Good Morning Virginia Beach!

This week’s newsletter is full of fresh ways to experience the city, a major creative homecoming and a few local stories that might surprise you. There’s also a free family event, a feel-good mission led by local teens and some exciting updates happening at the Oceanfront.

Let’s dive in!

— Kim Checcio

Timbaland is bringing another big idea home to Virginia Beach, and this one is all about opening doors for the next generation. The Grammy-winning producer and VB native is behind CreatørVerse, a two-day event happening October 24 and 25 at Batten University and the new Virginia MOCA.

Here’s what’s planned:

It’s part festival, part career fair and a pretty exciting opportunity for local students and creatives to see where their talents could take them.

👉🏼 Click Here: See everything planned for CreatørVerse

Coastal Edge is bringing some of Virginia Beach’s everyday heroes together for a free family event at Lynnhaven Mall. Local Heroes Day gives kids and families a chance to meet the firefighters, police officers, rescue crews and other frontline professionals who help keep our community safe.

The afternoon will include Touch-a-Truck experiences, Fire & Rescue demonstrations, appearances from the Virginia Beach Police K9 and Bomb Squad, a skate exhibition, live music, bounce houses, games, child ID services and more. Mission BBQ will also provide a free catered lunch while supplies last.

The event takes place Saturday, July 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is free to attend.

👉🏼 Click Here: To check out the Local Heroes Day lineup

Virginia Beach is making it easier for smaller businesses to help refresh Atlantic Avenue. The city’s Development Authority has lowered the minimum investment required to qualify for its 2026 improvement grant program, opening the door for more storefronts between 2nd and 40th streets.

Here’s what changed:

The city set aside $250,000 for the program, with five grants totaling $102,833 already awarded.

👉🏼 Click Here: See who qualifies and how to apply

Two Ocean Lakes Math and Science Academy students are proving that making a difference can start at any age. Sixteen-year-olds Ryan Chen and Varun Venkatadasari created the Tidewater Historical Restoration Initiative to document overlooked historic places across Hampton Roads and help preserve the stories behind them.

They have already researched six local sites, recorded their history and current condition, and begun building support for future cleanup and beautification projects. Their first project focused on a Gothic Revival church in Norfolk that has stood since the 1920s. It is a thoughtful reminder that some of our region’s most meaningful history is not found in famous landmarks. Sometimes, it is hiding in plain sight.

👉🏼 Click Here: Meet the teens giving local history new life

VB Living is more than a weekly newsletter and social media platforms sharing all positive things happening in VB. Each month, we also publish private community magazines that highlight the people, families and stories that make Virginia Beach neighborhoods feel connected. Our July covers feature two very different stories, but both reflect what these magazines are all about: celebrating local people and sharing the moments that bring a community together.

Back Bay Living

This month, we introduced the Voces family. Em and Lauren have called the neighborhood home since 2010, building years of memories through pasta parties, school spirit and the everyday connections that make a street feel like family. With Alana heading to Virginia Tech, Mason preparing for his freshman year at Kellam and Koko keeping everyone entertained, their story is a warm look at a family deeply rooted in its community.

Courthouse Living

Our July Courthouse Living cover spotlights Sally Antolin, whose approach to health, fitness and staying active proves that age does not have to slow you down. Her story is filled with practical inspiration and a positive outlook on living well at every stage of life. It is exactly the kind of personal, uplifting feature our community magazines are designed to share.

Your next trip to Atlantic Park may look a little different. The new Surf & Sip program lets guests grab a drink from a participating restaurant and carry it through approved areas of the development while they shop, explore and hang out.

A few things to know:

Atlantic Park is the first development in the region to receive this type of Virginia ABC license, giving locals one more way to enjoy everything happening there.

👉🏼 Click Here: See how Surf & Sip works before your next visit

🍽️ Take a quick quiz about your personality, interests, and food preferences.

✨ Get matched with five other locals who fit your vibe (food preferences, budget, life stage, etc.).

📍 Your table of six meets for dinner this Wednesday — the exact restaurant is revealed that morning.

🥂 After dinner, all groups are invited to a casual after-meetup to keep the conversation going.

A fun night out. New people. Great restaurants.
🔗 Save your seat for the next dinner or sign up for August or September