Good Morning Virginia Beach!

This week’s newsletter has a little summer buzz, a little hometown pride and a few updates you’ll want on your radar. We’re talking about something rare blooming nearby, a big win with VB roots, a new spot headed our way and a few helpful local changes that officially kicked in this month.

Also, a quick note: We’ll be taking a short break next week and will hit pause on the newsletter while I travel to Italy, but we’ll be back the following week with more local stories and updates.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday weekend!

Let’s dive in!

— Kim Checcio

A rare botanical moment is unfolding right here in Hampton Roads. Norfolk Botanical Garden’s corpse flower, nicknamed Lady Macdeath after more than 1,000 public votes, is expected to bloom sometime between July 4 and July 8. The timing is completely up to nature, but once it opens, the window to see it is short.

Corpse flowers are known for their dramatic size, rare bloom cycle and unmistakable smell. This one may only stay in peak bloom for 24 to 48 hours, and it may not bloom again for another 5 to 10 years. Norfolk Botanical Garden says visitors will have a chance to see one of the world’s most unusual botanical events in person, with updates and bloom watch details available as it gets closer.

👉🏼 Click Here: Track Lady Macdeath’s rare bloom

Virginia Beach had a major hometown moment at the BET Awards, with Clipse taking home some of the night’s biggest honors. The Virginia Beach duo won Album of the Year for Let God Sort ’Em Out, Best Group and Best Collaboration for “Chains & Whips” with Kendrick Lamar.

It has already been a huge year for Clipse. They were nominated for five Grammys and took home their first Grammy for Best Rap Performance for “Chains & Whips,” featuring Kendrick Lamar and Pharrell Williams.

The win hits even harder locally because Let God Sort ’Em Out was produced by Pharrell Williams, another Virginia Beach icon, bringing even more 757 energy to the project.

👉🏼 Click Here: See why this was a major moment for Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is going all in on summer with a July lineup packed with free concerts, beach movies, live history performances and oceanfront festivals. From tribute bands and pirate-themed movie nights to international carnival energy and symphony nights by the sea, this is one of those local lists worth saving.

• Oceanfront Concert Series | May 27-August 19
• Beach Blanket Cinema | June 18-August 20
• Virginia Legends Live! | June 25-August 22
• Totally Tribute Music Fest | July 10-11
• Beach Blanket Film Festival: Pirates in Pictures | July 14-18
• Virginia Beach International Carnival | July 16-19
• Neptune Festival’s Symphony by the Sea Concert Series | July 23-September 3

👉🏼 Click Here: Plan your July around these VB events

A few new laws, rates and local updates officially took effect July 1, and we’re keeping this one simple. Here are the changes worth knowing as you plan meals out, summer travel and city programs around Virginia Beach.

Styrofoam Food Container Ban Expands Statewide

• Virginia’s ban on expanded polystyrene food containers is now fully in effect statewide.
• Restaurants, convenience stores and other food vendors can no longer serve prepared food in single-use foam containers.
• Larger chain restaurants began complying last year, and the rule now applies to all remaining food vendors across the state.

Norfolk International Airport Parking Rates Increased

• Daily garage parking increased from $12 to $14 per day.
• The hourly lot remains $5 per hour.
• The maximum daily rate for hourly lots increased from $25 to $30.
• The airport says the additional revenue will help support operating costs and ongoing improvement projects, including terminal and access improvements.

Virginia Beach Trash and Recycling Can Replacement Fee Increased

• The City’s trash and recycling can replacement fee increased to $100 per can.
• That is a $25 increase under the FY 2027 adopted budget.

Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Fees Adjusted

• Several Parks & Recreation fees have increased, including memberships, room rentals, pool rentals, gym rentals, early childhood and out-of-school time programs, and aquatics certification courses.
• Resident recreation center memberships increased by $5.
• The City says the adjustments will help cover operation and maintenance costs.
• The funding also supports the plan to renovate the three oldest recreation centers over the next 10 years.

As Fourth of July celebrations kick off across Hampton Roads, Drive Safe Hampton Roads is bringing back its 757 Sober Ride program to help locals get home safely. The program offers a Lyft ride credit of up to $15 for riders 21 and older during select holiday windows.

• The ride credit is available through Lyft while supplies last.
• Rides must start or end in the Southside or Peninsula Lyft coverage area.
• The Fourth of July holiday ride windows run July 3, July 4 and July 5 from 3 PM to 3 AM each day.
• The code becomes available at 3 PM on the day it is valid.
• Riders are responsible for any charges over $15.

It’s a simple reminder to plan ahead, enjoy the holiday and make sure everyone gets home safely.

👉🏼 Click Here: Get the 757 Sober Ride details

A new drive-thru coffee spot is headed to Virginia Beach. 7 Brew is coming to Chimney Hill Shopping Center, bringing coffees, energy drinks, smoothies, teas, lemonades, shakes and more than 20,000 customizable drink combinations.

Before they even open, 7 Brew is also giving away 25,000 free drinks to local workplaces within 15 minutes of the new location.

No opening date has been announced yet.

This is one of those coworker group chat moments. Get your workplace on the list before the free drink spots fill up.

👉🏼 Click Here: Sign up for free 7 Brew drinks on our Facebook page

Gerald’s Ice Cream Bar has announced it will be closing after six years in Hilltop. The locally loved shop shared the news on Instagram, thanking customers, families and kids who have supported them over the years.

Known for its all-natural, made-from-scratch ice cream, Gerald’s became a sweet stop for many Virginia Beach families. In their announcement, the owners shared how much they have loved serving the community and said they will especially miss the smiles, thumbs up and memories made inside the shop.

Their last day of business will be Sunday, July 5, and they will be open until 9 PM.

👉🏼 Click Here: See Gerald’s closing announcement

"This was my third dinner club and I loved it just as much as my first time! I have made wonderful friends through this and it's so fun being surprised as to which restaurant you'll be dining at! I really look forward to these every month now!"

A fun night out. New people. Great restaurants.
🔗 Save your seat for the next dinner