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Community. 

Meet Sia Alexander, the incredible force behind Pure Lagos rapid growth in Norfolk. Rip it. 

Catch the agenda for the City Council meeting this Tuesday. Rip it. 

Agenda for the upcoming City Planning Commission meeting (July 22nd). (warning large pdf link) Rip it. 

The region is riding the renewable energy boom and is on its way to becoming a wind capital. Rip it.

Meet Norfolk’s new Deputy City Manager, Patrick Roberts, who will be overseeing an Operations portfolio that includes Public Works, Utilities, Transit, Resilience, and Planning. Rip it. 

The Neighbors Building Neighborhoods mini-conference Mermaid Tales 2021 is coming up later this July. Register to learn more about building strong neighborhoods. Rip it.

It’s believed that the West Ghent arsonist has been caught. Rip it. 

Medicaid enrollment has skyrocketed by nearly 40 percent since early 2020, with more than 550,000 Virginians now enrolled in the program. Rip it.

Check out these weather photos of Tropical Strom Elsa hitting the area. Rip it. 

A new partnership between the Elizabeth River Trail Foundation, Slover Library and the Weyanoke Bird and Wildflower Sanctuary encourages creative activities along the trail. Rip it. 

Culture.

Poetry Jackson’s Exhibit opens at For All Handkind Friday alongside the shop’s grand reopening. (NFK Original) Rip it. 

Downtown Norfolk’s First Fridays are extending to 16 blocks this year. Rip it. 

Norfolk’s Sam Allen, a former Negro League Baseball player, is headed to the MLB All-Star Game. Rip it. 

Four former Admirals players and a former coach have gone on to become Stanley Cup champions. Rip it. 

Meet the locals who are headed to the Tokyo Olympics. Rip it. 

Norfolk’s Governors School for the Arts annual film festival has continued through the pandemic. Rip it. 

Lil Baby will be performing at Norfolk Scope Arena in August. Rip it. 

Later this month, Lava Summer of Fun brings Court Street Company, Every King & Commoner to Maker’s. Rip it. 

This weekend at Naro Cinema: Summer of Soul, The Sparks Brothers, Zola, and more. Rip it.

Currently on Display:

Going Places at Nauticus. (NFK Originals). Rip it. 

Work In Progress at the Hermitage Museum and Gardens. (NFK Originals). Rip it. 

Alma W. Thomas: Everything Is Beautiful at Chrysler Museum of Art. Rip it.

Orchids: Attraction and Deception at Barry Art Museum. Rip it. 

Norfolk Republic by Clayton Singleton at Offsite Gallery, MacArthur Center. Rip it. 

Commerce.

After toughing out the pandemic, markets and makers are turning to experiences to thrive. (NFK Original) Rip it. 

One of the state’s newest cannabis shops, with locations in Norfolk and Portsmouth, is backed by Senator Louise Lucas. Rip it. 

The office crowd is starting to return to Downtown Norfolk, boosting the restaurants serving them lunch. Rip it. 

Newport News-based Fortune 500 military shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries will acquire McLean-based defense contractor Alion Science and Technology Corp. from Veritas Capital in a $1.65 billion, all-cash deal. Rip it. 

Shady Grove Fertility announced the opening of the SGF Jones Institute in Norfolk. Rip it. 

Restaurants across the city are getting creative in order to recruit talent. Rip it. 

Lumber prices are impacting insurance costs as well. Rip it. 

The administrator of the Small Business Administration, Isabella Guzman, met with business owners in Norfolk on Tuesday. Rip it. 

Norfolk-started MassRoots announced its intent to acquire Empire Services, an operator of metal recycling facilities in Virginia and North Carolina. Rip it. 

Port of Virginia announces it’ll be the first East Coast stop for Maersk’s new TP20 service. Rip it. 

The Hampton Roads REALTORS Association is celebrating its 135th anniversary this week with a proper party. Rip it. 

Regional Economic Stats. Port Stats. Labor Stats.

Crowds.

Book your calendars for July 24th for a very Norfolk event.

**Please note that listed times are start times, many events run several hours**

Friday: 
Lava Summer of Fun: The Last Bison and Starcoast at Virginia Zoo. 6:30 pm. (NFK Orginal) Rip it. 
Sunrise Yoga at the Plot with Skys The Limit Yoga Co. 6:30 am. Rip it. 
Poetry Jackson Art Opening at For All Handkind. 4:00 pm. Rip it. 
Opening Reception: Norfolk Republic by Clayton Singleton at Offsite Gallery. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Tidewater Drive performs live at TGOV Friday Night Series. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
David Jones performs live at Cova Brewing Co. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Brett Williams performs live at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Ian Munsick performs live at Waterside District. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Wines of the Mediterranean with Kiera Hill at VIA Design Architects. 6:30 pm. Rip it. 
Summer New Moon Market at Selden Market. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
The Muse Neighborhood Jam at Muse Writers Center. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Desiree Jordan performs live at Varia. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Norfolk Tides vs. Durham Bulls at Harbor Park. 7:05 pm. Rip it. 
Tales from the Campfire at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Don Bunch performs live at Grace O’Malley’s. 8:30 pm. Rip it. 
Kevin Brinson performs live at Grain. 9:00 pm. Rip it. 
Teacher’s Pet at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it. 

Saturday: 
Saturday Morning Adventure Ride with Local Bike Shop. 8:00 am. Rip it.
Lengthen & Strengthen with Movement is Medicine at Cova Brewing Co. 8:30 am. Rip it. 
Yoga at the Plot with Bhav Brigade. 9:00 am. Rip it.
East Beach Farmers Market at 9680 Shore Dr. 9:00 am. Rip it. 
Yoga + Coffee at Coalescence with Skys the Limit Yoga Co. 9:00 am. Rip it. 
Basic Intarsia Class at d’Art Center. 9:00 am. Rip it. 
Bellas Creations: Craft Vendor Popup at Cova Brewing. 10:00 am. Rip it. 
HydriBike & Brunch at Starving Artist Cafe. 10:00 am. Rip it. 
BigForestFire performs live at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it. 
Community Gentle Yoga at OV Beach Park. 11:00 am. Rip it. 
Warm Vinyasa Donation Class with Out For Stars Yoga. 1:00 pm. Rip it. 
Straight Pour Workshop at d’Art Center. 3:00 pm. Rip it. 
Eric Staab performs live at the Market on Monarch Way. 5:00 pm. Rip it. 
Jacob Vanko performs live at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Steve Link performs live at Cova Brewing Company. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Beth Turner performs live at OV Pier. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Norfolk Tides vs. Durham Bulls (Feat. Fireworks) at Harbor Park. 7:05 pm. Rip it. 
Dustbowl Revival at North Shore Point Smartmouth 2021. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Silent Disco at Blue Moon Taphouse at Waterside. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
The Unusual Suspects: An Improvised Murder Mystery at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Demons Record Release Show at Taphouse Grill. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Saturday Karaoke at Cogans Ghent. 9:00 pm. Rip it. 
UFC 264: Piorier vs McGregor Watch Party at Waterside District. 10:00 pm. Rip it.

Sunday:

Chow.

Harbor Park is serving up BBQ Parfaits with Stouffers Mac & Cheese. Rip it. 

As bourbon grows in popularity, the competition between bourbon hunters grows. Rip it. 

Are you missing out on Churro Donuts from A World of Good? Rip it. 

Benchtop drops Lazy Flocculation a hazy Galaxy Mosaic this Friday. Rip it.

Smartmouth is dropping Silent L IPA with a special event lineup next week. Rip it. 

My Mama’s Kitchen is whipping up Strawberry Smash with angel food cake. Perfect beach treat. Rip it. 

The latest slider from Slide Thru Fam is “Summer on Lock” featuring a strawberry & jalapeno-infused goat cheese. Rip it. 

The newest vendor at local farmer’s markets: LOKAL Cafe with freshly baked bread. Rip it. 

Don’t miss the next Grandiflora wine tasting night. Their selection of organic wines top tier. Rip it. 

Food Truck Sightings:
Friday:
Flavor Savor at Cova Brewing. Rip it. 
Vang’s & Lolly’s Creamery at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it. 
Capt’n Crabby at Maker’s Craft Brewery. Rip it. 
 Jessy’s Tacos at Reaver Beach NFK. Rip it. 

Saturday:
J&K Style Grill at Cova Brewing. Rip it. 
Sour Street Pizza at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it. 
Avocargo at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it. 
Cheese It Up at Reaver Beach NFK. Rip it. 
Flavor Savor BBQ at Maker’s Craft Brewery. Rip it. 

Sunday:
The Chicken Coop at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it. 
Jessy’s at Cova Brewing. Rip it.
Spell’s at Maker’s Craft Brewing. Rip it. 
Jazz Brunch at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.
Pelican Petes at Reaver Beach NFK. Rip it. 

The Ripcurrent.

State agencies have put together ‘wish lists’ for the $4.3 billion in federal aid coming to the Commonwealth. The ideas range from helicopters to sewer pipes. 

Paul Stetson Rice

Chelsea, NFK

Paul is the creator of NFKVA.com. He was born and raised in Norfolk, graduated from Virginia Tech, and narrowly avoided law school. Chat with him about economics, entrepreneurship, hip-hop, and hiking. When he's not working on five different projects, you'll catch him sharing a beer with friends at a local brewery. Go Hokies!