🔥ARL's Best BBQ🍗

Happy Friday!
Let's pop into the good stuff.

☕️ Good morning, Arlingtonians! We’re kicking off with a PSA from a fellow Bubble Reader: Karen passed along a call for help — Arlington’s June 28 Red Cross Blood Drive is only 35% full. If you’re able to donate—or bring a friend or two—it could truly save lives. Anyone 16+ can give, and the top two recruiters will win free Six Flags passes. Sign up here.

In today’s bubble:
📰 BBQ season & state champs
🧃 Flag football for girls + last-minute camps
📆 Fireflies, concerts, markets & Pride parties
🎷 Live music for the weekend

📰 News Bites 
Quick local updates

🔥 Smokin’ Summer Eats in Arlington
Craving brisket, ribs, or pulled pork? ARL’s BBQ scene is bringing the heat. From the smoky perfection at Ruthie’s All-Day to favorites like Rocklands, Sloppy Mama’s, and Smokecraft—these local spots are serving up serious summer flavor.

🌳 Free Trees for Your Yard!
Want to add shade and beauty to your yard? EcoAction Arlington’s tree planting program is offering free native trees for private property owners this fall. Apply by June 23 for a greener tomorrow.

🚗 Parking Relief Coming to Cherrydale?
County leaders say help is on the way for Cherrydale residents facing parking headaches near Langston Blvd. More residential zones and tighter restrictions could be part of the fix—updates expected this fall.

🥍 Yorktown Girls Win It Again!
The Patriots brought home their third state lacrosse title—rallying past Madison 16–14. With standout performances from Olivia Burgeson, Emme Yoder, and Victoria Carcillo, Yorktown sealed back-to-back championships and an undefeated all-time state tourney record.

🚌 Arlington’s Green Transit Milestone
Arlington Transit’s new Operations & Maintenance Facility just earned LEED Platinum—the highest sustainability rating from the U.S. Green Building Council. With 835 solar panels and space for 47 electric buses, it’s a big step toward Arlington’s zero-emission future.

💎 Did you know Tiffany & Co. designed headstones at Arlington National Cemetery? In a new Matt About Town episode, explore their rare, intricate gravestones—crafted by hand, carved in Tiffany-owned granite, and steeped in Gilded Age elegance.

📣 Advertise in the Bubble! 

Local biz, meet your new megaphone. The Arlington Bubble is ready to blast your message to hungry readers. If you’re interested, reach out to us at [email protected]

🧃 Mini News Bites
Updates for the Kiddos

🏈 Free Flag Football for Girls
Calling all girls in grades 1–12! A free flag football clinic is happening Sunday, June 29 at Washington-Liberty High. Learn the basics, build skills, and have fun—no experience needed.

🥽 Still Need a Summer Camp?
Good news for last-minute planners: tons of local camps still have open spots—from coding and soccer to art, theater, and even bath bomb–making.

🥳 This Weekend in Arlington
Weekend Happenings

🛝 Today

• Play All Day VA to celebrate the longest day at various Parks & Rec locations, 5:30 AM - 11 PM + Play All Day Community Picnic at Lubber Run, 5 - 8 PM

• Paint & Sip at Pike Cornerstone at Pike Cornerstone, $40, 6 - 7 PM

• Friday Night Concert Series featuring Awen Family Band (Theme: Americana) at Water Park, Free, 6 - 8:30 PM

• Intern John’s Chuy Forever supporting Warrior Canine Connection at Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse, $6–30, 7 PM (+ Sat shows) 

• Live Comedy Show starring Naomi Karavani at Crystal City Sports Pub, $18, 8 – 10 PM

• Elikeh at Lubber Run Amphitheater, Free, 8–9:30 PM

🏳️‍🌈 Saturday

• Spring 2025 E-CARE (Environmental Collection and Recycling) at 1425 North Quincy Street, Free, 7:30 AM–2 PM

• Outdoor Zumba at Aurora Hills Branch Library, Free, 10 - 11 AM

• HIIT by Guyton Mathews at Clarendon Crossing, Free, 10 – 11 AM

• Chilly Beans Club Arlington Summer Kick-Off Party at Arlington Beer Garden, Free, 10 AM - 12 PM

• Coffee & Chill Meetup at Quincy Park, Free, 10 AM–12 PM

• Crafty Kids Take-and-Make: Rainbow Pride Bracelet at Columbia Pike Library, Free, 10 AM–5 PM

• Pages of Pride: A Celebration of Queer Literature & Community at One More Page, Free, 11 AM - 4 PM

• Makers Market by Pop-Up Gallery at UPSIDE on Moore, Free, 12 - 4 PM 

• Ecstatic Dance Arlington at Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, ~$30, 2 – 5:30 PM

• Yacht Party Summer Kick-Off at The Village at Shirlington, Free, 5 – 7 PM

• Summer Concert Series featuring Bongo District (Latin Funk) at Water Park in National Landing, Free, 6–9 PM

• Equality Arlington Pride Party at Astro Beer Hall Shirlington, Free, 7 - 9 PM

• Invisible Skate Theory Reception at Arlington Mason Exhibitions, 7 - 10 PM

• All You Need Is Beatles at Lubber Run Amphitheater, Free, 8–9:30 PM 

🎨 Sunday

• Culture Queen at Lubber Run Amphitheater at Lubber Run Amphitheater, Free, 11 AM–12 PM

• Improv Comedy Sunday Brunch at El Rey, 12:15–1:45 PM 

• 5th Annual Penrose Pride Parade starting at Butler-Holmes Park, Free, 1 - 2 PM

• Cocktails & Coloring Meetup at Ballston Quarter Food Court, Free to join but encouraged to bring your own coloring supplies, 2:30–4:30 PM

• Summer Concert at Netherlands Carillon, Free, 3 - 4:30 PM (+ Park Rangers led kids activities from 2:30-4:30 PM)

• Paint and Sip, Morning Sail edition at Water Park, $34, 6 - 8 PM

• Firefly Festival at Fort C.F. Smith Park, Free, 7–9 PM 

• Drafthouse Divas: Pride Edition at Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse, $19–30, 7 PM

🎷 Live Music Lineup
Where to find your groove

🗓️ Tonight
Reliable Trio @ 6:00pm — Westover Market
Two Peas @ 8:00pm — Three Whistles
Matt Burridge @ 8:00pm — Samuel Beckett's
Christie Huff Band @ 9:30pm — The Renegade
Secondhand Chaos @ 9:30pm — Ragtime 

🗓️ Saturday
Big Tow @ 5:00pm — Westover Market
Karafolke @ 8:00pm — Three Whistles
Rocky Guttmann @ 8:00pm — Samuel Beckett's
Drew Stevyns @ 9:30pm — Ragtime
The Darts @ 9:30pm — The Renegade

Know a great local music venue? Share your picks at [email protected]—we love featuring your Arlington favorites!

🙏 Thanks for reading! If you’ve been enjoying The Arlington Bubble, send it to a friend who’d love it too, and keep up with us on IG @arlbubble.

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Have a great day, Arlingtonians!