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Happy Friday!
Let's pop into the good stuff.
☕️ Rise and shine, Arlingtonians! Spread the word! Tag a friend who needs their daily dose of local buzz and subscribe to keep Arlington at your fingertips. Follow us @arlbubble on IG 🚀
👀 In today’s bubble:
Weekend Fun: Trees, tunes, tastings & more in Arlington!
Bar Chinois Comes to Crystal City: Dim sum + award-winning sips on the way!
Pet of the Week: Meet Toby, a cuddle-loving pup with a heart of gold
Your Arlington cheat sheet starts now ⬇️
📰 News Bites
Quick local updates
🥇#1 in the Nation! Arlington’s Colonial Village was just crowned the Best Place to Live in America, with five more Arlington neighborhoods landing in the top 100.
📚 Lead Locally! Apply to Arlington’s free Neighborhood College by April 4 to learn how local government works and connect with change makers. Classes run April 23–June 25.
🌿 Farewell, Kirsten Conrad! After 17+ years, ARL’s beloved natural-resources agent is retiring, leaving behind a legacy of growth, mentorship, and vibrant community gardens.
🚫 Governor Vetoes Arlington Reform: A bill to let voters reshape ARL’s 93-year-old government structure was blocked, despite local support and General Assembly approval.
💰 Big Fee Hikes Proposed: ARL may triple development and permit fees to cover costs—critics warn it could hurt affordability and small businesses. Final vote set for April 9.
💵 Human Services Top $200M: ARL’s FY 2026 budget sets a new record for human services spending, with $205M proposed for programs like housing and family support.
🏀 O’Connell Teams Shine Bishop O’Connell’s boys and girls basketball squads earned ARL’s top statewide MaxPreps rankings—finishing No. 4 and No. 32.
🍸 Bar Chinois Comes to ARL! The Michelin-recognized, dim sum-meets-cocktails hotspot is opening in Crystal City this spring—expect bold bites and award-winning drinks.
🌮 Bartaco Shutters in Ballston: After four years slinging duck and tuna tacos, Bartaco has closed its Ballston Quarter spot.
🍝 Osteria da Nino to Close: After nearly a decade in Shirlington, beloved Italian spot Osteria da Nino will serve its final meals next month.
🎒 Mini News Bites
Updates for the Kiddos
🎒Camp Help for Feds Arlington summer camps are easing payment deadlines and refund rules to support families impacted by federal job cuts—final payments now due June 2, not May 1.
☀️ Inclusive Camps in Arlington! Arlington’s Therapeutic Recreation Adapted Camps and S.P.L.O.S.H. Program offer fun, supportive summer experiences for kids with disabilities—think swimming, crafts, and new friends, all with trained staff.
🐶 Pet of the Week
Because…awwwww…
Meet Toby, a lovable goofball with a heart of gold and a tail that never stops wagging. Equal parts cuddle bug and playtime pro, Toby is always up for an adventure—whether it’s a long walk, a spirited game of fetch, or a snuggle session on the couch. He’s house-trained, people-loving, and likely to be great with kids.
Toby would thrive best as the only pet in the home, where he can soak up all the love and attention. His foster calls him “the ultimate cuddle buddy,” who’s happiest curled up beside you or gleefully showing off his toy-shredding skills (strictly for sport—he’s not a chewer!).
📩 If you are interested in adopting Toby, please send an email to [email protected] to arrange an initial virtual meet & greet with the pet’s foster parent or a staff member. They will reply to you within 24–48 hours.
🥳 This Weekend in Arlington
Weekend Happenings
Today 🌇
🌳 Memorial Arboretum Walking Tour! Explore Arlington National Cemetery’s stunning tree collection in full bloom during this guided tour. Learn about the urban forestry program, State Champion trees, and more, from 9-11 AM.
💃 Zumba Power Hour at Mason Square! Join this high-energy cardio dance class every Friday from 5:30-6:30 PM through May 16.
📚 Book Signing at Casual Adventure! Meet author Eagle Trail Dancer and get your copy of Follow the White Blazes: a Journey of Recovery While Backpacking the Appalachian Trail signed. 6-8 PM.
🎨 ClayDate at Trade Roots Coffee & Wine Bar! Unleash your creativity while enjoying a fun and relaxed atmosphere. 6:30-9 PM.
🍽️ Iftar for Palestine at Detour Coffee! Join for an evening of reflection and solidarity with a community iftar meal to support Palestine. 7-10 PM.
🛍️ Tossed & Found Sale Weekend! Enjoy a weekend full of great deals and finds at the Junior League of Washington’s community sale. Friday, 7-10 PM (ticketed event), Saturday 9 AM-4 PM, and Sunday 9 AM-4 PM.
🏐 Teens: Friday night sports at Lubber Run! Games, competition & fun. Free drop-in, 7–8:45 PM!
🏀 High schoolers: Late-night hoops, food, music & games at the Mill! 9 PM-12 AM.
Saturday 🪩
💼 Arlington Teen Summer Job Fair! Explore job opportunities and connect with local employers. 10 AM-1 PM at Thomas Jefferson Community & Fitness Center. Register in advance here.
🍄 Mushroom Walk at Long Branch Nature Center! Join us for an introduction to mushroom identification followed by an outdoor walk to observe fungi in the forest. 11 AM-12 PM.
🧘♂️ Reducing Stress Through Meditation at Shirlington Library! Join Gaurav Singh for a presentation on the benefits of meditation, followed by a short meditation session. 11 AM-12:30 PM.
🪄 Magic Show at Upside on Moore! Get ready for a high-energy, interactive magic show filled with mind-blowing illusions, comedy, and surprises. 4-5 PM.
⛸️ Family Skate Night at TJ! Enjoy a family-friendly skating session from 6-9 PM. Register in advance here.
🏀 Teen Takeover: March Madness! Head to Walter Reed Community Center for a night of basketball, games, and fun! 7-10 PM.
🎩 Black Tie Gala at Fort Myers Officers' Club! Celebrate in style with a multi-part gala featuring swing dancing, salsa, dinner, and a special tribute to the Armed Forces. 7:30 - 11:30 PM. Registration closes at noon today.
Sunday 💫
🌸 MoCA on the Move: Celebrating Spring Family Fun Series! Get creative with modeling clay creatures while enjoying live music from Duck Chuck Goose at this fun family event. 10 AM-1 PM at Metropolitan Park.
🎶 Chamber Music Performance at the Military Women's Memorial! Join us for an afternoon performance to celebrate the power of music. 2:00 - 3:30.
🎨 Workshop: Exploring Daniel Smith Watercolors at Art House Seven! Join a hands-on, workshop to discover the magic of professional-quality watercolors from 4:30-6:30 PM.
🍫 Cacao Circle and Medicine Music! Join us for a soothing and grounding ceremony with cacao and live music to open the heart and connect with your inner self. 5-7 PM at Teal Center.
📣 Bubble Up Your Brand!
🚀 Local biz, meet your new megaphone. The Arlington Bubble is ready to blast your message to hungry readers. Small space, big impact. Advertise now before we pop! 💥 If you’re interested, reach out to us at [email protected]
🎷 Live Music Lineup
Where to find your groove
📍 O'Sullivan's
Tonight: The Darts at 9:30 PM
📍 The Renegade
Tonight: Party Fowl at 9:30 PM
Saturday: KleptoRadio at 9:30 PM
📍 Three Whistles
Tonight: DMV Bluegrass Collective at 8 PM
Saturday: Karafolke with Tommy Rueckert at 8 PM
📍 Samuel Beckett's
Tonight: Drew Stevyns at 9:30 PM
Saturday: Steve Bray at 9:30 PM
📍Galaxy Hut
Sunday: Old Knife Band at 9 PM
Know a great local music venue? Share your picks at [email protected]—we love featuring your Arlington favorites!
🙏 Thanks for reading!
💃 Keep up with us @arlbubble on IG. Send comments and suggestions to [email protected]
Have a great day, Arlingtonians!