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- 🍽️ Petite Plates 🥪
🍽️ Petite Plates 🥪
Plus: 🥟 New Dim Sum!
TOGETHER WITH
Happy Friday!
Let's pop into the good stuff.
☕️ Good morning, Arlingtonians! We just learned that Lubber Run Amphitheater has been hosting free summer shows for 50 years! That’s five decades of jazz, soul, Shakespeare, and more under the stars—right here in Arlington. The 2025 concert series runs through August 1 with shows every weekend. We can’t wait to catch some shows this summer and hope you can be a part of the tradition as well!
In today’s bubble:
📰 Zoning policies & a grocery closure
🧃 Cellphones locked up
📆 Zumba, goats, history & concerts
🎷 Live music for the weekend
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📰 News Bites
Quick local updates
🎉 ARL Teen Wins NYT Open Letter Contest
Max Yoon, a 17-year-old student at Yorktown High, was named a Top 10 winner in The New York Times’ national Student Open Letter Contest. His witty plea? Let teens (and adults) order from the kids’ menu—no questions asked. Read his full letter, “A Plea for a Petite Plate.”
🥟 New Dim Sum Spot Opened in Pentagon City
1983 Chinese Cuisine soft opened Thursday at Westpost, serving Cantonese dim sum like shrimp dumplings, turnip cake, and honey BBQ pork rolls. The team is still fine-tuning the menu and gathering local feedback before the grand opening.
🌡️ Heat Wave Brings Triple-Digit Temps to ARL
With the heat index soaring near 110°, local officials are urging residents to stay cool, hydrated, and indoors when possible. ARL libraries, community centers, and spraygrounds (open 10 AM–8 PM) are available to help you beat the heat.
⚖️ Court Backs Arlington Zoning Shift
A Virginia appeals court ruled Arlington can reinstate its “missing middle” housing policy, ending a pause on permits. The court said homeowners failed to sue developers directly, sending the case back to circuit court.
📚 Longer Library Wait Times Ahead
Arlington Public Library is warning of delays for popular titles after a 21% cut to its collections budget. Starting July 1, expect longer wait times—especially for eBooks—and the end of the eBook Grab and Go program.
🚨 Speed Cameras on for Summer School
PhotoSPEED cameras will remain active at select school zones during APS Summer School (July 7–August 1). Cameras will operate when school zone beacons are flashing—violators face a $100 civil fine.
🛒 National Landing Harris Teeter Closing Soon
Harris Teeter is closing its Market Square location at 3600 S. Glebe Rd. on or before August 4, after 18 years in operation. Additional closures in Arlington, Tysons, and North Bethesda are expected by July 20.
📝 Survey Offers Chance to Win $100 Gift Card
The Rosslyn BID is asking residents, workers, and visitors to weigh in on how they experience the neighborhood through its annual Rosslyn Perception Survey, now open through July 18. The survey will help shape future programs, public spaces, and events. As a bonus, participants can enter a raffle to win one of ten $100 gift cards to local Rosslyn restaurants.
📣 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
📱More ARL High Schools to Lock Up Phones
This fall, APS is expanding its Yondr pouch program to most high schools. Students will lock phones away during the school day to cut distractions and boost focus—part of a growing statewide shift toward stricter cellphone rules.
🥳 This Weekend in Arlington
Weekend Happenings
🎶 Today
Italian Wine Class at Pentagon City Wine, $5, 5 - 8 PM
Zumba Power Hour at Mason Plaza, Free, 5:30 - 6:30 PM
Friday Night Concert Series featuring Retropop (Theme: Grand Finale) at Water Park, Free, 6 - 8:30 PM - Last week of the series!!
NoSo Live – Music Series at Northside Social Arlington Patio, Free (+happy hour specials), 6–9 PM
Clay Earring Workshop with Brianna from Abloom Earrings at UPSIDE on Moore, $50, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Bobby Thompson Trio at Lubber Run Amphitheater, Free, 8 PM
🐐 Saturday
HIIT by Lifetime at Clarendon Crossing, Free, 10 – 11 AM
Potomac River Pride Month Cleanup at Gravelly Point Park, Free, 9–11 AM
Fort CF Smith Park Walking Tour, Free, 11 AM - 12 PM
Pride BINGOAT: Bingo + Goats at Faith Lutheran Church, $45, 12 – 1 PM
Pride June Goat Yoga at Faith Lutheran Church, $45, 2 – 3 PM
Cheesy History at the Ball-Sellers House, Free, 2 - 3 PM
Soundcheck @ HVMANE Studios Mixer & Day Party at HVMANE Studios, Free, 4 - 8 PM
Mongolian Sound Healing with Traditional Horse Fiddle and Throat Singing at GER Art & Music Studio, Free, 5–6:30 PM
Summer Concert Series featuring Gracie Jay (Vocal Soul and Pop) at Water Park in National Landing, Free, 6–9 PM - Last week of the series!!
CECILY(soul and jazz) at Lubber Run Amphitheater, Free, 8 PM
🎨 Sunday
Outdoor Poetry Workshop at Ballstonian Coffee Cart, Free, 10 AM
A.C.T.O.R. – A Continuing Talk on Race at Busboys & Poets Shirlington, Free, 5 PM
Paint and Sip, Life's A Beach edition at Water Park, $34, 6 - 8 PM
Arlington Philharmonic (classical, Broadway, film) at Lubber Run Amphitheater, Free, 6 PM
🎷 Live Music Lineup
Where to find your groove
🗓️ Tonight
Bob Sheppard & Friends @ 6:00PM — Westover Market
Gerard West @ 8:00PM — Three Whistles
Mike Leverone @ 8:00PM — Samuel Beckett's
The Slamm @ 9:30PM — The Renegade
Will Barkley @ 9:30PM — Ragtime
🗓️ Saturday
Surf Trek @ 5:00PM — Westover Market
La Unica (Irish Latin Rock) @ 6:30PM — The Renegade
Steve Bray @ 8:00PM — Samuel Beckett's
Matt Burridge @ 9:30PM — Ragtime
Under the Covers @ 10PM — The Renegade
🗓️ Sunday
The Frenchmen, New Passengers @ 9PM — 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!