[Sponsor of the Week]

Community. 

Catch the recap of Tuesday’s City Council meeting. Rip it.

When MacArthur Mall comes to pass, model the replacement on downtown’s biggest successes. (Norfolk Currents Orignal) Rip it.

Dominion Energy was paying a Virginian-Pilot columnist over $60,000 per year as he wrote unsigned editorials praising the company. Rip it.

The City of Norfolk confirms they won’t be pursuing the Nordstrom space for City offices immediately. Rip it.

Sentara has a new public dashboard showing COVID-19 hospitalizations across the region. Rip it.

The Tides prevailed in their final road series of the season, beating the Charlotte Knights 6-1 Sunday. Rip it.

“Frank on the roof. Discuss in the morning.” Habitat for Humanity Director, Frank, takes to the roof to raise funds for … a new roof. Rip it.

Despite tieing the game with 27 unanswered points, ODU fell to Buffalo this weekend. Rip it.

Early voting is open, and lagging behind 2020 substantially. Rip it.

After long delays in distributing unemployment benefits, the Virginia Employment Commission is now delaying the implementation of a new system meant to ease the burden. Rip it.

Norfolk Public Libraries opened a new library and it’s the first in Campostella. Rip it.

Disabled riders of HRT’s Paratransit service are organizing to demand better service after repeated failures and shortcomings. Rip it.

What to watch for in this weekend’s Norfolk State – Hampton game. Rip it.

Several vehicles have been driven into homes on Chesapeake Blvd and now residents want action on the rampant speeding. Rip it.

Naval Station Norfolk prepares it’s troops for the impacts of climate change and sea-level rise. Rip it. 

Culture.

Governor’s School for the Art’s graduate Adrienne Warren won her first Tony Award on Sunday for her role as Tina Turner in “The Tina Turner Musical” on Broadway. Rip it. 

Norfolk’s Church Street Jazz concert series is kicking off this weekend with shows throughout the year. Rip it.

October is Norfolk Visual Arts Month and there’s a lot to celebrate. Rip it. 

Get your sound bathing on with Get Well Soon. Rip it. 

Local bands cover the Backstreet Boys, Paramore, the Beastie Boys, and more at Lava Present’s Halloween Extravaganza. Rip it. 

A new Garbage Horror Show set in 2854 brings an interactive art experience to MacArthur Mall (NFK Currents Original) Rip it.

ODU kicks off its 43rd Annual Literary Festival in early October. Rip it. 

The Stockley Gardens Arts Festival, benefiting the Hope House Foundation, is back in action on October 16th and 17th. Rip it. 

NEON Fest is on the books for October 21st and 22nd, celebrating its 6th year. Rip it. 

Currently on Display:
Going Places at Nauticus. Rip it. 
Washed Ashore at Norfolk Botanical Garden. Rip it.  
SITE-SEEING at Slow Dive Gallery. Rip it. 
Racial Inequality at Offsite Gallery. Rip it. 
Homegrown at CommuneXCrop in the NEON District. Rip it.
Life and Limb at Baron and Ellin Gordon Art Gallery. Rip it.
Fence Street Gallery in the NEON District. Rip it.
Edward Steichen: In Exaltation of Flowers at Chrysler Museum. Rip it. 
Karen LaMonte: Théâtre de la Mode at Barry Art Museum. Rip it. 

Commerce.

There are high hopes for the continued economic development of Norfolk. Rip it. 

ODU Professor Bob McNab weighs in on the potential government shutdown’s impact on the regional economy. Rip it. 

As FEMA prepares updated flood insurance rates, there are only 71,000 national flood insurance policyholders in the region indicating a substantial amount of underinsured. Rip it. 

Metronet internet is preparing its Norfolk rollout and access could start this spring. Rip it.

The property that formerly housed Taste and Bazemore’s has finally found a buyer. Rip it. 

Modern Matter expands from Assembly to 24th and Colonial. Rip it. 

New jobless claims surged by 300% last week in Virginia. Rip it.

Few Virginia employers are paying fines for COVID-19 violations. Rip it.

The Norfolk Innovation Corridor was showcased at the 2021 Virginia Economic Developers Association Conference. Rip it. 

Regional Economic Stats. Labor Stats.

Crowds.

Crafted is back with their annual Indie Arts and Crafts Market on October 9th at Reaver Beach NFK (with a new parking shuttle). Rip it. 

**Please note that listed times are start times, many events run several hours**
Friday: 
Norfolk Run Club Meetup at Yorgo’s. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Sunrise Yoga + Coffee on the River with Skys the Limit Yoga Co. 6:30 am. Rip it.
tHRive Member meetup at . 7:30 am. Rip it. 
Pumpkin Picnics at Hunter House Victorian Museum. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Botanical Tour and Nature Craft at Weyanoke Bird Sanctuary. 11:00 am. Rip it. 
Poetry on the Pavement unveiling at Willard Model Elementary. 3:00 pm Rip it. 
Lolly’s Ice Cream Popup at Cova Brewing Co. 3:00 pm. Rip it. 
Adult Only Night at the Virginia Zoo. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Raella dinner at Crudo Nudo. 5:30 pm. Rip it. 
Elizabeth River Waterfront: Downtown Walking Tour with Norfolk Tour Co. 5:30 pm. Rip it. 
Matt and Ali perform live at Cova Brewing Co. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Amy Kaus performs live at Maker’s Craft Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Bad Movie Night at ODU’s Michael and Kimthanh Le Planetarium. 6:30 pm. Rip it. 
Seamless Duo perform live at Varia. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Norfolk Tides vs. Durham Bulls at Harbor Park. 7:05 pm. Rip it. 
The Dumpster Dudes Improv show at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Crime Line, Washers, Shawnis and the Shimmers, and Rose Milk perform live at Taphouse Grill. 9:00 pm. Rip it. 
Lost in Paris performs live at Waterside District. 9:30 pm. Rip it. 
Animal Haus performs live at Grain. 9:30 pm. Rip it. 
ComicKaze presents: A Court-Mandated Sketch Comedy Show at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it. 
Loplex performs live at Slowdive Gallery. 10:00 pm. Rip it. 

Saturday: 
Willoughby Civic League Annual Flea Market at Ocean View Fishing Pier. 8:00 am. Rip it. 
Saved By The 90s at The Norva. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Yoga for Runners Workshop at Coalescence with Skys the Limit Yoga Co. 9:00 am. Rip it.
East Beach Farmer’s Market at 9680 Shore Drive. 9:00 am. Rip it. 
Pedego EBike ERT – Downtown Ride. 9:00 am. Rip it. 
The Rockets perform live at Waterside District. 9:30 am. Rip it. 
Virginia Children’s Festival at Town Point Park. 10:00 am. Rip it. 
Bhav Brigade Backyard Yoga at Hank’s Filling Station. 10:00 am. Rip it. 
Norfolk Arbor Day Festival at Lafayette Park. 10:00 am. Rip it. 
Freshtopia Boombox Ride on the ERT. 10:00 am. Rip it. 
Bike & Brunch at Starving Artist Cafe. 12:00 pm. Rip it. 
Board Game Day at Cafe Stella at HR Metro Geeks. 10:30 pm. Rip it. 
A History Lover’s Guide to Norfolk Book Signing at Hunter House Victorian Museum. 11:00 am. Rip it. 
BigForestFire performs live at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it. 
Chelsea West Fest by Hope House Foundation. 12:00 pm. Rip it. 
Crafted Monthly Maker Market at Coalescence. 12:00 pm. Rip it. 
Oktoberfest at Elation Brewing. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
1st Annual Cova Cornhole Tournament at Cova Brewing Co. 1:00 pm. Rip it. 
HR Wine Lovers Saturday Afternoon Tasting at Vino Culture Shop. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Killin’ Pine Axe Throwing at Reaver Beach NFK. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
YOUth Matter at LGBT Life Center. 2:00 pm. Rip it. 
Lost in the Depths of Davy Jones Locker Tour at Elmwood Cemetary. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
Pints for Paws with PETA at Elation Brewing. 2:30 pm. Rip it. 
Along the Brick Wall tour of Cedar Grove Cemetary. 3:00 pm. Rip it. 
Chris Ride performs live at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Introduction to Wheel Throwing at 757 Makerspace. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Fox and the Bear perform live at Elation Brewing. 6:30 pm. Rip it.
Neptune Groove performs live at Varia. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Sebastian Vega performs live at the Veil. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Norfolk Tides vs. Durham Bulls at Harbor Park. 7:05 pm. Rip it. 
Katt Williams World War 3 Tour at Scope Arena. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Najee performs live at Harrison Opera House 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Date Night at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
DJ Joe Fu performs live at Grain. 9:30 pm. Rip it. 
Baby Brett performs live at Slowdive Gallery. 10:00 pm. Rip it. 

Sunday:

Chow.

Norfolk Greek Fest “Drive-Thru” edition is back again this weekend. Rip it. 

Say hello to fall at the Birch with Pumpkin Hummus. Rip it.  

You don’t have to go to New Orleans for the French Quarter. Va Cheese Co has you covered. Rip it. 

Smoked chicken chili with house-made Fritos at Coach House is perfect for the first cool evening of the fall. Rip it. 

You deserve a slice of Puerto Rican Rum Cake from Luna Maya. Rip it.

If you haven’t made it to the Glasslight Hotel’s dining room and bar yet, you need to make the trip. Rip it.

Syd’s Fish Pig Cafe continues to challenge your tastebuds. For instance, this smoked bacon-wrapped loin. Rip it.   

Painkillers are always in style at Toast. Rip it. 

New at the Veil Caribbean Dream Machine Gummee Berliner Weisse. Rip it.

Smartmouth drops Outta Yer Gourd Pumpkin Ale this weekend. Rip it.

Soft Crash juicy mosaic IPA returns to Benchtop Brewing by popular demand. Rip it. 

Food Truck Sightings:
Friday:
Miami Fusion at Cova Brewing. Rip it. 
Avocargo at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it. 
Capt’n Crabby at Reaver Beach NFK. Rip it.
Pitt County at Maker’s Craft Brewery. Rip it. 
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it. 

Saturday:
Smoked Biscuit and Prime 757 at Cova Brewing. Rip it. 
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it. 
Avocargo at Reaver Beach NFK. Rip it.
Chicken Coop at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it. 
Flavor Savor BBQ at Maker’s Craft Brewery. Rip it. 

Sunday:
Prime 757 at Cova Brewing. Rip it.
The Hippy Egg at Reaver Beach NFK. Rip it. 
Gavin Dishes at Maker’s Craft Brewing. Rip it. 
Ghost Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.

The Ripcurrent.

One Year Thank You!
Here’s a community gift card to grab some coffee from Kobro’s Coffee on us. Email subscribers get first dibs, we’ll update this post with the card number a few hours after the newsletter drops.

P.S. This card can be re-loaded. So if you wanted to drop a few bucks on it, you’re more than welcome too! 

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!