🌱 Parenting Forum Re: Gun Violence + Hampton Mosaic Festival

Hello all. I'm back in your inbox this morning with your fresh copy of the Newport News Patch newsletter, fresh off the presses. Here's everything you need to know about what's happening these days in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: Warmer with some sun. High: 76 Low: 59.
• Friday: Breezy in the afternoon. High: 66 Low: 51.
• Saturday: A shower and t-storm; windy. High: 76 Low: 55.
• Sunday: Partly sunny and warm. High: 73 Low: 52.

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Here are the top three stories in Newport News today:

1. Last night, Councilwoman Tina Vick hosted a "Let's Talk Parenting" forum in response to the ongoing gun violence in local schools. The forum, held at Brittingham-Midtown Community Center and moderated by parenting expert Darlene Walker, offered a space for parents to discuss their children's behaviors or surrounding environments at home. The goal of the event was to encourage parents to speak out without fear of judgment, as well as to foster a community-wide effort to address the issue of gun violence. (13newsnow.com WVEC)
2. The Hampton Mosaic Festival, a local celebration of culture, history, art, and the environment, is set to take place at Mill Point Park in nearby Hampton on Apr. 22. The festival, which will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., aims to honor the diverse history and cultures of the area and how the environment impacts everyone. Attendees of all ages can enjoy traditional music, stories, and activities that represent various cultures, as well as themed games and DIY art stations. (WAVY.com)
3. A beloved Hampton Roads restaurants will close its doors for the last time this week. Pop's Drive In, located just a short drive away in Grafton, plans to have its official last day in business today; however, staff may not open today, depending on the remaining food inventory. The Allen family, who has owned the restaurant for almost 50 years, plans to step back from the business and retire. As of Wednesday, plans for the building and property are not clear. (13newsnow.com WVEC)

Coming up in and around Newport News:

Thursday, March 23

• Free Concert By The U.S. Army Field Band At Christopher Newport University Ferguson Center For The Arts (7:30 PM)

Saturday, March 25

• High School Brunch N' Learn: Adulting 101 At Harvest Church Life Center (11:00 AM)

Sunday, March 26

• Spring Pet Photos At Peninsula SPCA (10:00 AM)

Monday, March 27

• Media, Marketing, And Advertising 101 (Wavy TV 10) At West Hampton Community Center, Hampton (4:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• If you're looking for a new home in the area, there's nothing quite like seeing it in person. To help with the search, here are four open houses coming up this weekend, all just a short drive away in Hampton. (Newport News Patch)
• Down the road in Williamsburg, comedian and William & Mary alumnus Patton Oswalt will speak at the university's commencement ceremony on May 19. Oswalt graduated from the school in 1991 with a B.A. in English. (WAVY.com)
• Abby Zwerner, the first-grade teacher who was shot by her student at Richneck Elementary school on Jan. 6, spoke publicly for the first time since the incident. Her response can be found at the link. (13newsnow.com WVEC)

You're officially in the loop for today! Thanks for following along.

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she earned degrees in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or practicing film photography.