Franchise Opportunities in Virginia Beach, VA

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Dec. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Virginia Natural Gas (VNG) today announced the awarding of a $750,000 grant to the Salvation Army to help the area's most vulnerable customers who may be struggling financially to meet their energy needs this winter.

The donation will be used to fund EnergyShare, a program administered by the Salvation Army that provides financial assistance with energy costs for those customers experiencing economic hardship.

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This is the largest single grant ever presented by the energy company.

"We have a long history of partnering with the Salvation Army to assist in helping our neighbors and community in times of need," said Robert Duvall, president of Virginia Natural Gas. "We know these have been challenging financial times that have put an extra burden on family budgets, and we are here to help the communities we are privileged to serve."

The donation is part of the commitment by Virginia Natural Gas to invest and improve the lives of those in the communities it serves through grants, charitable giving and employee volunteerism. Using non-ratepayer dollars, VNG is committed to distributing grant dollars to organizations that promote its values and impacts its customers, such as energy assistance programs.

According to Major Donald Dohmann, area commander for the Salvation Army of Hampton Roads, the donation is truly a blessing and could not come at a better time since the colder months are approaching and the organization will be able to help more families across the area.

"We are very appreciative of our long-standing partnership with Virginia Natural Gas, and this donation will help and serve families in need, especially this winter," said Dohmann. "There are so many families in our area that need financial assistance with energy bills, among other things, and we can say, 'yes, we can help,' and not turn people away."

EnergyShare is a year-round assistance program that has been helping qualified customers with energy bill payment assistance since 1982. The program is not income based so any customer in financial need is eligible to apply. EnergyShare is administered by the Salvation Army and has traditionally been funded through contributions from Virginia Natural Gas employees and customers who voluntarily make donations via their monthly natural gas bill payment.

In 2021, more than 120 families received assistance from the EnergyShare program, with that number already climbing to 150 families so far in 2022.

"We are grateful for Virginia Natural Gas and the $750,000 donation," added Dohmann. "This will allow us to make a huge impact and difference in the lives of those we serve."

About Virginia Natural Gas

Virginia Natural Gas is one of four natural gas distribution companies of Southern Company Gas, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO). Virginia Natural Gas provides clean, safe, reliable and affordable natural gas service to more than 300,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in southeast Virginia. Consistently ranked in the top quartile for customer satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates, the company also has been recognized by the Virginia Department of Energy (Virginia Energy) and the Virginia Oil and Gas Association for its safety, innovation, environmental stewardship, community outreach and educational programs, and has been named Local Distribution Company of the Year five times since 2015. The company has been ranked by its business customers as one of the most Trusted Business Partners in the utility industry according to Cogent Reports, and a Top Workplaces in Hampton Roads by Inside Business. For more information, visit virginianaturalgas.com and connect with the company on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Nextdoor.

About Southern Company Gas

Southern Company Gas is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), America's premier energy company. Southern Company Gas serves approximately 4.3 million natural gas utility customers through its regulated distribution companies in four states with approximately 600,000 retail customers through its companies that market natural gas. Other nonutility businesses include investments in interstate pipelines and ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities. For more information, visit southerncompanygas.com.

SOURCE Virginia Natural Gas

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) – Virginia Beach’s Last Night on the Town event will help ring in the new year Saturday evening in Town Center.

Lupe Fiasco will headline the free, family-friendly event, which will also feature special guests Empire Strikes Brass and Monotronic. This is the ninth year for Last Night on the Town in Town Center.

“We would love to see about 5,000 people at the event,” said Mike Hilton, Creative Director of BeachEvents.

Events will begin at 6 p.m. with family-friendly activities at Fountain Plaza, including a live, family DJ with a light-up dance floor in the lower plaza, and roaming novelty entertainers, including stilt walkers, LED hoop artists, jugglers and more. There will also be a dance-off contest for kids under 12.

On the main Countdown Square Stage on Columbus Street, Monotronic will perform at 8 p.m., Empire Strikes Bass at 9:30 p.m., Lupe Fiasco at 11 p.m., and the ball drops at midnight.

Fiasco is a Chicago-born Grammy-award-winning rapper who gained national attention with his 2006 album Food & Liquor and has released six studio albums and has had three platinum singles, including his 2008 single ‘Daydreamin’, featuring Jill Scott.

Monotronic emerged in 2016, starting as a loose collective of New York City-based musicians, and a rotating cast of musicians have shared the stage and recorded with artists such as Joe Jackson, Robert Randolph, Elliot Moss, The Spin Doctors and Dweezil Zappa.

Empire Strikes Bass is an Asheville, N.C.-based brass/funk/rock band whose music provides a thumping rhythm section highlighted by lush horn arrangements.

While the event is free, there are VIP tickets available. VIP admission includes the following:

Streets in Town Center will close earlier in the day. Columbus Street will be closed from Market Street to Constitution Drive, where the countdown stage will be assembled along with the VIP tent. Central Park Avenue and Town Center Drive will also have closures.

There will still be access to the free garage parking, however. As they fill up in the evening, people will be routed to the nearest garage with free space. Overflow parking will be in the Bed Bath & Beyond parking lot, and there are several hotels in the area, including the Westin, Hilton Garden Inn, Hyatt, Crowne Plaza, Residence Inn, and others.

“We encourage people to come out early, find a parking spot, there’s lots of free public parking available,” Hilton stated.

Restaurants in Town Center will be open on New Year’s Eve. Reservations are suggested.

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VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — According to the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, 9% of firefighters have a higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and 14% have a higher risk of dying.

In honor of Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month, the Virginia Beach Fire Department and many other fire departments across the world are taking extra steps to ensure their crews are safe.

For Matthew Chiaverotti, a former captain at Virginia Beach Fire department, is currently battling cancer. He says his symptoms started with a runny nose.

" A week prior I went to an urgent care, and they told me I had a sinus infection," said Chiaverotti.

After returning from an assignment last August, he washed his hands as normal and looked in the mirror.

"My two pupils were different sizes, so my left pupil was constricted, and my right pupil was normal so enough working knowledge to know something was wrong."

This was odd for Chiaverotti. Before his diagnosis he was healthy, so when the doctors told him the news, he couldn't believe it.

"So, I'd like to say I was I little more shocked than I was I knew something was going on. The day before I ran 10 miles with my son" he said.

VBFD Chief Kenneth Pravetz said after firefighters put out a fire deep cleaning is a must. They are provided wipes to wipe their hands, face, and neck to get any carcinogens off their skin.

In addition to wiping themselves down, they're also required to take showers.

But cleaning doesn't just include their body. Firefighters even have to make sure the inside and outside of the trucks are clean.

"So, what we've done is worked with the manufacturers to get replacement seat covers so that we can wash the seat covers just like they have two sets of gear we do everything possible to keep the cab clean," Pravetz said.

Pravetz said the station is doing everything it can to keep firefighters' safety and health as top priorities.

Chaverotti said he's thankful for the support from not only the department but the community.

"Whether that's somebody is coming to rake the leaves on the lawn or helping out financially it's been overwhelming and so humbling," he said.

There's a fundraiser happening on Jan. 11 to help Chaverotti's family offset his medical expenses. It runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Shorebreak Pizza & Taphouse Pungo on Trent Place in Virginia Beach. Mention Matt's name when you order and 15% of your bill will be donated to his family.

Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Developers are looking to demolish about half of the KempsRiver Crossing Shopping Center and add apartments.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A proposed redevelopment project could transform a shopping center in Virginia Beach’s Kempsville neighborhood.

Just off Indian River Road and Kempsville Road in Virginia Beach sits the KempsRiver Crossing Shopping Center.

“I think it’s a nice, cool, laid-back atmosphere," said Jevan Pasley, who works at the Planet Fitness within the shopping center. "A lot of people don’t know it’s here.”

The shopping center is filled with stores but it also has vacant buildings.

“This is a 1970s version shopping center,” said R.J. Nutter, the attorney representing the developer.

Nutter told members of the Virginia Beach Planning Commission at their meeting last week that some of the buildings at the shopping center have been vacant for several years.

"It not only impacted the loss of revenue from those players, but it was also affecting the bottom line to every one of the single remaining mom-and-pop shops," he said. "They'd lost the people that had directed traffic to their center."

Developers hope to revitalize the center by demolishing about half of its retail space and replacing it with 332 new apartment units.

But the plan isn’t welcomed by all.

“I don’t think it’s necessary," Pasley said. "There’s other land around here that they can use.”

Traffic is a big concern for residents. With an already busy intersection outside the shopping center, they feel adding apartments would add more problems.

“Traffic congestion is very bad," said resident Drew Little. "At rush hour, you’ll see traffic backed up from Indian River all the way onto the interstate.”

Little, who visits KempsRiver Crossing often, said he and his neighbors would like to see the quiet shopping center bustling again. He said that first, they want city leaders to address traffic at the intersection.

“Anything that creates more traffic here won’t work unless we address the traffic we already have," he said. "But there are other issues following... tax burden, water quality.”

At last week's meeting, the planning commission voted to recommend the project to Virginia Beach City Council. The project is expected to go before city council members on January 17.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Jan. 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cavalier Resort Virginia Beach is now hiring the best hotel and food and beverage professionals to be a part of the grand opening team at the all-new Embassy Suites By Hilton™ Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort.

Come meet our Food and Beverage and Hospitality teams at the open hiring event to learn more about these rewarding careers and how you can be a part of an award-winning resort. Qualified candidates will have the opportunity to participate in on-site interviews for open hotel and food and beverage positions at the newest resort hotel, with the potential to receive an offer on-the-spot. We recommend applicants come prepared with a resume and be ready to interview. Pre-registration is not required.

Positions Include:

| Bartenders | Hostesses | Banquet Staff | Hospitality/Hotel Positions | And More!

While you're here, explore the newest amenities and restaurants. Enjoy live entertainment, refreshments, and raffles! Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity! We look forward to meeting you and potentially welcoming you to the team at the largest hospitality employer in the Mid-Atlantic!

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Saturday, January 14, 2023

If you are not able to attend the in-person job fair, please visit embassyvb.com to apply for the role in your area of interest and a recruiting manager will be in touch. Applications are also available at the Career Services office at the Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront.

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About The Cavalier Resort

The Cavalier Resort is a collection of historic and modern hotels, a luxury beach club and private residences offering guests the finest accommodations, signature amenities, resort-wide charging privileges, and unparalleled views of Virginia's coast. Developed and operated by the region's largest hospitality employer, Gold Key|PHR, The Cavalier Resort includes the exquisitely restored Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club, the panoramic Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront, and the newest, equally impressive addition, Embassy Suites By Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront. The Cavalier Resort's $350MM masterplan has delivered an all-in one destination to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront with a vast collection of 547 guest rooms, over 40 idyllic meeting & event spaces, 6 indoor/outdoor swimming pools, 3 fitness centers, 9 restaurants, an on-site distillery (the first of its kind in the country), and an expansive full-service spa. While the recently restored Historic Cavalier Hotel blends classic southern charm with rich vibrant colors, complemented by elevated services and amenities, its newly constructed counterparts exude a less-formal luxury and contemporary aesthetic inspired buy their prominent beach front location. The three magnificent properties are connected by lush and meticulously manicured lawns, gardens, and outdoor social spaces, creating a one-of-a-kind resort experience, rivaled only by the finest destinations in the world.

SOURCE The Cavalier Resort