🎡 County Fair!

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

☕️ Good morning, Arlingtonians! We had a great time enjoying the beautiful weather and exploring National Landing this weekend, especially Friday at the Fountain and MoCA on the Move. We’re getting really excited for the county fair, will we see you there?

In today’s bubble:
📰 Famous Penthouse For Sale + New Tavern
🧃 APS Calendar Released
📆 ARL County Fair + Book Swap & Sales
🎷 Live music

📰 News Bites 
Quick local updates

🎡 Top Reasons to Visit the County Fair
From Aug. 13–17, the fair brings fresh fun alongside classic rides and food. Highlights include the Vienna Princess Glam Tent, Children’s Entrepreneur Market, Action Jaxx Foam Party, new food eating contests, and the portable inflatable planetarium—plus live music, free shuttles, and sensory-friendly hours.

🏆 Two Local Initiatives Earn State Awards
Arlington won two Virginia Association of Counties 2025 Achievement Awards for its On-Street Food Scraps Collection Program for Multi-Family Residents and Next Generation 9-1-1 initiative. VACo chose 57 winners from a record 155 entries, honoring innovation in sustainability, public safety, and efficiency.

🏙️ Famous Penthouse Lists for $3.8M
A 4,100-sq.-ft. penthouse at The Weslie—featured in Charlie Wilson’s War—is on the market for $3.8M. The 3-level condo boasts 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, multiple terraces, 13-ft. ceilings, and sweeping D.C. monument views once owned by Mars Candy heir Forrest Mars, Jr.

🍝 Nettie’s Tavern Opens in Clarendon
Now open in the former Whitlow’s space, Nettie’s Tavern blends Appalachian charm with Italian comfort food—think pepperoni rolls, venison meatballs, and Tiramisu French Toast. Expect cozy decor, scratch-made dishes, $2 Bellinis at brunch, and weekday deals like $5 burgers and Mug Night.

🌱 Learn to Lead as an EcoAmbassador
EcoAction Arlington is accepting applications for its new EcoAmbassadors Program, a 5-week training (Oct. 1–29) on community engagement to promote energy savings, waste reduction, and sustainable transportation. Open to adults and students 16+, with free spots for youth and early bird discounts through Sept. 13.

👩‍💻 ARL Selects New CIO
Holly Hartell will become Arlington’s permanent Chief Information Officer and DTS Director today, after serving in the acting role since January. With nearly 20 years at the County, she’s led major tech initiatives, advanced digital equity, and championed innovation in public service.

🏗️ Ballston One Redevelopment Approved
Penzance will transform Ballston One from offices into 328 apartments plus 13 lofts, with LEED Gold design, green roof, and extensive amenities. The project adds bike and EV parking, improves pedestrian and cycling paths, and contributes $3.2M to affordable housing.

📣 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

📅 APS Calendar + New Cellphone Policy
The first day of school for K-12 is Aug. 25 (PreK & VPI start Aug. 26). This year brings a new cellphone pouch policy in all high schools, with limited use in middle and alternative schools. Key breaks include Thanksgiving (Nov. 26–28), Winter (Dec. 22–Jan. 2), and Spring (March 30–April 3).

📆 This Week in Arlington
Weekday Happenings

🎲 Today

• Family Game Night at Glencarlyn Library, Free, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

• Evereve x barre3 Arlington at Evereve Arlington, Free, 6 - 6:45 PM

• ​Collage Workshop at WHINO, $18, 6 - 8 PM

• Arlington Songwriters Group at Columbia Pike Library, Free, 6:30 - 7:30 PM

✍️ Tuesday

• Young Professionals Happy Hour at Rooftop Recess, 5 – 6:30 PM

• Rosslyn Trail Tuesday: Vegetation Cleanup at Rosslyn Gateway Park, Free, 5:30 – 7 PM

• Tasty Tuesday: Taste of Texas at Screwtop Wine Bar, $5, 5:30 – 7 PM

• Yoga (T-Pain theme) by Radiance Basden at Clarendon Crossing, Free, 6:30 – 7:30 PM

• Writer's Cafe at Aurora Hills Library, 7 - 8  PM

🎡 Wednesday - Arlington County Fair Opens

• Plants in the Park at Met Park, Free, 11 AM – 2 PM

• Rosslyn Reads Pop-Up Book Sale at Central Place Plaza, 2 – 6 PM

• Arlington County Fair Opening Ceremony at Thomas Jefferson Community Center, 5 - 5:30 PM 

• ​Romance Novel Book Swap at Shirlington Library, Free, 6 - 8 PM

• Reiki & Restorative Sound Bath at Innovation Studio, $23, 6:30 – 7:30 PM

• Bluemont 5K at Bluemont Park, $0–$10, 7 PM

• ​Pitch-a-Friend at East West Cafe, Free, 7 PM

• Play On! Previews at Signature Theatre, $47-97, 7:30 PM (runs through Oct. 5)

• Perseid Meteor Shower Campfire at Long Branch Nature Center. $6, 8 - 9 PM

🐖 Thursday

• Squeals on Wheels Petting Zoo outside Courthouse Library, Free, 11 AM - 12 PM

• MoCA Made in the Shade Happy Hour featuring artist Molly McCracken, "Paper Party" Collage, and DJ Cinema Hearts at MoCA Innovation Studio, Free, 5 – 7 PM

• Arlington County Fair Night Market at Thomas Jefferson Community Center, 5 - 10 PM

• Terrarium Workshop at PLNTR, $70, 5:30–7 PM

• Arlington Reads with Casey McQuiston (author of Red, White & Royal Blue) at Dorothy Hamm Middle School, Free, 6:30 - 8 PM

• Monthly Meditation at Columbia Pike Library, Free, 6:30 - 7:30 PM

 📽️ Friday

• Fridays at the Fountain featuring Orquesta Manplesa (Classic Salsa) at Water Park, Free, 5:30 – 8 PM

• Cinema on the Plaza featuring My Cousin Vinny at Mason Square, Free, 7 - 10 PM

• The Lion King at Arlington Mill Plaza, Free, 8:30 PM

• Monty Python and the Holy Grail – 50th Year Anniversary at Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse, $12, 7 PM (also on Saturday)

 🥧 Saturday

• Kitten Meditation at Faith Lutheran Church, $45, 10 AM & 11 AM

• Yoga by Kat Buechel at Clarendon Crossing, Free, 10 – 11 AM

• Children’s Entrepreneur Market at the Arlington County Fair, Free, 10 AM - 2 PM 

• Coffee Education with Red Bean Harvest Coffee at Columbia Pike Library, Free, 11 AM - 12 PM

• Wine Festival at Pirouette Café, $25, 12–4 PM timeslots

• Share the Love of Building Structures at Glencarlyn Library, Free, 1 - 2 PM

• Pie Eating Championship at the Arlington County Fair, $13, 1:30 – 3 PM

• Museum of Ordinary Objects Reception at Aurora Hills Library, Free, 2 - 4 PM

• Midsummer Night’s Dream Dance at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, $25–33, 2–5:30 PM

• Action Jaxx Foam Party at Arlington County Fair, Free, 3 - 6 PM

• Landing Local Artisan Market at Waterpark, Free, 5 - 9 PM

• Highline RXR August Comedy Showcase at Highline RXR, $7, 7:30 PM

💃 Sunday

• MoCA on the Move featuring music from Rook Richards and summer ribbon wands at Met Park, Free, 10 AM – 1 PM

• Contemporary Dance Gathering and Masterclass with Angel Ramirez at MoCA, $16, 2–5 PM

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

• Joking Aces Presents "He Say/She Say" w/ Mz. Sin at Arlington Drafthouse, $25, 7 PM

🎷 Live Music Lineup
Where to find your groove

🗓️ Wednesday
Song Writers Nite @ 6 PM — Westover Market

🗓️ Friday
Still Standing @ 6 PM — Westover Market
Mariel @ 9 PM — Three Whistles
Enslow @ 9:30 PM — Ragtime 

🗓️ Saturday
Todd & Claire Show @ 5 PM — Westover Market
Lights Out By 8 @ 9:30 PM — The Renegade
Dan Fody @ 9:30PM — Ragtime

🗓️ Sunday
The Mantis @ 9 PM — Galaxy Hut

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

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Have a great day, Arlingtonians!