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Community. 

Norfolk’s MLK Monument is restored and starting re-installation. Rip it. 

Despite the pandemic, Downtown Norfolk is continuing to progress its 2030 plan. Rip it. 

Over 1 million miles have officially been logged on lime scooters in Norfolk. Rip it. 

The Norfolk Police Department has launched a new Data Hub as well as a partnership with the Center for Policing Equity (CPE) in order to boost transparency. Rip it. 

NACC is experiencing high numbers of cats on our radar, so they are now offering a $20 adoption fee for adult cats for a limited time. Find a furry friend. Rip it. 

The Office of Resilience is now accepting applications for Retain Your Rain Mini-Grants with up to $2500 to be awarded. Rip it. 

Changing ABC laws means Downtown Norfolk’s First Fridays will have a new feel. Rip it. 

A new ship is calling Naval Station Norfolk home, the USS Philippine Sea. Rip it. 

Norfolk leveraged low-interest rates to sell $211 million in taxable General Obligation Bonds to increase funding for the Norfolk Employees’ Retirement System. Rip it. 

The City of Norfolk was recognized as a national leader in data-driven governance as they achieved the silver certification from What Works Cities. Rip it. 

Angela Blackwell Carter has been named the new director of VisitNorfolk and the Norfolk Tourism Foundation. Rip it. 

Culture.

Norfolk Day Festival has been announced with a lineup of DJs, bands, vendors, and food trucks to be envied. NFK Currents will be onsite for our first popup ever. Rip it. 

Broadway in Norfolk is returning this fall with Anastasia, Hairspray, Jersey Boys, Wicked, and more. Rip it. 

ODU junior Hunter Gregory was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays this week. He was the 242nd overall pick. Rip it. 

ODU Women’s Tennis was named an ITA All-Academic Team. Rip it. 

Norfolk Admirals season opener will be on October 22nd, tickets are on sale now. Rip it. 

Norfolk-native Keyshawn Davis’ first Olympic fight is scheduled for July 25. Rip it. 

Registration is open for Millers Bikes & Brews 2021. Rip it. 

Don’t miss the Lava Presents: Summer of Fun double concert day at Maker’s Craft Brewery on July 31st. Rip it. 

Currently on Display:

Going Places at Nauticus. (NFK Currents Original). Rip it. 

Work In Progress at the Hermitage Museum and Gardens. (NFK Currents Original). 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.

Meet LeZandra of LeZandra Photography, a badass entrepreneur who’s empowering women as she grows her small business. (NFK Currents Original) Rip it. 

Despite unemployment claims decreasing as businesses reopen, it’s harder to reach the Virginia Unemployment Commission now than at peak pandemic. Rip it.  

Campus757 is a new program aiming to recruit and retain job talent in Hampton Roads. Rip it. 

A cyber attack on Optima Health resulted in the loss of personal information for some Sentara members. Rip it. 

Virginia is once again a named CNBC’s top state for business. Rip it. 

Norfolk’s Mode5 was voted the 29th Best Managed Service Provider in North America. Rip it. 

CHKD is launching “Lighting The Way” public fundraising campaign to fund the new mental health hospital. Rip it. 

Virginia legislators built a solar program for apartment dwellers. The SCC gutted it. Rip it. 

Gov. Ralph Northam and Democratic leaders in the legislature announced a plan to route $353 million in federal pandemic aid to small businesses and industries hard hit by the pandemic. Rip it. 

Congrats to Stark and Legum on their move to a new shop. Rip it. 

In the (Enterprise) Zone with Monument Development. Rip it. 

SVT Robotics was awarded $100,000 for its natural language processing and interface for robotic integration systems. Rip it. 

Q2 2021 Multifamily Market Report for the region by Economist Dr. Sturevant. Rip it. 

Regional Economic Stats. Port Stats. Labor Stats.

Crowds.

All Weekend: The 4th Annual Monarch Cobia Classic hosted by the ODU Alumni Association. (NFK Currents Original) Rip it.

**Please note that listed times are start times, many events run several hours**
Friday: 
Sunrise Yoga + Coffee On the River with Skys The Limit Yoga Co. 6:30 am. Rip it. 
Ghent Farmer’s Market at Blair Middle. 4:00 pm. Rip it. 
Jesse Chong performs live at TGOV. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Ben Long performs live at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Eric Tubbs performs live at Cova Brewing Co. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Tailgate Down performs live at Waterside District. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
LAVA Presents: Bended Light & Threesound at Chicho’s Backstage. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Seven Cities Jazz Popup at the Plot. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
History Meets Real Estate: A Tour of Freemason with Cyrstal Salazar and Norfolk Tour Co. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Skylark with Skip Hancock performs live at Varia. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
The Improvable Jokers Stand Up at Push Comedy. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Late Night Ladies’ Ride departing Smartmouth. 8:30 pm. Rip it. 
Brian Gaffney performs live at Grace O’Malley’s. 8:30 pm. Rip it. 
Jarvis & Nate from Paper Aliens perform live at Grain. 9:00 pm. Rip it. 
The Dumpster Dudes Improv at Push Comedy. 10:00 pm. Rip it. 

Saturday: 
Saturday Morning Adventure Ride at Local Bike Shop. 8:00 am. Rip it. 
East Beach Farmers Market. 9:00 am. Rip it. 
Elizabeth River Trail Ride- Explore Downtown with Pedego Ebikes. 9:00 am. Rip it. 
IFBB Professional League Lenda Murray Norfolk Pro-Am at Harrison Opera house. 9:00 am. Rip it.
What’s In Bloom: Walking Tour of Jeff Robertson Park and Weyanoke Sanctuary. 10:00 am. Rip it. 
Bike & Brunch with Starving Artist Cafe. 10:00 am. Rip it. 
Adopt a Spot Community Beautification with Park Place Civic League. 10:00 am. Rip it. 
Drag Brunch at Waterside. 10:00 am & 1:00 pm. Rip it. 
Community Gentle Yoga at OV Beach Park. 11:00 am. Rip it.
BigForestFire performs live at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it. 
Killin’ Pine – Mobile Axe Throwing at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 1:00 pm. Rip it. 
UGA Alumni Social Hour at Smartmouth Brewing Co. 4:00 pm. Rip it. 
Mackenzie Roark performs live at the Market on Monarch. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Jeffrey Lewis Poulson performs live at Blue Moon Tavern. 5:30 pm. Rip it. 
Daniela Spievogel performs live at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Nerdvana presents: Harry Potter and the Cauldron of Comedy at Push Comedy Theather. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Jan and Zane duo perform live at Grain. 9:00 pm. Rip it. 
Pete Dykema performs live at Taphouse Grill. 9:00 pm. Rip it. 
 Harold Night at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it. 
UGA event

Sunday:

Chow.

Mudita Cafe & Coffeehouse is bringing joy to Ocean View. This weekend is their grand opening. (NFK Currents Original). Rip it. 

Virginia Cheese Company is packing a Lemon Whipped Feta sandwich that is perfect for summer pagoda picnics. Rip it. 

Brick Anchor is hosting a Whiskey Sour cocktail class this week. Rip it. 

This Four Eleven York Albariño wine flight lineup is a classy Iberian happy hour. Rip it. 

El Rey #2 has $2 taco specials that are lighting up Little Creek. Rip it. 

Chorizo Mexican is dedicated to the tiktok game and we stan. Rip it. 

Granby Waffle Shop at Selden Market has $5 mimosas all day, every day so it’s always brunch o’clock. Rip it. 

Major Phillie Cheesesteaks on Granby Street is single-handly making Philly Cheesesteaks cool again. Rip it. 

Meet Smartmouth’s new resident food truck – Ghost Kitchen. Rip it.

Lavender Earl Grey Craft Latte? Kobro’s stays swinging for the fences. Rip it. 

Food Truck Sightings:
Friday:
Deutscher Imbiss at Cova Brewing. Rip it. 
Weng’s Kitchen at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it. 
Pitt County BBQ at Maker’s Craft Brewery. Rip it. 
Hangry’s at Reaver Beach NFK. Rip it. 
Ghost Kitchen & A Bite of Maine at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it. 

Saturday:
Prime 757 at Cova Brewing. Rip it. 
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it. 
The Chicken Coop and Lollys Creamery at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it. 
757 Hotdog Project at Reaver Beach NFK. Rip it. 
Big Belly Food Truck at Maker’s Craft Brewery. Rip it. 

Sunday:
Bar-Q at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it. 
Big Belly Food Truck at Cova Brewing. Rip it.
TFK Taco Bar at Maker’s Craft Brewing. Rip it. 
Lolly’s Creamery at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.
Lumpia King at Reaver Beach NFK. Rip it. 

The Ripcurrent.

A Day in Ocean View with VisitNorfolk

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!