The question went to the heart of what it means to be a community college. Do the demographics of Tidewater Community College match those of the region it serves? Twenty years ago, the answer was no.

VIRGINIA BEACH On the lawn of Eastern Shore Chapel Episcopal Church, a field of American flags waved in the wind, as if saying hello to the cars zooming past on Laskin Road. A woman pulled to a stop, held her cellphone out the car window and snapped a photograph before driving away.

VIRGINIA BEACH Imagine riding a train to shop at Whole Foods, browse through swanky boutiques or dine at some of the area's most upscale restaurants. Long-range city planners have suggested taking the proposed light-rail line to the popular Hilltop shopping area - a new idea that has some City Council members and residents excited.

VIRGINIA BEACH If Chic's Beach residents want to snuff out smoking on their waterfront, it looks like they're going to have to take the issue to Richmond.

Logan Gentry, 6, holds a duckling at the Fun Barn Petting Zoo at the Pungo Strawberry Festival in Virginia Beach on Sunday. The festival, in its 29th year, ran Saturday and Sunday and included food, vendors, activities, a carnival and three music stages.

Vendors and visitors occupy Pungo's main street during the strawberry festival.

The National Weather Service is warning all North Carolina beaches of a high threat of rip currents combined with rough surf of 4 to 6 feet throughout the day today.

Meet the Chladny family from Macungie, Pa., outside Allentown. Nanette, 60, is about to retire as a middle school German teacher. Ed, also 60, works as a heating and air conditioning technician. They visited the Oceanfront on a whim in 1991 and have been back every summer since, always staying at The Breakers Resort Inn.

OK, locals, think you know everything about our Oceanfront summer visitors and their habits? We'll see. Try this multiple-choice tourist trivia test. 1. How many beers were served at Mahi Mah's last summer? A 18,352 B 47,278 C 83,247 D Who's counting?

VIRGINIA BEACH Approximately 150,000 people are expected to gaze skyward from the Oceanfront this Friday through Sunday as the Navy's Blue Angels zip overhead. The event means big plans for public safety officials tasked with making sure air, land and water remain safe during the Virginia Beach Patriotic Festival and other events under the banner of OpSail 2012 Virginia.

Army Sgt. Brian Miller, who lost his leg fighting in Iraq, makes his way out into the surf with help from Wave Warriors volunteers on Saturday, May 26, 2012, at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront north of 1st Street. A surf event for wounded servicemen and women, the Wave Warriors Surf Camp coincides with the 9th annual Steel Pier Classic and surf art expo. Dozens took part in the event. (L.