Community. 

Later Skater: Skateboard Community Displeased at the Loss of Unsanctioned Skate Park. (NFK Currents Original) Rip it.  

Nadarius Clark, a 26-year-old, beat incumbent Stever Heretick in the Democratic primary for the 79th House of Delegates District. Rip it. 

Ramin Fatehi won the Democratic primary for Norfolk’s Commonwealth’s Attorney with a commanding 60% of the vote. Rip it. 

The MLK monument at Brambleton and Church is slowly but surely being restored. Rip it.  

Sharon McQueen led her neighbors in funding 6 new kayaks for the Elizabeth River Project. The kayaks will be used to pick up trash and clean the waterway. Rip it. 

Virginia received $15 million in federal funding for affordable housing, with Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority receiving $933,240 of those funds. Rip it.

JLARC has recommended changes to the marijuana policies set to take effect July 1st. Rip it. 

An online news site that has written dozens of articles challenging Sentara did not disclose ties to a public relations firm hired by Eastern Virginia Medical School, which is in a dispute with the nonprofit health system. Rip it. 

On July 1st, Virginia will have its first-ever Secretary of Labor, Megan Healy. Rip it. 

City of Norfolk offices will be closed next Friday in observance of Juneteenth. Rip it. 

Samaritan House commemorates pride month by promoting healthy relationships and addressing the issue of intimate partner violence. Rip it. 

A judge has ordered the Virginia Employment Commission to fix issues at the agency that is slowing unemployment claim processing. Rip it. 

Culture.

Work In Progress at the Hermitage Documents the Work We Still Have To Do. (NFK Currents Original) Rip it.

Washed Ashore: Sculptures of the Plastic Plague’s Real Victims at Norfolk Botanical Garden. (NFK Currents Original) Rip it. 

Smartmouth’s Juneteenth Solstice Festival is jam-packed with incredible local talent. Rip it.

Norfolk’s Keyshawn Davis, 22, will be boxing at the Tokyo Olympics this summer. Rip it.

The City of Norfolk has announced a series of arts, cultural and community events to celebrate Juneteenth. Rip it.

Full-size festivals are back at Town Point Park with Festevents’ new 2021 lineup. Rip it.

Artists are flocking to the Market on Monarch at Brock Commons. Rip it.

Joél Casanova and BeatHunter Dance are teaching hip hop to students to help them find personal style, build confidence, and help other process emotions. Rip it.

Join the retiring Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s retiring music director, JoAnn Falletta, for a Beethoven finale. Rip it.

On display now at d’Art Center: Edition: A National Juried Exhibition of Photography and Printmaking. Rip it.

Experience art in the wild with Barry Art Museum’s augmented reality art exhibit. Rip it. 

Commerce.

Black woman-owned bridal shop quadruples sales as business booms for the wedding industry. Rip it. 

Meet Claus Ihleman, a local businessman who exemplifies community pride and paying it forward. Rip it. 

The regional real estate market continues to be hot. Rip it. 

Lyon Shipyard is expected to invest $24.4 million to expand its operations in Norfolk and add 119 new jobs. Rip it. 

Breeze Airways is officially off the ground in Norfolk. Their first flight departed this week. Rip it. 

ReAlta Life Sciences successfully closed on $20 million in new funding led by Buddy Gadams’ Marathon Development Group. Rip it. 

Strome College of Business helps facilitate marine cybersecurity training for Port of Virginia employees. Rip it. 

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

Crowds.

Sunsets on the River Return to the Hermitage Museum and Gardens every Thursday. (NFK Currents Original) Rip it.

**Please note that listed times are start times, many events run several hours**
All Weekend:
Norfolk Botanical Gardens exhibit “Washed Ashore.” Rip it. 
Going Places Exhibit at Nauticus Grand Opening Weekend. Rip it.  
Virginia Arts Festival presents Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto and Symphony No. 5 at Chrysler Hall. Rip it. 
In The Heights is showing at the Naro Expanded Cinema. Rip it.

Friday: 
Norfolk Run Club meetup at Yorgo’s. 6:00 am. Rip it. 
Sunrise Yoga with Skys the Limit Yoga Co at the Plot. 6:30 am. Rip it.  
Volunteer Oyster Growers Spat Pickup at Elizabeth River Project. 3:00 pm. Rip it. 
Virginia Zoo Open Late Til 8 Night. 5:30 pm. Rip it. 
Outlaw Kings perform live at Ocean View Fishing Pier. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Vince Kornegay performs live at Cova Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Jacob Vanko performs live at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
History Meets Real Estate: A Tour of Freemason with Norfolk Tour Co. 6:30 pm. Rip it.
Lava Presents: An Evening with Grateful Jed at O’Connor Brewing. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Robbin King with Sarita Scott performs live at Varia. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Work in Progress Exhibition Opening Event at the Hermitage. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Joey Harkum performs live at Chicho’s Backstage. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Tales from the Campfire at Push Comedy. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Chris Bandi performs live at Waterside. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Jarvis & Nate from Paper Aliens perform live at Grain. 9:00 pm. Rip it. 

Saturday: 
Saturday Morning Adventure Ride with Local Bike Shop. 8:00 am. Rip it. 
Fit4Mom Norfolk Meetup at Cova Brewing. 8:30 am. Rip it. 
Yoga + Coffee with Skys the Limit Yoga Co at Coalescence. 9:00 am. Rip it.
Picnic at Weyanoke Bird Sanctuary. 9:00 am. Rip it. 
John Hicks teaches Basic Intarsia at D’Art Center. 9:00 am. Rip it. 
Tree ID Walk and Talk at Norfolk Botanical Gardens. 9:00 am. Rip it.
Nature and Eco Kayak Tour with Norfolk Kayak Rentals. 9:30 am. Rip it. 
Open House at Sail Nauticus. 10:00 am. Rip it. 
Bhav Brigade Yoga at the Plot. 10:00 am. Rip it. 
What’s in Bloom Walking Tour on the ERT. 10:00 am. Rip it.
BigForestFire performs live at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it. 
Open Doors: A Sensory Friendly Concert at Bank Street Stage. 11:00 am. Rip it. 
Red Stapler Duo performs live at Starving Artist Cafe. 11:00 am. Rip it. 
Pivot Dance Center at Harrison Opera House. 11:00 am. Rip it. 
Community Gentle Yoga at OV Beach Park. 11:00 am. Rip it. 
Crafted Summer Market at O’Connor Brewing Norfolk. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Red Stapler Duo performs live at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Neptune Groove performs live at Varia. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Granby St Downtown Norfolk Walking Tour with Norfolk Tour Co. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
The Unusual Suspects: An Improvised Murder Mystery at Push Comedy. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Charlton Phaneuf performs live at Grain. 9:00 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.

Here’s a glimpse of the section of Norfolk formerly known as Hell’s Half Acre.

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!