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Community. 

Pharrell William’s Nonprofit YELLOW is bringing a micro-school to Norfolk called YELLOWHAB. Rip it. 

The Biden Administration included $83.7 million in federal funding for the Norfolk Harbor Widening and Deepening project in their proposed budget. Rip it. 

Norfolk ranked 178th out of 200 cities surveyed for its bike friendliness. Rip it.

Nadarius Clark, who is challenging incumbent Steve Heretick in the 79th house district, has out-raised him by more than $74,000 through funding that has been largely provided by the political action committees Clean Virginia and Commonwealth Forward. Rip it. 

ODU ranked fourth among U.S. institutions (45th globally) for reducing inequalities between students of different socioeconomic backgrounds. Rip it. 

In an effort to reduce teacher shortages, ODU and the Virginia Community College System have struck an agreement to guarantee admission to VCCS-affiliated students looking to attend the Darden College of Education. Rip it. 

Gov. Ralph Northam has directed state agencies and higher education institutions to take steps to significantly reduce pollution that runs off into the Chesapeake Bay. Rip it.

The community came together to raise funds to buy an adaptive bike for 6-year-old Camden Ward. Rip it. 

Clean the Bay week is in action and volunteers have collected over 2.3K pounds of trash, planted 243 native plants, and installed 6 new rain barrels. There’s still time for you to help. Rip it. 

A new state grant program will help fund eviction prevention and diversion services by providing the City of Norfolk with $560,000. Rip it. 

Be on the lookout for giant rodents that look like muskrats. It could be an invasive wetland-destroying Nutria. Rip it. 

Pride Month is off and running, here’s a calendar of events happening throughout the region. Rip it. 

Culture.

The Norva’s first show back is officially scheduled. It will be All Time Low on August 24th. Rip it.

Sunsets on the River is back for the summer at the Hermitage Museum and Gardens. Rip it. 

On exhibit now at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens: Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea.” Rip it. 

Lava Presents brings Grateful Jed to O’Connor Brewing next weekend. Rip it. 

Get to know your wildlife neighbors with a Nature and Eco Kayak Tour hosted by the Virginia Zoo and Norfolk Kayak Rentals. Rip it. 

Both Norfolk State and Old Dominion baseball teams made the NCAA Tournament this week. Rip it.

Make plans to catch Kendal Street Company at O’Connor Brewing later this month. Rip it. 

Norfolk International Airport has a new steel, aluminum, and glass sculpture of a blue heron that is 24 feet tall and has a wingspan of over 44 feet. Rip it. 

Meet Deborah Wallace, an Emmy-nominated producer, writer, director, and performer, whose latest project Shakespeare in the Plot is coming soon to the NEON District. Rip it. 

Naro Cinema is back in action screening Back to the Future on Friday. Rip it. 

Gabe Niles, Koren Grace, Dariel Clark, and more are set to perform at the Juneteenth Solstice Festival at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it. 

Don’t miss Demons, Community Witch, and I Fight Vampires this Sweet Brother Touring show at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it. 

Coming soon to the Hermitage Museum and Gardens “Work in Progress: 13 Murals For Right Now”. Rip it. 

Commerce.

S&P Global has affirmed Norfolk’s AAA credit rating for general obligation debt. Rip it.

The plan to merge Sentara with North Carolina-based Cone Health is off. Rip it. 

Dominion energy has opted out of a 13-state regional energy cooperative that coordinates capacity. Rip it. 

Rent prices are on the rise across the region and the commercial real estate market is heating up as demand outstrips supply. Rip it. 

Under a new “anti-nimby” law beginning July 1, the City will no longer be able to deny housing development permits because they contain affordable units. Rip it. 

Digital Lens Rental’s new location on 21st Street is officially open. Rip it. 

Pure Lagos has expanded to a new space on Bute Street in Freemason. Rip it. 

Regional Economic Stats. Port Stats. Labor Stats. 

Crowds.

**Please note that listed times are start times, many events run several hours**
All Weekend:
Virginia International Tattoo at ODU’s Ballard Stadium. Rip it. 
Visiting Artist Corey Pemberton at Chrysler Museum Glass Studio. Rip it. 
Ultimate School Daze Weekend Getaway Downtown. Rip it. 
Norfolk Botanical Gardens exhibit “Washed Ashore.” Rip it.  

Friday: 
Norfolk Run Club Friday Morning Run at Yorgos. 9:00 am. Rip it. 
Sunrise Yoga + Coffee at the Pagoda with Skys the Limit Yoga Co. 6:30 am. Rip it. 
Washed Ashore Behind The Scenes Walk & Talk at Norfolk Botanical Gardens. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Ghent Farmer’s Market at Blair Middle School. 4:00 pm. Rip it. 
Pete’s Pub Trivia for CHKD at Smartmouth Beer. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
First Friday’s 757 at Unity Lab Studios. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
DJ Canrock performs live at The Veil Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Amy Kaus performs live at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Rob Oliver performs live at Cova Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Adult Swim hosted by Nelia Bella at the Wave. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Lost in the Depths of Davy Jones Locker at Elmwood Cemetery. 6:30 pm. Rip it. 
Neptune Groove performs live at Varia. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Back to the Future showing at the Naro. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Chris Smither performs live at Bank Street Stage. 7:30 pm. Rip it. 
Runnin’ Shine performs live at Waterside District. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Push Comedy Theater Grand Re-Opening. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 
Brian Grilli performs live at Grain. 9:00 pm. Rip it. 

Saturday: 
Saturday Morning Adventure Ride with Local Bike Shop. 8:00 am. Rip it. 
Market on Monarch way with Norfolk Loves Bikes. 9:00 am. Rip it. 
Nature and Eco Kayak Tour with Virginia Zoo and Norfolk Kayak Rentals. 9:30 am. Rip it. 
Wildflower Meadow Walk and Talk at Norfolk Botanical Gardens. 9:30 am. Rip it. 
Backyard Yoga at Hank’s Filling Station. 10:00 am. Rip it. 
2021 Pride Kick Off at MJ’s Tavern. 10:00 am. Rip it. 
Hampton Roads Metro Geeks Board Game Day at Cafe Stella. 10:30 am. Rip it. 
68th Annual Norfolk NATO Festival at Norfolk Scope. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Community Gentle Yoga at OV Beach Park. 11:00 am. Rip it. 
BigForestFire performs live at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it. 
Erin Lunsford performs live at the Market on Monarch Way. 11:00 am. Rip it.
O’Connoroo 2021 at O’Connor Brewing. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Music Makers Live Broadway: A Fantastical Evening at Kroc Center. 4:00 pm. Rip it. 
Parents Night Out at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Exhibition Opening: Art and Soul by Tonya Hopson at Gallery 21. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Leonard Rex performs live at Maker’s Craft Brewery. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Skylark with Skip Hancock performs live at Varia. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Date Night at the Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 am. Rip it. 
Jan and Zane perform live at Grain. 9:00 pm. Rip it.

Sunday:

Chow.

Hashi Chow is serving up bowls of oak-smoked bluefish at Benchtop on Sunday. Rip it.

Sometimes simple really is better. Proscuitto and mozzarella from Luce is looking elegant. Rip it.

Cork N’ Co. is bringing a big cocktail game to Granby St. Rip it.

Watch out Yorgo’s, Chelsea Bakehouse turning out everything-seasoned croissants. Rip it.  

Salmich’s great subs now have a sign worthy of their fare. Rip it.

Cure is slinging a Caprese BLT bagel served on a rainbow bagel all of June to celebrate pride month. Rip it. 

A portion of the proceeds from every pint of Bold Mariner’s lime and ginger seltzer go to Hampton Roads Pride, so drink up. Rip it. 

Pulled pork, guac, and hibiscus habanero cream on a …. hot dog. 757 Hot Dog Project is really letting the dogs out. Rip it. 

Food Truck Sightings:
Friday:
Avocargo at Smartmouth Brewing. Rip it. 
Chesapeake Concessions at Cova Brewing. Rip it. 
Bearhouse Coffee Roasters at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it. 
Capt’n Crabby at O’Connor Brewing. Rip it. 
Red River Smokehouse at Maker’s Craft Brewery. Rip it. 
757 Hot Dog Project at Reaver Beach NFK. Rip it. 

Saturday:
Burrito Perdido at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it.
La Cucina di Sophia at Cova Brewing. Rip it. 
TFK Taco Bar at O’Connor Brewing. Rip it. 
Get Stuffed & Big Belly at Maker’s Craft Brewing. Rip it. 
Flavor Savor BBQ at Reaver Beach NFK. Rip it. 

Sunday:
Smoked Biscuit at Cova Brewing. Rip it.
Hashi Chow at Benchtop Brewing. Rip it.
Prime 757 at O’Connor Brewing. Rip it.
Dula’s Fish on the Fly at Maker’s Craft Brewing. Rip it. 
Red River Smokehouse at Reaver Beach NFK. Rip it. 

The Ripcurrent.

Fully intact bottles and other artifacts from the historic Heurich Brewing Company in Fort Norfolk were recovered by the Breeden Company while working on the “Lofts at Front Street” development.

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!