 10 oz)

Served: On the rocks Garnish: Orange slice and cinnamon stick

• sprig of mint*

POTABLES HOSTESS GIFT IDEAS Bitters, artisan/handcrafted— www.bobsbitters.com

*One delicious option is to muddle the mint in the glass prior to adding ice and other ingredients.

Coasters, handcrafted Mediterranean patterns (set of 6)—Etsy.com (TotallyTurkish) Cocktail smoker kit, with butane, torch, wood chips. Amazon.com (Aged & Charred Store) Cocktail napkins, novelty/funny— www.napkins2go.com Sommelier wine board series—Etsy.com (LeftCoastOriginal)

boulevard | nov 2021-jan 2022

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

A conversation with Pat Seyller, costume shop manager with Virginia Opera by jill doczi

Virginia Opera had to make many alterations to their delivery over the last year and a half when pandemic restrictions forced them to shutter their indoor productions at the Harrison Opera House. The performers moved outdoors, online and to alternative stages, exposing many more people to their craft, but limiting the ability to shine through lighting, acoustics, set design and costumes. Photos ©Ben Schill Photography 10

nov 2021-jan 2022 | boulevard

MADAMA BUTTERFLY

TURANDOT

boulevard | aug-oct 2021 A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

Some solutions included the Wednesday Wind-Down lawn concert series in front of the opera house, the “Let’s Talk Opera” series live on YouTube and Facebook, a live performance of ‘Das Rheingold’ at Topgolf, outdoor stage performances, free concerts, happy hour chats with performers on YouTube and Facebook, an online “Masterclass” series, virtual content (including study guides and other informational materials, specifically for teachers and students), streamed performances and the “Stayin’ Alive” pop-up concerts at alternative locations such as vineyards, churches, Virginia Zoo, Norfolk Botanical Garden, parks and Jamestown Settlement. At long last, live indoor productions return to the Harrison Opera House featuring Virginia Opera and Virginia Symphony Orchestra in November with the performance of “La Bohème.” Sets and costumes will take to the stage once again. We had a conversation with Pat Seyller,

costume shop manager with Virginia Opera, about costumery. Typically designers are hired for a show as it comes to fruition to create ideas and designs. The original costumes can live on as rentals for future shows. The designers, directors and set designers decide the feel for the production, ie. traditional, new and modern or maybe set in 1950s golf attire like the recent Virginia Opera “Das Rheingold” production. Once they determine a concept, the costume designer begins work on looks and ideas, presents them to the director for approval and then draws them and gives them to the costume department to figure out how to create them. If it’s a rental package, the director usually looks at the options and chooses a package based on look, price, availability, etc. Who has input in that? “The design team—the director, the costume designer and the set designer,” said Seyller. “However, the

head of companies usually has had input previously. They may want a traditional ‘Das Rheingold,’ because they may want to balance out the season with a traditional piece, a modern piece, one set in 1940s and a fantasy. For us the venue (Topgolf) helped to figure out the concept.” The designs may need rethinking if the director doesn’t want what the designer has created or the head of the company doesn’t like it. Sometimes they love it, but have an additional idea to incorporate. Designers often see things on the singer after completion and decide to make changes at that stage. How historically accurate do they need to be? “You need to have it close, but maybe not perfect,” said Seyller. “Some designers are more of a stickler for that than others. But we do try. Sometimes we want the idea of it, but not that exact thing. There are a lot of religious things that happen in opera A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

nov 2021-jan 2022 | boulevard

and it used to set my volunteers off if they didn’t think it was absolutely correct, I had to constantly remind them we weren’t in church. Some artistic license certainly is used.” The opera sometimes rents from costume houses or other opera companies. They may also purchase them or create them in-house, using the staff or an independent draper or shop. Most often the production uses all of these options at the same time. Who maintains them? “Our shop once they arrive in the building,” said Seyller. “We fit, alter, paint and or dye, distress them (make them look old/bloody/ripped), add trim, remove trim, replace certain pieces, etc. We do all of the laundry after every show and dry clean when needed. After every [production] ends we dry clean everything that we can and wash what’s needed.” This opera company ships costumes quite often using companies like FedEx and UPS. But once they arrive in Virginia, they move them from Norfolk to Richmond to Fairfax for Virginia Opera performances in rolling road boxes— very similar to how big concerts roll in and roll out of venues. They have road boxes for hanging clothes, for shoes and hats, as well as all of the necessary equipment like steamers, irons and sewing machines. If they have an odd piece they have to figure out how it will travel best—sometimes rigging a holding mechanism in the road box or building extra road boxes specifically for those pieces.

TURANDOT

ROMEO & JULIET

How are they stored? “We have two large rooms on the 4th and 5th floors of the building,” said Seyller. “When they renovated the building in 1993, those rooms were left vacant. They are just cinderblock rooms, which we (the costume staff) went up and painted the walls and floors so that they weren’t so dirty and lights and poles were hung for all of the clothes. They thought eventually boulevard | nov 2021-jan 2022

elevators would be added, but alas no. It’s a hike with heavy costumes. We have just now started to run out of room.” Usually only one of each costume gets created because of the expense and time necessary to make them. Sometimes there are doubles of each. If the production rents from another company, often the clothes don’t fit the singer so they might have to copy the original for this production and usually they stay with the production so the next time someone rents it, two options will exist. Costumes don’t usually get replaced unless the opera does the show again and needs new sizes or something has worn out. Virginia Opera still uses costumes from “Mary Queen of Scotts” and the original “Christmas Carol” performed in 1977 and 1979, respectively..

can get off the stage,” said Seyller. “Sometimes we may have to run down and find a new pair of shoes— but we have even gaff-taped the sole on in an emergency.” Operas like “Manon,” “La Traviata,” “The Rosenkavalier” and “The Ghost of Versaille, usually 18th century pieces, typically have the most extravagant costumes, if performed traditionally. What operas have the simplest costumes? “None of them are simple,” said Seyller. “Modern seem to be more CINDERELLA

What happens when a costume needs immediate repair during a performance? “We either quickly take it off the singer and sew on the machine or pin until they

TOSCA

simple because there is a lot of shopping until it fits, but that can be a nightmare too—to find it and in the right size—the returns are a nightmare.” The opera keeps old costumes they think they will reuse and rents out others if different companies want them. Often designers will see things in storage and decide they could use them or repurpose them in a future production. Do you have a favorite costume? “I have lots, but the show that I found to be the most fun was a show we did a long time ago,” said Seyller. “In fact, it was the year we were out of the Harrison Opera House due to renovations. We were in a shop on Bank Street and performed ‘The Not Mikado’ at the now-closed Pavillion. It was designed by Eduardo Sicangco and crazy fun.” Traditional supporters of the opera, and now newly exposed fans of the genre, can finally enjoy the details that go into costumery with Virginia Opera performances once again on stage at the Harrison Opera House this season. See the Virginia Opera website for more information on upcoming performances.

La Boheme Friday, November 5, 8 p.m. Saturday, November 6, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, November 7, 2:30 p.m. Three Decembers Friday, January 28, 8 p.m. Saturday, January 29, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, January 30, 2:30 p.m. The Marriage of Figaro Friday, March 25, 8 p.m. Saturday, March 26, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 27, 2:30 p.m. The Sound of Music Friday, May 13, 8 p.m. Saturday, May 14, 8 p.m. Sunday, May 15, 2 p.m.

ticketing.vaopera.org 14

nov 2021-jan 2022 | boulevard

DECEMBER 10-31 DRIVE-THRU LIGHT SHOW

DEC. 10, 11, 17 & 18: Meals available for purchase and campfire seating 3531 Bunch Walnuts Road, Chesapeake, VA 23322 • 757-421-4177 • triplerranch.org

Fashion-forward looks to ring in the holidays

DRESS: Lela Smith PHOTO: Tyler Wigglesworth

nov 2021-jan 2022 | boulevard

Bidding goodbye to 2021, we have a wonderful opportunity to welcome back some of the finer things in life—going to a nice restaurant, taking in a play or going to the opera. The list of possible venues continues to grow and recover. The first thought on most people’s minds as they prepare to take in some of these events will focus on ditching the sweatpants and comfortable t-shirt and finding some more appropriate outfits to go out on the town in style. Foster Beauty Fashion Show recently showcased several examples of trending fashion at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). Models showcased the best of local and regional designers in the quest to reflect cool, trendy and urban-modern fashion for the season. Boulevard Media photographers recently worked with Foster Beauty Fashion Show to document additional styles and choices, with a location courtesy of Virginia Harrison Opera House. An eclectic selection of options from these designers— along with women’s wear from the much-loved Trish Boutique and one-of-a-kind menswear options from our own Beecroft & Bull—showcased the sartorial splendor with the impressive facade of the opera house as a backdrop.

APPAREL: Niquelle PHOTO: John Cadell boulevard | nov 2021-jan 2022

ON HIM: Beecroft & Bull— Blazer: Canali Pants: Sameulsohn ON HER: TRISH— Dress: VOZ PHOTO: Rick Blanton

DRESS: Fix By Trix PHOTO: John Cadell

DRESS: Lela Smith PHOTO: Tyler Wigglesworth

nov 2021-jan 2022 | boulevard

Shot on location at the Foster Beauty Fashion Show at Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art [Virginia Beach] and at Harrison Opera House [Norfolk]

DRESS: Lela Smith PHOTO: Tyler Wigglesworth

ON HER: TRISH— Dress: VOZ Vest: Nili Lotan ON HIM: Beecroft & Bull— Blazer: Byron Pants: AG PHOTO: Rick Blanton

boulevard | nov 2021-jan 2022

Winds

of Change

[ by grace hobson ]

nov 2021-jan 2022 | boulevard

PHOTOS: DOMINION ENERGY

Dominion Energy will install 180 wind turbines 27 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach as part of the company’s mission to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. “Even before the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA), we had our net zero commitment to achieve,” said Jeremy Slayton, communications specialist at Dominion Energy. “Being the leader in offshore wind is very complementary to our growth and development of solar projects and studying energy storage because our goal is to be the most sustainable, clean energy company out there.”

Dominion Energy takes vital step toward clean energy Dominion Energy is gearing up to launch into the commercial phase of its Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project. Currently, two 600-foot wind turbines rotate off the coast of Virginia Beach as Dominion Energy’s pilot project for CVOW. These turbines represent the first installment of 176 800-foot turbines that will deliver enough green energy to power 660,000 homes and businesses in the Tidewater region and Hampton Roads area by 2026. Undersea cables will transport the offshore wind energy onshore to Virginia Beach, and new transmission lines will then deliver the energy to the broader electric grid by connecting to an existing substation in Chesapeake. The energy generated by the turbines will be equivalent to removing 100 million non-electric cars from the

roads or planting more than 80 million trees. “Because the largest wind farm is going to be off the coast of Virginia Beach, we really need to take the lead in the region,” said Joel Rubin, a member of the Mayor’s Commission on Offshore Wind and Clean Energy. Part of Dominion Energy’s plan for raising awareness of the project includes the WINDSdays campaign, spearheaded by Rubin. “There’s a big task ahead of us,” said Rubin. “We’re calling the marketing arm of that WINDSdays because the goal of this is to raise awareness, build this culture and appreciation of a green environment, clean energy and the power of wind. To do that, we need a lot of partners, every entity that’s out there,

THIS PROJECT GENERATES ENOUGH ENERGY TO POWER UP TO

660,000

HOMES WITH ZERO EMISSIONS AND FUEL COSTS

boulevard | nov 2021-jan 2022

Project Facts Up to 180 total wind turbines

Wind speed range: 8-to-9.5 meters per second

Total capacity: 2.6 GW of energy generated

nov 2021-jan 2022 | boulevard

More than 800 feet tall Located 27 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach, extending an additional 15 miles into the Atlantic Ocean depth: 72 feet to 125 feet

particularly ones that interface with the public. So, I said, ‘Well, I want to have a day of the week when everybody’s focused on the wind.’” The WINDSdays campaign raises awareness for CVOW in several ways, including discounts on Wednesdays at Dough Boy’s Pizza on their WINDsday BLT pizza, discounted dolphin tours in Rudee Inlet and eventually boat trips to see the two pilot turbines. “Everybody’s having some fun with this, but the ultimate value of it is that more people are becoming aware of this project,” said Rubin. “It’s going to change what people know about Virginia Beach and the region; it’s going to generate a lot of jobs and opportunity and also brand us as the clean energy capital of the East Coast.” The Hampton Roads Alliance commissioned an Offshore Wind Economic Impact Analysis by Magnum Economics that estimates an annual creation of 900 jobs during the construction of the project, in addition to 1,110 jobs annually, beginning in 2026. The study also projects $210 million in economic output, $6 million in local tax revenues and $5 million in state tax revenues after construction. “This is a once-in-a-generation economic expansion opportunity because it’s so rare these days to have a completely new industry come to the United States,” said Taylor Adams, deputy city manager and director of economic development in Virginia Beach. “[The project] will create new industrial opportunities for the manufacturers supporting the industry; there’ll be ongoing operation and maintenance that will create engineering jobs locally and workforce education opportunities.” The economic development this colossal wind farm and its construction will bring into the Tidewater region and Hampton Roads compares to that of nuclear aircraft carriers, most of which are built,

FRESH CREATIVE FARE SEASONAL LOCAL INGREDIENTS SPECTACULAR WINES & COCKTAILS LOCALLY OWNED

cobaltgrille.com 1624 Laskin Road, Suite 762 Virginia Beach

757-333-3334 maintained and repaired in the area. “We’ve got a very fortunate situation due to the U.S. Navy being based here; there were never bridges built across the main channels of the Port of Virginia, so it’s very easy for the large components to be transported quickly and safely in and out of the harbor,” said John Larson, director of public policy and economic development. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management named Virginia the ideal location for the wind farm because of its strong port infrastructure, unrestricted air draft waterways, abundant marine terminals and expertly skilled and experienced maritime workforce, in addition to holding America’s largest shipbuilding industry. “There are several wind energy leases up and down the East Coast: New England, Connecticut, New Jersey, Maryland,” said Rubin. “The one Dominion leased here in Virginia

is 27 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach and about 150 miles in area.” The lease extends an additional 15 miles into the Atlantic Ocean, making it approximately the size of 85,000 football fields. “The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management identified the lease area where we’re going to put the commercial turbines,” said Slayton. “They spent years studying it and talking with different key groups: shipping, the military, commercial and recreational fishermen. They determined that this was the best location to put an offshore wind farm.” The Jones Act, a maritime law that prohibits ships not built, owned and operated by U.S. citizens or permanent residents from porting in the U.S. without intermittent stops, means the materials for the turbines will have to be shipped via a European vessel to Canada prior to arriving in the U.S. Due to this, Dominion Energy’s parent company, Dominion

Energy, Inc., will not only work to build this historic wind farm but also the first Jones Act-compliant offshore wind installation vessel with a hull 472 feet long and 184 feet wide. Based in Hampton Roads and operated by U.S. crew, the vessel will serve as a homegrown installation solution to this immense engineering feat. Key stakeholders participating in the development process, including the U.S, Navy and Coast Guard, raised some concerns about how the wind farm will affect the fishing industry and whale migration, as well as shipping and aircraft lanes. The turbines will have lights for identification by aircraft and vessels, and the project is designed to minimize disturbance in the federal shipping channel. Dominion Energy has conducted copious research on all the above and continues to participate in environmental stewardship in multiple ways. This includes more than boulevard | nov 2021-jan 2022

the environment, revitalizing two dozen studies and surveys the communities and serving its conducted to secure the protection customers align with the goals of ocean life and avian species, of Virginia’s current clean energy consistent monitoring of sea life to safeguard them from the construction legislation: establish renewable portfolio standards, energy-efficient zone during installation, special precautions to certify the safety of the standards and advance offshore wind and solar power along with North Atlantic right whale and plans distributed generation. The VCEA to recycle or reuse most wind turbine also calls for 16.1 gigawatts of solar blades—all manufactured from energy, 5.2 gigawatts of offshore wind landfill-safe materials. energy and 2.7 gigawatts of energy The CVOW project will not only storage by 2035. create clean energy jobs and advance a brand-new industry in the United States, but also support the THE CVOW PROJECT advancement of offshore POSITIONS VIRGINIA wind technology, research TO BECOME A into environmental protection and sustainable energy and develop a Virginia supply chain hub, boosting economic growth and serving as a critical resource in meeting the renewable and clean AND THE LARGEST energy commitments laid out PROJECT OF ITS by the VCEA. KIND IN THE Dominion Energy’s commitments to protecting UNITED STATES

NATIONAL LEADER IN OFFSHORE WIND

nov 2021-jan 2022 | boulevard

“Historically, utilities have found it’s best from a reliability perspective to have a number of different types of generating facilities,” said Larson. “For about the past 50 years, we’ve had nuclear facilities, hydroelectric facilities, natural gas facilities or oil and coal as the most predominant generation sources. We’re moving to a clean energy portfolio, and it’s very important for reliability that we keep a diverse fuel mix.” Dominion Energy’s solar fleet

currently ranks third among utility holding companies nationwide and has grown from one megawatt to 5,100 since 2015. “Certainly 2,600 megawatts of offshore wind are a very large component of a generation portfolio. Solar is a very important part of that portfolio, as well as storage,” said Larson. “One of the primary reasons we chose wind energy—from a reliability perspective—is that solar produces tremendous amounts of energy during the summer with our latitude, but during the winter, it’s not as strong as a generating asset, and offshore wind produces most of its energy during the fall, winter and early spring periods.” Dominion Energy has reached several milestones since the project’s conception in 2013, like obtaining the area’s lease for $1.6 million, conducting onshore field surveys, issuing a Notice of Intent to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and, most recently, filing with the Virginia State Corporation Commission for approval of the project. Additionally, the corporation finalized contracts for major equipment packages, drafting an Environmental Impact Statement and starting construction with a target date of 2026. “There will be people that will be employed either directly or indirectly by the industry. There will be ancillary benefits from the additional tourism—more people staying in hotels, shopping in our stores, spending money in our restaurants,” said Adams. “The biggest impact that comes with CVOW and what it means for the region is growth, and it comes with economic success.” Grace Hobson is a junior attending Virginia Tech and studying multimedia journalism. Aside from her affinity for writing, she’s also a self-proclaimed Catan champion with an undying love for Master Yoda and is just trying to make her past professor of media writing proud.

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boulevard | nov 2021-jan 2022

LIVE! ON ATLANTIC

Now through November 7 Washed Ashore, Art to Save the Sea Exhibit Norfolk | Norfolk Botanical Garden Artist Angela Haseltine Pozzi, a global changer, creates art from thrown-out plastics and trash littering our beaches and oceans. Washed Ashore builds and exhibits aesthetically powerful art to educate a global audience about plastic pollution in the ocean and waterways, give our marine animals a voice and spark positive change in consumer habits. Learn more about the mission at WashedAshore.org. TIME: 9 a.m.–7 p.m. COST: Members free, Adults $15, Seniors $13, Children (3-17) $13, Toddlers (2 & under) free

norfolkbotanicalgarden.org

Now through January 2

in the dazzling RGB tunnel, an exhilarating explosion of seemingly endless lights. This is a ticketed event. All vehicles enter through the main entrance at 2nd Street. TIME: 5:30–10 p.m. Sun.–Thurs.; 5:30–11 p.m. Fri.–Sat. COST: $12–$50

Million Bulb Walk

beacheventsvb.com

Norfolk | Norfolk Botanical Garden

Continuous

All-new, one-mile, outdoor walking experience through the Garden of Lights with even more lights. Sponsored by Dominion Energy. Pre-sold tickets only. TIME: 5–9:30 p.m. COST: $10–$25

norfolkbotanicalgarden.org

Now through January 2 Holidays Lights at the Beach Virginia Beach | Oceanfront New this year enjoy shorter lines with timed entry. Guests purchase tickets online, in advance and for a designated time slot. Guests navigate their vehicles through holiday, nautical and adventurethemed light displays on the Virginia Beach boardwalk, listening on their radios to a soundtrack playing traditional holiday music. Festive fish, musical crabs and hard-working elves—all in brightly colored lights against the moonlit Atlantic Ocean—are the stars of the BayPort Credit Union Holiday Lights at the Beach. They are joined by Santa taking off from the pier, a 40-foot tall dancing light Christmas tree, fish “swimming” overhead, colorchanging archways, and light displays that honor the region’s strong armed forces community. New this year, immerse yourself

Soundwalk Norfolk | Elizabeth River Trail Virginia Beach | Pleasure House Point Natural Area Created by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and sound artist Ellen Reid, SOUNDWALK is a GPS-enabled work of public art that uses music to illuminate the natural environment. The experience is guided by the listener. The path you choose dictates the music you hear, with no two visits exactly the same. Install the free app and download the location of your choice to explore the area, triggering musical cells carefully crafted to harmonize with the landscape and attractions. Reid’s cinematic score was rendered remotely by a patchwork of artists from across the country, tailored specifically for each location. TIME: Pleasure House Point Natural Area: dawn to dusk; Elizabeth River Trail: 24 hours COST: Free

www.ellenreidsoundwalk.com

nov 2021-jan 2022 | boulevard

November 6 Virginia Bourbon Invitational Virginia Beach | Great Lawn of the Historic Cavalier Hotel Calling all bourbon lovers. You’re invited to experience the 3rd annual Virginia Bourbon Invitational. Join us for an afternoon of bourbon and other spirits tastings from Virginia distilleries and beyond, tapas-style food from leading culinary restaurants in coastal Virginia and live music on the Great Lawn of The Historic Cavalier. Cast your vote for your favorite bourbon in our People’s Choice Awards. 21+ only. Enjoy responsibly. Proceeds will benefit the Virginia Gentlemen Foundation. TIME: 1–5 p.m. COST: $60–$195

www.vabourboninvitational.com

November 11 Tidewater Veterans Day Parade Virginia Beach | Atlantic Avenue

Check out our website and social media for even more events happening—blvdmedia.io

GUSTAVO BORGES

NOVEMBER—JANUARY

events

One of the largest parades of the year featuring multiple high school bands, military bands and units, veterans’ organizations and more. TIME: 9 a.m.–11 p.m. COST: Free

facebook.com/ events/157674993196232/

!! Details as of press time; confirm information with venue before you attend events. !!

events Winterfest on the Wisconsin Norfolk | Nauticus Nauticus’ WinterFest on the Wisconsin returns to the Downtown Norfolk waterfront this holiday season with new, uniquely themed light zones, below deck tours, live music and entertainment, a neverbefore-seen Santa experience, and a new restaurant inside the Battleship Wisconsin’s historic wardroom. TIME: 5–9 p.m. Sun., Wed., Thurs.; 5–10 p.m. Fri., Sat. COST: $7–$14.50

www.winterfestonthewisconsin.com

November 13 Davy Crockett’s Tremendously Tall Tales Virginia Beach | Zeider’s American Dream Theater

www.thez.org

November 25 Tidewater Striders Turkey Trot 10K & Mile Virginia Beach | Mount Trashmore YMCA The 44th Annual Turkey Trot 10K and One-Mile Run provides a traditional quality running event for families and runners of all abilities. All proceeds go to the Tidewater Striders Scholarship Fund. This current year the Striders provided over $35,000 to local area college and college-bound students. Both races are holiday traditions, family friendly with deeply discounted youth registrations. TIME: 8:15–10:45 a.m. COST: Donations encouraged

runsignup.com

November 27–March 6 Made in Virginia, Shaping Memories: Expressions in Clay, and Agnes Grochulska: Archetypes Art Exhibits Virginia Beach | Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art Made in VA features 30 photographers and is juried by a curator with a national purview, providing Virginia artists with often hard-to-achieve national visibility. In Shaping Memories: Expressions in Clay, six artists use clay to explore not only formative moments in their lives but also stories passed down through generations. In her exhibit, Richmond-based painter Agnes Grochulska uses the concept of Carl Jung archetypes as a starting point in her investigations, putting forth her interpretation of the archetypes while encouraging viewers of the work to do the same. TIME: Thur., 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Fri.–Sun., 10 a.m.–4 p.m. COST: Free admission provided by the Goode Family Foundation.

virginiamoca.org

TERJE SOLLIE

Join Davy Crockett, Davy Crockett and Davy Crockett on a trip through the folklore and tall tales of the American frontier. Enjoy familiar characters such as Paul Bunyan, Babe the Blue Ox and Johnny Appleseed, and also some not-so-familiar characters

like hoop-snakes and hide-behinds. Interactive and hilarious; a wonderful adventure for kids and adults alike, presented by the Children’s Theater of Hampton Roads. TIME: 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. COST: Standard ticket, $10; Military or senior ticket, $8.50

January 9 Winter Wedding Showcase Virginia Beach | The Founders Inn and Spa Showcasing the region’s top bridal vendors, with samples and information to plan a fabulous wedding. This show is a great resource for future brides and grooms, with delicious tastings, gifts, prizes and the annual “Cake Dive.” TIME: noon to 4 p.m COST: $5 (in advance); $10 (at the door)

covabridalshow.com

January 16 Uniquely Your Bridal Showcase Virginia Beach | Virginia Beach Convention Center

November 21 Fall Engagement Bridal Expo Virginia Beach | The Founders Inn and Spa Every detail is covered from planning your ceremony to choosing your menu and incorporating your theme—with direct access to wedding professionals on site. Before the fashion show, featuring So Stunning Bling and Things, check out onstage performances first. Stay in the last hour to win door prizes for everyone attending and the grand prizes after the fashion show for engaged couples only. TIME: 2–5 p.m COST: $12; $15 VIP (early admission—20 available)

showbride.com/all-shows

Visit more than 130 vendors from all over Hampton Roads who can make your special day as fabulous as you are. Enjoy a fashion show featuring several of the area’s premier bridal boutiques with the latest designs. TIME: 11 a.m.–4 p.m COST: $15 (in advance); $20 (at the door)

uniquelyyoursbridalshowcase.com

January 30 Winter Engagement Bridal Expo Chesapeake | Chesapeake Conference Center Your wedding inspiration starts here as Showbride celebrates with its 100th bridal show. Every detail is covered from planning your ceremony to choosing your menu and incorporating your theme—with direct access to wedding professionals on site. TIME: 2–5 p.m COST: $12

showbride.com/all-shows

!! Details as of press time; confirm information with venue before you attend events. !!

boulevard | nov 2021-jan 2022

NOVEMBER—JANUARY

November 11–January 2

Grand Illumination Williamsburg | Colonial Williamsburg Join the Colonial Williamsburg community as we celebrate the holiday season with three Grand Illumination weekends. Yuletide entertainment will include favorite holiday traditions, as well as heartwarming new additions to the festivities. On Friday evenings, join the new Procession of the Yule Log and enjoy holiday songs and stories on Market Square. Saturday evenings will include a dramatic presentation of an original holiday story, glorious music and a joyful appearance by Father Christmas, culminating in simultaneous Grand Illumination fireworks displays over the Governor’s Palace and Capitol building. TIME: 5 p.m. COST: Free

www.colonialwilliamsburg.org

December 4 Holiday Parade at the Beach Virginia Beach | Atlantic Avenue between 15th and 25th streets Giant balloons, marching bands, lighted floats, equestrian units, fire trucks, performing dance groups, motorcycles and more join forces to present a dazzling and entertaining night of fun for all ages. TIME: 5:30–8 p.m. COST: Free

beacheventsvb.com

December 4 Holiday Spectacular: ‘Tis the Season to Swing Virginia Beach | Sandler Center for the Performing Arts A trio of Broadway stars—Nadia DiGiallonardo (Waitress), Christine DiGiallonardo (Guys and Dolls) and conductor Rob Fisher (Chicago, An American in Paris)—invite you to an unforgettable holiday party. These fan favorites from public radio’s “A Prairie Home Companion” swing with fresh arrangements of the holiday songs you know and love, from Broadway to country to classics from old-time radio. Co-produced by Virginia Arts Festival and Virginia Opera with Mary Birnbaum, director, Virginia Symphony Orchestra. TIME: 8 p.m. COST: $28–$58

www.sandlercenter.org

nov 2021-jan 2022 | boulevard

www.surfnsanta5miler.com

December 4 Holiday Yule Log Bonfire & Holiday Marketplace Norfolk | Town Point Park, Downtown Norfolk Waterfront This festive outdoor wonderland will feature unique and local crafters, a massive Yule Log bonfire, Christmas caroling with a take-home carol book and a visit from the big-man himself, Santa Claus. During the festivities, hot chocolate, ciders, seasonal craft beer, mulled wine and other holiday treats will be available for purchase. TIME: 12–8pm COST: Free to attend. Purchases vary.

festevents.org

December 13 Marie Osmond—A Symphonic Christmas Norfolk | Chrysler Hall Iconic country and pop singer, television performer and talk show host, dancer, actor, author, entrepreneur and public speaker, Marie Osmond has made headlines and fans for nearly 50 years. Now she brings a spectacular holiday concert to Norfolk, in a lushly orchestrated, heartwarming show that includes her nephew, Broadway performer David Osmond, and “America’s Got Talent” finalist Daniel Emmett and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Brent Havens. TIME: 7:30 p.m. COST: $25–$110

www.sevenvenues.com/events/ detail/marie-osmond

December 17–December 18 2021 BayPort Credit Union Surf-nSanta 5 Miler & Rudolph’s 1k Virginia Beach | Virginia Beach Convention Center

BALLET VIRGINIA/SANDLER CENTER

December 3–5, 10–12 & 17–19

on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk before you celebrate your run at our post-race party. TIME: Fri., 6:15 p.m., 1k; Sat., 4:30 p.m., 5 miler; Sat., 5-8 p.m. Post-Race party COST: $15–$50

NORFOLK FESTEVENTS

NOVEMBER—JANUARY

events

December 17–December 19 The Nutcracker Virginia Beach | Sandler Center for the Performing Arts A favorite holiday classic returns. Ballet Virginia’s professional company members will dance lead roles alongside our region’s finest young dancers in this dreamy and entertaining production. Tchaikovsky’s breathtaking score will be performed live by Symphonicity, the symphony orchestra of Virginia Beach. Waltzing flowers, tiny mice and a delightful Sugar Plum Fairy will make treasured memories and send you away with joy in your heart. TIME: Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. COST: $20–$60

www.sandlercenter.org

December 18 Shark City Drum Corp Live Norfolk | The Kroc Center Hampton Roads Shark City Drum and Dance Corps. is excited to bring to you our first-ever live showcase. Hosted by comedians Rome Davis and Tariq Rim. TIME: 5–7:30 p.m. COST: $8–$12

www.eventbrite.com/e/shark-citylive-tickets-171609056307

Whether you are naughty or nice, Santa has room for everyone on his list. This evening run allows you to experience the magic of the holidays. Run through the holiday lights

!! Details as of press time; confirm information with venue before you attend events. !!

January 22–23 Hampton Roads Home Show Hampton | Hampton Roads Convention Center The peninsula’s largest home show in Hampton, Virginia, this show features landscaping companies, remodeling contractors, interior decorating companies and more, at the Hampton Roads Convention Center. TIME: Sat., 10 a.m.–6p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.–5 p.m. COST: $10 at the door; $8 with coupon; $9 active, retired and military veterans (and spouses), active and retired police, firefighters and first responders *(with valid ID); $9 seniors; under 18 free

hamptonvahomeshow.com

Mid-Atlantic Sports & Boat Show Virginia Beach | Virginia Beach Convention Center If you’ve been thinking of buying a boat or upgrading what you currently have, now is the time to buy. All the big dealers will be under one roof, ready to show you their stock and make a deal. Whether you want to see the latest 2022 boat models, custom boats or watercraft and jet skis this will be your chance to check them out all in one location. The boat show offers plenty of family fun, too. TIME: 10 a.m.–8 p.m. COST: $10 at the door; $8 with coupon; $9 active, retired and military veterans (and spouses), active and retired police, firefighters and first responders *(with valid ID); $9 seniors; under 18 free

NOVEMBER—JANUARY

January 28–30

RICK BLANTON

events

www.vbboatshows.com

Check out our website and social media for even more events happening—blvdmedia.io

boulevard | nov 2021-jan 2022

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profile Tony DiSilvestro [ by grace hobson ]

COURTESY YNOT ITALIAN

DiSilvestro has launched multiple locations of Ynot Italian. But his vision extends to making Virginia Beach thrive for other business owners as well as for its residents and visitors.

Tony DiSilvestro hails from New Jersey but resides in Virginia Beach as founder and president of the restaurant chain Ynot Italian. Having founded over 31 businesses and currently employing over 450 people through his own, DiSilvestro has a growing portfolio of franchises and professional ventures. In 2020, Distinction Magazine recognized DiSilvestro as Entrepreneur of the Year. He serves as a member of the Virginia Beach Vision Board, which includes the top 125 business owners in the region and is heavily involved in the Entrepreneur’s Organization. In addition, he has founded his own mentoring company, Business Scaling Blueprint, and is an internationally renowned business and leadership trainer. DiSilvestro moved to Virginia Beach and founded the first of many Ynot Italian franchises in 1993 on Great Neck Road. These days, Ynot Italian prepares to expand up and down the East Coast with 50 to 100 franchises opening in North Carolina, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Fairfax in the next five years. “I really don’t want to expand anywhere that I can’t reach in one day, so we can support our brand,” said DiSilvestro. When the pandemic hit, Ynot Italian adapted its business and opened a to-go-only store that focused solely on delivery orders. Eighty percent of Ynot Italian’s expanding stores will be smaller, to-go only stores, with the remaining 20% being the larger, eat-in-formatted franchises. Having garnered such success with his own business, DiSilvestro has mentored entrepreneurs for over 20 years and recently launched his formal mentorship program to help other businesses in the Tidewater region thrive. “For me, it’s so hard when I drive past a business and I see that it failed. Most people just say, ‘Oh my gosh, I can’t believe they went out of business.’ But how I look at it is, they saved for 20 years to open up that business, and now they’re out—it’s heart-wrenching to me,” DiSilvestro said. “So if there’s anything I can do to help businesses sustain and grow, I’ll do it; that is my passion in life. I love entrepreneurship—it is in my blood. My goal is to help every business succeed if I can.” In addition to his personal business endeavors and the role he plays in that of others, DiSilvestro is highly involved with the economic development of the Virginia Beach community. “[Virginia Beach] isn’t like New Jersey, where seashore towns are busy four months a year and then there’s nothing else happening,” said DiSilvestro. “We have such an amazing economy behind the oceanfront...and our city truly is represented by that culture. I want the people of Virginia Beach to love where they live.” Part of DiSilvestro’s involvement includes his role as a critical resource in the development of the Princess Anne Innovation Hub. He will open six buildings or 270,000 square feet of office space to be used by the Innovation Hub. “We’re working on bringing large, Fortune 500 companies to this region to create better jobs. I’m working with Northern Virginia and a couple boulevard | nov 2021-jan 2022

VIRGINIAN-PILOT

PROFILE

DiSilvestro prepares to expand Ynot Italian up and down the East Coast with franchises opening in North Carolina, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Fairfax in the next five years.

COURTESY OF YNOT ITALIAN

SCENE FROM ABOVE: Ynot Wednesday Free Summer Concert Series at Sandler Center Outdoor Plaza provides live music every Wednesday evenings from July through September.

of universities and trying to have them develop with the campus here,” DiSilvestro said. “I want them to understand what it’s like to live and work here; there are not many places you can work in, pick a nice income and then have the beach and golf courses. The quality of life here is unbelievable and compared to any other city, it’s just an amazing place to live. What we’re trying

nov 2021-jan 2022 | boulevard

to do is show these companies that this is an amazing place of opportunity for them and their employees.” On top of everything he has going on professionally, Tony’s passion and desire to see Virginia Beach continues to grow shines through more than anything. “The city just needs to continue to work on improving

processes and procedures to make it an easier place to live. Every city is going to deal with problems, so it’s all about how we deal with them and how we can communicate properly,” DiSilvestro said. “[Virginia Beach] definitely has problems, but it’s how well do you articulate and communicate with the citizens to make them understand that we will get through them? We’re strong enough as a city to get through anything, but it takes everybody working and coming together as one.” Grace Hobson is a junior attending Virginia Tech and studying multimedia journalism. Aside from her affinity for writing, she’s also a self-proclaimed Catan champion with an undying love for Master Yoda and is just trying to make her past professor of media writing proud.

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Coming in the next issue: Feb-Mar-Apr 2022

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[ by alex marjanovic ]

New Horizons Breeze Airways’ new Norfolk hub opens economic opportunity.

he pandemic took a toll on tourism across the country, and the Hampton Roads area was no different. According to the Virginia Beach Visitors Bureau, 2020 hotel occupancy in July, a critical time for the service industry, dropped to 27%, down 60% from the prior year. The community has experienced difficult times, however with the pandemic slowly waning, opportunities arise offering new horizons for the local economy. Breeze Airways, the project of David Neeleman, founder of numerous airline companies including Jet Blue and West Air, presents one new opportunity. The company will offer transnational flights across the United States, with Norfolk primed to become its next airline hub. On August 18, Breeze announced that the company had accumulated over $300 million in startup capital, which is the most by an American startup within three months. With heavy funding, and tickets starting at $39 one way, Breeze embraces a

nov 2021-jan 2022 | boulevard

COURTESY OF BREEZE AIRLINES

Breeze Airways founder David Neeleman

JOHN CADELL

COURTESY OF BREEZE AIRLINES

boulevard | nov 2021-jan 2022

restrictions loosening, businesses in the Hampton Roads area anticipate new faces visiting from out of state. In addition, Norfolk, a city with a large influx of tourists, now hosts a strategic hub for an airline that connects it with the rest of the Eastern seaboard. As an up-andcoming city, the presence of this airline has the potential to attract a brand-new crowd of tourists. “I believe that the traveling public is looking for destinations

that are safe, have excellent hotel choices, a great culinary scene and a variety of attractions and events,” said Kurt Krause, president of Visit Norfolk. “The city delivers on all of those characteristics in addition to the proximity to water, our history, diverse population and the largest naval base in the world. Breeze Air, with their direct flights, has opened up six new markets, and all are now with direct flights.” With over 8,000 jobs in the city

JOHN CADELL

brand of affordable flights compared to other major airlines. In July 2021, Breeze launched its first flights from Norfolk International Airport (NIA), with Charleston and Tampa as the flagship destinations. Today, Breeze’s East Coast hub has added Providence, New Orleans, Hartford, Pittsburgh and Columbus as possible destinations for customers. Since the first flight from NIA, the company has sold roughly 100,000 tickets in total that have gone through Norfolk. “We do believe that these seven new routes are only the beginning, and Breeze has several other cities under consideration that will be added in the future,” said Sarah Hughes, director of marketing and communication of Visit Norfolk. According to Visit Norfolk, hotels in the area began to hit 80% occupancy in April, a drastic increase from the year prior. With

COURTESY OF BREEZE AIRLINES

The presence of Breeze Airways has the potential to attract a brand-new crowd of tourists to the region.

nov 2021-jan 2022 | boulevard

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falling under the tourism industry, Breeze’s operation offers a new source of employment. According to the governor’s office, the company created 166 new jobs in Norfolk as a result of the move. Doug Smith, president of the Hampton Roads Alliance, is optimistic of the economic benefits, voicing it in a press release on behalf of Ralph Northam. Along with a $400,000 grant from the commonwealth to assist the city in establishing the hub, Breeze will also receive benefits from the Major Business Facility Job Tax Credit for new, full-time jobs created. “As a result, our region will be better equipped to recruit other businesses to establish operations in Hampton Roads and, just as importantly, attract the talented workforce required to meet the needs of these businesses,” said Smith. Local tourism agencies greatly anticipate Breeze expanding their destinations from Norfolk International, as the central location and hospitable vacation scene will find these organizations with a great influx of business. “To have the support of a new air carrier benefits the visitor economy tremendously,” said Krause. “Norfolk was once a must-see destination, with partners like Breeze Air, Norfolk is a necessity destination.” With the inclusion of Breeze in the region, an influx of jobs and visitors will likely follow. The pandemic dealt a great deal of damage to an area that prides itself in a great tourism culture. Yet, out of the chaos arose an opportunity that might not only replenish the economy of Hampton Roads but rejuvenate it with a growing connection with the rest of the country. Alex Marjanovich is a junior at Virginia Tech majoring in multimedia journalism and minoring in Russian.

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BREEZE ROUTES

There are direct flights to/from 7 cities and Norfolk—with more cities expected to be added

Norfolk routes: • Charleston, SC • Columbus, OH • Hartford, CT • New Orleans, LA • Pittsburgh, PA • Providence, RI • Tampa, FL

boulevard | nov 2021-jan 2022

Museums took a financial hit throughout the region over the past two years. Support our local treasures by not only shopping for him, her, everyone and the young ones in their gift shops, but by enjoying the other things to see and do while you’re there. Many museums have holiday events in addition to their regular offerings and some have cafes or other food options. You might even splurge on renting a facility for your personal or corporate holiday celebration.

Chrysler Museum of Art [Norfolk] Fee to enter gift shop: $15 so make a day of it

Louis C. Tiffany lampshade-inspired earrings by Tiffany designer Clara Driscoll—$36 Norfolk map wine bag—$29 Artisan hand-blown glass ornaments [1]—$26 Famous artists magnetic finger puppets [2]—$8.95

Norfolk Botanical Garden [Norfolk] Fee to enter gift shop: Free

Butterfly hideaway kit [3]—$16.95 Farm-raised capiz shell tray/box— $19.95/$12.99

nov 2021-jan 2022 | boulevard

Tiny Plants book—$24.99 Rain capes [4]—$70.00 Votivo spiced tobacco with cypress, plum and nutmeg scented candle—$40

3 40

8 9

Everything Williamsburg [Colonial Williamsburg]

Fee to enter gift shop: Free

Ball cap [5]—$22.95 Insuated tumbler [6]—$12.95

Virginia Air & Space Science Center [Hampton]

Glass pineapple ornament—$17.99

Fee to enter gift shop: Free

Wassail cider spices [7]—29.99

To the Moon and Back artwork [9]—$12.50

Drum—$29.99 Colonial building block set—$19.99

Youth Space Shuttle Advanced Crew escape suit—$54.95

Virginia Living Museum [Newport News]

Galaxy scarf [10]—$24.95

Fee to enter gift shop: Free

NASA decanter and tumblers set—$90

T.J. Heiser jellyfish watercolor—$57.00 Ammonite slice [8]—$135.99 Glass nature night light—$17.99

Space-themed tie—$28

Military Aviation Museum [Virginia Beach] Fee to enter gift shop: Free

Rosie’s Daughters memoirs of American women born during World War II and became the “first to…” [11] —$20.00

Aviation-themed shirt [12]—$59.95

Steel model kit—$8.95

boulevard | nov 2021-jan 2022

Other regional museums with gift shops Check these other options for gift ideas. Be sure to call ahead for hours and availability.

Norfolk

Newport News

• • • • •

• Mariners Museum and Park • Virginia War Museum • Army Transportation Museum Foundation

Nauticus & the Battleship Wisconsin Virginia Zoo MacArthur Memorial Hunter House Victorian Museum Ocean View Station Museum

Hampton Virginia Beach

14 Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center [Virginia Beach] Fee to enter gift shop: Free

Youth jellyfish shirt [13]—$16.99 Starfish earrings—$6.99 Metal fish wall hanging [14]—$300 Oyster shell art—$29.99 Jellyfish dish towel [15]—$9.99

• Cape Henry Lighthouse • Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art • Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum at the Historic deWitt Cottage • Waterman’s Museum

Williamsburg • Colonial Williamsburg: John Greenhow Store • Colonial Williamsburg: Market House • Colonial Williamsburg: Tarpley Thompson & Company • Colonial Williamsburg: William Pitt Store • Colonial Williamsburg: Prentis Store • Colonial Williamsburg: Museum Store • Colonial Williamsburg: Brick & Vine • Colonial Williamsburg: Williamsburg Revolutions • Colonial Williamsburg: Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum

• Hampton History Museum • Casemate Museum of Fort Monroe

Suffolk • Riddick’s Folly House Museum

Portsmouth • Children’s Museum of Virginia • Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery • Lightship Portsmouth Museum • Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center • Portsmouth Colored Community Library • Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum

Chesapeake • Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways History Foundation

Yorktown • American Revolution Museum at Yorktown • Yorktown Battlefield • The Waterman’s Museum

Jamestown • Jamestown Settlement Museum • Historic Jamestowne • Jamestown Glass House

nov 2021-jan 2022 | boulevard

Isle of Wight • Isle of Wight County Museum

VERONICA BOSLEY

HOLIDAY MEAL

[ by jill doczi ]

ith shortages of products, lack of processing staff and shipping difficulties, you may find yourself searching for, and unable to find, a traditional holiday main dish, or maybe you feel like trying something a little different this year. Another idea: Plan on having two or three smaller options so you have backups and variety for your family and guests. A great way to be in-the-know on the supply chain issues is to create a relationship with your local fishmonger, farmer, butcher or even supermarket and use their advice to help plan your meals. Find your new sources at farmers markets, small independent shops and farms. Go to the counter at the supermarket and strike up a conversation with the butcher there. Instead of a turkey, some options include trying a whole duck, goose or game bird, like pheasant. If you usually like a prime rib, try a smaller tenderloin or even a loin roast, cooked the same way as the prime rib. Rockfish or stripers can easily substitute for turkey or roast, or serve as an additional protein option to accompany the main protein for a larger crowd.

boulevard | nov 2021-jan 2022

JULIE FANNING

Bonney & Sons Seafood and Produce 1973 Indian River Rd. Virginia Beach, VA 23456 757-721-5999 Facebook: Bonney & Sons Seafood and Produce

Take the time to experiment with new options, or support a local or regional producer this season and prepare a special meal with some new ingredients. Some independent butchers and fishmongers in the area:

NORFOLK Pendulum Fine Meats 820 Shirley Ave. Norfolk, VA 23517 757-962-6990 pendulummeats.com George’s Seafood 3347 Chesapeake Blvd. Norfolk, VA 23513 757-858-5502 Ghent Seafood 100 W. 20th St. Norfolk, VA 23517 757-622-2702

VIRGINIA BEACH Village Butcher Shop 1608 Hilltop West Shopping Center Virginia Beach, VA 23451 757-422-5012 villagebutcherofvirginia beach.com

The Country Butcher Shop 3640 Dam Neck Rd. Virginia Beach, VA 23453 757-385-4388 Facebook: The Country Butcher Shop Welton’s Seafood Market 940 Laskin Rd. Virginia Beach, VA 232451 757-428-6740 Shellfish Company 3323 Shore Dr. Virginia Beach, VA 23451 757-481-7512 shellfishcova.com Beach ‘N Seafood 3640 Dam Neck Rd. Virginia Beach, VA 23453 757-689-8413 beachnseafood.com

nov 2021-jan 2022 | boulevard

De Maria’s Seafood 12544 Warwick Blvd. Newport News, VA 23606 757-930-3474 Facebook: De Maria’s Seafood

HAMPTON

Dockside Seafood & Fishing Center 3311 Shore Dr. Virginia Beach, VA 23451 757-481-4545 www.fishingvabeach.com

Armory Seafood Co. 101 S. King St. Hampton, VA 23669 757-722-1915 www.amoryseafood.com

Spot’s Fish Co. 2105 W. Great Neck Rd. Virginia Beach, VA 23451 757-481-1585 Facebook: Spot’s Fish Co.

Graham & Rollins, Inc. 509 Bassette St. Hampton, VA 23669 757-722-8168 www.grahamandrollins.com

CHESAPEAKE

POQUOSON

Central Meats & Almost Catered 1120 Kempsville Rd. Chesapeake, VA 23320 757-547-2161 www.centralmeats.com

Captain Harrell’s Seafood Market 100 Wythe Creek Rd. #1910 Poquoson, VA 23662 757-868-9909 www.captainharrells.com

Wicker’s Crab Pot 4201 Indian River Rd. Chesapeake, VA 23325 757-351-2724 www.wickerscrabpot.com/ live-seafood-market

Bill Forrest Seafood 287 Messick Rd. Poquoson, VA 23662 757-868-6820 Facebook: Bill Forrest Seafood

SUFFOLK

WILLIAMSBURG

Mike’s Country Meats 4084 Godwin Blvd. Suffolk, Va 23434 Facebook: Mike’s Country Meats

Uncle Russ’ Dockside Seafood Market 5242 Olde Towne Rd. Williamsburg, VA 23188 757-903-4944 www.unclerussseafood. com

NEWPORT NEWS Uncle Nick’s 339 35th St. Newport News, VA 23607 757-380-5821 (call ahead to place orders)

PORTSMOUTH A&A Seafood Market 3126 High St. Portsmouth, VA 23707 757-393-1928

road trip Destination: Outer Banks, NC Consider visiting the Outer Banks (OBX) of North Carolina. If you could simply drive south on the beach from Virginia Beach, you could arrive in minutes, but you cannot drive on the Virginia side of a barrier that exists to stop the wild mustangs of Corolla, NC, from traveling up into the Sandbridge area of Virginia. So, you need to travel west on Interstate 64 and then south on state routes and highways, over the Wright Memorial Bridge and into Dare County. You will find it well worth the trip. I am biased. I live in Dare County. We have pristine beaches [1], quaint shops, wild horses, four-wheeling, wreck diving, fishing and history. The area still has a southern, rural feel to it. I live in the town of Nags Head, and recently my brother-in-law, Rick, and his wife visited for the weekend. The wives made reservations to go hang-gliding off of Jockey’s Ridge [2]. Rick and I had a few hours that morning before we had to form the wives’ support team/cheering squad. We grabbed cameras, binoculars and water, and hopped in the Tacoma. The Outer Banks has the nickname “The Graveyard of the Atlantic,” for good reason. Many shipwrecks sit just offshore. After a storm, there is no telling what will wash up. Last fall, a storm uncovered the remains of an unidentified shipwreck and within a month it was once again covered by the sand. Several years ago, a local beachcomber found a cannonball thought to be from Sir Francis Drake’s ship. Drake, an English hero and Queen Elizabeth’s favorite and most successful privateer, sailed back to England in June of 1586 after successfully plundering the Florida coast, and stopped to check on an English colony on Roanoke Island. They lacked food and constantly fought with the native Algonquian people. The group of approximately 100 men pleaded with Drake to take them back to England, which he did. A year later, not to be deterred from what he viewed as a great business

[ by craig jones ]

The string of peninsulas and barrier islands, known as OBX, offers a quiet escape with much to see and do

[ PHOTOS by Rick Blanton ]

boulevard | nov 2021-jan 2022

ROAD TRIP

opportunity, Sir Walter Raleigh sent out another colony consisting of 119 men and women. To this day what happened to this Lost Colony remains a mystery. You can walk the grounds where their settlement stood and during the summer months, attend an outdoor play that tells their story, aptly named “The Lost Colony.” In March of this year the latest shipwreck, the Ocean Pursuit, washed up on Coquina Beach [3]. We drove 20 minutes to the beach access on-ramp, across from Oregon Inlet Fishing Center. To drive on the beach, you need a four-wheel drive vehicle with slightly deflated tires and a permit, easily obtained online. We drove south and came upon a closed-off area protecting sea turtles. We gladly walked the half-mile along the beach to the wreck. Buried deep in the sand we saw the 72-foot-long scallop boat with signs posted to stay off her, and that she was private property. In the 1700s, early settlers here had no qualms with exercising the “finders-keepers” rule when it came to items washed ashore. Some took it a step further. Legend has it the name “Nags Head” came from land pirates who would walk their horses on the highest sand dunes, situated a distance back from the shoreline. They would hang a lantern from a horse’s neck, giving the impression to a ship captain that the light was

nov 2021-jan 2022 | boulevard

on a boat safely anchored near shore The unsuspecting captain would sail his ship much closer to shore than he intended, hitting the shoals and losing his precious cargo, providing easy pickings for those on the beach. Rick photographed the Ocean Pursuit and we headed back to the truck. In the early stages of World War II. German U-boats patrolled the North Carolina coast, searching for easy prey and by July 1942, caused more than 5,000 lives lost. Because the government kept this aspect of the war quiet, most Americans had no awareness of the carnage created by the U-boats. We have people still living here today who remember the sounds of guns and sights of ships ablaze, and combing the beach finding oil spills and various ship accouterments. Near the Hatteras Lighthouse, you can visit a small British cemetery with two unknown British seamen whose bodies washed ashore. They came from different ships sunk a year apart by U-boats. You can also visit a gravesite further south on Ocracoke Island. The United Kingdom

owns both and every May, the British government holds a formal memorial at both sites. The German navy paid a price. A U-85, a type VIIB German submarine sits on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, 15 miles northeast of where I stood. It was running on the surface when the destroyer USS Roper sank it on the night of April 14, 1942, with no survivors. Four other German U-boats sit at the bottom of the Atlantic. Back in the truck, we headed to Buffalo City, but first we stopped for breakfast at my favorite diner and also local favorite—T.L.’s.—located in the town of Manteo [4]. It doesn’t exactly fit the definition of fine dining, but I love it. Try the breakfast in a bowl—fried eggs over potatoes, bacon, cheese and of course, grits. You can also swap lies with the local fishermen. They might just tell you what’s biting and what the fish are feeding on. With bloated bellies, we drove over the Virginia Dare Memorial Bridge that stretches over Croatan Sound, and a 10-minute trip to the Alligator River National Wildlife

ROAD TRIP

6 Refuge. As we drove through the refuge to where Buffalo City once stood, we hoped to see black bears; evidence of the bears is seen by the scratches on the Buffalo City post [5]. Buffalo City emerged shortly after the Civil War as the project of carpetbaggers, excuse me, entrepreneurs, from Buffalo, NY. A huge logging operation, it had houses, a general store, post office and churches in addition to the lumber mill and logging equipment. It had a train running through the center of town to haul the logs to the nearby Milltail Creek from the 160,000 acres of cypress and juniper trees. Slowgrowing giant cypress trees can reach heights of 150 feet and live for centuries. There is a cypress tree along the Black River that scientists say is over 2,000 years old. In 1907, Dare Lumber Company took over the logging operation. The workers and their families lived there. At its zenith, Buffalo City, with a population of 3,000, was the most populous town in Dare County. Eventually, the land gave out. I often wonder what the two loggers thought when they cut down the last giant cypress. On January 17, 1920, the establishment of prohibition created another line of work. Stills producing moonshine became plentiful. Buffalo City’s surrounding area was, and still is, known as East Lake, and the moonshine became known as the

highly reputable and sought-after East Lake Corn. The work paid better than a dollar a day, and it wasn’t as back-breaking as lumber work, but it contained its own set of risks—“the law.” Prominent families live in Dare County today whose grandparents spent some time away in facilities operated by the government. They transported moonshine using the same route and barges that carried the lumber. Milltail Creek [6] leads to Alligator River, crosses Albemarle Sound to Elizabeth City and then points north. Legend has it that jugs of moonshine still sit at the bottom of Milltail Creek, jettisoned when “the law” showed up unexpectedly. Nothing remains of Buffalo City except for overgrown shrubs and small trees. However, you can still find parts of old docks and metal from the railroad track that ran through the middle of town. At the end of Buffalo City Road, you can park your vehicle and put your kayak into Milltail Creek. Enjoy the beauty and peacefulness as

you paddle north towards Alligator River, following the same course that the boats carrying lumber and then moonshine traveled years ago. Perhaps you will come across a jug that has freed itself from the muddy bottom. Not far from Milltail Creek, we spotted a black bear sitting on the roadside and a female with her cubs in a far-off field. Their ancestors walked these same woods. Hopefully, their offspring will roam these same woods forever. I could spend hours driving through Alligator River Refuge, but the wives required our presence at Jockey’s Ridge State Park. When leaving for a day trip to the Outer Banks, when asked your plans, perhaps simply say you’ll enjoy a beach day, maybe do some fishing off one of the piers. No need to say you will be searching for a ghost town, gators, bears and moonshine jugs on the bottom of a certain creek you know. They might just think you’ve been popping the cork on a jug of East Lake Corn. Craig Jones grew up in Norfolk, graduating from Norview High School and then Old Dominion University where he enrolled in the ROTC. After 22 years in the United States Army, Craig retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel. Craig and his wife currently reside on the Outer Banks of North Carolina where he is writing a screenplay about a family of moonshiners living in Buffalo City.

Kitty Hawk Kites/Jockey’s Ridge State Park Carolista Drive, MP12 Nags head, NC 27959 www.kittyhawk.com

TL’s Family Restaurant 812 US Hwy 64 Manteo, NC 27954 www.facebook.com/TLsFamily-Restaurant-SpecialsPage-277025989308959/ boulevard | nov 2021-jan 2022

Photo Contest: Enter to Win DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHERE THIS PHOTO WAS TAKEN? “Last Call” highlights a location or an artifact in the Tidewater region every issue. Send us your guess via email or on the website as to where you think the photo was taken and identify what it is. Those who send correct guesses will have their names placed into a hat, with the winner randomly chosen. Please provide your email address/contact information with your submission in case you’re the lucky one. We will award a prize each issue. For this contest we will provide a $150 gift certificate at one of The Boulevard Team’s favorite restaurants. Of course, we’ll name the winner in the next issue and on social media so you can take advantage of all the appropriate bragging rights with your friends and family. Good luck everyone!

[ PHOTO by Jill Doczi ]

blvdmedia.io/contact/ hello@blvdmedia.io

Last issue’s winner:

Molly Samuels Norfolk, VA Location: Wash Woods Community Cemetery in False Cape State Park, Virginia Beach

nov 2021-jan 2022 | boulevard

game on. The all-new Virginia Beach Sports Center is in a league of its own

Join the fun and play your favorite sport at the region’s newest and most state-of-the art indoor sports facility!

WAVE Basketball Club

Adult Leagues

Wave Basketball helps boys and girls grades 4-11 build character, learn teamwork and develop a lifelong love for the game of basketball.

Who said games were just for kids? Join the grown-ups for basketball, volleyball and a full range of social sports like dodgeball and more.

Take a Virtual Tour & More at Vbsportscenter.com

757-937-4571

@vbsportscenter

Youth Basketball Leagues & Camps Our Youth camps help kids learn, grow and develop both on and off the field. Open to all ages and experience levels!

1045 19th Street, Virginia Beach 23451

MAMMA MIA! MY...MY...JUST HOW MUCH WE’VE MISSED YOU!

We are excited to return and bring you our 30th ANNIVERSARY SEASON with our premier sponsor ABNB Federal Credit Union Virginia Musical Theatre joins the national movement dedicated to the preservation of Musical Theatre as a uniquely American art form. The company is committed to full-scale productions featuring the best available regional talent and guest artists, while providing training for aspiring performers. All performances take place at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts in Virginia Beach’s vibrant Town Center section.

TICKETS available now for upcoming shows

265 Kings Grant Rd. Virginia Beach, VA 23452

(757) 340-5446

vmtheatre.org

November 2021-January 2022