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Good morning, Newport News! Craving tacos, eyeing a thrift find, or just looking for a reason to smile? From Hispanic Heritage Month flavors to neighborhood treasures and even garden tips, it’s all here. Coffee in hand?

Let’s see what’s up.

What famous shipyard located in Newport News, Virginia constructed the iconic USS Enterprise, the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in the world?

⛅Thursday  75° 61°  Intervals of clouds and sunshine with a stray shower

☀️ Friday      79° 62°   Mostly sunny and pleasant

⛅Saturday   78° 61°   Breezy morning; some sun, then turning cloudy

⛅Sunday      82° 63°   Partly sunny

⛅Monday      83° 63°   Partly sunny

This Week's Sponsor

Byrd's Restaurant

Byrd’s Restaurant serves up traditional American breakfast and lunch with a Southern twist. A locally owned favorite in Newport News’s Hidenwood area, this charming breakfast-and-brunch spot turns fresh ingredients into comfort classics, such as shrimp and grits, cinnamon swirl pancakes, and lemon-blueberry bread French toast. Most menu items are made from scratch, and the service comes with genuine Southern hospitality

The restaurant operates from Thursday to Sunday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., and accepts walk-ins only. No reservations. It consistently draws crowds, and the wait can be long, but faithful locals say it’s worth it

🌮 Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Newport News

Hispanic Heritage Month Restaurant Week

📅 September 19–30, 2025

Newport News is joining the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month with flavors that bring our community together. From September 19-30, local Hispanic restaurants will be offering special menus and featured dishes that showcase the richness and variety of Hispanic cuisine.

Whether you love classic tacos and empanadas or want to try something new with modern fusion dishes, Restaurant Week is a chance to enjoy it all while supporting local businesses that make our city vibrant.

Bring a friend, share a meal, and take part in a celebration that highlights both culture and community.

📍 Where to eat during Restaurant Week

El Rey Tequila

13175 Jefferson Ave, Newport News, VA 23608  

Buy 1 Meal, Get One 50% Off 

Website: https://elreytequilava.com/

Los Aztecas

15505 Warwick Blvd, Newport News, VA 23608

10% off on Platillo Mixto-costillas

Website: https://www.losaztecasva.com/

Pasteles De Maria Bakery

14353 Warwick Blvd, Newport News, VA 23602

Tres Leches Slices and Cakes- Buy one, get one 50% off

FB: https://www.facebook.com/mariadejesussinaloa/

Chihuahua's Mexican Grill

309-B Oyster Point Rd, Newport News, VA 23602  

15% Off Entire Menu, Excludes Alcohol

FB: https://www.facebook.com/ChihuahuasNN/

Juan's Café and Cantina

561 Bland Blvd, Newport News, VA 23602

25% Off Entire Menu, No Alcohol 

Website: https://juanscafeandcantina.com/

Plaza Azteca

12009 Jefferson Ave, Newport News, Virginia, 23606  (This Location Only)

25% Off Entire Menu, Excluding Alcohol

Website: https://plazaazteca.com/jefferson/

Guapo's Mexican Grill

980 J Clyde Morris Blvd, Newport News, VA 23601

15% off Burritos, Nachos, Fajita Steak or Chicken

Website: http://orderguaposmexicangrill.com/

Sabor Latino Cuban & Peruvian Cuisine

7210 Warwick Blvd, Newport News, VA 23607

15% Off Entire Menu

Website: https://saborlatinova.com/

Jose Tequila's Mexican Grill and Bar

615 Thimble Shoals Blvd, Newport News, VA 23606 

20% Off Menu Items, Excluding Alcohol

Website: https://jose-tequilas.com/jose-tequilas-virginia-menu/

Mezcal Mexican

12235 Jefferson Ave, Newport News, VA 23602

Chimichangas - $11.99 & Pork Belly Tacos - $12.99

Website: https://mezcalmexicancuisine.com/

La Parrilla Mexican Grill

11831 Jefferson Ave, Newport News, VA 23606

10% Off Entire Menu, Excluding Alcohol

Website: https://www.laparrillamexicangrill.us/newport-news

Salsa's Mexican Grill

704 Mariners Row, Ste 110, Newport News, VA 23606 

10% Off Entire Menu, Excluding Alcohol

Website: https://www.salsasmexicangrill.net/

La Poblanita Food Truck

118 Newmarket Square, Newport News, VA 23605

15% Off Entire Menu (before taxes)

FB: https://www.facebook.com/p/La-Poblanita-Food-Truck-61552421128208/

Tres Borrachos Mexican Grill & Cantina

621 Stoney Creek Ln, Newport News, VA 23608

25% Off Entire Bill, Excluding Alcohol + Double Punches on Loyalty Cards

Website: https://tresborrachos757.com/

Catrin Cantina

12838 Jefferson Ave, Newport News, VA 23608

10% Off Entire Menu, No Alcohol

Website: https://www.catrincantina.com/

WHAT'S HAPPENIN' IN THE NEWS 

65th Annual Denbigh Day Parade & Festival

 📅Date: Saturday, September 20

🕒Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

📍Location: Courthouse Way Community Center, 14302 Old Courthouse Way, Newport News, VA

🔖Admission: Free

Celebrate the 65th Annual Denbigh Day Parade & Festival with a fun-filled community event featuring a lively parade, live music, games, inflatables, arts & crafts vendors, food, photo ops, and more family-friendly amusements.

8th Annual Great Food Truck Festival

📅Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025.

🕒Time: 11:00 am to 06:00 pm (EDT)

📍Location: Habitat ReStore Lot, 371 Chatham Drive, Newport News

🔖Admission: General admission (12 pm-6 pm) is $7.00 ($7.75 including $0.75 transaction fee) and a raffle ticket for a chance to win one $100 cash prize awarded at 5:05 pm at the DJ Booth (must be present to collect cash)

V.I.P. admission (11 am-12 pm) is $10.00 per person ($10.75 total including $0.75 transaction fee) and a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of three $100 cash prizes awarded at 12:05 pm at the DJ Booth (must be present to collect cash)

Children ages 5 and under are admitted FREE!

Enjoy 20+ food vendors, live shows, celebrity guests, and fun for all ages—plus games, prizes, Disney & Marvel photo ops, and $50 cash giveaways. A full day of family fun!

Plant Swap at Main Street Library

📅Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025.

🕒Time: 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. (EDT)

📍Location: Main Street Library

🔖Admission: No registration required.

Expand your garden and houseplant collection at the Main Street Library’s Plant Swap. Newport News Master Gardeners will also be there to share tips and answer your gardening questions.

Newport News is home to exceptional thrifting, led by the DAV Thrift Store and the Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

At the DAV Thrift Store, shoppers discover a vast array of clothing, décor, electronics, and kitchenware—often scoring name-brand finds and unique vintage pieces at prices that make a little money go far.

The inventory changes daily, inviting regulars to hunt for new treasures, while every purchase supports Disabled American Veterans and gives back to local heroes.

Meanwhile, the  Habitat for Humanity ReStore on Warwick Boulevard focuses on larger essentials like furniture, appliances, and building materials.

First-time homeowners and DIYers browse for affordable upgrades, knowing their purchases help create affordable housing for local families.

These two thrift shops prove that Newport News offers both great deals and a deeper sense of community support.

Spring chicks have matured, and many revealed themselves to be roosters, leaving the Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter with more feathered fellows than they can handle.

Roosters are now available for free adoption to anyone ready to welcome one into their flock.

Prospective adopters should have ample space, plenty of sunlight, and a secure coop to keep these birds safe and happy.

If you’re unable to keep a rooster, consider connecting at a weekend chicken swap at local feed stores, where people are searching for birds.

Never abandon roosters at the shelter, as the facility isn’t equipped for them and it stresses the birds.

Roosters often end up at shelters when families unknowingly purchase straight-run chicks, only to run into neighborhood restrictions after the crowing begins.

Spread the word and help these roosters find a home where they can thrive and serve as both protectors and unique characters in their new flocks.

Newport News Notes

📣 NNPS Games Now Streaming!

Newport News sports fans, you can now catch NNPS football and field hockey games live from Todd Stadium on the NFHS Network.

🏀 Bonus: Plans are in motion to livestream basketball games this winter, too! 

🔗 Learn more and subscribe: www.nfhsnetwork.com

🏈 Captains Open Season With a Statement

Christopher Newport football kicked off their 2025 campaign in style today at TowneBank Stadium, rolling past Trine University 38–7. The Captains’ offense looked sharp, piling up points early, while the defense kept Trine in check all afternoon. 

It’s a strong start for CNU, and with a road trip to Gettysburg College next weekend, momentum is already building.

👉 Read more...

🌅 52 days

That’s how long until daylight saving time ends and we set the clocks back an hour. Translation: it’s the perfect time to enjoy golden-hour evenings after work while they last. Why not catch a sunset at  Newport News Parks & Trails before the early darkness sets in?

💼 Dean & Don’s Plans Shift in 2026

Dean & Don’s Farm Market will not reopen next year, but the Garden Center is set to return in April 2026. For now, fall stock is rolling in: mums and cool-weather veggies are available, with pumpkins, pansies, and Christmas trees to follow.

The owners thanked the community and confirmed the Garden Center will remain a seasonal fixture on the Peninsula.

🏫Federal Focus on Workforce Training in Newport News

U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer made a stop in Newport News this week as part of her “America at Work” listening tour. She visited the Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School, where she met apprentices benefiting from job-training programs that aim to build a stronger, more skilled workforce. The visit showcased how local partnerships are delivering big returns for career development

👉Read more...

🚨COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT🚨

Craft 2 You, LLC

Craft 2 You is a mother and daughter team bringing creativity to Newport News through sewing and crafts. The love of making started generations ago, when scraps from a grandmother’s sewing table sparked a lifelong habit. That spark still burns as they share their skills with neighbors across the city.

For more than 25 years, crafting has been a way to connect. With children, especially those with autism or emotional challenges, hands-on projects create calm and open the door to coping skills. Adults get a healthy break from stress, and seniors rediscover laughter, pride, and the joy of finishing something they thought was out of reach.

At the heart of Craft 2 You is watching doubt turn into pride. Mistakes become part of the story, and every finished piece proves what’s possible.

This fall, they’re hosting a Beginning Sewing Class, a hands-on workshop that’s fun and stress-free.

No experience needed, supplies, patterns, and machines are provided. Classes run September 8, 15, and 22, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., at 700 Mobjack Way, Newport News, VA. The cost is $65, and space is limited.

To register, contact Sherri at 757-269-9838 or sherricraft2you@gmail.com. Bring your curiosity, leave with skill.

🌻Seasonal Tips for Your Garden and Home🍂

🌱Grow your first veggies with THRIVE

If you’ve ever wanted to grow your own food but didn’t know where to start, container gardening is a great way to begin. It’s simple, space-friendly, and ideal for beginners who want fresh vegetables delivered right to their doorstep.

THRIVE Peninsula is hosting a beginner-friendly class on container gardening:

📅 Wednesday, September 18

🕔 5:00 – 6:00 pm

📍 THRIVE, 12749 Nettle Drive, Newport News

Master Gardeners will guide you through the basics, from selecting the right plants to determining the ideal container size. You’ll leave the class with practical knowledge and even a potted vegetable plant to take home.

How to join:

1. RSVP by calling 757-866-3910 or emailing barbara@thrivepeninsula.org
2. Space is limited, and RSVPs are required
3. Priority is given to THRIVE clients

This is a hands-on chance to learn new skills, meet neighbors, and bring a little more green into your home. Whether you’re looking to save money, eat healthier, or just enjoy the satisfaction of growing your own food, container gardening is a step worth taking.

👉 Ready to dig in? Save your spot today and let’s get growing together!

Thanks!

Thanks for reading The Newport Newser! If you learned something, share it with the friend who insists the best crab cakes are always from Maryland.