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Community. 

Catch up on the results of Tuesday’s City Council meeting here. Rip it.

Virginia reports fewer than 100 new COVID-19 cases for the first time in more than a year. Rip it.

TCC’s Visual Arts program is planning to take over the former Harbor Heights Harris Teeter space in Downtown Norfolk which has been vacant for several years. Rip it.

The City of Norfolk lost its chief deputy city manager, Wynter Benda, as he takes a role in Lynchburg. Rip it.

Breeze Airlines is coming to Norfolk International and offering flights starting at $39. Rip it.

Michele Naughton-Epps has been named the city’s newest Assistant Chief of Police, making her the department’s highest-ranking African American woman and the first to serve in that role. Rip it.

Norfolk’s Department of Human Services is now accepting applications for grant funding with around $600,000 in available funds. Rip it.

the U.S. Coast Guard and other agencies responded to an oil spill in Steamboat Creek this week, collecting over 200 gallons of contaminated water and 130 bags of oiled debris. Rip it.

The Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters (CHKD) has become the first hospital in the Commonwealth to have a special reading program in the NICU. Rip it.

The CMA CGM Marco Polo, the largest container ship to call on the East Coast, has arrived at the Virginia International Gateway this week providing for quite the sight on the Elizabeth River. Rip it.

The Norfolk Tides announced that Harbor Park will begin operating at 100% capacity following loosened pandemic restrictions. Rip it.

The CIVIC Leadership Institute announced that Old Dominion University President John Broderick and Sentara Healthcare will receive the individual and corporate Darden Awards this year. Rip it.

Delegate Steve Heretick, who represents parts of Norfolk, has been deposed in an alleged fraud scheme. Rip it.

Virginia lost a legend this week with the death of Senator John Warner, who served in the Senate for over 30 years and served the country for much longer. Rip it.

Pride month is right around the corner. Here’s your calendar of events. Rip it.

Meet the candidates vying for the Democratic Lieutenant Governor nomination. Rip it.

Culture.

Holy Crape! What’s With All These Trees? The Story of Norfolk’s Crape Myrtles. Rip it. 

Lava Presents ‘Summer of Fun’ lineup of shows keeps growing. Rip it.

Young Crazy’s latest album proves the Norfolk rapper can ‘get in any bag’. Rip it.

The Tides have won their third game in a row over the Charlotte Knights. Rip it. 

Norfolk Public Arts and the Elizabeth River Project were awarded $75K to infuse art in the Ohio Creek Watershed Project. Rip it. 

Pickleball is coming to MacArthur Center’s outdoor courtyard after the efforts of local, Mary Goldburg. Rip it.  

Meet the pancake tortoise at the Virginia Zoo. Rip it. 

Augmented reality brings the Barry Art Museum collection to life. Rip it. 

Tenants are officially onsite at Assembly. The architecture and interior design are phenomenal. Rip it. 

Sunsets on the River, outdoor shows at the Hermitage are back for the summer. Rip it.

On display now at the Chrysler Museum: Edward Steichen: In Exaltation of Flowers. Rip it. 

Nauticus gets a new exhibit this month: “Going Places: The Technology of Transport.” Rip it. 

Commerce.

Naro-ly Avoiding Shutdown, Norfolk’s Favorite Cinema Gears Up For Another Comeback on June 4th. Rip it.

Local entrepreneur, Hamilton Perkins, has been selected for Ellen’s Summer 2021 BE KIND Subscription Box. Rip it.

Several local lawyers were named to the 2021 Virginia Super Lawyers list. Rip it.

Virginia Finance Secretary Aubrey Layne is leaving his post in the Northam administration for a role at Sentara. Rip it.

A new industry is taking form at the Virginia Offshore Wind Landing in Downtown Norfolk as industry leaders come together in a coworking and networking space. Rip it.

Meet the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce’s Small Businesses of the Year. Rip it.

Averett University launched an accelerated bachelor’s in nursing program this week. Rip it.

Virginia Oncology Associates has a new home at Sentara’s Brock Cancer Center in Norfolk. Rip it.

Old Dominion University’s Strome College of Business is partnering with the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce to hosting the 2021 Economic Forecast Mid-Year Breakfast on June 17th, 2021. Rip it.

The 2021 Coastal Community Resilience Challenge has six small business winners receiving more than $1 million in funding. Rip it.

Applications Are Open For 757 Accelerate’s Fall Cohort. Rip it.

Regional Economic Stats. Port Stats. Labor Stats. Real Estate Stats.

Crowds.

**Please note that listed times are start times, many events run several hours**
All Weekend:
A Musical Tribute to Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston at Bank Street Stage. 7:30 pm. Rip it.

Friday:
Norfolk Run Club morning run at Yorgo’s. 6:00 am. Rip it.
Sunrise Yoga at the Plot with Skys the Limit Yoga Co. 6:30 am. Rip it.
Court Street Company performs live at Town Point Park. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Dennis O’Hagan performs live at O’Connor Brewing. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Hooks & Hops 757 Monthly Meetup at Smartmouth Beer. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Kaboombox performs live at Cova Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Troy Breslow performs live at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Dustin Furlow performs live at Varia. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Free NEON District Art Tour with Norfolk Tour Co. 6:30 pm. Rip it.
Mystic Moon Drum Circle at Mystic Moon. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Norfolk Tides vs. Charlotte Knights at Harbor Park. 7:05 pm. Rip it.
Push Comedy presents A Star Wars Improv Show and Costume Contest. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
DUSK Presents: GOTH PROM 2021 at 37th and Zen. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Late Night Ladies’ Ride with Social Cycling Norfolk. 8:30 pm. Rip it.
Johnny Smallwood performs live at Grain. 9:00 pm. Rip it.

Saturday: 
Elizabeth River Run 10k on the Elizabeth River Trail. 7:00 am. Rip it.
Saturday Morning Adventures with Local Bike Shop. 8:00 am. Rip it.
Market on Monarch Way with MSG Acoustic Blues. 9:00 am. Rip it.
Nature and Eco Kayak Tour with Norfolk Kayak Rentals. 9:30 am. Rip it.
Chesapeake Bay Art Association Spring Art Crawl. 10:00 am. Rip it. 
Community Gentle Yoga at OV Beach Park. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Sidewalk Sale & Plant D’Cor Pop Up at Industrial Cottage. 11:00 am. Rip it.
BigForestFire performs live at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Asian American Pacific Islander Vendor Fair at Selden Market. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Pretty Ugly Gorilla Spring Craft Beer Festival at Cogan’s North. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
The Main Event Pop-Up Market at Norfolk Premium Outlets. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Bluegrass BBQ & Brews Festival at Smartmouth Beer. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
LAVA Summer of Fun: Bended Light, The Hookz at Makers Craft Brewery. 3:30 pm. Rip it.
Silent Day Party “Trap Wars” at Culture Lounge. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
Brasswind performs live at Town Point Park. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Nadia Koz performs live at O’Connor Brewing. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Chris Morrow performs live at Willoughby by the Bay. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Glen Boswick & The Sounds Of Swing Orchestra at Elation Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
La’Quan Nock (Gifted Hands) performs live at Varia. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Norfolk Tides vs. Charlotte Knights at Harbor Park.[Fireworks Game] 7:05 pm. Rip it.
LAVA Summer of Fun: Berries, Ladada, You’re Jovian at Makers Craft Brewery. 7:15 pm. Rip it.
Push Comedy Presents The JAM with Lemon Pepper and Sazon at the Plot. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Justin Holland performs live at Grain. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
One Of Them Nights Party at Ultra Lounge. 10:00 pm. Rip it.

Sunday:

Chow.

Our guide to Norfolk’s best rooftops and elevated libation locations. Rip it.

Kobros Coffee new home on 21st Street is officially open. Rip it.

Sense’s Vegan Comfort Food is expanding with a food truck coming soon. Rip it.

Pownd Cakes by Jen has been serving up lots of smiles through the pandemic. Rip it.

Cure Coffee announced its expansion to a third location in Portsmouth with a super fun video. Rip it.

Omar’s Carriage House happy hour includes 1/2 off drinks and an incredible menu of $5 snacks. Rip it.

Cafe Milo is bringing the love with vegan falafel on the menu. Rip it.

Prepare yourself. Three Ships downtown is now open. Rip it.

The Dirty Buffalo (OG) is undergoing renovations and coming back with a whole new vibe. Rip it.

Get your seltzer fix with a Truly Punch Bucket at the Ocean View Fishing Pier. Rip it.

Ice cream and gelato are big Memorial day weekend vibes. Did you know Strawberry Field has vegan options? Rip it.

Into meal prepping? Clean Eatz on Granby is getting rave reviews for its tasty and affordable meal plans. Rip it.

Double shrimp burger at Legrand Kitchen is back and better than ever. Rip it.

Food Truck Sightings:
Friday:
Weng’s Kitchen at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.
Luva Bowls at Cova Brewing. Rip it.
A Bite of Maine at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it.
La Cucina di Sophia at O’Connor Brewing. Rip it.
Miki’s Doghouse at Maker’s Craft Brewery. Rip it.
The Chicken Coop at Reaver Beach NFK. Rip it.

Saturday:
Smoked Biscuit at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it.
Vang’s Sushi at Cova Brewing. Rip it.
Over the Moon Pub Pizza at O’Connor Brewing. Rip it.
Luvabowls at Maker’s Craft Brewing. Rip it.
757 Hot Dog Project at Reaver Beach NFK. Rip it.
Bar-Q at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.

Sunday:
Smoked Biscuit at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it.
Deutscher Imbiss at Cova Brewing. Rip it.
Bearhouse Coffee Roasters at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it.
Red River Smokehouse at O’Connor Brewing. Rip it.
Prime 757 at Maker’s Craft Brewing. Rip it.
Flavor Savor BBQ at Reaver Beach NFK. Rip it.

The Ripcurrent.

You made it this far, enjoy a dance break in the NEON District. 

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!