Cold Splash a Cool Way to Warm Hearts with Cash
Yes, it’s cold outside. And the water’s chillier. But this might be one of the cooler things you do.
The 2026 Polar Plunge, in which participants go for the cold to help Special Olympics Virginia, supports 23,000-plus athletes of all abilities.
The upcoming Polar Plunges in Virginia are:
Jan. 24
in Mosaic
Feb. 6
Cool School Challenge in Virginia Beach
Feb. 6-7
in Virginia Beach
Feb. 14
in Prince William
Feb. 14
in New River
Special Olympics Virginia provides year-round sports training for athletes across the state.
For more information, go to polarplunge.com.
Area Things to Do…
ANTIQUES
Williamsburg Forum Feb. 19-25
Colonial Williamsburg’s 78th annual antiques forum is set for Feb. 19-25. The event, with a theme of “That the Future May Learn from the Past,” commemorates 250 years of American independence, featuring leading experts and collections from around the world. Scott Stephenson, president and CEO of the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, expands upon the exhibition Banners of Liberty: Flags that Witnessed the American Revolution. Virtual and in-person registrations are available. For more information, go to colonialwilliamsburg.org/research/educational-conferences-forums-symposiums/antiques-forum.
SIGHTS
Whale, Look at This
Whale watching tours are offered by the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center in January and February. Attendees coast along the shoreline in search of humpback whales, bottlenose dolphins, seabirds, and waterfowl. For more information, go to virginiaaquarium.com/boat-tours.
SOUNDS
Alison Krauss in the House
Alison Krauss & Union Station, featuring Jerry Douglas with special guest Theo Lawrence, has joined the Williamsburg Live concert series June 25-28, the Virginia Arts Festival announced. Williamsburg Live, on the lawn of the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg, is expanding to a four-day weekend with the addition of a Thursday night performance. For tickets, go to vafest.org.
You Can Dance, You Can Jive
Mania: The ABBA Tribute will perform at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 11 at Harrison Opera House in Norfolk. From “Dancing Queen” to “Waterloo,” “Mamma Mia,” and “Take a Chance on Me,” the band performs ABBA’s greatest hits with passion and precision, transporting audiences back to the disco era of the 1970s. For tickets, go to ticketmaster.com.
HEALTH
Urgent Care in Chesapeake
at 7 a.m.
Chesapeake Regional Healthcare’s new outpatient facility, featuring Chesapeake Regional Urgent Care and MRI & CT Diagnostics, is now open at the corner Battlefield Boulevard and Hanbury Road. Chesapeake Regional Urgent Care provides walk-in medical services seven days a week and opens at 7 a.m.—earlier than other urgent care centers in the area. To get in line at the urgent care facility at 1034 Battlefield Blvd. South, go to chesapeakeregional.com/urgentcare.
WORK
Veterinary Internship
at Aquarium
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center announced a veterinary internship in aquatic animal medicine in summer 2026. The internship will give graduate veterinarians pursuing specialization in aquatic and zoological medicine an opportunity to receive clinical training at the Virginia Beach facility. Interns will train under two specialty-trained aquatic veterinarians, including one board certified specialist. To learn more about the aquarium’s internships and fellowships, go to virginiaaquarium.com/work-with-us.
BUSINESS
Virginia Dips to 4th in ODU Report
Old Dominion University economists released their annual State of the Commonwealth Report on Dec. 16, highlighting where Virginia stands. From Hampton Roads to Northern Virginia to Richmond to Roanoke, the report offers facts and figures that paint a picture of uncertain growth. Virginia, which last year was listed as the best state to conduct business by CNBC, has fallen to 4th place.
— Compiled by Butch Maier
