IN THIS ISSUE
Savor the last bit of summer with homemade ice cream! 3-Ingredient Strawberry Ice Cream, Cheesecake Ice Cream with Fruit Swirls, Creamy Vegan California Grape Ice Cream, Very Berry and Creamy Coconut Ice Cream, Peach Ice Cream RECIPES ON PAGE 5
NASA opens new Flight Dynamics Research Facility in Hampton, Virginia Press Release
NASA opened its newest wind tunnel, the Flight Dynamics Research Facility, Friday, providing a critical resource for the agency and its partners to test the safety and perfor‑ mance of future generations of aircraft, rock‑ ets, and space exploration vehicles. Located at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, the Flight Dynamics Research Facility will support advances in aircraft safety, X‑plane develop‑ ment, drone research, and spacecraft technol‑ ogy. The facility will enable both free‑flight and mounted testing of a wide range of scalemodel vehicles designed to travel through an atmosphere, from airplanes to space capsules returning to Earth. “The Flight Dynamics Research Facility is NASA’s first major new wind tunnel in more than 40 years and gives us a powerful new platform to test the ideas and technol‑ ogies that will shape the future of aviation and exploration,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. “America has led in air and space because we were willing to take on hard problems, challenge assumptions, and build what didn’t exist before. This facility gives the talented team at Langley, and our partners across government, industry, and universities, the tools to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and ensure America remains the world leader in air and space.” A ribbon-cutting ceremony at NASA Langley marked the start of a new chapter in flight research. Agency leaders, partners, and Virginia officials emphasized how the Flight Dynamics Research Facility’s state-ofthe-art capabilities will shape the future of flight and exploration. “The opening of the Flight Dynamics Research Facility represents a significant advancement for NASA and for the nation,” said Dr. Trina Dyal, NASA Langley center director. “By bringing modernized testing capabilities under one roof, we are enabling transformative research that will ensure the United States remains at the forefront of aero‑ nautics and exploration.” Built through a partnership with the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), the facility replaces aging infrastructure with an energy-efficient facility that reduces maintenance costs and provides the flexi‑ bility needed for future research. The Flight
From left to right: Casey Swails, NASA deputy associate administrator; Mike Waller, vice president of BL Harbert International Federal Division; Edward C. Forst, administrator of the U.S. General Services Administration; NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman; Dr. Trina Dyal, director of NASA’s Langley Research Center; Rep. Robert “Bobby” Scott (D-Va.); Virginia Lt. Gov. Ghazala F. Hashmi; Jimmy Gray, mayor, City of Hampton; and Amit Kshatriya, NASA associate administrator, pose for a photo before cutting the ribbon to open the Flight Dynamics Research Facility, NASA’s newest wind tunnel, Friday, July 31, 2026, at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. (CREDIT: NASA/KEEGAN BARBER)
Dynamics Research Facility is part of a broader, long-term collaboration between the agencies, representing the fourth new building GSA has delivered to NASA under Langley’s 20-year campus revitalization plan. “GSA is proud to partner with NASA in delivering the Flight Dynamics Research Facility, a state-of-the-art asset that will power the next generation of American dominance in aeronautics and space explo‑
ration,” said Edward C. Forst, GSA admin‑ istrator. “This facility reflects what we do best: provide the advanced, expertly designed installations that federal agencies need to carry out their missions. With these new capabilities, NASA will be better equipped to test bold ideas, validate new designs, and advance technologies that will serve the nation for decades to come.” The Flight Dynamics Research Facil‑
ity combines and improves upon the capa‑ bilities of two historic NASA Langley wind tunnels — the 20-Foot Vertical Spin Tunnel and the 12-Foot Low-Speed Tunnel. The 25,000-square-foot building features a vertical wind tunnel with improved airflow, modern digital systems, and flexible testing capabilities that will allow researchers to See NASA on Page A3
Virginia Zoo invites you to thier 125th Anniversary Celebration Press Release
NORFOLK, VA. — For 125 years, the Virginia Zoo has been a cornerstone of the Hampton Roads community — a place where generations of families and friends have gath‑ ered to explore the natural world, learn about conservation, and create lasting memories. Now, the Zoo invites the community to cele‑ brate this once-in-a-lifetime milestone at their 125th Anniversary Celebration on Satur‑ day, August 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event is free with general admission or Zoo membership. Guests visiting the Zoo will have a memo‑ rable experience filled with animal enrich‑ ment sessions, exclusive Keeper Chats, educator chats about the history and future of the Zoo, ZooLive! Stage Shows featuring mystery Animal Ambassador guests, and more! Plus, attendees will have the oppor‑ tunity to meet representatives from the Zoo’s conservation partners, including Action for Cheetahs in Kenya and the International Rhino Foundation, and local community part‑ ners, such as Nauticus, the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Norfolk Botan‑ ical Garden. There will also be an Animal Art & Enrich‑ ment Silent Auction, so attendees can take home their very own piece of Zoo history! As an added bonus, all proceeds from the auction will go to the Virginia Zoo Keeper Fund to purchase new enrichment items for the animals and provide zoo keepers with new training opportunities. Event attendees can also purchase one of 125 Do-It-Yourself rain barrel kits to commemorate their 125th anniversary visit. The kits include a 55-gallon barrel, installa‑ tion hardware, and instructions. Some assem‑ bly is required. Reserve your kit today on our website at virginiazoo.org/event/125th-anni‑
versary-event/ for a minimum of $5 and pick it up at the 125th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, August 29th from 9:30am-4pm. All proceeds go to the Virginia Zoo’s Conserva‑ tion Fund which helps support wildlife and habitat conservation initiatives at home and around the world through scientific research, education, breeding programs, anti-poaching efforts and more. In addition to the Zoo’s 125th Anniver‑
or California sea lions via their exclusive Anniversary Zoodoption Program! While the Zoo is no longer home to elephants or sea lions, it is important to share the history of these species to show how animal care stan‑ dards have changed over time and how the Zoo has adapted, always putting animal well‑ being at the forefront. To learn more about why these species are no longer a fit for the Zoo, symbolically adopt them at virginiazoo.
sary Celebration, the Zoo offers special discounts on the 25th of each month. Guests can receive 25% off general admission tick‑ ets, purchase discounted $125 Two-Adult Household Memberships, ride the Virginia Zoo Express train for $1.25, get 12.5% off on Gift Shop items, and save 25% at the Afri‑ can Village Restaurant (excluding alcoholic beverages). Visit virginiazoo.org/events for more information. The Virginia Zoo also invites their commu‑ nity to symbolically adopt African elephants
org/zoodoptions/. A portion of all proceeds goes to the Zoo’s Conservation Fund. The Virginia Zoo recognizes that it would not be here today without the gracious support of the Hampton Roads commu‑ nity. Consequently, the Virginia Zoo is seek‑ ing historical photos and memories from members of the Hampton Roads commu‑ nity to share throughout this anniversary year. Adults of all ages (18+) can submit their fond‑ est memories of the Virginia Zoo and their digital photos at virginiazoo.org/125th-an‑
niversary/. Please email the Zoo at info@ virginiazoo.org or call at 757-441-2374 for more information about how to participate in person. All physical photos will be returned to guests. Check out the full event lineup at virgin‑ iazoo.org/event/125th-anniversary-event/. This event is free with the purchase of a general admission ticket or Zoo Member‑ ship. Non-member adult (12+) tickets cost $20, non-member senior (62+) tickets cost $18, and non-member child (2-11) tickets cost $17. Guests who bring a donation valued at $5 for the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore (Foodbank) or for the Norfolk Animal Care Center (NACC) can receive a 25% discount on admission. The Foodbank and NACC will collect donations in the Virginia Zoo’s parking lot. Families can reserve a free ticket for children under 2. This event will take place rain or shine. About the Virginia Zoo: The Virginia Zoo, located in Norfolk, Virginia, is home to more than 700 animals representing over 175 species. Founded in 1901 and residing on 53 beautifully landscaped acres, for 125 years the Virginia Zoo has demonstrated a commitment to saving and protecting the world’s wildlife by inspiring a passion for nature and taking conservation action at home and around the world. The Virginia Zoo is an accredited member of the Associa‑ tion of Zoos and Aquariums and is recognized as a global leader in education, recreation, science, wildlife conservation, and animal care and wellbeing. For more than a century, the Zoo has connected adults, families, and school children with the natural world by honoring its mission of commitment to engaging our community in taking action to save the world’s wildlife and their ecosystems. To learn more, visit virginiazoo.org.
See what all the buzz is about this Saturday at Norfolk Botanical Garden’s Virginia Honey Bee Festival PAGE C6
THE FLAGSHIP’S FREE HOME DELIVERY SOUTH HAMPTON ROADS: Get the convenience of your Navy newspaper delivered to your door for free!
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