Reporter

Clare Pacella

Clare Pacella is a summer 2026 intern at The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press. She's a philosophy major at William & Mary. On campus, she serves as a copy editor for The Flat Hat and chief of staff for Flat Hat Magazine.

Order Up: Trendy global flavors, not too sweet, at Chesapeake sweet shop

August 26, 2026 at 8:29 a.m.

The cafe offers an array of global desserts, including French macarons, taro and ube (purple yam) flavors, snow cream parfaits and bubble tea.

A Biscoff latte and a Summer Surge refresher next to a plate with a lemon blondie, apple turnover and cinnamon cake at Leena's Coffee Shop in Virginia Beach. (Clare Pacella/The Virginian-Pilot)

Order Up: Find a taste of Morocco at Leena’s in Virginia Beach

August 18, 2026 at 10:31 a.m.

This quiet Virginia Beach coffee shop serves fancy tea and affordable baked goods, many less than $3. Clare Pacella reviews.

Singer Josh Groban will perform alongside the Virginia Symphony Orchestra on Sunday at Chartway Arena in Norfolk. (Courtesy/Thomas Falcone)

Josh Groban to perform in Norfolk with Virginia Symphony Orchestra

August 12, 2026 at 4:01 p.m.

The local symphony orchestra will accompany Josh Groban’s vocals with music from Broadway and his film-inspired album, “Cinematic.”

An Impossible burger with a side of vegan macaroni and cheese at JMT Vegan Eats on Indian River Road in Virginia Beach. (Clare Pacella/The Virginian-Pilot)

Order Up: JMT Vegan Eats provides safe haven for vegans, vegetarians

August 13, 2026 at 1:14 p.m.

It’s rare to find an all-vegan venue, especially one that knows how to make plant-based protein its own, reviewer Clare Pacella writes.

Najee Dubose, 17, a counselor at the YMCA at JT’s Camp Grom, helps a camper put on a life vest in Virginia Beach, Va., on June 29, 2026. (Peter Casey / The Virginian-Pilot)

Hampton Roads teens are facing difficult summer job market

August 8, 2026 at 5:07 p.m.

Inflation, a higher cost of doing business related to rising oil prices and cautious hiring is expected to result in a 78-year record low in teen hiring this summer, according...

Emily Wolcott, a band teacher at Oscar F. Smith High School in Chesapeake, won the Barry Manilow Music Teacher Award and will be recognized at Manilow’s concert on Aug. 8. (Courtesy/Emily Wolcott)

Hampton Roads music teacher awarded $10,000 grant from Barry Manilow

August 4, 2026 at 3:03 p.m.

Ten local high school music teachers were nominated, and the public voted online for a winner.

Dane Costa rides a wave during the high school surf club session at the July 11 Day of Renewal at Atlantic Park Surf. (John Wright/Courtesy/Waves of Renewal)

New nonprofit makes waves at Atlantic Park Surf in Virginia Beach

August 1, 2026 at 1:26 p.m.

Middle and high school students can escape from the pressures of screens and daily life and attend a free Day of Renewal at Atlantic Park Surf, but sessions fill up...

Monty’s Penguin, which is celebrating 80 years in business, is in Hilton Village in Newport News. (Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot)

This classic Newport News restaurant delivers something hard to find: community

July 20, 2026 at 10:42 a.m.

Classic fare, low prices and the loyalty of generations carry Monty's Penguin through the decades. Many people who went to Monty’s as kids have taken their own children and grandchildren...

Kaitlyn Fisher, a speech therapist with Bon Secours, right, helps Connie Rowley, 12, center, with support devices for a relay race during Camp Scrubs at Bon Secours Harbour View Medical Center in Suffolk, Va., on July 14, 2026. (Peter Casey / The Virginian-Pilot)

Camp Scrubs helps Hampton Roads students explore healthcare careers

July 18, 2026 at 3:23 p.m.

They learned skills such as performing ultrasounds on a frozen chicken, preparing IVs and scrubbing into the operating room.

Pad see ew with tofu and spice level "hot" at Nice Thai Cuisine in Chesapeake. (Clare Pacella/The Virginian-Pilot)

Order Up: Nice Thai Cuisine, a hidden gem in Chesapeake, offers versatile menu

July 15, 2026 at 10:21 a.m.

On South Military in Chesapeake, a versatile menu makes a vegetarian happy.

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