BARKitecture exhibit features entry from General Services

Jimmy "Dex" Dexter and his team from General Services, including Henry Small and Richard Bullock, created this amazing dog house on behalf of Norfolk Animal Care and Adoption Center for the "BARKitecture" exhibit at the Norfolk Botanical Garden. This exhibit features designer doghouses, and will be open through the fall. Click here to watch a video about their efforts!

Please take a moment to support them with your vote https://norfolkbotanicalgarden.org/barkitecture-vote-bid/. Maybe we're biased, but we think our doghouse, entitled "A Dog Adrift" is the best. We're currently in second place. Let's run up the tally!

Rubicon Pilot Program to help trash collection services

The Department of Public Works selected Rubicon Global to deploy a "smart city" pilot program to make trash collection services even better in our city.

For the next six months, Rubicon technology will provide real-time service confirmations, GPS vehicle tracking, documentation of driver issues or the inability to successfully complete a trash pick-up across 60 waste vehicles running 90 routes per week. Additional technology in supervisor vehicles will provide Public Works leadership with real-time route updates, daily reporting, and operational insights.

"We are very excited to begin working with Rubicon Global to implement their smart city solution across our fleet of vehicles and to enhance the quality of service we provide to our residents," said Public Works Director Richard Broad.
Click here for a short video that explains the program.

Bank On financial education classes enrolling now

Tired of living paycheck to paycheck?

Get on the road to financial freedom with free Bank On classes. Sign up for September sessions now!

Mt. Gilead Missionary Church,1057 Kennedy Street, 6:30 p.m., Sept. 10th & every 2nd Tuesday
Foodbank, 800 Tidewater Drive, 6:30pm Sept. 23rd & every 4th Monday

Mayor's Cup Blood Drive sustains summer supplies

First, the sad news: the City of Norfolk again failed to win the Mayor's Cup Blood Drive, which pits seven Hampton Roads cities against each other to see which can collect the most blood.

But now the GREAT news: Norfolk blew past its collection goals, collecting 40 units more than last year for a total of 176 units. We collected 102 percent of our goal, an increase of 22 percent over last year!

Thanks to all those who gave of their time and their bodies to make this Mayor's Cup drive the most successful yet!

Onward to next year when we will bring the cup home: we are looking for a few more locations to host blood drives to increase our chances of winning. Want to host a drive in your department or facility? Contact Employee Engagement Coordinator Courtney Thrift at Courtney.Thrift@norfolk.gov or Red Cross Account manager Bethany Carille at Bethany.Carille@redcross.org

2019 Re-Entry Council event offers first in the region help for driver's license reinstatement

Hampton Roads residents hoping to take advantage of a new law that allows reinstatement of driver's licenses suspended for unpaid court fines and costs flocked to the Workforce Development Center in July. Madonna Flores, Family Services Supervisor, Prisoner Re-Entry with DHS, (pictured below) organized a town hall meeting with the Norfolk Re-Entry Council, the Norfol Community Criminal Justice Board and the Norfolk Evidence Based Decision Making Policy Team.

The Town Hall was the first such event in the region, and gathered representatives from the Department of Motor Vehicles, law enforcement and the courts to assist residents.

Flores said she and others who work with the prisoner re-entry population had been hoping for the law change for some time.

We knew this would be something huge as far as helping our population increase their chances for employment," Flores said.

August Agile Skills Training for Managers

Sign up for Agile Training

We've trained nearly 500 people to "Think Big. Have fun. Be great." What are you waiting for? Join us! Contact Betty.Meyer@norfolk.gov to sign up for the middle managers skills training class.

Customer Kudos to Waste Management Team!

Staff from the Waste Management team

Customers are raving about their service from our refuse collectors. Here are two recent compliments this hard-working crew received through Facebook and the Norfolk Cares Center:

“I called about an hour ago to ask if we had done anything wrong with our scheduled collection as the items were still at the curb. I wanted to advise that the truck just came and removed everything and that the gentleman collecting the items was extremely nice and professional. Just wanted to give a shout-out to him and to the team for all you do. Thank you.”

“Just had to say, I loved seeing the sanitation worker on W. 38th street get out of his truck to go get trash cans for an elderly woman. He could have easily drove past to the next set of cans, but instead went above and beyond with the kindness this world needs more of! Again, my kids and I loved seeing this today, thank you!”

Way to go Team Norfolk!

Clear the Shelters!

Help Norfolk Animal Care and Adoption Center find loving homes for deserving shelter animals! NACC has partnered with WAVY News 10 for the annual Clear the Shelters event. Last year Hampton Roads shelters helped set a record with more than 2,393 animals adopted from 19 area shelters. Come on out and find your new fur-ever friend today!

Ask Doug

Thanks to our City Manager, Doug Smith, for answering our questions. We wish him well as he leaves later this month to take on his new role as President and CEO of the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance. We're grateful for your time with Team Norfolk, Doug!

The women of Norfolk Fire-Rescue dispel the myth that firefighting is just for men. Nationwide, most fire departments consist of roughly 5% women. In Norfolk, women make up more than 7.5% of the department. NFR is working on shattering stereotypes and statistics. Click here to watch their story!

Live Norfolk

First Friday
Aug. 2, 5PM - 8:30PM
300 Block Granby Street

2019 Barks & Brews
Aug. 4, 12PM - 6PM
with Norfolk Animal Care and Adoption Center
Norfolk Botanical Garden

Church Street Celebration: Gary U.S. Bonds
Aug. 11 2PM -4PM
Attucks Theatre

Virginia Honey Bee Festival
Aug. 17, 10AM - 4PM
Norfolk Botanical Garden

37th Annual Norfolk Waterfront Jazz Festival
Aug 23-24, 5PM - 11PM
TowneBank Fountain Park

Party on the Pier!
Aug. 29, 5PM - 8PM
Nauticus & Battleship Wisconsin

For more events, click here.

Check out this cool video from the Go Skate Day event hosted by Recreation, Parks and Open Space at Northside Park!

Team Norfolk News

Do you have a story for Team Norfolk News? Email teamnorfolknews@norfolk.gov. Submissions are due by the 15th of the month for inclusion in the following month.