Editors Note: Just a heads up that it was a particularly slow news week. Everyone must be on vacation!
Vice Mayor Martin Thomas Jr. is stepping down from the Norfolk City Council, leaving former Wards Corner Civic League President Scott Guirlinger running unopposed to represent Ward One. Rip it.
Norfolk received 13 bids to demolish the vacant Military Circle Mall, clearing the way for a 15-month teardown scheduled to begin this fall. Rip it.
The 129,000-square-foot Target replacing the former Wards Corner Kroger opens in fall 2026, bringing big-box retail to the intersection. Rip it.
Two Norfolk-based ships, USNS Kanawha and USNS William McLean, became the first Military Sealift Command vessels to receive the Presidential Unit Citation for supporting the USS Gerald R. Ford. Rip it.
An anonymous donor gifted Norfolk's American Legion Post 37 a one-story former bank near Military Circle, solving years of accessibility struggles for the 106-year-old veterans organization. Rip it.
Landlord David Merryman must sell his Norfolk and Newport News rental properties and face a permanent Virginia leasing ban under a $2.25 million settlement. Rip it.
A clause buried in a proposed federal budget could open protected Chesapeake Bay oyster sanctuaries to commercial harvesting after three years, threatening decades of local restoration work. Rip it.
The Norfolk Tides clinched their second consecutive series victory on Saturday, defeating Nashville nine to two behind Nestor German's six-inning start and Michael Siani's three-RBI triple. Rip it.
Luis Vázquez drove in two runs and scored on a balk to lead the Norfolk Tides past the Nashville Sounds 4-2 in their first game back from the All-Star break. Rip it.
South Carolina linebacker and former Maury High School standout Fred Johnson returned to Powhatan Field to host his inaugural free youth football camp for local kids ages 6 to 14. Rip it.
After winning four consecutive state championships at Phoebus High, Jeremy Blunt joined the Norfolk State football staff as an assistant coach under head coach Michael Vick. Rip it.
Virginia Humanities awarded 29 grants this month despite major federal budget cuts, sending $15,000 to The Muse Writers Center in Norfolk and funding 10 other Hampton Roads cultural organizations. Rip it.
The Virginia Zoo celebrates its 125th anniversary on August 29 with animal enrichment sessions, keeper chats, and free beer samples from Elation Brewing. Rip it.
Barry Manilow honors local music teacher Emily Wolcott at his upcoming Norfolk concert, presenting her with a $10,000 grant split between her and her school's band program. Rip it.
Norfolk's Hurrah Players TV & Film Academy is expanding to offer college-level classes while its teenage students shoot a film about paying off IRS debt with a Beanie Baby. Rip it.
LAVA MiniFest just announced a line up for the August 29th show. Rip it.
Currently on Display:
Imperial Colors: Chinese Glass at the Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
Rafael Soldi: Soft Boy at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
Constellations: Contemporary Jewelry from the Dallas Museum of Art at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
Declare: A Civic Gospel at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
Divulge: A National Exhibit Featuring the Use of Art for Therapy & Mental Health Awareness at d’Art Center. Rip it.
Word of Art: A National Exhibit of Artworks that Incorporate the Written Wordat d’Art Center. Rip it.
Handwork at the Hermitage at the Hermitage Museum & Gardens. Rip it.
The Sloane Collection at the Hermitage Museum & Gardens. Rip it.
The CAN Collection at Assembly. Rip it.
Perry Glass Art Collection at Glass Light. Rip it.
Mysterious Collection by eLLe at the Gallery at Elation. Rip it.
Ghent pet boutique Pawsnickety Pets is closing its Norfolk storefront on July 31 after five years in business, citing rising inflation and increased competition. Rip it.
Despite lingering wildfire haze, construction continues on the Headwaters Resort and Casino next to Harbor Park, with developers targeting a late 2027 opening. Rip it.
The ODU Real Estate Foundation plans to build a seven-story, 117-unit apartment complex on Hampton Boulevard, prompting longtime pet retailer Muddy Paws to relocate by 2027. Rip it.
SVT Robotics has crossed a major milestone: its SOFTBOT Platform has surpassed 4 billion lifetime transactions. Rip it.
The Joint School of Public Health at Old Dominion University and Norfolk State University has earned accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health. Rip it.
Fri July 24
Norfolk Run Club Meetup at Yorgo's Bageldashery. 6:00 am. Rip it.
Sunrise Yoga + Coffee on the River at Pagoda & Oriental Garden. 6:30 am. Rip it.
Trail Beautification Day at Elizabeth River Trail. 9:00 am. Rip it.
Summer Kickball and Jesus at Lakewood Park. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Last Attendance Day for Pre-K at Norfolk Collegiate. 3:00 pm. Rip it.
The Meet Up at The Glow Bar. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Ed Oast performs live at Benchtop Brewing Company. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Christmas in July Resin Ornaments- Kitsch. 5:30 pm. Rip it.
Junkheadz Vintage Market X Toast. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
SALT performs live at COVA Brewing Company. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Decades party at The Banque. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
History of the Core Mausoleum Tour at Elmwood Cemetery. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Dr. Murphy's 25th Pastoral Anniversary Banquet & Gala at Mount Gilead Missionary Baptist Church. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Ultimate Beach Leg Day at Ocean View Beach Park. 6:30 pm. Rip it.
All New Murder Mystery in Downtown Norfolk at The Granby Theater. 6:30 pm. Rip it.
Allen Hudson performs live at Elation Brewing. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
The Suitcase Junket at Vessel Craft Coffee. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Return of the Nighthawks. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Football Kickoff Cruise at Spirit of Norfolk. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Laser Tag: Tag You're It at Kroc Center Hampton Roads. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Reptile Tile, Stuck Down, Clenchers, Hearts In Exile at The Annex. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Foam Party at The Wave (Get Scissored Dyke Events). 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Tales from the Campfire at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Goth Night at 37th & Zen. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Little Stranger at The NorVA. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
DJ Mixology Performing Live at Baxter's. 9:30 pm. Rip it.
DJ Saint James Performing Live at Baxter's. 9:30 pm. Rip it.
NO SKIPS: Nothing But The Hits at Chichos. 10:00 pm. Rip it.
Sat July 25
Morning Group Bicycle Ride at East Coast Bicycles. 7:00 am. Rip it.
Fit & Fresh Summertime Market at Torch Yoga. 8:00 am. Rip it.
Norfolk Sports Card Show at Norfolk Masonic Temple. 9:00 am. Rip it.
PirateFest at Nauticus. 9:00 am. Rip it.
2026 ERT Botanical Tours at Elizabeth River Trail. 9:00 am. Rip it.
East Beach/EOV Farmers Market at Bay Oaks Park. 9:00 am. Rip it.
Intro Cake Decorating Class at Wine & Cake Hobbies, Inc. 10:00 am. Rip it.
PirateFest Schooner Sail at Nauticus. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Live Life Fresh Boom Box Bike Ride at Freshtopia. 10:30 am. Rip it.
I Dig Reading! Magic Show with Rob Westcott at The Slover. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Toddler Yoga at Sky's The Limit Yoga Co. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Parable Studies Weekly Book Club at Eleanor's Norfolk. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Christmas in July Mistletoe Market at Wells Theatre. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Digging Up the Roots, No Soil Unturned: A Chef Velvet Production at Black on Black Market. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Psychology of Art Materials Experiential with K. Courage Designs at d'Art Center. 11:30 am. Rip it.
Christmas in July Photos with Santa at Elation Brewing. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
Mrs. Roper Romp Day Party at 37th & Zen. 3:00 pm. Rip it.
Summer Musical Concert at Richard A. Tucker Memorial. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
Community Collage Experience with K. Courage Designs at d'Art Center. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
Crazy DJ Music Bingo at Hank's Filling Station. 4:30 pm. Rip it.
Girl, I Needed This: Summer Night Market at Makers Craft Brewery. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
October London's Summer Soirée at Waterside District. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Books in Bloom Market - Free Entry at Locals Marketplace. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Dr. Murphy's 25th Pastoral Anniversary Gospel Concert at Mount Gilead Missionary Baptist Church. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Riftbound: Vendetta Pre-Rift Event at Atlantis Games & Comics. 5:30 pm. Rip it.
Nick Franzitta performs live at Afterglow Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Sofar Sounds presents Summer Nights at Granby Street. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Big Girl Beach Party at Community Beach Park. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Steve Link performs live at Elation Brewing. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Drag Queen/King Bingo XXXVIII at New Life Metropolitan Community Church. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
The Dirty Comedy Show at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Elmiene at The NorVA. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Back N Forth with Micky Slicks and Rylo at Only You Lounge. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Adjust The Sails - "The Hella Overrated Tour" at The Annex. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Puppeteers For Fears presents Robopocalypse: The Musical! at The Goode Theatre at ODU. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
October London's R&B Summer Soirée at Waterside District. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
DJ Hutch Performing Live at Tap It Local. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
DJ Aone Performing Live at Baxter's. 9:30 pm. Rip it.
IMPROVAGEDDON at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it.
Good Company at Chicho's Backstage. 10:00 pm. Rip it.
Sun July 26
7 Game Scratch Sweeper at AMF Bowling Co. 8:30 am. Rip it.
Slow and Steady Group Ride at Slow & Steady Bike Goods. 10:30 am. Rip it.
Forever Plant Workshop at Hermitage Museum and Gardens. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Book Club: What a City Is For at Eleanor's Norfolk. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Wonderland at Selden Market feat. DJ Supladies & DJ Mike Benny. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Sunday Music Series at Hank's Filling Station. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Lipgloss & Lashes Drag Brunch at 37th and Zen. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Anarchist Study Group at Eleanor's Norfolk. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Aura Theory Pop-Up at GUD Yoga. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
SelfCare Sunday Meditation & SoundBath at Ocean View Yoga. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
No Buy Bazaar Vol 4 at Lafayette Park. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
OAT Foundation: Summer Launchpad at The Union Mission. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
July Support Group at First Baptist Norfolk. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
Sunday Showgirl Soundbath with Joyful Deeelight at Live Body Brave Studio. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
Bloom Bingo Social at Maker's Craft Brewery. 3:00 pm. Rip it.
Derek Smith performs live at Benchtop Brewing Company. 3:00 pm. Rip it.
2026 Virginia Symphony Orchestra Concert in the Park at Town Point Park. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Anxious Arms, Dariel Clark, to the bitter end & Fatal at Norfolk Taphouse. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
High Wire Act: Comedy without a Net! at Push Comedy Theater. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Zane Shenk Performing Live At Grain. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Downtown Norfolk Restaurant Week returns with 15 restaurants offering multi-course deals from $20 to $45, plus two hours of free garage parking. Rip it.
There’s no cheat codes for Restaurant Week, but there is codex. Rip it.
Caffiend is kicking up the latte game with burnt honey and black sesame. Rip it.
You gotta keep an eye out for the Coach House specials, they’ve got a whole poke bowl popping up. Rip it.
Don’t worry about getting your flours. You’ve got Glass Light flourless cake. Rip it.
Five dollar beers at Jack Browns are so good you won’t believe it. Rip it.
Hit the pina colada lattes at Neptune’s Fury and get your island on. Rip it.
Start your day with this stellar brekkie lineup. Rip it.
Mockingbird x Vang Go on the way this summer. Rip it.