from the publisher The Evolution of Tidewater Continues

Hello everyone and welcome to Boulevard magazine’s first issue of our fourth year in business. Our vision back in pre-COVID January 2020 was to become “The Essential Guide for Locals and Visitors.” Since the first issue in the fall of 2020, we continue to actively promote all things of substance and style in the Tidewater region: the performing arts, a diverse music scene from alternative to zydeco, the best epicurean offerings, as well as the rich sun, surf and ocean heritage of our unique coastal community.

Boulevard’s continued editorial focus is to promote economic development, small business and tourism—along with highlighting individuals and organizations that add to our rich community. A new era is dawning that will further invigorate and bolster our region’s brand as an emerging center of excellence for business, technology, civilian opportunity and military prowess. Recent events like the return of “Something in the Water,” the redevelopment of both Pembroke Mall and Military Circle, the opening of Rivers Casino Portsmouth and the success of startups like Drone Up will mean many new high-paying jobs in the technology, entertainment, and financial sectors.

Our photographic coverage of local events, interesting organizations and people is featured in the pages of the magazine and on our digital platforms. And our social media team is constantly curating the myriad of things to do in Tidewater—find us at BlvdMedia757.

Boulevard continues to evolve as the essential guide for locals and visitors. You can obtain updated information on shopping, restaurants, exhibits, local art and music festivals, the current performing arts schedules and events. Our popular Day Trip section describes exciting excursions you can visit in a day. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, Boulevard will guide you on how you plan your day, evening or other celebrations throughout the month.

In this issue you can read about 13News Now anchor and Tidewater native

BERRY BRUNK President | Publisher berry@blvdmedia.io

JULIE FANNING Chief Creative Officer julie@blvdmedia.io

DAVID POLSTON Photography Editor david@blvdmedia.io

RICK BLANTON Emeritus Photographer rick@blvdmedia.io

RICK POLSTON Copy Editor

CHRISTY JOINER Events Editor

CONTRIBUTORS

JASMINE SHENG Writer YIORGO Writer

JOHN CADELL Photographer

SUSIE BRUNK General Manager susie@blvdmedia.io

ADVERTISING Berry Brunk 757.340.3625 berry@blvdmedia.io

Nicole Livas—who delivers the news with integrity and also believes in giving back to a variety of special projects in the region. Our cover story highlights the rich and varied cultural performances courtesy of the Virginia Arts Festival—celebrating its 26th anniversary this year. We go on-site with Tom Brandl, the founder and executive director of the Tidewater Wooden Boat Workshop, to learn more about the nonprofit that uses boatbuilding and nautical activities to mentor and teach life skills to youth. Then keeping with the water theme, we have a piece on Lynnhaven River NOW, an organization that works to restore the Virginia Beach Waters and improve water quality—essential to oyster and shellfish harvest— and natural resources in the Virginia Beach watersheds. And finally we hear the remarkable story of a mother’s advocacy for her daughter that became a mission leading her to launch a faith-based orgainzation to support people with disabilities.

Susie and I want to personally thank you for using Boulevard as the resource that we created it to be. We bring the best of Tidewater to our collective audience of curious connoisseurs, and we’d be grateful to have you tell our sponsors that you saw them in Boulevard. After all, the vibrant community we live in needs to know that you appreciate all that they do.

So as we offer you our spring issue, we hope you continue to return and find out more that we uncover about the Tidewater area. Come along with us on this adventure as we hightlight the best our community has to offer. We love hearing feedback from our readers about what you are doing and of course suggestions for stories, event coverage and general news are always welcome.